Running for the Shelter

So I have this mother's helper. I'll call her Anna. (Because that's her name)

She's a doll. Precocious but not annoyingly so. Gorgeous and doesn't know it. All of 10 going on 11 going on 16. A child growing into a teen. I adore her but she's unnerving. You forget how young she is when she looks at you with an assessing stare. I just know she thinks I'm a donkey.

She "helps" from 3 to 5 on Thursdays. $8 well spent. Sometimes we go grocery shopping, other times she watches Ellie. Lately it's been tough because I let her watch tv when Ellie was younger and sleepier and now she heads for it automatically. I forgot how distracting tv is to a 10 year old. (to a 37 year old...Doug, Doug...)I have to remind her to actually PLAY with Ellie.

But not today. No siree bob. Today I had Plans. I needed to make cookies and she wasn't just going to watch my DVR'd Idol episodes. There was going to be some Real Playing. Ball rolling, maybe a song or two, some hand-eye coordination.

Today, my friend, I was "Getting My Money's Worth".

Bake bake bake. Talk talk talk on the phone. Calling out now and again
"You all ok? You need me to rewind that" (I crumbled, so sue me, I needed the cookies made.) Talk, bake, watching the clock. She's leaving early today for dance class.

"Can you feed her before you go" mentally muttering Getting My Money's Worth
"Sure"
"I'll get the food ready," I said. Although why I should I don't know. This IS your job. And can't you pick up her toys after. It's not just hold her, you're a helper. You have to pick up after too. Argh. More trouble. then she's worth. Ahhh, but then, I did get 2 hours to make cookies...what do I expect for $8...I put a bib on Ellie, set her down, and gave my "Mother's Helper" the food. "Be careful," I warned, "she reaches now." I left the room to get cash for Anna's "paycheck". Less then two minutes later I came back in.

"I'll finish" I said. "I don't want you to be late for dance."
"Thank you" We air kissed as I handed her the cash.
"You're welcome" she chirped. And with a hair toss she was gone. Bouncing off down the sidewalk.

I looked at crying Ellie. still waiting to finish eating.
When you factor in the labor cost of the laundry,I'm fairly certain I didn't get my money's worth.