A little bit of work goes a long way....

A ROUTINE!! We've got it. We've figured it out. Three weeks straight of this and it's a done deal. But, don't disturb us during 4-7pm or it could get all goofed up. We got the idea from a friend of ours who said that her kids were in bed by 7pm every night. I thought she was joking, but she said, "you just do it and it works". We've never been strict with bedtime or routine. Emi always went to bed when she started looking tired. Once she turned about 3 1/2 the naps dissappeared and she still went to bed around 9 or so. We found that if we gave her a nap then she couldn't or wouldn't fall asleep until around 11PM. So, we were in a tough spot. When I was working I didn't even get home until 5pm, so we were always just flying by the seat of our pants. But, now that I am home with the girls I am of course WAY more organized. I plan my dinners a week out every Saturday morning. During this time of year, I CROCK it a lot so my prep work begins before the girls are even up for the day. Anyway, here is our routine......

4pm - Traci Start dinner & Feed Elise her yummy Gerber dinner
5pm - Eat (Elise joins us at dinner table and eats a cracker or two)
5:30pm - Eric cleans kitchen, Traci gives girls a bath
6pm - Family activity (A game, a puzzle......)
6:30 - Elise eats last bottle
6:45 - Elise is in crib; Emi gets bedtime story in bed
7pm - Emi lights out; Elise asleep
7:15 - Emi asleep
7:15 & beyond - GROWN UP TELEVISION.....WHAT A CONCEPT!!!

The only downfall I have found to this fantastic nightly routine is that both girls are getting up a lot earlier. Where Emi used to sleep until 9am and Elise until 8am, they are both up by 7am at the latest. I have always been an early riser. Most of my house work is done between 4:30 and 7:00am. I love to get up a few hours before the girls, but with this new idea, it's impossible. But Emi is by far better rested, we have less fights and hassles and everyone just seems happier. Now, I just need to figure out what to do with all the spare time between 7:15pm and my bedtime........