Burnin' Down the House

Funny story. While Teresa was at the hospital "helping" with Kaden's grand entry into the world, Lauren was left in charge of the boys for the day. Being a junior in high school, that should really not be a problem. Ha. By early afternoon, dad's cell phone is ringing. It's Ben, who is telling on big brother Nick, who then wrestles the phone from Ben, begins to tell on big sis Lauren, who manhandles Nick to take the phone and report that all is fine. Huh?? Sounded like people were being killed up in there! Being 7 miles away, dad orders Lauren to keep it together for 10 minutes . . . Coming up the street, the house windows are open (it's around 100 degrees!), screens out, little cousin Kai hanging out the dining room window. Not good. Where did Kai come from? Oh, look, cousin Kristian is there too!! No adults in sight . .. except big sis Lauren, if that counts??? Dad hops out of the car, and the smell of burnt something hits hard on the front porch. It's even worse in the house. Good God . . . have they caught the house on fire!?!? Lauren, who is supposed to be in charge, is busy chatting away on the computer . . . IM and MySpace consuming her attention. After some digging, it turns out 6-year-old Ben had been given the go-ahead to reheat a McDonalds chicken sandwich . . . which he did for at least 10 minutes . . . which, after whatever happens to something after 10 straight minutes of nuking, caused the stink . . . literally. Nobody ever came clean to say if something was actually on fire. Dad is pretty sure babysitting job duties include an implied direction to not a let a 6-year-old cook, but the teenager doesn't see it that way. Seems the 10-year-old gave clear instructions on how to heat the darn thing up, so what's the problem?? Oh well . . . new carpet, microwave, oven and dishwasher were due the next day anyway, so it all turned out o.k. And, still not sure how the cousins got involved???????