Bedtime

Pajamas are on, teeth are brushed and everyone is tucked in his favorite way. Kisses are given, lights are out, good nights are said in all the languages we like and it seems that tonight will be a quiet one. I put away a few things from the hall shelf and head downstairs. I've just reached the den when I hear a soft thump from upstairs. There's a slight pause, then another thump and a shuffling noise. I go quietly back upstairs and hear muffled whispers.

"this one's yours...and here, these."

"thanks."

There's a pause in which I detect faint clicking. Then, a whisper I can't make out, followed by the quiet sound of bed covers being shifted; small someones nestling in. Ahhhh...bingo. They have the Gameboys and the last whisper was a warning to get under the covers for better concealment.

As I head to their room, I'm impressed - usually a nighttime raid such as this would have required a lot more noise and carrying on. Plus, they were cooperating and being polite - any mother would be proud! They've learned to whisper and probably made some arrangements ahead as far as who would do what, to minimize conversation. Too bad they haven't realized that their being under the covers will also render them less aware of what's going on outside of their tents! I snap on the light, my hand out. Two tow-heads appear with wide, guilty eyes and Gameboys are dropped into my hand without a word. Heads hanging, the extra cartridges are also handed over. For a moment, I feel awful. I want to dive under the covers and get up a game with them! Then I remember it's a school night and I'm the mom and the morning will be awful if they don't get to sleep. Sometimes, responsibility sucks rocks.