FULL-TIME BABYSITTER

Spent about 10 days at Tessa's watching Macade and Braxton while Mom and Dad were away. That was a wonderful experience. I started out the week fresh and ready to go on new adventures every day, but by the end of the week, I was pretty tired of the constant routine. Just going anywhere was a major event getting in and out of the car. I was surprised how exhausted I was by the end of the day.








Sunday the kids were getting used to having me around. The Ross' came over about noon and we watched the afternoon session of conference together. I figures they were hungry so we all pitched in to create a dinner of spaghetti, beans and toasted french bread, which I burned!

Monday we went to the Seattle Science Fair. The highlight was the butterfly cage where you actually walked among hundreds of butterflies and they would even land on you. BUT the flip side of the day was locking myself out of Tessa's car at the museum. Cindy Ross, who actually drove over to share the day with us, was kind enough to drive all the way back to the Ross home, climb through the kitchen window and get the second set of keys, all while the boys and I were enjoying the museum.

Tuesday Braxton and I went for a run around the Steilacoom Park while Macade was at preschool. We feasted on lots of fresh blackberries. Later we drove to the Ruston Way beach trail and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Wednesday there were some interesting repeats. I couldn't figure out the TV very well, I was already sick of Sponge Bob, Braxton didn't like to wear a bib so I put it on, he'd take it off, on, off, on, off. Oh Boy! Did a shopping at Winco and had Braxton in the basket (not seat), and Macade standing on the front bar. Macade slips and falls off cart and I run into him. Big ouch, cry, and get him in the seat. A few minutes later I turn to look at something on the shelf and Braxton wants in the front seat with Macade and is climbing up on his own! A nearby lady comes to his rescue. A few minutes later, Braxton is standing inside the cart and falls . . . and cries. Okay, let's put Braxton in the seat and Macade in the cart. I think I finally have everything on my list (10 items an hour later) and Macade says, "My mom always gets me a doughnut." U-u-m-mm not Grandma! I'm so done with this.

Took the kids to Pump It Up and they had a blast. Braxton was almost too small but he's strong and managed along okay. They were certainly ready for naps. Building a fort out of blankets was a big hit. Braxton had a tendency to wreck everything so I was on full-time for maintenance and repair.

Macade to preschool by 9:00 Thursday morning and I just had a few little errands to run, or so I thought. First of all I didn't know where anything was. When I found Best Buy for my battery recharger, they didn't have what I needed and told me to go somewhere else. While I was putting Braxton in his car seat, he got hold of my keys and set off the car alarm. I can't figure out how to shut it off so stick the key in the ignition and start the car and the alarm went off. Okay, get Braxton buckled in, close the door, go around to the driver's side and . . . the doors are all locked! Yeah, the car is running and Braxton is inside and my purse on the seat. NOT AGAIN! I'm not too good at this Grandmother life. A kind man came out of Best Buy and was parked next to me. He actually had his 2-year-old with him. I told him my situation, he pulls out his cell phone and calls 911. About 5 minutes later, the Fire Department shows up with the big fire truck and four men jump out to help. They had the car open in less than 30 seconds! Tax dollars at work! I managed to find the battery store and get what I needed even though I was late picking up Macade. What a morning!

I took the kids to the library after dinner. Macade found one CD about Fireman Sam. During the rest of my visit, he watched that over and over and over and over. He even acted out and replayed the locked car situation even though he wasn't even there. I stripped and cleaned the kitchen floor during nap time and waxed it after they were in bed for the night. It looked beautiful!

Went to Home Depot to get some bird seed so we could make a bird feeder. Couldn't find the store and got all turned around BUT I finally got there. Well, then I didn't know how to get home, couldn't get the stupid GPS to work and ended up going the opposite way. The kids were being so patient so I took them to Burger King. They loved the play area more than the chicken nuggets!

I stopped by Red Box to watch Prince of Persia while the kids were sleeping. That was really good and I was rested for the afternoon schedule. We made a great bird feeder.

Then I thought I would just wash the windows really quick. Of course, the kids wanted to play outside where I was. I didn't realize when I closed the slider door it locked itself because of a faulty lock. Yeah, you guessed it, I locked myself out of the house at 4:30pm! After trying every one, I find all the windows and every door was locked and bolted shut. I was ready to break a window but I thought I would call 911 again. I went to a neighbor who was so nice and then neighbors across the street came home and joined in the effort to get in. The husband was trying all the windows and then really muscled the slider to free the door. I was so releived I gave him a big hug! By now it was 6:00, getting dark and the kids cold and hungry. It took me until 7:00 to get some dinner on the table and they were pretty cranky by then. Very nice to get them in bed as fast as I could.

Saturday and Sunday breezed because we just stayed home as it was raining. Lots of football and playing with the kids. Monday we played with the giant bubbles which was a big success.

During the week I had downloaded lots of digital scrapbooking for Tessa and got her all set up, organizing her pictures and everything. Monday I showed her how to create her own pages and I think she's hooked.

It was hard to leave but I was anxious to get home as I knew I had only a few weeks to be out of my house. I spent the first few days just catching up on the pool business, phone calls, orders, bills, etc. It had been over 100 degrees several days while I was gone and even after I got home it was in the 90's. The house was almost buried in leaves so I had several hours worth of yardwork. Now I'm just packing, organizing and taking care of all the details of the move.