My sweet night owl

Sam has developed a little habit lately of wanting to stay up late.

And the problem is that he is quite capable of doing so.

Some nights he happily looks at books, supposedly in bed, without a peep.

Other nights we hear constant chatter from his room, often requiring some sort of response from one of us.

He seems to know that on nights that I have a lot of work to do writing a book, if he just keeps up the questions I will eventually let him come lay on the bed in the office so I don't have to deal with leaving the computer to respond.

I always start out telling him he is only getting to come into the office because I have a lot of work to do and he has to be quiet or I will make him go back into his room.

Alone.

With all the lights out.

And the door shut.

Then he asks me some random question.

Out of habit, I reply.

Then he asks me something else.

Before I know it, we are having an entire conversation and I have, once again, failed to deliver on my threats.

Because I just can't do that to him.

(And I don't want to deal with the hysterics that would ensue if I did. Remember - I have a lot of work to do!)

We go back and forth for a while, each time I tell him that this time he really has to be quiet.

Then he starts up again.

I get annoyed.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

But then he says, "Mama, I just have one more question. What would you like for Christmas?"

or

"Mom - good job getting a page done!" when he sees me mark off that I have just finished a page.

Then I smile.

Go over and give him another kiss and hug.

And tell him, "I love you, Sam. But this time, you have to be quiet!"

Eventually, he gives in to sleep.

(Tonight at 10 pm he finally said, "Mom, I think I'm going to take a little nap.")