Bedtime Routines

I'm a FIRM believer in the importance of routine in a child's life.  I try to implement a routine from day one if possible.  Not a schedule, mind you, which is something else entirely, but routine--when one known event follows another known event.

When I was teaching, the children always did best when there was a rhythm and routine to their day.  Days when we had assemblies, dress-down, etc. always disrupted the routine and the kiddos were "off". 

When I think about it, I always do much better when I know how my day is going to flow and know what comes next.  It's one of the reasons I'm always happy school starts--it gives routine to my day. 

The same holds true for my girls--they too do better when they know what comes next.  This is why I made Lil those charts.  Yes, they do have times on them, and we try to hit those times as best we can, but, for the most part, they are a guide more than anything else. 

 The one thing we do hold firm on is bedtime.  Lil simply must be in bed by 7:00 with lights out by 7:30 or she misses her "window" and then has a far more difficult time going to sleep. 

So, the girls know after dinner comes clean up the kitchen and bath.  Ellie brushes her teeth before bath (with help) and Lil does hers after.  They know after bath is jim-jams, story time and then bed. 

There may be a few small extras in there--Lil has clothing selection and quick room clean-up--but it always flows the same way.  There is usually some sort of chaos or unhappiness on nights we deviate from the routine, whether it is difficulty falling asleep, or night awakening.  Since I'm not a fan of getting up in the middle of the night, and since I do enjoy having time to myself in the evening, we try to avoid this. 

I have a routine to my days as well and I think it's time for me to make one for night.  :oS

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Today's Sparklies:

1.  Okay, these are from last night, but she was SO cute in her little union suit I had to share:

2.  Also from last night:

The pink highlighted belly b.  Today's color is BLUE.  Thank goodness for washable markers.
3.  Ellie and I got all sorts of crafting supplies at JoAnn today.  Woo hoo!  Even better?  I had a 15% off your total purchase coupon.  :o)
4.  I've seen a number of cute yarn wreaths on Pinterest and thought that might be something I would be able to do.  We'll see. :oP
5.  Ellie was pointing out things to me as we strolled along and she said, "Dog".  At least, I thought that's what she said.  When I repeated it to her, she said, "DUCK! Quack quack!" Oooooh.  Duck...
6.  Lil's enthusiasm as she gets off the bus every day. :o)

No milestones.