Twins bedtime routine

Meltdown count: 0, that's right! No meltdowns today, is that the start of a new era?

So it's 10.30 pm and if you read my previous post you 'll know this is the time my kids fall asleep. Yesterday I wrote about how happy I was that they were asleep by 9.15. So today at 7 I set out (as every day, but this time feeling much more hopeful) to complete the dinner/bedtime drill and have a repeat of yesterday's success.

Unfortunately, it did not go well and they only just fell asleep. I feel pretty drained after spending the last three hours like a drill sargeant (a loving one at that). Constantly keeping an eye on the watch as I tried to move the girls along each stage smoothly. I was quite happy to have them in bed by 9. Not so happy when an hour and fifteen later they were still jumping in and out of bed for a wee or a drink of water or whatever comes to their little minds.

When does this ever end? Anyone out there has gone through this? Any suggestions? I have to say I am not big on the 'lock them in the room and let them cry to sleep' tecnique. I just wish they fell asleep earlier, but I don't know how to accomplish it.

But this blog is about writing the happy memories, so enough of the mopping. Today I loved that:

- Suzy Sheep slept right through the night and didn't wake until 8 am. That's 11 hours in a row and a first. I guess the lack of napping plus visit to the park excitement of the previous day  had its pay off. Sleeping through the night has not been a strength, but more like the oppositte, and it's only recently that they both seem to be settling in for the night more frequently, although still there is always at least one up at least one time every night.
-I left them watching a Caillou video in my ipad while I showered (it's one of my ways of keeping them busy and away from trouble while I'm not watching). Usually, at some point after several warnings and negotiations for "the last one" I pry it away much to their screaming dissappointment. But not today. We had discussed in advance how long they would have it for and had agreed they would give it back without crying. Somehow, today it worked and they did, and there I was, shocked, but happy to see some progress.
- there was enough time to read a couple of stories in bed before starting our days. They both brought their books to my bed and we snuggled and read together.