After Michelle loaded Eva's car seat into my car (I asked her if that was a deal breaker because it was such a pain to do) Eva and I posed for this self-portrait.
Upon arriving at my house she immediately unloaded her backpack and showed me her toys. We put in a Hello Kitty video (which was truly heinous) and watched that for a bit while waiting for my niece Ashley to arrive.
Ashley was super excited to come play with Eva, and really made my day easier since I'm so impaired when it comes to imaginative play.
These two did great playing together and only had minor skirmishes concerning the possession of certain toys. It helps that none of the toys are actually their own, that way there are no ownership issues to contend with.
My kids have turned their bedroom into one big fort this week, so the girls loved playing in there. I was surprised to find them on the top bunk though since that isn't actually in the fort. Ashley is a little monkey and went up and down all day, but Eva kept calling me to get her down from there only to climb back up a few minutes later.
The girls kept asking for snacks, but I don't think very many of them made it into their mouths. They formed a cracker crust on the carpet, and later made a lovely popcorn rug in the family room. Their enthusiasm was admirable though, I've never cheered for grapes before.
While I found some time to be on the computer the girls started a great game of running to see me, then screaming "Take a picture" and running away. It was funny for the first 3 minutes, but became an ear plug contender soon after that.
I didn't need to pull out the big guns (i.e., Play-doh) until around 3:30. They played happily with that and were still playing that when Landon and Whitney came home from school. Whitney was a rock star in their eyes and received loud greeting and hugs. Jared ended up coming to get Ashley around 4:30, so Eva got to have Whitney all to herself. They played with Eva's dinosaur stuffed animals while watching one of Eva's Land Before Time videos. They were so engrossed we didn't leave to take Eva home until about 5:45pm!
I would say it was a very successful Wonderful Wednesday, though I was beyond tired when it was over and needed to spend some quality time with my vacuum cleaner in order to recover. Oh, and after taking Eva home Whitney and I met Lori for dinner then went to Lori's apartment to help her rearrange to accommodate her new couch. I was so wasted when we got home that I went to bed right after getting the kids to bed, (there's no shame in going to bed at 9:30 right)?
**Do you watch your friends' kids?
Have you ever cheered for grapes?
Would you have been wasted too?**
Have you ever cheered for grapes?
Would you have been wasted too?**
28 comments:
Wow, so you take Eva every Wed? That is quite a think you do.
I am actually watching my neighbors kid right now. They had a huge family emergency and had to take their baby to the er in an ambulance.
Oh, dear. It sounds like there were a lot of messes and noise and inconveniences -- not surprising, really, but I had hoped that having Ashley there would have made it a little bit easier. (who knows? maybe it could have been worse?)
I hardly ever watch other people's kids, because it is so wearying. It is the best gift!
Oh! my dear girl! What a trooper you are!
Here's another little thing that I should have put in my top 137 things about me...I'm not the biggest fan of other people's kids--(so this Wednesday thing your doing is just blowing me away)
All of my friends pretty much know that I'm not up for the whole babysitting thing--It's kind of a joke, actually. Don't get me wrong, I would totally help someone out and bend over backwards to do anything for them, but my preference is to steer clear of the kid part. :(
(Do I seem evil?)
I think it must be particularly difficult to adjust to the energy that a 4 year exudes when you're used to older kids. Heck-I've got a 4 AND a 5 year old and I'm still not used to it...
I'm glad you made it through the day!
Yes!--I've cheered for grapes! (and cherrios and poop that finally made it into the toilet)
Sometimes I feel like such a simpleton!
I find it curious that snacks are such a huge thing for kids! I don't remember ever eating as many snacks as my kids do!--
I would have totally been making out with my vacuum cleaner after this! I'm so impressed that you actually pulled out the play dough!
Them ARE some big guns your packin!!
Hope you slept well last night--
you are so sweet to do this! what a great friend you are. i bet you all slept well last night.
Pulling out the big gun of play-doh made me laugh.
You do a good job of documenting the small stuff.
Amazing how tiring mothering can be, isn't it?
I just can't say it enough - this is the best Christmas gift EVER!
that's awesome. what a great friend. i bet eva and ashley had a wonderful time! i love that you documented their day. kids are BUSY BUSY BUSY--- holy smokes.
snacks are such a mystery to me- k's friends eat them up, but little k- never much for them...unless they are cookies. he'd rather have me spend an hour baking and then eat than eat anything else. i am raising a snack snob...i just made that realization. great.
i cheer for pretty much any food these days- i cry when i don't get any, too. pregnant women have much in common with 3 year olds.
