Dinner with the Mcburrows.

Meadowcroft cottage where the Whiskers family lived was a buss with activity. It has been a while since Katrina felt like having guests over and hosting a dinner party. After the 3 months that her friend Christabel Corntop and her family stayed with them and then the renovations of the Florist, Katrina was just too tired to entertain people.

But she has been toying with the idea to invite the Mcburrows family over, for a while now. Not only are they new to the village and do they need some proper Sugarbush Valley hospitality but the two families never had a chance to celebrate the selling/buying of the landscaping business.

When Katrina told her husband Sebastiaan of her idea he was on-board immediately and so it was arranged that they will have a small dinner party.

Everyone in the household was doing their part to get the house ready and in good order for the guests. Katrina herself was responsible for cooking a delicious dinner, Amelia was setting the table and Branson offered to tidy the front yard and get all the toys ready for some fun-filled playtime with the adorable twins, Muddy and Molly.

Sebastiaan, maybe had the hardest job of all and that was getting the twins, Jeremy and Stephani, into a bath, cleaned up and dressed before he had to set out some drinks for the evening.

After a bit of a struggle and some big eyes and empty threads, the twins were dressed for the visitors and Sebastiaan could get on with arranging the drinks. Luckily, for him, Katrina was very organised and he only had to put everything on the drinks trolley. No need to search for anything to locate it.

Amelia: Look mommy, the table is set. Did I do it the right way?
Katrina: Very good, honey. You are becoming a real lady now. Thanks for the help.
Amelia: What can I do next, mom?
Katrina: I only have to finish the salad then everything is ready. Just keep an eye on the twins, and remember to entertain Muddy and Molly. They might be a bit shy at first.
Amelia: Ok mom. You know I love babysitting.
Katrina: Well, it is not really babysitting, but ok if you want to call it that.

Katrina continued with making the salad and was once again grateful for her well behaved and good mannered children.

Outside Branson was finally done collecting all the toys. He is not really looking forward to an evening spent with babies, but he just knows his mother too well and will regret it, if he doesn't behave as the well mannered eldest son of Katrina Whiskers. He would much rather be spending his time practicing soccer or tennis with his friend, Oliver.

Just as Katrina was throwing a final eye of approval over her house to see if all was in order, there was a knock on the door.
Katrina: Our guests are here, and on time. I just love it when people are one time. It is so selfish if people arrive late and very annoying if they are too early in case one hasn't finished all the preparations yet.
Sebastiaan (smiling): I know you appreciate that, honey. Should I get the door?
Katrina: Lets do it together. Are you ready?

Sebastiaan and Katrina opened the door and invited the guests in.
Katrina: Heidi, Digger! Welcome to our home! Do come in.
Heidi (giving her trademark shy giggle): Hello Katrina, Sebastiaan. Thank you so much for inviting us over. I must say I love my cosy Mole House, but it is nice to get out from time to time.
Sebastiaan: Good evening Digger, Heidi, oh and the kids too. Yes come in, come in!
Digger: Thank you, yes, again for the invite. You have a lovely home.

Katrina was a bit taken a back to see that 4 children accompanied Digger and Heidi and not only two. She thought they had the twins, Muddy and Molly. But clearly they have adopted some babies, as two cute little meadows mice came crawling through the door with the rest of the Mcburrows family.

Heidi must have seen the surprised expression on Katrina's face, as she immediately started to apologise.
Heidi: Katrina, I want to apologise for the two extra guests we brought along, but you will not believe what happened.
Katrina (smiling): Oh they are no problem, but I would love to hear your story ...
Stephani (yelling at the top of her voice): Mommmy, loooooooooooooook!

Just as Heidi was about to start her explanation, little Stephani demanded her mommy's attention. She was playing on the slide.
Katrina: Well done, sweetie pie. Sorry for interrupting you Heidi! Branson, please look after your sister, that she doesn't get hurt,  I see Muddy wants to have a turn too.

While Sebastiaan was serving drinks to the guests, Katrina was having a final stir of the stew and ensured that nothing was burning.

Katrina: Everyone the food is almost ready, but lets have a chat before we sit down for dinner. Heidi where were you with that story?
Sebastiaan: Here are your glass of wine, Honey.
Digger: Oh yes Heidi, please tell them what happened. We are unsure of what to do, maybe they can shed some light. Sebastiaan, you have to listen to this!

