Option B

Bedtime. It's when I've nearly run out of steam, and yet my best tactics are still needed. Kids run amuck, often away from the direction of the bed, and a willing adult is very useful. I could be up, about, and marshaling the troops. I could be moving things along - smoothly, efficiently. I could be getting them in bed -much quicker, perhaps.

Instead, I hang out on the landing, play with Beckham, and direct L&L traffic from my spot on the floor.

And I often take pictures (see? I'm doing something useful!).

Further evidence that I'm not the only one having trouble staying on track...rest assured that Liza is not hamming it up for me or my camera. That is her nightly playing-with-Beckham-while-trying-to-brush-teeth routine

But really- what better way is there to spend my least favorite time of the day? (True, I can think of many ways I'd rather spend my evening: date night - out with Tyler - let the babysitter do the routine; or, in a huge bubble bath - with a book; or, out with friends  - wallyball, shopping, custard run, you fill in the blank. So let's say, of all the options where I am physically present, I like the picture taking option myself.)

if only this was taken with a real camera and not the camera phone - does it get much cuter than this?

okay, well this does

Finally, the laugh of the night played out as follows:

Me: Liza, are you going to brush your hair before you go to bed?

Liza (with a heavy sigh, and a slump of the shoulders): I have so many things to do in my life