Adventures in babysitting: day 3

It seemd like a good idea. The Boy and I would fly down to L.A. to hang with the daughter of good friends for a few days while said friends had a little kid-free ski vacation. I was looking forward to getting to know The Girl, (just six weeks younger than The Boy,) a little better and for the opportunity to watch the kids romp together.These are two of the most easy going kids I've ever had the pleasure to know, so it couldn't be too great a challenge.

Sure enough, all went well. I was gratified by the sound of tiny stomping feet and bubble burst giggles as the two chased each other around the house. They were definately getting a kick out of each other, and I was pleased with myself for getting them fed and bathed and to bed on time, for synching their nap times and keeping them generally unscathed.

But then ...

It started this morning with the children waking up an hour and a half early (6 a.m.) followed by an inordinate amount of whining, what with their intense need to be playing with exactly the same thing at every single moment. No worries. I whipped up some french toast spread with nutella and enjoyed a few moments of silence as they were distracted by this breakfast treat. Ah, a few moments to read the paper, I thought, and stepped outside to get the Times from the end of the driveway, not knowing that the front door locks behind you if you let it close. It's not quite 8 a.m., I'm locked outside in my pajamas, and I have two tiny creatures staring at me from inside with their nutella-smeared faces pressed up against the window.

Fortunately, my friends have friendly neighbors, and these neighbors also have a small child, so they were up and about and ready to help, and fortunatley, these lovely people also know how to pick a lock with a library card.

So, all is well. No lasting damage save for a little embarrasment. Nothing new for me. I clean up the kids, clean up the kitchen, clean up the nutella-smudged window. The kids are once again playing together harmoniously, so I figure I'll get a little snack together for a late-morning outing. I open a cabinet in search of raisins - using no undo force, I swear! -and the entire door, including the frame where the hinge is attached, comes off in my hand.

Ok, so no we have some minor property damage. Nothing I can't fix while the kids are napping. It's all good. Oh, did I mention that the washing machine has been stuck on final rinse all morning?

Only 36 more hours to go.