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Babysitting

Good Beginnings is an organization that matches up volunteers with mothers with new babies. The program is available to anyone who needs help, regardless of income, race, etc. The philosophy is that new mothers (parents in general) are often overwhelmed with help and visitors for the first week or two, but then often feel overwhelmed with the work, or depressed, or scared, or any number of other feelings while they learn to cope with a new baby. Or a new baby plus older kids!

Over the past year I have had the pleasure of working with 3 really great families. I often feel like I get more out of the experience than the mother does! Christine was my 3rd mother and I had such a great time with her and her kids. At the end of my time there (they say 3 months is best) I offered to babysit so she could go with her husband to his Christmas party. I also volunteered Alan because I knew he would have fun :)

	I orginally got the camera out to take a picture of all 3 kids playing horsey with Alan. However, by the time I was ready to take the picture, Johnny was ready to be done playing. So I got just Anna and Eddie instead.
	Here are all three of them in a row. Anna is trying to keep Johnny upright.
	And again. I love the expressions
	Eddie (Anna was helping me take pictures and Eddie is lying on our feet)
	Anna
	Johnny
	Alan reminded me so much of Uncle Carl. Or at least my childhood memories of Carl. Alan spent the whole night wresting with the kids and carting them around. They loved it!
	Alan looks beat, but Eddie and Johnny are still going strong...
	and loud! :)