A first...

Last night we had major milestone in the Hanson household. We got our first "third party" babysitter. We've had my niece, Stephanie, watch the kids twice, but she used to work in a daycare, and is in college. Besides, she's hardly "third party". She's their cousin for goodness sake! Oh, and I've had Andrea watch the kids for an hour or two in a jam, but the kids see her every day in the summer and at least weekly in the winter. Again, not exactly my definition of "third party".

So last night Rick and Danyel had a neighborhood party so everyone decided to get a sitter. I thought it was a good night to "test drive" one of the neighbor girls. I had never met her personally, but I've known her mom from neighborhood functions like Bunco and such. Also, Rachel has baby sat for several of the neighbors, and taken babysitting and CPR classes. I thought it'd be perfect since we'd only be two doors down.

As you can imagine, time got away from me -- it was the combination of good wine and great friends. The boys were in the basement watching football on Rick's new flat screens above the bar and shooting pool. The girls were chatting upstairs. It was a great time. Anyway, I looked up at the clock and noticed it was 12:40! UUUUHHHH... time to go!! So Matt and I ran home.

I felt horrible!! Rachel was sleeping on the couch, and when I woke her, we chatted about the night and she said that she almost had to call me. Evidently, Katherine decided that she wanted to wait for me to come home before she she went to bed. From all accounts (including Katherine's this morning) it was a struggle! Finally, Rachel got the kids in bed around 10. I'm sure the poor girl was fit to be tied. Other than bedtime, I think it went OK though....

I'd like to use her again, so hopefully after Katherine's antics, she'll come back!! I'll never forget the time Matt's mom was watching Katherine while we went to Matt's class reunion. When I got back to the house, I found her doing laps around the dining room table at 11 PM waiting for me to return. She's a stubborn one, so I fully believe all Rachel told me......