I babysat the twins last night after a long day of work, something that doesn’t usually happen as I normally see them on Saturday afternoons. I was looking forward to seeing them but more than that, I was looking forward to their bedtime. The Olympics were on and I wanted to sit on the couch in peace, maybe eat some dessert, maybe stare mindlessly at the figure skaters’ butts. WHO KNOWS.

I felt slightly guilty about this. I mean, I don’t want to be that person who’s like, ENOUGH ALREADY, GO TO BED. Though I vaguely remember my parents’ hitting that exact wall with me and my siblings and I suddenly related so much. It made so much sense. Sure, they cared about our bedtime and us watching too much television but mostly, some nights they just wanted to be LEFT ALONE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! Was that so much to ask!?

So, that’s how I initially felt last night. But of course, as soon as I saw them, my heart sort of melted and I was like “Oh darnit. It’s 7:30 already!? That only gives me an HOUR of play time!”

And then River began singing his world reknowned POOP POOP POOPY song and I thought to myself “It’s ONLY 7:30!? A WHOLE HOUR MORE OF THIS? UGHHHHHHHHHHHH.”

We played a little game we made up called “We’re taking the C train to the museum” which was every bit as enthralling as it sounds. Then I switched the television on to the Olympics musing, “Hey River, want to watch some skiing??” assuming he would do what the twins always do when I try to show them something awesome: say YEAH and then abruptly walk away because BORRRRRRRRRING.

Instead, River stood transfixed in front of the television.

“WOW!” he exclaimed as the athletes flew down the mountain.

And then, copying an adult phrase he likes to use:

“THAT IS INSANE!!!!!”

It is! THAT’S WHY IT’S THE OLYMPICS!!! I told him he could watch some more if he got into the bath and for the first time ever, he RACED toward the tub, begged me to wash his hair and then immediately asked to get out so he could watch more of the Olympics.

I wrapped him in his favorite elephant towel and put him on the couch.

“Do you want to read a story tonight? Or watch a little more of the Olympics before bed?” I asked the twins.

“THE OLYMPICS!” they screamed.

I think Owen just wanted to stay up and play a little more. But River was completely entranced. I pointed out the order of who was winning when it flashed up on the screen. I told him what countries the athletes were from when they appeared, explained the medal system, pointed out the timer and how the fastest one down the mountain wins.

It hit me that they are growing, getting bigger, broadening their interests and their attention spans. I had noticed it earlier in the night when River made the connection that the suction cup on one of his toys was exactly like that time we used the plunger in the toilet.

THAT’S EXACTLY IT! I had exclaimed and then stared at him like, WHY ARE YOU SMARTER THAN ME? OMG.

River asked if I would sit with him and watch the skiing and I was all, ARE YOU KIDDING? Twist my arm, this is what I’ve been wanting to do ALL DAY.

I put Riv’s pajamas on, grabbed a container of dairy-free cookie dough ice cream from the fridge and curled up next to him on the couch. His hand immediately reached for my hair (his version of having a lovey) and his eyes began to get heavy. In a few short minutes, the little peanut was asleep on my shoulder and no longer commenting on the insanity of the slalom event which was sort of sad because it cracked me up.

I picked him up and carried him to bed as Owen followed me and climbed into his bed by himself. I tucked him in next, a contented smile on his face, waiting for me to sing “You Are My Sunshine”, even if “River isn’t awake to hear it”. I dutifully complied, a kiss on the forehead, left the bedroom door open a tiny bit.

I think it’s natural to get a little “Enough already, go to bed!” with children. After all, you’re an adult. You’re not a kid. And attempting to relate to them can get a little exhausting over and over again. But I also think that when you’re lucky and have ice cream to calm you, the thing about kids is that they make all the stuff you were going to do by yourself so much better. Sitting on the couch by myself vs. sitting on the couch with River.

I think my preference is pretty darn obvious.