A piece of humble pie

When Jason and I were first married, we had all kinds of crazy ideals about things we would and wouldn't let our children do. (Because we were so knowledgeable at 21?) Anyway, we used to laugh at all the excuses our niece and nephew would come up with to get out of bed after being tucked in at night. They were very creative and often very funny. We were certain our children would NEVER get out of bed once we said good-night. They would of course stay in bed and never disobey by getting up without good reason. (I can hear you chuckling at how ridiculous we were.) 4 kids later we have laughed at ourselves many, many times since then. We have heard all of the following:
* My pillow is too lumpy
* My feet are sweaty
* My sister is snoring too loudly
* I think I forgot to tell you something but I can't remember what
* I was just wondering what we're having for dinner tomorrow night (really?)
* You forgot to clip my nails today and you told me to remind you
* I think I have insomnia (from a 4 year old 10 minutes after being tucked in)

There are probably hundreds of others but they escape me at the moment. I was reminded of these just last night, as 2 of my children - I won't tell you which ones - got out of bed with the following excuses:

Child: Mom, can I close the piano? I just remembered I left it open.
Mom: Why are you out of bed?
Child: I remembered that I need to close the piano?
Mom: You got up because you were worried about the piano?
Child: Well, I didn't close it earlier and I wanted to make sure it was okay for me to get up to close it.
Mom: But you're already up.
Child: Is it okay for me to close it?
(Does anyone else ever feel like you're talking in circles?)
Mom: Tell me again why you're out of bed?
Child: I just wanted to be responsible about the piano.
Mom: Right . . . and being responsible about staying in bed?
Child: I know - but since I'm already up, should I go ahead and close the piano?

I give up. Sadly, the conversation lasted at least another 4 minutes after this before the aforementioned child was sent to bed. Then not 10 minutes later, another child comes into my room:

Child 2: Mom, can I let Hallie in? (Hallie is our dog)
Mom: Why are you out of bed?
Child 2: I was worried about Hallie being out?
Mom: You got out of bed because you were worried about Hallie being out? (Does this sound familiar?)
Child 2: Well, it is really cold outside and I was worried she would be too cold.
Mom: It's not cold; it's at least 75 degrees. You're wearing shorts to bed.
Child 2: Oh yah, do you think Hallie is too hot? Maybe I should make sure she has enough water?
Mom: Auggghhhhhhhhh! ( I didn't actually yell; I just wanted to.)

Apparently I knew much more about being a parent before I had kids. :)