Project bedtime

So the bedtime ritual with the boys is complex and we've come to understand that it is their direct goal to make it so, all the better to delay the actual going to sleep. So at sometime as close to 7 as possible, in theory, they get into pajamas. At that point they are both entitled to cereal. Connor sometimes wants this, but Jamie always, and almost always two bowls. Then there is book reading with mommy or daddy, during which time Jamie consumes several cheesesticks. If they manage it, one of them can play Angry Birds or something on one of the phones while the other one is being read to. Failing this, while Jamie is being read to Connor will attempt to engage the non-reading parent in some activity including, but not limited to, legos, swordfighting, reading another book, playing a board game, or playing animals of some kind. Jamie may try this as well, but more often stands next to the reading area and throws a super ball against the back door, which he does habitually now, kind of like Steve McQueen in The Great Escape.

Then they brush teeth and head to bed to read books there by themselves. Connor makes several repeat appearances. Then, they go to the bathroom. At this point, on the very cusp of being in bed to go to sleep, they invariably ask if they can sit out with us for a few minutes. This is very much to be desired because it delays the whole program. As a result, when they do achieve this they are a) very willing to snuggle, having sensed that this makes us more likely to say yes, and b) willing to watch a few minutes of whatever we might be watching.

And thus it is that the two Costello boys, who could not possibly care less about clothing if it is not a t-shirt and pair of shorts, have become fans of the show Project Runway. They have watched just a few episodes of the current season but are quite into it. Connor was sick today and spent a good part of the day asking if we could all watch the Project Runway finale. I'm slightly at a loss as to what they like about it. I think part of it is the competition. They are compelled by the one winner/one person kicked off reality format and are very interested in who they think will win, who we think will win, etc., and make a point to ask about the results of the episode they saw when they wake up the next day.