Good night, sleep tight

Rhiannon has a bedtime ritual that is almost as old as she is. First, I chase her up the stairs, but somehow she always seems to win, although sometimes her stuffed doggie gets top prize. Dad usually comes in last, but not for lack of not trying.

Then it's into the bathroom for teeth-brushing and potty. Rhiannon has her favorite pink Barbie toothpaste, but tonight I forgot and gave her mine, which apparently is called "death by minty taste" and it made Rhiannon cry. So we rinsed and tried again. Then comes the bubble-gum flavored ACT rinse (which is way better than the crap-flavored SAT rinse) poured into a personally selected Cars (from Pixar!) paper cup. Swish, rinse, spit.

Off to the bedroom for a selection of PJs (unless she decides to be "Bikini Girl"). Tonight, princess gown.

Next comes music selection. Rhiannon loves to fall asleep with tunes. She went for about two months listening to nothing but the soundtrack to the first Willy Wonka movie. This was replaced by the soundtrack to The Wizard of Oz. One of her first favorites was Marlo Thomas' Free to be You and Me. Tonight: Laurie Lady (Laurie Berkner).

Now the fight over books. Rhiannon usually gets three stories, plus the occasional Rhiannon story (about her and her super-cute powers of super-cuteness). Unless they are "big books" in which she might just get one or two based on length. Tonight it was a comic book from the Witch cartoon show on Jetix that she seems to really associate with, being a high school girl and fashion marvel. She also likes Totally Spies. And ham.

Then come the knock-knock jokes:

Knock-knock.

Who's there?

Stu.

Stu who?

Stu late, baby, now it's stu late....

Etc.

Finally the music starts and the lights go out. The door shuts and I stand in the hall for a minute having a conversation with Rhiannon through the door.

Good night, dad!

Good night, Rhiannon.

Sleep tight!

Sleep tight, Rhiannon.

I'm having a sweet dream!

That's great.

You have a sweet dream, too, dad!

*sob* I'm such a softie.

Soporific cuteness.

Andrew (Papa)