I was trying to get Bubba to bed just a moment ago, and she wanted me to rub her back. I'm thinking this will relax her, so I do.

'No, Mommy, like this." She shows me that she wants the motion that looks and feels like I'm typing on her back, only faster than my pecking on the keyboard.

"Okay, Bubba, but only for a minute. You need your rest for tomorrow. You have a big day of playing and gymnastics."

I complete my obligatory backrub, and kiss her. "I'm going to let you go to sleep now." (she insistantly taps on my left cheek while I am saying this, but is using her manners by only tapping 500 times and not speaking) "You have to get your rest. Yes, Bubba."

"Mommy, will you rub my shoulders?"

I reach over and rub her shoulders. I kiss her again and tell her goodnight.

"Mommy, scratch my back please! I have itchies!"

I sigh, then reach over and start scratching her back.

In her sweet, innocent little voice, she commands me: "Down. More down. The other side. No, the other side. Down. Back up. The other side."

Just as I am about to lose my patience, I see her cuddle up to my blankey, a smile on her face, eyes closed, and she murmers, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," almost inaudibly.

I am immediately overcome with the Melting Mommy Heart Syndrome, and fall in love with my little, lovely tyrant all over again. This is just a great day to be a mommy. I am the luckiest woman ever.