The Aislin Chronicles
Part XXVIII
A/n: So, I've started school. It sucks. But I'm dealing. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review.
8-2-03
3:45 PM
Damn it. That was Ian on the phone. Ian, who I haven't seen in over a month. Ian, who I sometimes forget about when gaping at Hot Neighbor Guy. Yes. That Ian. He just called. And guess what he wants to do? Hang out. But when? When oh when did he say? Tomorrow.
When.
I'm.
Baby sitting.
3:49 PM
Grrr. Stupid, stupid girl. Why did you tell him you baby sat?
3:54 PM
On a happier note, I will be hanging out with Ian some times this week. Date is yet to be determined.
Ugh!
Ian.
8-3-03
8:47 PM
Well, I'm back from my baby sitting excursion. It was… quite an adventure, I'll say that. So I walked across the yard and knocked on their door at five o'clock like the great hot one asked, and Wifey answered the door. Wifey's name is Stephanie, I learned, and, okay, she's pretty. Hot Neighbor Guy has a hot wife.
Anyway, Stephanie gave me instructions on bed times and such, phone numbers, and then she introduced me to the kids. I first met little Caleb who was jumping up and down in the kitchen waiting for his mom to come back. When she did he pretty much hugged her legs while she talked to me and stared up at me with his big ol' brown eyes. He's a cutie, Caleb is. He's got hair the exact color of chocolate that's wavy and shines like a shampoo commercial. He's almost three, he told me.
Then I met the monster.
Did I say monster? Oops. I meant Ava. She's a fourteen month old menace. Oh, sure, she was fine while Hot Man daddy was holding her, but the second they were out the door she started screaming and wouldn't stop for ten minutes. Caleb covered his ears with his hands and sat on the couch swinging his feet over the edge watching me trying to calm her.
Finally if I carried her around she's calm some, so I had to hold her for a good two hours while I did everything. Caleb wanted to watch a movie, so he picked out Peter Pan and I popped it into the DVD player for him. He can't reach it but he tries, it's so cute.
The movie seemed to keep Ava occupied for awhile but I had to keep holding her or she'd start to scream again. Caleb wanted to color while we watched the movie, so he went and got his crayon box and drew pictures of anything and everything. He wanted to me color with him but I kind of had my hands full and couldn't, not to mention Ava kept trying to eat the crayons and keeping her out of reach was a struggle and there was more screaming and, ugh. Brat.
Then of course they got hungry. Well, I shouldn't say they, it was Caleb, since Stephanie told me Ava was all set for the night with maybe a snack. I made some grilled cheese for Caleb and myself with Ava squirming on my hip and for some reason she was amused by the refrigerator. She'd sit still and have a look of awe on her face whenever I opened it. Weird kid.
Caleb did enjoy his sandwich greatly, as did I. In fact, he told me it was 'da best gid cheese I ever haded.' I love how he talks. He likes to talk, he became social after he got the crayons out. And he says my name like Aiz-in because he can't say his L's, which is completely adorable.
Finally it was time to put Ava to sleep. But did she want to change into her pajamas? No. Of course not. You would have thought I was slitting her throat by the noise she was making. I think all the screaming tired her out though, because minutes after her pajamas were on and there was nothing she could do about it she collapsed and I put her to bed. Thank God.
I had some good quality coloring time with Caleb then for about an hour and a half. When he finished the movie he insisted on the game tickle monster, so I'd chase him around the living room and he'd squeal and laugh, and I'd catch him and tickle him and he's yell for me to stop between his laughing, and then he wanted more so we'd do it all over again. After tickles monster he wanted to play a game, but I told him he needed to get his pajamas on because his parents would be home soon and he needed to be at least ready for bed if not already sleeping. He was very good about it, and rushed upstairs and came back wearing batman PJ's.
Hehe. Batman PJ's. They make me love the kid even more.
So then we played Candy Land until his parents got home. He really wanted to stay up until they got back, and Stephanie said that would be fine so I let him, but he was getting tired as it was.
When Stephanie picked him up to take him to bed he waved sleepily to me and closed his eyes against her shoulder. She winked at me when she headed upstairs.
And then (deep breath) I was alone with Hot Neighbor Guy. In his living room. And good God, did he look hot. He knocked me out of the little party in my head and took out his wallet and asked how much baby sitters make these days. I had no idea so I just said whatever he thought was suitable. Stephanie came back downstairs and we decided that ten dollar an hour was fine for two kids, and I was there for three and a half hours, so I made thirty-five dollars.
Dang. That's a nice sum of cash. Well deserved for the little monster. She definitely was worth a good thirty of those dollars by herself. Caleb was only five because tickle monster is a workout.
Anyway, Stephanie asked how they behaved, and I didn't want to disappoint her about Ava, so I said they were good. I mean, they were good. Once Ava was asleep anyway… Jeff (yes I am allowed to call him Jeff by the way, I almost forgot) was like, "I know Caleb can sometimes be a handful…"
"Oh, no, he was great." And we was. Such a sweetie, that little boy. Finally then I admitted, "I had a little trouble with Ava after you left, though, but she settled down."
