1) Catch the little ones and tell them it's bedtime. This is often the most difficult part of the whole evening, but today Zee-Zee and Gem have been running around playing so much that they're already a little sleepy, and have just been quietly playing with their toys in the living room for the last quarter of an hour.

2) Clothes off. Zee-Zee's a big squirrel and he can get undressed all by himself... just as long as he can get out of this T-shirt that's got itself wrapped around his head. And then he can get out of the big-boy pull-up that seems to have got a little wet while he was playing - must have been so sleepy that he forgot about the potty.

3) Bathtime! Lots of fun playing with bubbles and splashing water! Gem's got an advantage in the water-fight, because Zee-Zee can't see so well without his glasses on. Of course, it's not a proper bath unless the whole bathroom gets flooded with water...

4) Hot towels and hairdryers. Gotta get that fur nice and dry again - Zee-Zee makes sure his tail is good and fluffy, while Gem gets a blast with the fur-dryer. It makes a loud noise, but she's a brave little squirrel, and she does like the hot air blowing her hair all over the place. After that, a quick brush and our little squirrels are clean and properly groomed again.

5) Potty and diapie. It's time for Zee-Zee to try to use the big-boy potty, while Gem is getting her night-time diapering. Zee-Zee doesn't need to go, but this little pause is a good time for him to tell Mommy about everything that's happened to him today, while he sits there swinging his legs. Gem giggles and listens to the babbling while Mommy puts her diaper on and tickles her tummy.

6) Toothbrushing. Little squirrels have to keep their teeth healthy! Zee-Zee can brush his teeth all by himself, nearly, with just a bit of help from Mommy!

7) And now to bed. Now that they're all squeaky-clean and shining and in a nice clean diaper and night-time pull-up which is just a little bit thicker than a normal pull-up but definitely isn't a diaper, it's time to toddle to the bedroom, where there's a friend waiting for them.

8) Jammies! Once Daddy's got Gem into her sleeper, she can finally give Grub a big hug and ask him where he's been all this time while she's been in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Zee-Zee managed the pyjama top all by himself with no trouble at all! Now he's just got to wrestle with these annoying bottoms and figure out why his leg keeps going down the wrong hole...

9) Story time. With a bottle and a sippy of milk and Daddy's lap to snuggle up on, who doesn't love a story at bedtime? Grub loves this one too, because it's about a caterpillar! Zee-Zee gets excited by stories and likes to join in, describing what's happening in the picture and waving his sippy cup around absent-mindedly. Good thing the lid's on tight!

10) Bedtime. Zee-Zee sleeps in a big-squirrel bed, with his little potty there in case he wakes up in the night and needs it, and Tommy the teddy waiting for him (because he absolutely can't sleep without Tommy), and Gem has her comfy crib to keep her safe and snuggly all night long.

11) Tuck-in. Finally, making sure the little ones are snug and warm, Tommy and Grub are there, Gem's got her binky, and then a goodnight kiss from Mommy and Daddy to make sure they have sweet squirrelly dreams.

12) Sssssssh. ^.^



Guest-starring  toddlergirl