I need a nap just reading this!
I think that it is so fantastic on so many levels that you are doing this! How smart to have Ashely join the two of you as well!
I loved, loved, loved watching my Phoebe Quinn on occasion.
You ROCK!
You are an amazing friend!
You're the best.
Whew- I'm exhausted just reading this! You are such a champ to not only have Eva but to invite Ashley too. I hope that Ashley helped with the entertainment dept and made things a little smoother. She had a wonderful time and will be talking about it for months to come! You're a great friend- you didn't even mention the lunch you made Michelle too!
that is the best gift you have given michelle. seriously.. I would love to have someone give me that gift.looks like they had a great time!
you are the best friend ever.. you amaze me how thoughtful you are to everyone
oh my there is something soo special about seeing little girls playing and running around. I guess I am OD on boys....so it seems sooo cute! At first I thought, ITS been a week already? since you last watched her...and then i realized I had read michelle's post about it and not yours...silly moi!
i rarely ever watch my friends kids.
i hope it is because i feel like i am drowning with the littles at home one more would push me over.
i hope to do more of that once I feel i can breath more
eva has the most beautiful hair!
You really are a true friend. I would never consider giving babysitting as a gift...NEVER.
I love my own kids dearly...but they nearly drive me over the edge I don't need anyone else kids finishing the job.
They do look like they had a fun day!
you are a great friend..i went to bed at 9:30 too...no shame when sleep calls
I think it's funny how many other people don't babysit. I babysit all of the time! Of course, my friends babysit for me too. It's sort of an I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine relationship. I find it much easier to deal with my kids sometimes when there's a friend over. They keep each other busy. You are amazing to do this for Michelle. And I love your descriptions!
Wow. You are getting some serious Mansion in Heaven Points, for SURE! I also laughed at the "big guns/Play-dough" remark, as it was always sort of a last resort for me, too. I hate all those crumbs that get everywhere! I have a good recipe for homemade play dough that kids can help make (and they like to), but the best part is that it's not crumbly like the real stuff. Let me know if you want the recipe for future play days.
You're a super star in my book!
Too bad you hate hot weather or I would do everything in my power to get you to move into my neighborhood! :)
I am not great about babysitting...although I do have a couple close friends whom I wouldn't have a hard time doing it for (similar parenting styles makes a big difference for me). I would have been exhausted...but then again, I'm almost always exhausted these days!
P.S. My favorite lines were the ones about the heinous Helly Kitty video (aren't most kids' videos?) and the one about you being impaired at imaginative play (I have the same problem!).
last weekend, we discussed what a great, thoughtful and ultimate gift this was to michelle
love the idea...
you didn't need the big guns until 3:30? that is awesome.
we had a 4 hr playdate on wednesday and it went well but wow, i thought 4 hrs was a lot.
you are the greatest, jill!
My mom sent one of my girls a Hello Kitty video, and yes, heinous only begins to cover it. I felt bad, but I had to quickly "misplace" it because the voices and music made me want to stab out my own eardrums.
I've had my friend Angie's twin girls over a few times recently, and it has been fun, but definitely high energy. They are 15 months old, and their mom is having another set of twins in June -- can you imagine?? If I had a baby gate for my stairs, it might be easier.
This was such a great gift idea for Michelle!
I love to watch my friend's kids.
I remember when my kids were little thinking, when they are big I am bbsitting for others who need it!! It is so great to see you doing it-
The fort- is great! I loved making forts & with my kids too. there is somthing magical about a fort when youa re a kid-
You are such a great friend to do this. Honestly, it is like the best Christmas gift EVER.
What a great day for those girls and Michelle!
I wish I watched my friends' kids more. I do a trade with one friend twice a week and it works out wonderfully.
It is crazy how wasted kids can make you, even when you have been through/are in that stage! How quickly I am sure I will forget.
You are awesome Jill.
You are great giver of service. I'm always willing and excited to be able to watch a friend's child/ren... but then after a while reality sets in and I'd much rather just go back to my own. I start counting the minutes til they go home.
I'm sure the best part for Michelle was that she didn't have to worry all day how Eva was doing... and so she could actually have a relaxing day. She knew that Eva was comfortable and happy and safe with you.
I don't really have many friends so I don't watch too many of their kids. I know I sound grouchy but usually I don't mind.
I don't cheer for grapes but I am delighted when they are perfect.
This is such a great gift!
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