Ding dong

Saturday morning. Erin is at the farmer's market. After much wrestling and complaining, I managed to insert Henry and Jane into their snowsuits.

Me: I'm going to try to put Alice down for a nap, so pleeeease don't come back inside for a bit. We need it quiet in here.

Henry/Jane: OK, Dad.

Front Door: Slam!

I carry Alice to the bedroom for some quiet cuddling and lullabying.

Me: (singing) One elephant went out to play, upon a spider's web one day. He had such-

Front Door: knock knock knock knock

I try to ignore it.

Me: -enormous fun that he called for another elephant to-

Front Door: ding dong.

We walk to the front door. I open it. It's Henry.

Me: What is it, Cornbread?

Henry: Dad, can you come out to play?

Me: Sorry, buddy. I'm putting the baby to sleep. You and Jane play for a bit, OK?

Henry: OK.

Front Door: Slam!

We walk back to the room.

Me: Two elephants went out to play upon a spider's web one day. They had such enormous-

Front Door: ding dong

Walk walk walk walk. Open door.

Me: What?

Henry: Jane is stuck in the tree.

I rescue Jane from the tree.

Henry: Dad, can you play?

Me: I'd love to, buddy, but the baby is still awake. Please, you need to leave me alone in the house for a few minutes.

Henry: OK, Dad.

Front Door: Slam!

Walk walk walk walk to the bedroom.

Me: Three elephants-

Front Door: ding dong

Stomp stomp stomp stomp. Open door.

Me: WHAT.

Henry: Daaaad... can you pl-

Me: Dude. I told you I need a few minutes. I don't have time right now to play.

Henry: I wasn't asking for you to play.

Me: Oh, no? What were you asking?

Henry: I was... wondering... if I... if youuu... coooould... get me a drink of water?

Me: Sure.

Walk walk walk to the kitchen. Fill a glass. Bring it back. He drinks.

Me: We're good? No more knocking? No more doorbells? Just quiet for a few minutes?

Henry: Yes, Dad. No problem.

Front Door: Slam!

Walk walk walk walk walk.

Me: Four elephants went out to play upon a spider's web one day. They had such enormous fun that they called for another elephant to come.

Alice stares at me with wide eyes.

Me: You're not going to sleep, are you?

Alice gently touches the tip of my nose with her finger.

Alice: Ding dong.