Fear of a parent

After just reading a story on a friend's blog - I was reminded that I need to get this little story on mine.

The other day, I experienced a parental fear that I hope no one ever has to go thru - and that I don't have to go thru again. After bible school this past week, my niece, Lilah came over in the afternoons. So Ellie and she had a great time all week playing together.

One day, the girls and Jack were swimming and playing in the back yard. I was in the kitchen doing dishes, so I could keep my eye on them thru the window. At one point, I couldn't see any of them - so I bopped outside to check on them. I found Jack in the garage and asked him where the girls were - he said, "They are inside. I want to come inside too."

"No, they aren't inside, I was just in there."
"Yes, they are."

So I went in to check, in case they had somehow slipped past me .... .... nope.
Next, check back outside, and it proceeded like this ...

• the bottom of the pool
• around the side of the house
• the front yard
• ask jack again, he said, "They are in the van." I checked the van
• went next door
• sent our neighbor girl on her bike around the block
  
• went to other neighbor with a pool
• went back inside the house
• walked half way around the block

At this point, I'm getting very frantic. I'm going to have to call my sister and tell her that our daughters are missing! They are in swimsuits and no shoes - I really didn't believe they'd just take off. As I was walking back into the house to grab my phone to call the police - I heard a small giggle coming from inside the van.

Jack was right - they were in the van. But the first time I checked so quickly - and they were hiding - that I didn't see them.

They said, "Didn't we find a great hiding place! We were playing hide and seek!" I was FURIOUS (and relieved). So after their butt-chewing - which consisted of

• You know better than to play in the van
• If you are going to play hide & seek, you need to tell me, so I know to look!
• If I'm calling for you - you need to answer!
• I was worried sick that someone took you.

Moral of my story - sometimes a 3-yr old knows what he's talking about.