Early to Bed (Photostory)

Danielle has managed to get the boys into the tub on time.  Her goal is to have them ready for bed, or sleep by the time Rod returns home.  She wants them well rested for their return to school and daycare.  She would also love to spend a little quality time with her husband tonight.  With all the chaos during the holidays, they have been running on empty, and have barely had time to catch up.

"Can we get a little washing in along with the playing?"  (Danielle)

Normally Danielle would be down on her knees scrubbing necks, cleaning ears, etc.  Tonight she decided to soak her feet while they cleaned themselves.  She will give them a more thorough cleaning tomorrow.

"Mommy, do we have to go to school tomorrow?"  (Julian)

"Yes."  (Danielle)

"Shoot."  (Julian)

"Aren't you excited to see your friends and tell them what Santa brought you?"  (Danielle)

"They could just come over and see what Santa brought me."   (Julian)

"Nice try, but if you skip school, Santa may come back and take away all your gifts."  (Danielle)

A worried look comes across his cute little face.

"Really?"  (Julian)

"Maybe.  I wouldn't chance it if I were you.  Now finish washing.  You guys have five more minutes and then it's story time."  (Danielle)

Twenty minutes later and the boys are out the tub, into their pjs, and ready for a story.  Well one of them is ready for a story.  The other one is ready to play.

"Jacob, it's story time."  (Danielle)

"I don't want to go to bed."  (Jacob)

"Jacob, look, I picked one of your favorite books."  (Julian)

"The cat?"  (Jacob)

"Yes, the cat."  (Julian)

"If I have to come get you, there will be no story.  You will go straight to bed."  (Danielle)

That did it.  Jacob runs to Danielle

"Why are you being so difficult.  You know the routine."  (Danielle)

"Mommy, I'm going to turn the pages."  (Julian)

"Okay.  What's the name of the book?"  (Danielle)

"The Cat in the Hat."  (Julian)

After the book, the boys convinced Danielle to let them stay in the bed with her.  She was too tired to argue and too tired to climb the stairs to escort them to bed, so they stayed.

When Rod returned home, he was greeted with a familiar sight.

He gathered the boys and headed to their room.  Danielle barely stirred.  She must have been exhausted.

Rod returned and hopped in the shower.  Danielle slept through it all.  He stood for awhile and watched her sleep.  He was tempted to wake her.  He was really looking forward to a little cuddling.

He sat on the bed, hoping this might wake her.  Nothing.  She was out.

He reaches over to turn out her light.

He crawls into bed,

and turns out his light.  There's always tomorrow.