Five Minute Reading

I'm not sure how "Five Minute Reading" started in our house, but it has become an integral part of the evening wind-down. After teeth brushing, a bath or vigorous face, hands, and feet washing, several picture books read aloud, the four-year-old and two-year-old have a few more minutes with the lights on to look at books.

I can take the time to be somewhat noisy folding laundry, rattling hangers, and opening and shutting drawers and closets. The younger one especially is a talker and has a tendency to talk and sing herself to sleep, which the older one finds exasperating. Somehow this Five Minute Reading time has lessened the jabbering.

Then we say prayers, turn on the night light, turn off bright lamp or close the curtains, and I turn on the former crib music box now sitting on the bookcase, and the girls squeeze their eyes shut. Their mattresses are side-by-side on the floor. The older one cuddles under her blanket and sucks her fingers while the younger one has a strangling hug around five stuffed animals.

Good night Monkeys. So sweet.

Now Mom has work to do.