A Bedtime Conversation with Avery

I was not feeling too wonderful yesterday, but duty still called. And by duty, I mean sitting on the couch and watching Armageddon while my kids napped. "Get off of the nuclear warhead." "I'm 98% excited, 2% scared. Or is it 98% scared and 2% excited." Sorry. I love that movie. It was made in 1998. I was 17.  I own it on VHS.

Well, anyway. Eric has man night on Tuesdays. So I have to go it on my own. I put Avery to bed at 8, which is a little later than normal but sometimes we break the rules here. I was sleepy so I told her to stay in her bed and go right to sleep since it was late and I was going to go to bed too. Literally two seconds after I get in bed, I hear her footsteps.

Me: "Avery, what are you doing, honey?"

Avery: "Tomorrow after my...wait, never mind. I don't want to ask you that. (she taps her head, as if to put that thought back in a file for later use.) It is really sad in Ice Age when the mommy and baby elephants die."

Me: "Yes, it is Avery. It is very sad. Sweetie, you need to go to bed. It's late. I am tired. Tiptoe back in your room and go to bed."

Avery: "OK Mom. I love you."

Me: "I love you, too. Good night."

I close my eyes. I get tapped on the shoulder.

Me: "Avery, what's up?"

Avery: "I have to go potty."

Me: "OK, Avery. Walk slowly downstairs, go potty, and then go back to bed. Love you."

Avery: "OK. I love you, too."

I lay there, listening. I hear her walk back upstairs and see her walk past my door and into her room.

I suddenly have an eery feeling there is someone watching me. I open my eyes to see the outline of a little person standing in my doorway. It was totally a scary movie moment. If this wouldn't have been the third time she had gotten up, I may or may not have screamed.

Me: "Avery, come here. You need to go to bed."

Avery: "I know. I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow at swimming lessons, I am not going to hurt my knee on the pool like yesterday. I am not going to fall. I am just going to stay on my feet."

Me: "That sounds like a great idea! Now, you need to go to bed."

This time she didn't even say anything. She turned about face and marched back into her room. I get all snuggly comfortable after my heart finally stops beating at a million miles an hour from my recent scare.  A minute goes by...and she's back.

Avery: "Mommy, I just have one question and then I will go to bed. I promise. Why are butterflies called butterflies?"

Me: "You know what? I do not know, but we will learn tomorrow. First you have to go to bed and get some sleep. Now, please, no more getting up. It is really late."

Avery: "OK. We can look it up on the computer. I love you, good night."

Me: "Good night, girlfriend. No more getting up! I love you, too."

Finally, she stayed in bed and went to sleep. On her way out of my room the last time, she left the door wide open. I swore I kept seeing shadows and hearing things. I was waiting to see another creepy child silhouette in my doorway. Could you imagine how freaked out I would be to be in the dark at my house if I actually watched scary movies? I probably wouldn't be able to function or sleep, ever again. Also, how random were her inquiries? Why are butterflies called butterflies?

I guess I need to do some research today!