How precious this time really is...

As a parent, you hope you are doing the best you can to provide a secure and loving life for your children.  It is hard to know for sure when often days can begin so imperfectly and go down hill by the hour.  Some days run on and on and some evenings are full of whines and tears and our patience wears to translucency.  

Then, there are times when you really think you are doing something right...

I do not have a photo of this to share with you so I will do my best to paint the picture of these special moments.  Over the last few weeks, we have adopted a new night-time routine where, after baths,  we all pile in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  As I snuggle Oliver in for a "night-cap", Estelle collects Brian, "wammy" and her literary pick for the evening.  Before climbing into our bed, she makes sure the doors to the hall and bathroom are closed so as to only let in a whisper of light.  Then, she makes her way up and cuddles in between Brian and me.  She softly "sssshhhhh" 's us so we do not startle or wake Oliver (ironic, I know!).   We talk and giggle softly as life seems to stand still in time.  Both of the kids seem to enjoy it as much as we do and in these precious moments, there is no wrong or evil in the world.  All is so right and so well and it seems the love in that room could cure any ill.  When it is time to put Oliver to bed, Brian ushers Estelle to hers... then off to the books he goes and I continue picking up the house after dinner and a long day of play and disarray.   

Difficult days are hard to recall with such sweet endings!