Sunday, January 20, 2008

Reporting for Duty

When I showed up to babysit for little Austin tonight (and by little I mean 8 years old) I wasn't expecting to wear a uniform for most of the night. I was really excited to be working this weekend (I kept Hutch last night and then Austin tonight) because I just got my hair cut on Thursday and hadn't had the chance to really go anywhere with it. :) (PTL for friends who know how to cut hair...and do it for FREE) So I did my hair all up (not to impress anyone...but just cause I had a new do (sp?)to do) and wore a cute outfit to match my cute hair. And then I messed the whole evening up. I asked Austin what he wanted to play and my hair nearly wilted at his words. "Can we play army?" I have a new appreciation for moms of multiple army-playing boys.

I got the back-pack, I got the army gun, I got the bullet boxes (aka: 2 empty, old new balance shoe boxes), I got the stuffed black lab, named Abby as well, and I got the captain hat. I thought I would have gotten a cool green helmet like his, but instead mine was white and made of cloth...I could have run my own shrimp boat with that thing. And, yeah, I said HAT. Forget the cute hair...we had exactly 260 men to kill downstairs in the pool(table) room, and only 3 hours until bedtime to do it. [Between re-loading for the next round of action, we let the real dog out...ALSO named Abby (what?) and had some left-over pizza.] I don't know how we managed to kill them all cause I had a hard time finding them...but he assured me, as I radioed in the pilot to come pick our injured selves up and take us to the BED-plane, that we in fact had won--in spite of me having three bullets in my leg, and Austin with his abdomen count of 2. After a night of hard-core violence (and a near identity crisis with all those Abby's running around), we settled in and read a few Disney books...cause that's what you do after you kill a fleet of armed soldiers...and tucked tough man into bed.

And suddenly I miss Hutch throwing potatoes at me...

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I wish you were OUR babysitter! We usually end up paying $7-$10/hr so the babysitter can catch up on her TV watching. Seriously...I would adore a babysitter like you! (I know you are a Nanny...but I don't need a Nanny...just a babysitter once in a while!)

Alana said...

I'm with Teri. The kids must love you! Come to our house if you want to try Star Wars and play with light sabres. Just think you could be Princess Leia ;-)

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

I agree with the other comments. I wish....
Glad you won and came out ok.

Patty said...

That is so funny. Being a mom of two boys I know your pain. Well, my two are teenagers now and although our army days are over I am sure I will have grandchildren one day and I can play army again! We need a picture of your new "do". I need a haircut and I am considering driving 3 1/2 hours to where I used to get it done because I haven't found anyone here to cut my hair.
Abby will you email me your address? I thought I had it saved but I can't find it! Thanks and have a great Monday and a great hair day!!
Love You,
Patty

ocean mommy said...

I would so love for you to come to Atlanta and be our babysitter! My girls would have appreciated the new "do", and probably offered to play "hair" with you!

have a great week!
steph.

Fran said...

You are awesome Abby!!! If you ever have the desire to drive 2 hrs west, then call me! :)

Have a wonderful week!
Love ya~
Fran

Jackie said...

Yeah- come to Houston to babysit for me. I'm so picky about who i leave her with- but she's LOVE you! (as long as you'll play my little pony and princess dress up with her) If she likes you (which she totally would) she might even share her tiara with you! :) Love ya girl- have a good week!

He Knows My Name said...

hey abby, left you something on my blog. after this post, i think you deserve it. ~janel

BethAnne said...

I read your post and I can so sympathize with your night in the infantry, but I just have this one question: Where are the pics of your new do? See, here's the thing: you cannot mention a new cute (your words not mine) hairdo and not allow your friends to see what it looks like. It's just plai wrong. :-)
Oh yeah, would you consider a move to NE Tennessee so you could babysit for my boys - they would love for someone to play army with them or better yet - they would love to play superheroes - you could be Wonder Woman, Batgirl, whatever you want.....and think how close you would be to home!

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Yeah, I'm with Bethanne...where's the "do"???? and I'm with the others "you're hired."

I pictured that movie that I can't think of the name like In the Museum or At The Museum or Museum Something or ... all the things came alive at night with the guards...it was the last movie I saw and you'd think I would remember at least the name...but I pictured your house coming A L I V E cause Abby was there for the night!!!! How precious you are!

Shelly said...

LOL! At command girl - at command :)