Our New Au Pair

The Tweedle Twirp came to visit. And she is now locked in our basement, forbidden to leave.

Life is so much easier when you have a Tweedle Twirp around! First of all, she comes bearing a used train ticket. Oh, Doodles loves that used train ticket! He fell asleep with it firmly glued to his hand. It comes with him in the car. He asks for it when he's eating.

Second of all, the Tweedle Twirp is small. Which means she can fit inside Doodles's school bus along with two chairs, Doodles's guitar, her backpack and purse (which Doodles of course insisted she bring along for their trip), and assorted other toys.

Third of all, Doodles wants to impress her. We couldn't get Doodles out the door? "Well, okay, you can stay here by yourself, but the Tweedle Twirp is going to get into the car!" "Tweedle Twirp is going? I need my jacket!" Cutting Doodles's nails is an ongoing battle. But simply say, "You know, when the Tweedle Twirp wakes up, she wants to see your short nails," and you'll have a kid who docilely sits while you trim both finger and toe nails and then runs eagerly to show them to Tweedle Twirp the minute she awakens.

Oh, I could go on. But I hear a banging on the pipes from the basement. Tweedle Twirp must be looking for a cup of tea or a chamber pot. Better go take care of that.