Secrets of the Split

Other than the first night, the switch to twin beds and new rooms (two girls in each room) has been a pretty smooth transition. How did I do it? I threatened them within an inch of their lives. KIDDING!!!!!!
My first night doing the bed time routine alone, I was a nervous wreck. I really envisioned myself up until all hours of the night trying to coax my daughters back to their beds. Turns out I had nothing to worry about.
We started the night the way we normally do, reading books on "the book couch." Each of them pick a book for me to read and they take turns sitting next to Mommy. Sometimes they're more concerned about whether it's "time to switch" than whether I'm reading a book they enjoy. When we finished the books I told them they could take their books upstairs. What? Mommy never lets us take books to bed. They were definitely intrigued.
Once we got upstairs we did the whole teeth brushing, potty routine and they were quite curious as to why the books were upstairs. I told them when they wake up it would likely be too early to get out of bed, so they could quietly look at books in the morning. But really, I had another trick up my sleeve. It was time to be tucked into bed, so I had everyone go to their rooms and sit on their beds. I went to Roo and Sue Sue's room and told them they had to be quiet, but they could whisper and look at books while I took care of Cakes and Tortilla. I shut the door and headed to the next room.
Cakes, Tortilla and I went through our regular routine. Then I tucked them in and told them I would be back to check on them. I approached Roo and Sue Sue's room. They were still on their beds, whispering and looking at books. I repeated the hugging, kissing, night-night routine with them. I stayed in their room for a few minutes to make sure they settled down, since they are my nighttime mischief makers. Mission accomplished.
See, my secrets aren't really secrets. And they're not without their flaws. Roo and Sue Sue still like to test the limits and get out of bed after I've tucked them in, but all in all, they've surprised me with how willing they are to behave... all because they have books to keep them occupied.