and both of my children are in the bed. Actually sleeping.

Yesterday, around 8, my hubby (the King) decided to go to the gym. He had already put the Princess down; we assumed she was out for the count. I was then going to put the Prince to bed after he’d finished eating. I was being pretty lazy about it – my body hurt and my favorite summertime TV show was about to come on and I wasn’t happy about possibly missing it. But about 20 minutes after the King has left, the Princess woke up. And not just some regular type of waking up – some ignant type of waking up.

So the Prince and I went upstairs – it’s about 8:30pm now – and gathered the Princess. We changed the Prince’s clothes into his uniform pajamas, which consist of a plain white T-shirt, pajama bottoms (which were too short but oh well), and socks – deviations will not be tolerated by the Prince. Then the three of us sat down on the Prince’s bed to read two books – not three, not four, but two. The Prince needs those kinds of boundaries.

But then the Princess started actin’ up. She would NOT sit for even one book – she wanted to grab the pages, kick the book, just all kinds of wrong stuff. So I decided to go downstairs and get her a bottle, hoping that would settle her down. It did – towards the book. But then she started putting her feet on her brother’s legs, then to his chest, and finally in his face – I was amazed he didn’t sucker-punch her.

So after the books, it was time for bed. It’s now about 8:45. For real. But I couldn’t do both at the same time. I tried to do the Prince first, but he wasn’t having it. “Down-stairs? Down-stairs?” Loud, two-year old crying. Nope. So I put the Princess in her crib with her bottle, hoping she would cooperate for just a moment…no such luck. She screamed. And screamed. And screamed. But I had no choice. I closed the door and started to deal with the other one.

It was so funny – the Prince really couldn’t compete with the Princess – I really think he was too tired to try to match her hysterics. So after a cup – he must sleep with his cup – a good-night hug and kiss, and a snug tucking-in, he was done. He just kept looking at me while obviously listening to the Princess in the background, like “Mama, what are you going to do about that?” Son, I don’t know.

I went and collected the Princess and what do I find? A crib full of throw-up. Yuck. So I evaluated my options. Clean the crib and insist upon bedtime for the Princess as the King usually does? Or take her back downstairs so I can watch my show, leaving the crib clean up for the King?

I opted for the latter. She went to sleep on my chest, I got to watch my show, and the King cleaned the crib and put the Princess in her bad when he got home. So tonight, I feel pretty proud of our accomplishment. It’s been a while since my hubby and I have been able to acheive this amazing feat – these children will do anything to avoid bedtime.