Babysitting Swaps...maybe next week?

I have a wonderful friend who has run a handful of marathons.  In her spare time, she's also a 3rd grade teacher, an amazing mother, makes the best Thai yellow curry, and is pretty much an inspiration to all.  She's got an impressive resume, but you'd never know it because, as you'd imagine, she's also incredibly humble.  So, it's obvious why I stalk her, I mean--love her, and demand free therapy sessions when we run together.  Because I need therapy almost as much as I need girlfriends.  Thankfully, the two are usually synonymous.   

As for running, we'd hoped to get together this week, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  It's Show Week for Hibiscus and the Children's Theatre production she's performing with (more to come on that). Between taxi service to rehearsals and Mr. Forget-me-not being gone, I can't bring myself to ask for one more babysitting favor from my "village" of willing and able bodied friends.  

I feel like babysitting favors (especially when you have a Wooly) should be reserved for necessities only (unless, of course, there is a Marathon involved).  As much as I'd love to run with my friend, I should probably do the responsible thing.  And even though running with my wonderful friend feels more like a necessity than a luxury (it is cheap therapy, after all), I'd have a guilty, overly indulgent conscience.  I'll blame Wooly for that one. 

He's in this horrible stage where he'll lash out when frustrated and pick up the nearest object to huck it across the room.  Time out is not getting through to the boy.  He's instantly repentant, because he knows if I'm anything, I am consistent in dragging him down the hall to his room.  But it still hasn't broken his new pitcher's arm habit.  How do I leave the boy to anyone else, without full disclosure of the potential black eye they'll be sporting by the time I return? 

So, I'm not running a lot this week.  It's problematic for other reasons, but the sacrifice is needed.  In the meantime, I've hidden all marbles and maracas from the playroom.  Those could actually do some damage if his aim improves. 

Always on the grow,