8:45

Nighttime is a struggle. You just want to go to bed.. like the good girl you are. I would say out of all 3 kids, you are the best at going to sleep. 

But. 

There are two bedrooms for three kids. 

Only one of these rooms has a door that locks and surprise!  It's not the door to the girls bedroom that you share. It's Henry's door. 

Plus-

You (Ruby) want privacy so you can sleep. (understandable)

Charlotte only wants to be with you (Ruby). At all times. Especially bedtime. And she only wants to talk. About leprechauns. And her new best friend in Mrs Wilson's class. And storm clouds. And she only wants to siiiiiing but "berry quietly". And jump and build forts and get water and go potty and tell me one last thing she forgot to tell me that is realllly important about the imaginary non scary leprechauns that have suddenly and silently invaded our home. 

Henry just doesn't want to be alone. And why would he?  His whole life, you and Charlotte have always existed. 

Not to mention that-

By 8:45,

I am completely spent. I have taken the day adoring you and playing with you, sorting out squabbles, feeding you, cleaning you, reading to you.  I have !loved! just about every moment. I feel so lucky to have such great kids. But now, it's 8:30, and I want some time with just me and daddy. I NEED you to rest, so I can rest. 

So there we have it. The fox and the duck and the baby getting across the river scenario. That is where we are at every night at about 8:45. 

I will come up with a solution. But for now, I am gonna switch the locks on the doors so you can sleep as quietly as possible in Henry's room and reassure Charlotte that you are still there- just down the hall from where Charlotte and Henry are sleeping :).