Little Miss H and Auntie Sue's Excellent Adventure - Day 1 recap

Once upon a time there was a little brown-haired pre-schooler, named Little Miss H. She was a sweet little girl with a sunny disposition, like her Mommy, (who just happened to have a childhood BFF named "Auntie Sue" (aka Me!)).

One day Little Miss H's Mommy and Daddy were flying away on a "holiday", leaving Little Miss H in the capable (?) care of her Auntie Sue. With her suitcase packed, "the boys" in tow, Auntie Sue made her way across the big city of Toronto, planning to settle into Little Miss H's home while she was at school.

Upon arriving at the home, panic began to nibble at Auntie Sue's toes as she realized her entry into Little Miss H's "castle" was thwarted. The key that was supposed to be there for Auntie Sue was nowhere in sight. What to do?

Auntie Sue's first plan of attack was to cry out to God, and then call her own home to see if Little Miss H's Mommy happen to leave a phone message with alternative plans. No luck. No message. Heart palpitations began to beat inside Auntie Sue's chest as she began to formulate another plan. Okay, I can still get Little Miss H from daycare since her car seat is there.  I could take her to my house although she'll have no clothes, no toys and no bed to sleep in.  Sigh... What do I do?  How will I make it to Saturday afternoon?


Auntie Sue, who was fortunately able to connect to Mommy's internet from the driveway (thanks to getting the password ahead of time!) quickly sent off an S.O.S. email to Little Miss H's Mommy in hopes of figuring out what to do.  When there was no immediate reply (knowing full well there wouldn't be), the frazzled caretaker went to the next plan of attack.  Call Uncle D for prayer!

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to Auntie Sue, Uncle D had clients at work and was not at his desk.  Drats!  Next plan... call her friend, "A" at home to ask her to pray.  As a Mom of 4 busy boys, she'd understand the hysteria and as her friend and pastor's wife, she'd pray too!

On the verge of tears, Auntie Sue dialed "A"'s number.  Phew!  She was home.  She began lifting the dilemma up to the Almighty and mid-prayer a thought ran through Auntie Sue's mind.  I should try the front door... maybe for some odd reason it's unlocked and the key is inside?

No sooner had the "AMEN" been said, when a car pulled up into the driveway.  Out popped a stranger.  Auntie Sue's first thought was Is this a neighbor whose coming to make sure I'm not staking out the place to rob?  Has she been watching me hunt around the house for a way to get in?  Fortunately, it was neither of these things.  Instead, she was Auntie Sue's BFF "P's" friend Andrea, coming to take the family dog/puppy/canine from hell, out for his daily lunchtime walk.

"Are you Susie?" the stranger asked.
"Yes." Auntie Sue replied.  "Do you have the key?"
"It should be here" Andrea said.
"It isn't!" Auntie Sue relayed in almost hysterical fashion.
"That's odd." Andrea replied as we headed towards the door.  "Is Ryan not here?  That's his truck".
"Who is Ryan?" Auntie Sue inquired.
"He's the guy working on the basement."
"Huh."

At that the two women were at the front door.  Pushing the latch POOF... the door opened with ease and we were inside... Auntie Sue's heartbeat beginning to slow to a somewhat normal pace... until she met MAX... the out of control puppy "P" had warned  told her about.  Talk about a new kind of stress!

While Andrea got the dog fed and out for a walk, Auntie Sue took her suitcase upstairs and wiped the shin that had just been scratched by the mexican jumping bean named Max.  Upon their return, Max was re-crated while Auntie Sue hid, and Andrea informed her that she'd be back in about an hour or so to pick up the dog to take him away for the weekend.  THANK YOU LORD!!!

After the dog had been picked up, Ryan the handyman had left for the day, it was time for Auntie Sue to go pick up her princess from school.  Little Miss H lept into Auntie Sue's arms when she saw her at the school, ready for their excellent adventure to begin.

"Mommy is on a holiday" she informed her guardian.  "She is on an aeroplane".
"Yes she is!" Auntie Sue confirmed.  "Ready to go home?"

Grabbing the car seat from the front of the daycare closet, the two adventurer's head out.  Once the car seat was finally in place, (Auntie Sue not truly having 100% clue if she'd done it correctly) they carefully drove home where fish sticks and happy face potatoes were waiting for Little Miss H for dinner.

She had made strange with Auntie Sue at first, but ate her dinner without any problems.  Those came a little later when she realized that neither Mommy or Daddy were coming home that night.  That's when the dreaded word "NO" took over the once agreeable little princess.

Bedtime was trying for Auntie Sue who was VERY rusty at this kind of thing.  When tears started to roll, Auntie Sue realized that Little Miss H was really feeling the "loss" of her parents' presence.  While rubbing her back (as she intermittently allowed between those dreaded "NOs") Auntie Sue prayed over Little Miss H, asking Jesus to comfort her and calm her from missing her Mommy and Daddy.  Auntie Sue then asked her if she'd like to come downstairs and lie on the sofa and try to sleep down there for a bit.  She liked that idea!

While Auntie Sue watched t.v., Little Miss H settled into the sofa and within 15 minutes was sound asleep.  Auntie Sue carried her upstairs and placed her gently in her bed while Little Miss H remained asleep.  Phew!  One night down... one more to go!


Sleep was evasive for Auntie Sue though.  It always takes her a long time to settle into a new place and even with her own pillow and snuggley "throw" she'd brought from home, it was well after midnight before Auntie Sue found a few minutes of sleep.  Around 1:30 a.m. she was awakened with an upset stomach and crawled into bed about 30 minutes later with chills, begging God to keep her healthy.  At 3:30 a.m., she was awakened again, this time with cries from Little Miss H's room.  Entering the room, the princess was frantically searching for her cup of water Auntie Sue had removed from her bed earlier (because Little Miss H was spilling it on her sheets purposefully).

"Do you want to come snuggle in Auntie Sue's bed?"
"Yes" came the tiny voice from Little Miss H.

Plopping her onto the other side of the queen sized bed, wedging a pillow along the edge so she wouldn't fall out... having her cough in Auntie Sue's face twice (eek!), the two nestled in and found peaceful sleep until shortly before 7 a.m.

Once up, Little Miss H grabbed "the boys" (who she calls Snoffy instead of Snoopy) and went into her room to change for school.  Auntie Sue, still not feeling 100% from the night before, decided that it would be best for Little Miss H to be at school so she could a) play with her friends and be entertained and b) give Auntie Sue a chance to catch up on some of her lost sleep from the night before so she'd have energy for tonight's bedtime "wrestle".

Breakfast of Mini Wheats and milk were gobbled down quickly by Little Miss H while Auntie Sue made her tea and then they were off.  Promises of a trip to "Old McDonalds" (aka McDonalds) for dinner were made and hugs were given at the door of the preschool.

"See you later" Auntie Sue called out as she waved good-bye to her little charge.  And then she head back to the house to begin her quest of feeling better.

TO BE CONTINUED...