They seemed fine with that and homeward bound I went. I found Dad and Mom in the living room curled up together watching TV. Dad asked how it went, and for some reason the only thing that came to mind was, "That little girl is a menace." I could hear them laughing as I stormed up the stairs.
But, oh, precious money, you are well worth the struggle.
8-4-03
11:54 AM
Made plans with Ian this morning, and we are going to have lunch together and maybe see a movie. I recommended Pirate of the Caribbean, and I really think I convinced him well. I stressed the good sword fights and special effects, and I mentioned that Keira Knightley was in it. I'm sure he thinks she's hot. Anyway, I feel so grown up. Going out to lunch. Hehe.
4:33 PM
We ended up seeing the movie, and it turns out he liked it! I'm so happy. I don't know why. Oh, I forgot how much I missed him. It was so good to see him and talk with him and stuff. We had fun at lunch. We met each other at this little diner/café place not far from that ice cream shop. We were throwing fries at each other when we didn't think anyone was looking, and okay, a few times when I'm positive people were.
Oh, and get this: he was invited to go to Canada! Adam invited him, but he was still gone with his family so he couldn't go with us! I could have had Ian in Canada with me! Sigh. Oh well. I have him now so I'm content.
We decided we did want to see the movie after all, so he called his dad and he drove us to the theater. We held hands during the movie and shared popcorn and a cherry slushie. Okay, he mostly ate the popcorn because he's a guy and can eat all the time but I wasn't that hungry after just eating lunch. But oh well. We shared it, that's all that's important.
As we were leaving he said to talk to Jess and Adam about going to the beach sometime soon to hang out. Which reminds me I have to call Jess anyway, we wanted to hang out on Friday. Maybe we'll all go to the beach on Friday and then I'll stay at Jess's house. We'll see what she thinks.
9:22 PM
When Mom and Dad came home today they brought a bunch of flowers and stuff, and then Mom changed her clothes and started in on the front yard. Dad told me that she wants to try to get all this landscaping stuff done before she can't crawl around on her hands and knees, which won't be for long if she keeps eating as much as she has been. She was all excited about hanging flower baskets by the front door off the overhang, but Vaughn has to drill in some hooks.
Dad started to make dinner when I noticed a message on the machine so I listened to it, and Stephanie called to ask if I could baby sit again on Saturday, because Caleb apparently couldn't stop talking about how much fun we had. Aww, he liked me! And since Ava doesn't say much but scream, I'm sure she didn't have a say in the matter. Oh well. Aww, Caleb liked me! But there goes my Saturday afternoon.
Dad decided to cook out on the grill in the backyard since that's where Mom was now working and so I could test out the new porch furniture. I must say, I like them. Dinner was good. I love me some barbecue. We sat together and watched the sunset, it was peaceful.
After dinner we were watching TV and a sort of sappy commercial made Mom cry. I thought it was funny but I didn't laugh at her, seeing as she got mad at Dad when he did. Then to try to get back on her good side he agreed that yes, the commercial was very touching and then he hugged her rocked her, which was really cute. Her hormones are funny.
8-6-03
7:39 PM
Dad had the day off today, he was disappointed he didn't get it with Mom, she isn't off til sometime next week. But I think we have next weekend off together. Anyway, Dad and I spent part of today working on Mom's flowers because when she started doing it on Monday her mind was jumpy and she didn't exactly finish anything she had started. She was really surprised and happy when she got home. No crying today, thank God. I've had enough of her crying, even if she is preggers. Right now she's bickering with Dad in the living room. It's kind of funny.
So I noticed that hot man Jeff Lampi had some friends over this evening. Jeff, Stephanie, (haha I just thought of this: Jeff and Steph, it rhymes!) and another couple were over. They were talking outside, Ava was sitting with her daddy and Caleb was running around the yard, playing some game with himself.
Wow. I need to stop spying on the neighbors. Jeez.
Eek. Phone call. Just a sec.
7:58 PM
Okay, that was Jess, and all systems are a go for Friday at the beach. Then after I talked to her I had to call Ian and tell him, and we ended up talking for awhile. So a driving member of the Silko clan will pick up me, Adam, and Ian at like one, and we're all going to hang out at the beach together for the afternoon. I guess Krissy isn't coming. Forgot to ask why. Oh well. Then I'm spending the night at Jess's house. Smells like fun.
I think I'm going to go observe Dad and Mom's funny bickering. She picks little arguments with him over the dumbest things, like apples. Dad tries to tell her how ridiculous she's being, and then she looks like she's about to cry, they bicker slightly more, and then someone end up cuddling on the couch. Provide me with a good seven, eight minutes of entertainment. Later.
