In Which I Borrow Children (And Become One)

Living with your parents in your mid-twenties can be a bit confusing; on the one hand, you're grown-up enough to contribute to the logistical functioning of the household but, on the other hand, you sometimes ask your mother to sit and read with you before bed.  (That last bit might just be me, actually.  No shame.)

However regularly I jump between adult and child, though, I knew I needed a few small sidekicks for my ideal autumn afternoon.  I called up the father of the girls I used to babysit here in DC and asked if I could borrow them on Columbus Day.  He didn't quite understand why I wanted a playdate with two kids under the age of 10 on a day off but he was grateful for a few hours to himself, so I swung by their house on Monday just before lunchtime to pick up Lily and Jessica for our adventure.

We first stopped to choose our pumpkins - the rule was that you had to be able to carry it from the store to the car by yourself - and then headed back to my house for mac and cheese (with bacon sprinkled on top, obviously) and tomato soup.  After lunch and a good romp with Charlie in the backyard, we set to work on the pumpkins.  I didn't get many pictures once the real effort was underway, but I'm sure you can imagine how much fun we had!

Lily got bored after a while, so she went inside and had a pow-wow with my mother while Jess and I finished our pumpkins.  When we came back inside, we found steaming mugs of hot chocolate waiting for us, which we took downstairs to enjoy in front of a movie.  We laughed and sang along to Enchanted - one of my very favorite Disney films of the last decade - until their stepmother came to collect them and they left, leaving lots of hugs and kisses for both me and Charlie.  It was a glorious afternoon of regression, and I can't wait to find an excuse for another playdate with them!

I hope you have a lovely weekend, full of childish joy and love.