[Laneco]

We have a distant relative-by-marriage who has a young son. Cute little guy and we offered to take care of him for an afternoon so that she could have some "away" time. Trust me, parents of young children NEED a little away time.

She dropped the child off late morning with some food, spare clothes and a couple of diapers with the promise that she would be back around 2pm. By 5pm, we were getting a little concerned and cancelled our dinner plans. We started trying to call her around 6 and she promised to be 'right over'. By this time, the child was out of diapers and food - had to go buy both. She finally showed up sometime after midnight. Apparently, she had just a grand old time. I however, had to be up at 4am to catch a plane.

Last time that happened. She called repeatedly asking us to take him again for a few hours. I had to tell her NO. She took ridiculous advantage the first time with not even an attempt at an apology, etc. I couldn't figure out why no one in her family would watch the child - now I know why - it was because of her...

Your Tahoe trip was not a good adventure for you. That was IMMERSION without any time at all in the wading pool! Maybe a few hours at a petting zoo, or an indoor trampoline camp, etc. The LEGOLAND trip is going to be Tahoe on steroids - you really need to avoid it. The child will grow older, and hopefully become better "company" as they often do. When that happens, just expand the time you spend with him. in the meantime, I would pass on the LEGOLAND trip.

By the way...am I the only one thinking that you got asked to be Godparents for the financial end, not so much for anything else? Hate to think that was true...

angela