White Dog leaned over toward Quinn and stage whispered, "OK, crazy time is fast approaching. Tonight is the part you will love. Mom and dad get so focused on the last minute stuff that anything goes!" "What do you mean?" The Other White Dog replied looking alarmed. "No, don't worry, everything is all right but there is so much to do we can pretty much get anything we ask for. Watch this..." At that White Dog poked Michael who asked, "What's for dinner?"
"We have LOTS to do tonight so let's just order out..." I said..."Asian," WD filled in. So a no mess carry out meal of bbq pork egg fu young (Michael's favorite), chicken with mixed mushrooms, beef chow foon, eggrolls, and chicken vegetable fried rice was the order of the night, eaten picnic style..."Don't we get fortune cookies?" TOWD asked tentatively. "Of course, Michael can read your fortunes for you so we can get things finished." "Can we also have some jerky?" White Dog pushed. "Would you rather that or samples from the beef I need to shred for the tacos later in the week?" I asked. "Both?" "Nope" "OK, beef!" Quinn decided.
After dinner Steve and I cleaned up the porch and hid away as much of the daily living mess as we could out of fear that we would be found lacking in housekeeping skills. "Mom," White Dog pawed at me. "Can I have a piece of jerky and eat it on the bed?" "You just ate!" "Please, please, please, please please," she whined tugging at my pants and licking my hand. "You are NOT going to stop until I give in, are you?" "WD looked at TOWD and winked, "Nope!" "Well then here and here is a piece for the quiet one as well, now can I please finish straightening up?"
As the White Dogs trotted off to enjoy their ill-gained treats, I reminded them: "First company arrives at 4 pm tomorrow. You better have your toys put away and your party manners on." "Yeah yeah yeah," White Dog mumbled around her jerky, "you know you can count on us!"