Within seconds she had offered up all the details of 'a secret mission,' though I have been sworn to secrecy, and am not at liberty to divulge the details here. I can however reveal some of the preparations.
Last night Betty packed three rucksacks full of provisions. I witnessed ice blocks being removed from the freezer. Biscuits, chocolate mousse, waterproofs, a sleeping bag, slippers, a toothbrush, a towel, a head torch, toilet roll, sunglasses, four pairs of socks, and an umbrella were all packed. And a couple of her teddies.
At one point she asked me for Sam’s phone number - she wanted to remind him to bring his head torch.
While I was putting her to bed, she casually asked me if I thought she would be able to unlock the front door by herself in the middle of the night. Noting my worried look, she kept saying to me: ‘Don't worry mummy, it’s fine, it's all planned.’ But not taking any chances, when I locked the door later that night, I hid the key.
It took quite a long time to persuade Betty that I really didn't think Sam would be waiting for her at the school gate at midnight, and that they had to come up with an alternative. I’m wondering what Betty and Sam’s plan will be when she gets home from school today.
The whole episode has reminded me of the time when, aged about eight years old, I got cross with my mum and set off for London, Dick Whittington style, with some provisions tied up in a spotty handkerchief on a stick. I made it to the end of the garden - my mum took a photo of me sitting on the wall, eating a biscuit, and looking sulky.
Update: when Betty returned home from school that afternoon, she told me defiantly that her and Sam were sticking to the original plan, and that it was 'really really in real life' this time.
10 comments:
I am much impressed with the organisational skills of your young child. But do you really think she wanted to follow through with the 'secret', because she did sort of drop hints about what that 'secret' was going to be!
Gosh, I'm impressed that you can lock people inside your house. OUr front door opens with one turn of a button, although the burglar going off would probably give the game away!
Hi Vera, yes, she was desperate to carry out the secret mission! And it was quite a battle to make her see sense!
Hi Expat mum, we have an old style lock, which can only be opened with the key. Yes, the alarm would do the trick :)
Awww bless her! That is so cute!
Hi Emma, it was very sweet - and she came home the following day with exactly the same secret mission planned!
How cute...I love the fact that they truly believe adventures are just like in story books!
It definitely beats sitting staring at the television screen or shouting at a Nintendo DS!
CJ x
yikes! I once scaled the 6 ft garden fence and legged it down the road, my Nan chasing after me.
I have no doubt at all I was just trying to get away from her!
My little girl has worked out how to unlock the front door (had always thought it was a bit too tricky for her). After reading this I'm on Red Alert in case she gets any really real plans like Betty!
xx
That's quite sweet! I remember doing a similar thing when I was little!
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