We have a little rhythm that's evolved since we've lived here, since the boys have grown a bit older and a new little one was added to the bunch. After dinner, while Steve and I begin the post-dinner, before-bed wind-down with the littlest ones, the (big) boys clean up, wash and put away dishes. The 'deal' that makes this so sweet for them, and means that we hardly ever hear complaining, is that they get full control over the kitchen iPod while on cleanup duty. Both the artist and the volume. Which in a kitchen with lots of room to move around in, and two energetic boys who love music and dancing... means a nightly dance party. (And hopefully a minimum of breaking dishes. But you know...happy dishwashers are worth cleaning up a broken mason jar for every so often.)
It's a good time in there. We all step in from time to time to help, and dance...but really, this particular ritual is their thing, and their time, and they own it like nobody's business. It would be lovely and idyllic and convenient if we could all just listen to the likes of The Beatles all day long and be satisfied. But my exploring and curious music lovers are just that - curious and exploring. And there are many moments in their days where their chosen music isn't appropriate for all in a room. We make a lot of compromises - that's what families do. But this after dinner kitchen time? It's all theirs.
After all of that Lady Gaga/Flo Rida hoopla ("Hoopla, Mom? Really?" I can hear one of them saying right now), we can generally find them still together...reading. Though I think the dance party really continues all the way until they part ways and head to separate rooms to sleep.
All that to say, they got some new pajamas this week too, thereby completing my 'late for solstice' pajama set. As simple as simple can be - I knew that's just how they'd want them - they're elastic waist pants they can pair with their own shirts. Simple white tshirts, worn to ballet class, and jazz class and modern class...and to the important after-dinner clean up, followed by bed. Using Simplicity 2290, Calvin's are in this fabric, while Ezra's are in an out of print (I think) RJR flannel.
Just like that - one month later than intended - I've got five flannel pajama-clad babies, warm and happy. Which makes Mama happy too.
All Together Now. (I slip The Beatles in wherever I can.)
