The Boy Who Cried Gretel

Are you familiar with The Last Minute Shuffle? It usually takes place shortly before home teachers, grandparents, and play-date participants come over. Much of The Shuffle revolves around moving the normal amounts of clutter from visible to non-visible rooms. Our non-visible room of choice is the office. After the removal of books and, well, more books, we wipe down counters, sweep floors, and make sure the bathroom is not frightening.

Shortly before our friends, Will and Gretel, came over on my birthday we were elbow deep in The Last Minute Shuffle. Bryan was manning the kitchen while the boys and I were prepping the front room for vacuuming. I had the vacuum in one hand and the Cooper in the other. I have a knack for not hearing the doorbell, so I stationed Peter at the front window to watch for our guests. I told him to look out the window and tell me if Will and Gretel were there, then I turned on the vacuum.

I had vacuumed for ten seconds when Peter called out "They're here! They're here!"

Really? I turned off the vacuum and looked. No one was there. I explained that I couldn't see anyone and could he please tell me when they were really here. Peter smiled at me and reassured me that of course he would only call when they were really here.

Repeat three times.

I finally finished my much-interrupted vacuuming duty as Peter announced their arrival yet again. I looked out the window and what did I see? Nothing.

Me: Peter, there's no one there.

Peter: Yes there is.

Me: Where?

Peter: (pointing to empty space outside our front door) Right there.

Me: Why can't I see them?

Peter: They're invisible.

Luckily they materialized shortly thereafter and we could all see them.

Maybe next time I'll give him a different job.