Bright, Shiny Faces...

Isn't there some nursery school rhyme about being all lined up in a row with our bright, shiny faces????

This is what I came home to, tonight. I came back from my Monday Night workout (moved to Wednesday due to that alleged holiday) and when I approached the front walk, my little girls knocked on the window and giggled -- as only little girls can. Joe had bathed them so they were freshly scrubbed, with wet heads and clean smells, a different set of princess pajamas on each . And they came RUNNING down the stairs to see me.

After more than four years of parenting I still don't think I even begin to understand how much they want ME. To line them up and moisturize their little bodies, run conditioner through their hair, blow dry those wet heads into some kind of style. Then they each picked a book for me to read. One "Good Night, Blue" -- followed by "The Polar Express" and "Dinorella". Loads of good night hugs and kisses and blanket adjustments, and then kisses for each other, and then more stuffed animals and Barbies on board and then -- like magic -- the silence of sleep taking over.

There is an extra ritual here at 10pm. I carry Sophia to the potty so that (even in her sleep) she can complain and cluck her tongue at ne about disturbing her just to keep the sheets dry (hey, it works.) And then I scoop up Francesca, who begins each night on her comforter on the floor (pick your battles). She (still) weighs almost nothing, and I pick her up, blanket, pillow, Pink Bear and all, and deposit her into her bed. Our ritual is, I sing one line of the Mary Poppins good night song, and she smiles back at me and snuggles in for the rest of the night. I walk across the hall, and make sure Gabriella is covered by a blanket and that Ra-ra is within reach. And then I walk away. Marvelling at how much we need each other. My three girls and me. My little faces in the window. My little faces on the pillows. The three little people who have left an imprint on my heart that I never could have imagined.

Sweet dreams.