It's my job to put the kids down at night. Generally, I sit in the big, cozy rocking chair with Grace on my left leg and Hunter on my right. I read a few books, then I turn out the light and sing songs. Unfortunately, my repertoire is rather thin:
- Twinkle, Twinkle
- A, B, C (same tune as Twinkle, Twinkle)
- Bah, Bah, Black Sheep (same tune as Twinkle, Twinkle)
- Rock-a-bye, Baby
- Hush, Little Baby
- Hey, Diddle Diddle
- Are You Sleeping (modified for night time)
And, sometimes I'll sing these songs:
- The Itsy Bitsy Spider
- There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat (including alligators!)
Rather than learning new tunes, Jill and I have both made up some new songs based on tunes we already know, especially the eternally flexible Twinkle, Twinkle. Here's one Jill wrote:
Little Babies, Go To Sleep Sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle
- Little babies, go to sleep. Close your eyes and slumber deep.
- In the morning, you will wake; Then fond memories we will make.
- Little babies, go to sleep. Close your eyes and slumber deep.
And, here's one I made up: I Love You Sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle
- Hunter O'Neil, I love you. Sarah Grace, I love you, too.
- Mommy loves you, yes she does. Daddy loves you, just as much.
- Hunter O'Neil, I love you. Sarah Grace, I love you, too.
That one is probably my favorite song to sing the kids. I usually sing it last, really softly, just before putting the kids in their cribs. The kids seem to like it, too. They both know the song, and often sing it with me. Grace even made up her own version, it goes like this:
I Love You Sung to the beat of Gracie's own drum
- Haha, I laa loo. Mama, I laa loo. Dada, I laa loo.
- Mama, Dada, Haha, Gigi, I laa loo.
But, that's apparently not the only thing the song has taught the kids. Tonight, when I asked each of them to tell me their name, they both gave me versions of their full names: Hunter said, "Haha O'Neil;" and Gracie said, "Sarah Gracie." I'm so proud!