babysitting

My sister has bronchitis right now :-( so I'm helping out with Sara and Annie. Yesterday I picked Sara up from school, for instance. I was nervous about getting there too late, so ended up arriving about fifteen minutes early instead. I caught up on news and played Scrabble on my Palm, studiously avoiding all eye contact with the mothers gathering on the front lawn area, also waiting for their girls. Last time I picked Sara up, two mothers started chatting with me, thinking I was Ruth. Awkward for them, awkward for me.

As I sat on the front steps of the school concentrating on my Palm, I realized that if the other mothers DID think I was Ruth, they'd likely think she was being unusually antisocial. Heck, I thought brightly, who cares. She'll have to deal with the aftermath, not me!

"Hi, Auntie Debbie!" It was Sara, but as I looked up I also noticed that the mother waiting just beside me looked familiar. It was my friend Christine, from grade school, the same Christine who had seven roses on her desk on Valentine's day when I had none; she was still tall, blonde, blue-eyed, gorgeous.

"Hi!" I said, caught by surprise.

"Ruth!" she said with a smile.

"Um, I'm Ruth's sister."

"Debbie?!"

I felt like an awkward adolescent again, the class nerd. She was dressed fashionably; I had on a t-shirt and comfortable but somewhat frumpy pants, in preparation for playing outside with Sara and Annie, loose bits coming out of my ponytail.

But then I saw Sara put on her helmet, grab the scooter I had brought from her house, and give me a big grin of excitement. And suddenly I didn't care about anything except the fact that I was there for Sara, and she was bursting-happy to see me. Christine and I chatted very briefly, but I told her I had to go, would probably see her again next time I picked Sara up.





After we got back, I fixed the girls a snack then listened to piano practising and helped them with their homework. Annie didn't really have homework, but liked to pretend to since Sara did. I was surprised by how much homework Sara had; I don't remember having much when I was in grade three. She had math exercises, French, two types of spelling exercises, an alphabetical ordering exercise, times tables to practice for 15 minutes, and an oral presentation to prepare for. I ended up forgetting about the presentation practice, oops.

After homework was done, the girls had a choice between tv time or playing outside.

"Badminton!" they both yelled, so that's what we did. We played in the alleyway between their house and their neighbours. Sara and Annie took turns volleying with me.

Normally after this, my sister also makes supper (we ordered in Swiss Chalet). After supper, she works on her illustration projects. I don't see where she gets the energy!

Going over again today, this time for most of the day, including taking Annie to her piano lesson after school.





Links/News:

Please consider sponsoring me for the CIBC Run For The Cure.

You're all invited to Allison's and Jodi's Virtual Birthday Party!

One year ago, I saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail for the first time.

Two years ago, I was having a hard time in Philadelphia.

Three years ago, I got a fun phone message from Dandelion Wine.

Four years ago, I had a Powerbook 7500.

Five years ago, Andrea did a Guest Blather.

Remember the Infocom text adventure version of "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy"? You can play it on Douglas Adam's site.

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Today's Blatherpics:

	Annie's drawing of a warrior elf-princess. I know I'm her aunt, but I think this is pretty darned good for a 5-year-old. She did not copy anything; this is her own creation.
	Annie practising piano.
	Sara and Annie do homework.