Bringing It Back

For a long time now, we haven't been doing nighttime read alouds.

Evenings are such a mad dash, from the beginning of dinner through til bedtime, that I felt like there just wasn't enough time - and, to be honest, I didn't have enough energy.  I justified it by doing our literature read alouds during the day with my kids, as a part of our homeschooling day, and left it at that.

Lately, however, it has felt like something is missing.  Without reading as our last little family communion at the end of the day, bed time became little more than this:  "It's time for bed.  Go on up."  And while that kept things short and sweet and efficient, well, efficiency isn't everything.  And I realized I missed that time with my kids, even though we had read together earlier in the day.

Well, at 9 months pregnant, I certainly don't have any more energy these days...but I do feel that nesting need to really hunker down with my kids and enjoy them during these last few weeks without the excitement and distraction of a new little one in the house.  So it just felt right to tell everyone to get into their pajamas and meet me up on my bed for a little night reading.

Sure, there were interruptions.  3 year olds are squirrelly little things, and something about being on Mama's great, squishing bed just makes the littlest one want to bounce, bounce, bounce!  But we made it through, reading 2 chapters of "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" and laughing right out loud, all of us there together.  My heart caught a bit, remembering so many evenings spent that way with my own Mama, as she made her way patiently through All of a Kind family, the Happy Hollisters, the Narnia series, and so many more besides.  I remembered sometimes we'd make her keep going and keep going that she'd drift off right there, and we'd snuggle in, delighted to just be with her, until my Dad came up and shoo-ed us to our respective bedrooms.

Snuggled up with my 5, I couldn't believe the time that's passed - and how very blessed I am.  We might not be able to get to it every night, but it is a goal of mine - to read to those little ones and love them right through their childhood, just as I was so very loved.  At the end of a long day, with it's missteps and mistakes, it feels right to spend their last waking moments making memories together.  

I close the book and it's last kisses and hugs for all of them, tucking 5 little souls into beds.  Even my oldest catches my hand and pulls me in, patting my belly and whispering "Night, baby" to his yet-to-be-born baby sister.  I wrap up the night like a gift, make my way downstairs with a light and thankful heart.


If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to future posts.  Thank you.