(More than) Fourinarow.net

Yesterday, despite school being out, was a pretty good day for us. Lukie’s on a winning streak, so I was able to get a good workout in while all the kids played at the Y. Then we all spent some time with friends at the park.

While The Little Boys napped and Maria and Jack were glued to the dreaded TV, I was able to get some things done. Namely, I made sure I had everything I needed for the night’s Uppercase Living open house my good friend (The Ironer*) was hosting. I had all my samples, my catalogs, a door prize gift and a small gift for my friend for hosting the party (a cute little pail filled with chocolate and the word HOPE applied to the side of it). I was even able to pack the car so all I’d have to do was walk out the door as soon as my husband gave me the nod.

With all of that accomplished, I prepared the grill (the old-fashioned charcoal kind… remember those?) so I could put some burgers on for dinner. The Little Boys were no longer napping by this time, and I needed a distraction while the fire got going.

I chose a run to the bank. (I know, Mom, but the fire was outside.) I had some checks to deposit and our bank isn’t open on Saturdays (?!?), so I thought I’d get things taken care of before the (bank) week ended.

“Everyone get in the car!” I demanded. “No shoes needed, no one will be getting out of the car. Come on, let’s go!” I hustled Maria, Luke and Jack out the door and then grabbed Sam and everything else I needed before following them out.

Lo and behold, when I made it to the garage with Sam, they were all in the van and in their seats! But, horror of horrors, I realized they had gotten into a van full of Uppercase Living supplies.

“You didn’t touch anything did you?” I demanded.

“No!!!!!” they all responded.

“Are you sure? Nothing?”

Shakes of the head.

As I was strapping Sam in, however, the smell of chocolate wafted over to me.

“WHAT are you eating?” I asked.

“Nummnmnm,” I hear from the back.

“I didn’t do anything,” Jack said innocently and quite clearly.

I looked back at Maria and Luke, who were desperately trying to chew and swallow the chocolate before I could see it. Unfortunately for Maria, not only did the smell give them away, but also the chocolate drip at the corner of her mouth.

When I told them they had just eaten The Ironer’s chocolate I might have seen a wisp of guilt cross their faces…

…before the remaining sweetness on their tongues mollified them.

*If she ever gives me the nod to use her real name, I’ll quit calling her The Ironer – she’s much more than that.