Lullaby & Goodnight

One of my favorite duties as Mom is singing the boys to sleep at night. Allen and I trade off on nightly jobs, so every other night I do the bath/story/singing routine. At the end of the day I usually feel pretty wiped out. Sometimes I even find my patience wearing thin and I may rush their baths or stories. But, once the lights go out and its time to sing to them I always slow down enjoy those few songs we share.

There is something very therapeutic in singing. I've never thought that I had a particularly good singing voice, but after practicing for the last 6 years it's surely improved. Regardless, the boys love it and that's all that matters to me.

Yesterday, while I was getting Elijah into his pajammy-jams he asked, "Mommy are you taking care tonight?" When I replied yes, he said, " Yay! Daddy doesn't sing the right songs." I laughed and asked what he meant, "Your songs are great! He doesn't sing my favorite songs." Allen has his own set of songs that he likes to sing, while I sing others.

When Samuel was born I made an effort to memorize some classic lullaby songs, as well as songs that I remember my mom singing to me as a child. I also mix in some love songs and silly children's songs. I have quite a collection of material now!

We start out with "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Jesus Loves Me", followed by prayers, then I ask them to choose three songs a piece for me to sing. First I lie down with Elijah and we snuggle while I sing. It usually takes him a little longer to settle down and lie quietly, which is why I start with him. He almost always chooses the same ones: "The Good Ship Lollipop", "Lullaby and Goodnight" (the version sung by Jewel), and "My Favorite Things."

Samuel likes those too, but will usually request "Lullaby and Goodnight",  "Hush Elijah & Samuel" (the version of "Hush Little Baby" by Sylvia Long), and "Teddy Bears Picnic." Samuel has several other favorites too, like "So Happy Together" (by The Turtles) or "My Guys" (I adapted the lyrics of The Temptations' "My Girl"). I sing others when the mood strikes, but these are definitely the long-standing favorites that I sing the most. A few of my favorites to sing are, "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" (by Sophie B. Hawkins), "House at Pooh Corner" (by Kenny Loggins), "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" (by Restless Heart), "I Can Only Imagine" (by MercyMe) and "1-2-3-4" (by The Plain White Tees).

Samuel also likes for me to climb into bed with him and snuggle up under the covers and I'm glad to oblige. I hope that our night routine will stay just like this for a least a few more years. In that stillness, the chaos of the day is forgotten and we just love on one another.

Flashback Friday: Look Who's Talking

Two years ago today, on October 9, 2012, Elijah said his first sentence! Of course, it was something that made us all laugh. "I want that!" His budding personality was already shining through!

He started out as a somewhat stoic little baby, it took a lot of silliness to make him smile, but he has developed into a funny guy who loves to make us laugh. He can still be shy sometimes, and is definitely strong-willed and stubborn, but his unexpected moments of hilarity are one thing that we love the most.

Here is a photo taken the day before while we were at the Bossier City main library's story time. I spent most of it chasing him around the room, trying to convince him to sit still on the rug or my lap. In fact, like this one, most of Elijah's photos are a little blurry because he can't ever sit still long enough for me to snap. He's always been my wild man!

Flashback Friday: Cars Galore!

My boys are car fanatics. Samuel, in particular, has always been fascinated by all varieties of cars, especially luxury sports cars (many that I'd never even heard of like Bugatti and Lotus).

By the age of three he could name almost every make and model of car we would see on the road. It's always been a main topic of our car trip conversation. In parking lots we regularly stop to admire cars and I lift him up to peek in the windows.

At home, our playroom is full of cars of all shapes and sizes, along with plenty of tracks and playsets. Everywhere you look, all over the house, you will find Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. They are beloved, but only if they are "real" cars. Samuel has no interest in the made up models that are created by Hot Wheels.

Now, Elijah has also developed a love of cars. He and Samuel spend endless hours driving cars on the road rug and setting up racing tracks. They will even simulate the video game "Need for Speed" by driving cars all over the house - up and down banisters, over the backs of the couches, even on the walls (to my chagrin).

This is one area where I am learning right along with them. I knew nearly nothing about cars before having my boys, but now I enthusiastically read car books, attend cars shows and watch NASCAR or Indy races. I love the opportunity to explore and cultivate their interests!

For this photo, taken October 25, 2012, I lined up just a fraction of Samuel's collection in an arc and left a spot so he could lay down. He thought that it was so fun and was able to lay very still while I took photos. I thought that it was be great to recreate the photo with Elijah, but I'm not sure he could lay as quietly. We may have a very different collection of photos at the end!