8-9-03
12:44 PM
Ah! Our class schedules came today! I was at Jess's house when the mail came, and we looked at her and Krissy's stuff and then I went home like right away to see mine and I called her to compare.
Oh, and yesterday at the beach was fun.
But back to schedules! Me, Jess, and Krissy are all in Team 83, which we've heard is the best team by far! I'm soooo excited! And, I'm not kidding you, Jess and I have every single class together. Seriously. It's awesome. Krissy is in all but one. It's funny. I can't wait to find out who all is in our team and what classes I have with them. Here's what I got:
First hour: Choir, English. (Jess tells me he's so nice! Mr. English, that is, not to be confused with English class like I was when I read my schedule. "Jess, I have two first hours!")
Second Hour: Algebra 1, Schlesinger (haven't heard about her, just know she's a she)
Third Hour: English, Fitzgerald (just know that she's a she as well)
Fourth Hour: Science, Gendreau (I've heard he's awesome. Awesome.)
Fifth Hour: Social Studies, Fitzgerald (again. Our only class without Krissy. She's got Gendreau for SS. There are only three team teachers for 83 so they divide up the SS classes)
Sixth Hour: Spanish, Voss (Sra. Voss again, wahoo!)
Oh I'd call Ian but I have to head next door now.
9:30 PM
Well, first things first, I'll start with babysitting for Beauty and the Beast. Caleb (he's be beauty, gonna look just like his daddy one day, I know it) wanted to go swimming really badly, and Jeff told me that Ava (you guessed it, the beast) had just gone down for a nap. Steph said that Caleb would have to wait for Ava to wake up. She and Jeff gave me instructions for him in the pool and then hit the road.
I had to explain to Caleb that he'd have to wait to go swimming, and he started to throw a fit, so I tried distracting him with things, and promised him that we'd go later. I had to pinky swear so he wouldn't cry, but it worked. Then I cut him some apple slices and we made things with play dough. Other than the near tantrum he was pretty good (and so gosh darn adorable!).
He kept wanting to make animals out of the play dough so I kept naming animals for him, like dogs, cats, elephants, giraffes, he was having fun with that, then of course Ava woke up. Once again, I had to carry the little brat around so she wouldn't scream because she realized her parents were gone. Ugh.
After about twenty minutes of Ava being squirmy and angry I fed her some apple slices too and then Caleb realized that he could go swimming now. He started running straight for the back door but I told him he had to clean up the play dough first and, well, change into his swimming trunks. Silly kid. He was so cute about. He "forgetted."
When he ran upstairs Ava decided she wanted down (finally) but then found it extremely fun to throw things at me (like the play dough containers, for instance). Then Caleb jumped down the stairs all excited, "Aiz-in, Aiz-in, I weady!" So I chased Ava around the living roo couch while Caleb was trying to reach for the door, and…
Ugh.
Well, I'll try to finish this quickly. He didn't like getting sunscreen put on him, neither did Ava, but I couoldn't have them burning, and then I struggled majorly to hold Ava down while I put Caleb's little orange floaties on his arms. He jumped in the water, splashed Ava, who started crying because she really wanted nothing to do with the pool. Caleb started to apologize but Ava doesn't know anything about apologies, argh. Frustrating. Finally I think the fresh air got to Ava because she calmed down, Caleb started swimming around with his little floaties on, so cute, then Ava got real interested in Donovan over in our yard (I had forgotten to let him back inside, whoops, but he was okay). But then she started screaming for doggie to come over to her, and when he didn't she started getting louder, and finally I called Donovan over just to shut her up.
Donovan likes Ava about just as much as I do. She tried pulling on his little ears, my poor baby. He didn't like that. I almost wished he would drool on her. I know it's mean.
Hm, I don't seem to be finishing this quickly. Let's try again. Ava screamed on more, Caleb was done swimming, we realized we forgot a towel for him, somehow finished that with some uncooperative Ava. Then some tickle monster, which Ava actually enjoyed for once, and then, giggle, Jeff and Steph returned. Thank God. I didn't know what else to do with Ava.
Got paid good though.
Got home and were surprised to find Mom and Dad home. Apparently she had a doctor's appointment. Went well. We ate dinner. Sydney's been in a good mood thus far, probably from the good doctor's appointment.
And now I've talked with a bunch of people from school and this is what I know. Kathleen is also in my team, so is Dee, but I don't know about classes with them. Adam's in 81, Jess is sad. Chris, Danny, and Fini are in 82. Oh! Stupid me! Ian's in 83 too! With me! Ah, how could I forget that? I'm so excited about that.
9:41 PM
Wait.
9:44 PM
It's August.
We just got our schedules.
That means… Shit. School starts soon.
Noooo. School? No. I won't go. Well, of course I'll go. As long as Ian's going. And Jess. And Kathleen. And everyone else I'm friends with. Sigh. This plan is backfiring. Oh well. Time to go kick some butt in Cribbage (I'm good now! At least I skunked Mom…).