Nightawake
I tucked kids into bed around 8pm. This involves a long process of story time, hugs, kisses, more hugs and then a long discussion about whether they can leave their room to go to the bathroom, come check on me, play in the toy room, etc. Tonight, to keep things simple I just stated they could leave room only to go to the bathroom, the end. Fatally, I didn’t specify whether lights needed to remain out and whether they could roam around IN the room but more on that later. Both my folks and my grandma are staying with me so I put my kids together in Michael’s room as he has bunk beds. Frankly, Amy usually ends up in his room anyway because Michael is scared of the dark and usually talks her into “protecting him” by sleeping on the bottom bunk while he sleeps peacefully on the top bunk. Anyway, around an hour later I quietly sneaked into my grandmas room to get something I needed. As I emerged I met a wide awake, startled Amy standing in the hallway next to the bathroom.
“And just what are you doing still up young lady?” I remonstrated in my sternest sounding whisper.
“Oh mommy, Michael and I have been doing something VERY SPECIAL” she said smoothly as Michael slinked in the shadows.
Not waiting for a reply, she continued. “We were reading the BIBLE and we got through the first THREE chapters!” She paused to make sure her words had the desired impact and affect.
“Ok, that’s great, I’m glad you are reading the Bible,” I said with muted enthusiasm. “But it’s time for bed!”
“We know,” said Michael growing bolder and emerging from his sister’s shadow “Don’t worry mommy. I made Amy stop after the first three chapters. I told her, ‘It’s time for bed because if you don’t go to bed now you won’t get enough sleep and you will be all weepy tomorrow.’” Both children nodded their heads vigorously as if to assure me they understood the importance of a prompt bedtime.
After a suspenseful silence I yielded to the moment. They were both so solemn and serious and down right cure I couldn’t bring myself to remonstrate. Both kids were returned back into bed—this time with instructions to stay in bed and leave light out...wonder what scheme they will think of next.
“And just what are you doing still up young lady?” I remonstrated in my sternest sounding whisper.
“Oh mommy, Michael and I have been doing something VERY SPECIAL” she said smoothly as Michael slinked in the shadows.
Not waiting for a reply, she continued. “We were reading the BIBLE and we got through the first THREE chapters!” She paused to make sure her words had the desired impact and affect.
“Ok, that’s great, I’m glad you are reading the Bible,” I said with muted enthusiasm. “But it’s time for bed!”
“We know,” said Michael growing bolder and emerging from his sister’s shadow “Don’t worry mommy. I made Amy stop after the first three chapters. I told her, ‘It’s time for bed because if you don’t go to bed now you won’t get enough sleep and you will be all weepy tomorrow.’” Both children nodded their heads vigorously as if to assure me they understood the importance of a prompt bedtime.
After a suspenseful silence I yielded to the moment. They were both so solemn and serious and down right cure I couldn’t bring myself to remonstrate. Both kids were returned back into bed—this time with instructions to stay in bed and leave light out...wonder what scheme they will think of next.
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