bed time

Vince's work schedule is 6pm to 2am.  Some nights we are lucky to have him home for his "dinner break".  But more often than not, I am flying solo at bed time.  Tucking in is quite a process... Tonight in particular.  First, Family prayers.  Then the kids scatter, claiming they need a drink.  (not a drink from the bathroom sink, it must be a cold drink from the frig.)  Brenna insists that the bathroom water tastes funny because it is warm.  :)  I usually find Bryant hiding under the covers in Wyatt's bed.  His giggle always gives him away! Saying goodnight to the boys,  Bryant gives a hug and kiss to Preston and Wyatt and I carry him off to his bed.  I tuck him in, give him a kiss, talk about what we are going to do tomorrow and we decide how opened or closed he wants his door.  Then Brenna gets a little attention, or should I say A LOT!  She talks my ear off like any girl should!  Tonight she told me all about how her new desk mate is Wesley and how he has 2 gold teeth.  She thought it would be really cool to have gold teeth too, but then she realized that he has gold teeth because he "probably doesn't brush them very well because, woo, wee, his breath is bad."  "I was just sitting there mom and then a breeze went by and, oh my goodness, I smelled something awful and I thought it was just him, but it was his breath!!  I'm sure that is why he has gold teeth, he should brush better!"  As soon as we discussed the need for good teeth brushing, I gave her a kiss and a hug and said goodnight.  THAT SECOND, (as if waiting for me to finish with Brenna),  Bryant said, "Mmmoooom! ... you forgot to give me a song!"  Oh, of course, I say.  Which one would you like?  "Twinkle, Twinkle".  We sing our little song together, hand gestures included and then I say, "Love you, see you in the morning!!"  Just as I was leaving, Bryant called me back to his bed side.  He had something very important to tell me... "Preston and Wyatt did not practice their piano today mom!!!"  "Just wanted you to know!"  ---HAHA!  He is right.  It was a busy afternoon and evening.  :)  I then make my way back down the hall, I tell the boys what Bryant said.  We all had a good chuckle over this one. They promise not to forget tomorrow! - I remind Preston and Wyatt that it is getting late now and to quiet down.  (Preston has a very loud voice, even when he tries to whisper... kinda funny :)  I tell Riley that it is now past his bed time, (5:00am comes very early!)  I make another trip down the hall to quiet the boys, AGAIN.  Urge my teen to wash his face and make sure his phone is charging in my room.  --Another "shhhh" down the hall.  And finally ... some quiet time.  I get ready for bed and then appears my teen who should be sleeping by this point.   "What is it you say?"  "Oh,you forgot to wash your dingy, dirty, grass stained football pants for your game tomorrow??"  Lovely.  :)