Evening - 31 Things Day 10

We were away at the beach this weekend, so I've got a few days to catch up on. I did my journaling there, then put together the layouts when we got back.

Some truths about our evening routine:

Homework almost always lasts a couple of hours, so dinner is usually served around 7 pm. The kids like an hour or two before dinner to play in their rooms and just unwind. 

We almost always eat dinner together at the kitchen table. Occasionally we will allow the kids to eat “way upstairs” on TV trays in front of the TV, or if homework went extra long, at a table in their room, but most nights we eat together. 

Nico eats slowly and gets up often during dinner to bounce a ball, look for something, get a toy - anything to stall for more time. Agustín eats quickly and usually asks for seconds, or for dessert (for him, that means cheese). Both boys are in the habit of asking “May I please be excused?” before they get up and leave the table for good.

Depending on when Nico finishes his meal, the kids will have another 15 or 20 minutes to play before the bedtime routine begins. That consists of cleaning up their room, getting pajamas on, using the bathroom, and then getting Mommy or Daddy to help brush their teeth (dentist’s orders). 

There is always reading time before bed. Andrés and I take turns, but the kids seem to prefer “Mommy”. I think it is because Mommy lets them choose two books each. The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog is read every night, and lately we have also been reading Batman: Day of the Dark Knight most nights.

After reading is done, we say prayers - one in English and one in Spanish. There is usually a chorus of “Sweet Dreams!” and “Love you more than anything!” and then lights off. By now it is 8:30, although lately it has been more like 8:45.

While one of us has been doing the bedtime routine, the other is usually getting uniforms and lunches ready for the next day. This may mean that we are doing a load of laundry or a few dishes, but soon after this both of us usually retire to the bedroom to rest. We might watch a little TV or a movie together, or get some time on the computer. We are usually under the covers and not puttering around as the house is dark, quiet and cold at this time. I tend to go to bed after Andrés, since I am usually reading and have a hard time putting down my book. By eleven o’clock we are usually both ready to go to sleep.