Brace yourselves. We're coming to "help".

This is me "helping" Beck out at the beach. Don't I look so helpful?

Two weeks ago, I took the kids to Virginia Beach to "help" my oldest and dearest friend Beck. And my oldest and dearest, I mean, she's OLDER than me. heh heh. I've known her since pre-school, we were three years old. I use the word "help" in the quotes because really, I have two 5-year-olds.Beck just had her third baby. A little girl. She has a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and now a 5 week old. They're all beautiful and great kids.

When I booked the trip, I thought we'd be helpful. But Summer (me) has ruined my children. School had them all on a schedule with structure...blah, blah, blah. Now, they're with me, and well, if we remember to bathe and brush our teeth on a daily basis, we're really on top of things.

But as the time got closer, I was nervous about having them by myself flying across country. With the news reporting each day about how sucky it is to fly and the airlines are charging for your luggage, or for snacks, or to poop. Fine, they aren't charging to poop - yet. But I was getting worried that flying with the kids by myself was not going to be so great.

As time got even closer, I was concerned that my kids would teach her kids bad habits. I know Beck, and know her kids are sweet angels. My kids could ruin all of her hard work in a matter of minutes. Max would help her 2 year-old son build a ramp for his tricycle. Lucy has been getting these sudden sneezes, once while kissing gramma goodby. Ew. And once while shoveling a giant mouthful of corndog in her mouth.Gross.

This could get ugly. But the visit was great. For me at least. I haven't heard from Beck, now that I think of it. We were supposed to come "help" because her husband was off for a few weeks. So, I was supposed to bring the kids to entertain hers, and I would help with the baby and chores around the house. Problem is, I don't do diapers and i don't breastfeed. And now that I think of it, she cooked dinner every night.

I think I might have herded the children around for her to get a shower one time. And then, maybe she got in a nap or two. But really, my crew of carnies, we're not so much help as we are sheer entertainment. Watching our kids play together was just a delight for me. I don't think I could ever handle having more than what I've got for kids. But, that little crew was hillarious.

So, Beck, hope you had as much fun as we did. I wonder why you haven't called me lately. Is it because I did my laundry, but left yours for you to do later? Let me know next time you need me to come "help".

I think it's like if someone were trying to set me up on a date and the guy said, "Is she hot?" My pal would say, "Well, uh, she's got a GREAT personality!" Same thing with being helpful, "Is she helpful?" Beck would probably say, "Well, she's got a GREAT personality!"

That's how I roll.