Story Time

I started a new routine with the boys' story time. Why I didn't do this sooner, I have no clue. But it is amazing. I always did story time with them before bed, but lately it has gotten chaotic. Both of them are sillies and don't want to chill out for a second. Wears. Me. Out.

But!! I tried something out before nap time. After they had lunch, I let them play and watch 2 shows like always. But that 1pm time until 2 (their nap time) it is like the world is coming to an end. They are wild and crazy. I'm partly to blame especially when I think breaking out a tunnel will help. Um, no. Not really. That makes things crazier. It's ok. They are pretty cute in that tunnel :)

So, anyway, once it was 1-ish, the TV was off and we did what we do at bedtime. Quiet story time. We read for like 40 minutes and they loved it! They were both starting to fall asleep! So, I asked them (yep, both) to help put the books away and the pillows back. Alex tries to help - it is pretty cute. Andrew even shows him how to put the books back into the basket.

Then the dreaded words came: "Ok, guys. Let's get our babies and go take a nap."

Not one fuss from either of them!

AND!! They were both sound asleep in about 5 minutes or so. Awesome.

So, tonight, I did the same thing for bedtime. TV off, toys picked up and everything cleaned up while Andrew took a shower. Alex and I looked at a little book together. He was "talking" to all the pictures - so cute! Once Andrew was in his pajamas and everyone was ready (meaning, for whatever reason, all the pillows from the sofa are on the floor for a story - whatever works I guess!), we read our stories. Here's what we read:

Tonight's story "The Rabbit's Apprentice" 

I found this book in the bargain section for $5 at Books-A-Million :)

Super cute story!

Nana gave this book to Andrew when we visited after Christmas. 

She found it at 2nd & Charles

And, finally this one! We are on Chapter 6 now. Andrew has really started to get into it more. He asks to see the pictures that are drawn here and there. Tonight we read the story about "When Piglet Meets a Heffalump." I found this book for $2 in the bargain section at BAM, too.

After those stories were all done, the pillows were put back and there was a little bit of fussing, but not near as much as nights before. And!! They are BOTH sound asleep. Now it is time for me to do my reading. I really want to finish my books before February!

What are you reading? Do you have a story time routine?