Babyproofed? Mostly. Childproofed? Not even close!

We had some friends over this weekend for a lunch after church, and it was quite a large crowd, including about 10 children or so. I love kids, and we certainly welcome them in our home, but we found out that while we might be prepared (on at least the most obvious levels) to let Hayden roam about, we are no where near ready for youngsters that are as mobile and wired and tall and HUNGRY as the kiddos that came this weekend.

For instance, I keep a dish of chocolates out on a table to satiate my occasional sweet tooth. I have a variety of the oh-so-decadent Lindt truffles to indulge in on those "nothing but a bite of chocolate will do" days. Although it took awhile for me to link the two, I eventually realized that the fever pitch of the children's laughter and activities was a direct result of the echoing emptiness of my chocolate bowl. Seriously, two of those things are like the equivalent of a full sized candy bar, and these kids knocked 'em back like a bunch of chocoholics that just fell off the wagon!

Also, when I saw two of the little 'gentlemen' bolt into our guest bathroom straight from the dinner table with a napkin-covered something or other in hand, I realized that Chris probably hadn't envisioned his Victorian-era high tank toilet being used to dispose of someone's unwanted veggies (at least I pray that's what went in there!). Thankfully the pull-chain flusher on the toilet did slow them down, at least for a bit. My mother in law noticed that one young fellow had been in the restroom an exceptionally long time, and called out if he needed help. He, of course, didn't want company and she fetched his grandmother to see if we could lure him out. His grandma asked him if he went potty... "yes"... and if he got his pants back up... "yes"... and if he washed his hands... "yes"... and if he'd flushed... "I can't figure out how!" came the plaintive wail! Once the chain was properly identified as the method of flushing, it became a source of amusement for the entire under-10 crowd, I believe.

All in all, (knock on wood) no permanent damage was done, and we learned that there's a little more than socket covers and door latches on our childproofing list!

Anyone else find out their house was not as childproofed as they thought it was through a similar experience?