Babysitting - Day 1 - The Car Doesn't Start.....

Well, here we are....the big event. I picked up the kids around 3:00 and the adventure began. As I was driving away from Jenna and Jon's house (like I got seven houses away), Ben screamed from the backseat. "Moe Moe, stop the car!!!" What in the world....was he already home sick for Mommy and Daddy? Did he hear about the Toyota recall? Did we forget his favorite toy? I hit the breaks and Sammy laughed. "Ben, what is it?" I called frantically to the backseat. "Moe Moe," said Ben, "your seat belt isn't on." Well, I knew that. It never is. I hate to be confined and I don't wear a seat belt. I calmed down. "I know Ben, but that's OK." I started to drive again. "Moe Moe," Ben said with even more fright in his voice...., "Stop." I take direction better from a 3 year old than I do from Tony--I stopped. "Why Ben?" I asked. "Moe Moe," he said in his most patient voice, but I got the sense he thought he was talking to a real moron....."the car doesn't start until we all have our seat belts on." It was that simple. I sat there for a minute on Lincoln Avenue and realized that it was going to be a very long drive to Strongsville if I didn't put on my seat belt. "OK, Ben," I said, "you're right." I put my seat belt on. "That's good, Moe Moe," Ben said, "we can go now." Of course, when I got home, I forgot I was wearing it and almost hung myself trying to get out of the car.....but, I got home safe. Thank you, Ben.

We had a great time. In minutes, the family room, or as Ben calls it, the other living room was a mess. Toys were everywhere and airplanes were flying. Sam is also into aviation--he sat on the kitchen floor with one of the airplanes in his hand, waving it around and moving his body in a circle. He was flying and loving every minute of it.

Ben enjoyed himself too. I let each boy take three pictures and they had chocolate milk as a treat. But for Ben, it was all about Papa (no surprise there.) I swear, he asked me no less than 56 times, "where's Papa?" Well, Papa finally got home and Ben was very pleased to have someone to play with. And, talk about Ben's memory, when Tony drove the new SUV into the garage, Ben said, "where is Papa's little car?"

We all had a nice dinner. Ben said grace and asked to be excused from the table when he was finished. He had chicken and macaroni and a donut with sprinkles for dessert. He has excellent manners. Mommy and Daddy called once, but hey, Papa was home, I don't think Ben even noticed--sorry, guys!

Well, Sammy has been helping me type, but he is rubbing his eyes....it's time for bed. Enjoy your time, Mommy and Daddy because we are certainly enjoying ours!!