Tonight mommy duty at bedtime has come to an end, as Daddy returns late tonight.  Ever since Mo’ was born Hubs would read her a book, or two or three, every night.  I had day-duty and he had night-duty. Plus I thought it was really sweet. And to his credit, he REALLY enjoys it.  Well now Hubs is advancing in his career and he travels a tad more than he used to, and he’s been away for several nights.  We use Face-time at night and in the morn’ before school so they can see him.  If there is any contingent out there who believes that a parent’s absence isn’t hard on a kid, you are sadly mistaken — so we do the best that we can to ameliorate these absences.

Back to tonight’s book reading.  Well we had just made cupcakes for Dad’s return, took baths while they cooled, and then decorated them perfectly messily!  It was kind of cool, and it kept them from the TV.  We waltzed up to bed, excited with the notion of Dad’s face when he sees the sugary goods and we were giddy.  In riding out that moment, I crawled into the bed with my M&M’s and we sang some songs and then I excitedly started this new game:

Me: “OK, lil’ people. You know how we are excited about Daddy’s reaction to the cupcakes?  Let’s make each other feel good.  Let’s each say one thing about the other two, that is positive about that person.  I’ll go first.  Mo’ you are the smartest and bravest lil’ girl I have ever met” [she grinned so hard it hurt my cheeks] “Maddox, you are the funniest and best cuddler in the world, EVER!”  [He buried his head in my chest and giggled].  ”Maddox you go first…”

‘Ox:  ”Mommy…you be the best mommy in the whole world.  Mor-dan, you are the best bed share sister in the whole world.”  [He was squirming under the duvet].

Mo’:  “OK… My turn.  Mommy you are the best nurse and the best dresser I know.  And Maddox you are the strongest and toughest and handsomest brother ever.“

Me: “Now guys… see how good it made you feel when you said something nice about the other person?  And how good it made you feel when someone recognized you for something…“

Mo’:  “Oh I see where you are going with this… Maddox,  Mommy wants you to say nice things about me more often.  Ok?“

Me: “Wait.  No. Huh?“

Foiled again.  That Maddox better look out. She always has an angle.   He’s screwed.