Yes Sir, Yes Sir

So bedtime is one of my favorite times of the day only because it signifies the end of another day. Ever since AJ figured out how to climb out of his crib it has been a bit more challenging. Not long after he discovered this amazing ability (none of my other two ever figured this out), we moved him into a bed so as to avoid the whole breaking of his neck as he scaled the crib walls. So last night was unique in that some very strange things happened. We had dinner somewhere between 6 and 6:30ish, the menu included a classic ramen with frozen veggies added (can you tell that Kevin is out of town), one of the kids very favorites. Well after dinner there was the typical scattering of youngsters each to their own corner playing games, watching tv, and the whatnot.
Well at bedtime I called to all the kids to get on there jammies and get ready for bed. The usual moans came from everyone except Eli. So I issued the bedtime ultimatum again and again no answer. Well that was just completely unacceptable so my warnings got louder and then I sent my youngest to look for him and tell him to get going (he's two but very resourceful and persuasive). He came back from his searching with an "Eli don't know."
Well hiding is absolutely unacceptable at bedtime and highly unusual. So I decided it was up to me to uncover the truth behind the missing "Yes mam" that is requisite to an issued command.
Now we don't live in a 7,000 square foot home. There are very few places in our home where my voice can't reach and that almost always involves some sort of noise interference like running water. After several more calls and a some searching I finally discovered him in his bed asleep which of course made me feel kind of bad that I had been yelling and could have woken him up. It turned out he wasn't feeling well and took himself to bed early.
So with one down I turned my attention to the other two and got them into bed.
Now Adeline won't get out of bed once she is tucked in and never has.
AJ is a totally different story.
Trouble should literally be his middle name. I am considering legally changing it.
Last night he ventured out as far as the living room. When I suggested (because with him that is really all I can do) that he go back to bed he gave me the "hold on, hold on" that I have come to despise (it was only cute the first time or two). I said again "off to bed" and this time, because he had retrieved what he wanted, he actually saluted me and said "yes sir, yes sir."
I wish I had a picture of my face at that moment. I am sure it was priceless.
He marched past me and went to bed and I didn't hear from him again.