READ?!? them into submission

So, I know I've totally wiped out my blog the last week or so...on account of my fiddling with the columns and coveting the three column blogs out there...all the cutsie widgets got dumped never to be recovered...my summer reading schedule among them...my focus (I like to call it that instead of using words like obsession or fixation) on re-creating the blog has had its trickle down effect on the rest of my contractual or non-contractual obligations...one of them being keeping up with said reading schedule ANYWAYS (don't you just love the usage there) we were hit with a bed time squall (the kind of weather I LOVE but my children don't share my affinity for: wind howling, lightening flashing, thunder booming, rain beating, etc...) SO we had the "can we keep the lights on" and other such stalling going on SO we decided to have reading time...it started with me going downstairs to read myself leaving them upstairs all with books in bed and lights on...I don't know how that works at your house, but for us the "reading time" lasts about two minutes-TOPS...SO I decided to kill two birds with one stone, and do some much needed catch up reading aloud to them...this is how it went...(in order of expiration)

(notice the dress up heels;))

no seriously, a little 'nourishing" and they were all out, no yelling, weeping, wailing or gnashing of teeth, and I was 25 or so pages closer to being caught up...and lest you think I'm patting myself on the back, here's one that we heard tonight...

I have to say, one of you may have to remind me of this little "trick" in the future when I am having a conniption about bed time...which is usually how it goes (oh, and the storm has past so I may be able to sleep with no visitors in my bed tonight too---BONUS!)

SO, how goes bed time at your house?