Bedtime = On Good Behavior

I think it is starting to dawn on the kids that the longer they play happily and are in good moods and don't act sleepy, the more likely it is that we extend their bedtime. That means that once we get into the bonus room (our routine is straight from bath after dinner since they are usually a mess, then into the bonus room for what was initially supposed to be book time, and then bed) they both are usually playing and talking and having a ball because they don't want to go "nigh nigh." Actually, when you tell Katie it is time for night night, she repeats it, picks up her Clifford doll and isn't too upset when you pick her up. Tyler, on the otherhand, knows exactly what picking him up at that time of night means and he doesn't want any part of it. He pitches a royal tantrum every night at bedtime, but is usually the first one asleep after just a few minutes of protest. Katie gives us goodnight kisses as soon as she is in her crib, but Tyler turns his head and refuses because he is mad at us for ending his fun for the evening.

Here they are tonight before bed, making the circuit of toys that they don't get to see that often and love. The ball pit got moved upstairs once we realized that if we didn't contain it, we would have balls all over our living room and kitchen constantly.

This is one of Katie's many faces - she is quite expressive for someone with such a limited vocabulary!

They really do love their ball tent and the extra balls that go with it. I guess I can handle the mess since it makes the munchkins so happy. Each of them with things that are their favorite words - Tyler with a "ball" and Katie with a "dog," and sucking in for some reason? I wonder if she understands her Daddy when he says she is chubby?!?
You can tell a little in this pictures that their hair is growing - Tyler is actually soon to be in need of a haircut because of that mini-mullett!