Who do we have?

I have to post this sweet story because I don't ever want to forget it.

Like most families, we have a bedtime routine. Start prepping them ("Okay... last show then it's bedtime"), then while they are watching some combination of Team UmiZoomi (if it's up to Declan) or Phinneus and Ferb (Cash's recent obsession, which actually isn't that bad...) they get their jams on.  After that it's a book or two, (most of the time) brushing their teeth, crawling through Mommy's legs to their room like bears/lions/dogs going into their cave, and going to sleep with the proper amount of snuggles, hugs, kisses, and dropping various stuffed animals onto their heads.

About three or four months ago we added another ritual which has turned into a hilarious and fun (although repetetive) thing. Daddy and I are getting a little tired of if EVERY night but we can't say no.  It started when Nathan was rocking with the boys in their room and I came in and said, "Who do we have here?!"  Then pointing at each one, I'd say, "Do we have peanut better, and jelly, and bread?" And they'd say "No....."  Then I'd say, "Do we have Vegas, and Sydney, and Dannydog?" And they'd say, "Noooo...." Then after about 6 more rounds of getting it wrong, finally I finish with, "Do I have Cashy, and Daddy, and Decky?" Then they all shout, "YES!!!"  and then they immediately get off the rocker and get in their beds.

So we alternate between who gets to sit in the rocker - Daddy or Mommy - and the things we come up with range from animals/pets, people we know, food we eat, places we go, clothes we wear. Seriously. Anything we can come up with. So last night Nathan and I really didn't want to do it so we were suggesting to them that THEY do it. Cash didn't want to. So we said, "Declan, you say who we have!" of course not expecting him to do it since he's only two.

But we should have known better!  Our little Decky-doo gets all serious and points to each of us and says in a very sweet voice with broken sentences, "uh-have Papa... and Gwamma Letta... and uh-ka (Erica)..." and we all said, "Noooo...." and he says, "uh-have kitty... and doggy...and bunny..." and we said, "Noooo...." Then he said, "uh-have chair, and chair, and chair?" and we said (while laughing in delight), "No..." and I said, "Do one more!" (just because I was loving it so much) and he pointed to each of us and said, "uh-have Daddy, and Mommy, and Cashy?"  And we all shouted, "YES!"

I was almost in tears from laughing and being so proud. What a smart kiddo! Cash has declared that he'd like to do it tonight so I'm much looking forward to seeing what he comes up with. My guess it will be centered more around farts, weiners, and eating things like worms.

This is an old picture, but it's the same rocker we sit in every night!