Actual Snuggle time

We got Kate a loft bed a while back, and that sort of put an end to us snuggling with her before bed. For a while. But at some point recently she wanted to revisit it, so Emily and I clamber up there into her bed before she goes to sleep and lie down with her and chat a little, just as we used to and probably did with Jack until he was almost 12 (occasionally still do, what the heck, time will come soon enough when he wants no part of us. Her, too.).

During football season, Emily does most of the bedtimes for Kate, but I get Wednesday and Friday, when there's time. So a little while back she introduced me to the process, which is pretty awesome.

First, she climbs up into her bed, and I stand patiently by the light switch as she arranges her blankets, pillows, and stuffed sleeping friends. When she gives me the go-ahead, I turn out the light.

Second, I climb up the ladder, all along worried I'm going to miss a step or brain myself on the ceiling.

I manage to lie down next to her, where we then take turns asking each other questions. Sample: "What's your favorite Christmas song?" "What do you like best about our living room?" "What is your least-favorite Halloween candy?" Sometimes answers lead into further questions, but there's usually some interesting insights into Kate's mind and her day.

After the questions are complete, Kate says, "OK, actual snuggle time." At this point we stop talking and close our eyes. Within a few seconds, she does a big yawn. I generally follow with a big yawn of my own.

Then she says, "Good night, Daddy." And I say Good night, Katie. I love you. And clamber down the ladder and close her door for the night.