Bedtime Routine

I am such a lucky mom to have the chance to raise 4 kids.  One of my favorite parts of the day is our bedtime routine.  We put PJ's on and almost without hitting a beat #2 request to sleep in underwear, sure go a head.  Someone else throws a fit insisting they are not tired when the fact is that if they were not tired they would not be having a fit. We brush teeth and have an argument of who has to go first and if they HAVE to get their teeth flossed.  (Thank you honey for dealing with this part of the night)  We then read a book and say prayers as a family.  Now granted #3 is most likely rolling all over the floor or running in and out of the room, at 2 years old she will still say her prayers when it is her turn.  #1 always prayers for the good guys to stay good and the bad guys to be helped by God to become good.  #2 always prays for his Aunt H and Uncle A.  #3 thanks God for healing her neck several several months ago and each member of our family listing our names and kissing each one of us as she says them.  #4 just sits and takes it all in.  We then go from their to tucking kids into bed.  I always have to tuck #1 in I must fix the blankets better than Dad that's the only thing I can figure, we also must have the loved mingo, her pink flamingo.  #2 has his silky blanket and cow pillow pet, he has to have them just right. #2 has to have which ever white bear is her pick for the night to snuggle with, she only has 6 of them on her bed.  #4 is already wanting the lights be so so and loves to have her blanket to cuddle with.  I think the most endearing part of the whole night is when each kid says they want a hug and kiss from both mom and dad and they want to give us one too.  It melts my heart when my son says he wants to kiss me on the cheek.  I hope and pray that our kids as they grow up know how much spending time with them like this means to us.  Even though about 5 mins after we turn out the lights #1 is yelling about #3 doing something because she is out of bed, #2 is needing a drink or the bathroom light wasn't left on.  Its something that I am really trying to not get frustrated over because there will be one day that they won't want us to tuck them into bed.  We may say prayers as a family and get kisses goodnight, but they will be taking themselves to bed and tucking themselves in, not us doing it for them.  I want to hold each one of them close as much as possible and be thankful for each night we get to be part of this routine.