bedtime chats

Every night at bedtime is special with both our girls.  I love snuggling Vivi until she nods off to sleep and bedtime is when Emma Jane finally becomes a snuggler at the end of a long snuggle-free day.  Our routine with Emma Jane has been the same since she was a small baby.  Paul bathes her, dresses her in her pjs, and gives her a little quiet (ha!) playtime in her room.  When I come in to take over,  Emma Jane and I read a few books together, say prayers, and snuggle for a few minutes before I leave the room.  Recently our snuggle time has also become chat time.  Emma Jane will say, "Mama, I have somepin I want to talk to you 'bout."  Every night we talk about something different and it leads to a long string of disconnected (or are they?) Emma Jane thoughts.  This is how our conversation went tonight.  Please forgive the lengthy dialogue, but I wanted to record at least one of these conversations while it's still fresh in my mind.  Times like these are just too precious to forget.

EJ:  Mama, why do we have dinner?

Me:  Well, so our bodies can be healthy and strong.  That's why we eat all of our meals and make sure we have servings of fruits and vegetables.

EJ:  But I don't wike vegetables.

Me:  Well, it's important to eat them.

EJ:  But why?

Me:  So you can run fast and jump high and have plenty of energy all day long.

EJ:  Mama, why do we go to school?

(Notice the whys have begun to take over our child!)

Me:  So we can learn new things like how to read, how to write, and how to share with our friends.

EJ:  Mama, I wike your eyebwows.  You have bootiful eyes.  Are your eyes bwown?

Me:  Yes, my eyes are brown just like yours.

EJ:  But my eyes turn green when I cry.  Why do they turn green?

Me:  I'm not sure...

EJ:  Mama, open your mouth and say Ahhhh!

Me:  Why?

EJ:  I need to check to see if your teef are white.  Have you been eating sweeties?

Me:  I guess I better go brush my teeth.  (As much as I love this conversation, I do have to leave at some point and this is the perfect way to exit.)

EJ:  No, mommy, I want you to stay and snuggle for just one, two, free mo minutes.

Me:  Can you lay here quietly with me while we snuggle?

EJ:  No, 'cause I have somepin very impotant we need to talk 'bout.

....and so it continues...every night...and I wouldn't have it any other way!