So Heidi started to tell the most unreal story that Katrina has ever heard.
Heidi: So it happened like this. This afternoon when I was out in the forest, collecting mushrooms and truffles, I heard some strange "squeaky" noises. I called out a few times, but to no avail and actually forgotten about these strange noises. So while walking over to your house this evening, I again heard the strange "squeaky" noises and suddenly remembered that I heard them earlier today too. Luckily Digger heard them too, so I knew I was not going crazy. As soon as we started speaking to each other, the noises changed to faint "yelps" and then crying.
Digger: We immediately started searching, as both of us were very curious about what on earth it could be.
Heidi: I was actually getting very scared of what we might find, and the next moment there they were, two baby mice. The little girl was crying and the boy whimpering with fear. All we could get out of them is their names, Jess and Noah, and that they are lost and cant find their parents.
Katrina: Oh my goodness, that is awful! The poor babies. Have you reported it to mayor Hugo yet?
Digger: That is the thing, we only found them on the way here and we didn't want to be late for our dinner with you. Also we thought to give it a chance to maybe tomorrow morning, before we make it official that they are lost.
Heidi: Yeah, I'm so afraid that the poorlings will get lost in the system. Then I would rather care for them, even though we can't really afford it!
Sebastiaan: Well, yes, I agree with you Heidi, but we have to let someone know they have been found.
Katrina: I agree and I assure you that Hugo Trunk will never let them "get lost in the system". If you wish I will accompany you tomorrow morning.
Heidi: That will be great, thanks Katrina!

Finally it was time for the delicious dinner that Katrina has prepared. While her guests were sitting down, she quickly served the kids the homemade pizza she made earlier that evening with some juice.
Molly: I love pizza, thank you Mrs Whiskers.
Katrina: My pleasure, sweet Molly. Ok kids enjoy.

Suddenly a quietness fell on Meadowcroft cottage as everyone was enjoying their meal. Only the soft giggles of the little babies were audible.
Digger: Katrina, this stew is delicious.
Sebastiaan: I have to agree with you Digger, this is wonderful.
Heidi: Digger, I just really hope you don't expect me to serve you this at dinner time every night.
Everyone had a good laugh at Heidi's comment.

After the main course, Katrina got up to prepare the dessert. Digger and Sebastiaan gathered the children's dishes, while Heidi rounded up the children to come and play inside. Heidi just had to have a quick peak upstairs and was astonished how such a small space was used. She made some mental notes for her Mole House.

The adults enjoyed dessert, and again everyone was full of praise for the extraordinary dish. The conversation also got more serious. Sebastiaan gave Digger some tips about the landscaping business, who and what to avoid and who to contact first for jobs. Digger was grateful for this.

Upstairs the kids were having a tremendous time too. Amelia was reading a story to Molly and the babies.With her soothing voice she actually managed to get the two smaller boys, Jeremey and Noah, to fall asleep. Branson was helping Muddy to sail a boat  in the bath tub, and to Branson's own surprise he was actually enjoying himself.

When dessert was done, the adults had a quick cup of coffee. Once again Katrina was complimented, this time by Heidi on the exquisite china set she was serving the coffee in.

Heidi: What a beautiful china set.

Katrina: Thank you, it belonged to Sebastiaan's mother, and she gave it to us on our 15th anniversary. 

Heidi: Exquisite indeed.

Too soon it was time to leave. Heidi and Digger gathered the children, and each carried a sleeping baby.

Katrina: See you tomorrow morning Heidi.

Heidi: For sure, these poor babies' parents must be worried sick, I know I would have been.

Katrina: We will find them and hopefully sooner than later. Goodbye Digger, have a good night.

Digger: Thanks Katrina for a lovely meal, and Sebastiaan for all the good tips, be sure that I will ask for a lot of help in the future.

Sebastiaan: My pleasure, and be sure you do that. I have a lot of contacts and will be more than willing to recommend you. Good evening.

After the Mcburrows left, everyone gathered downstairs and shared the good experience they just had. The Whiskers agreed that the Mcburrows are a lovely family and that all had a great time.

Amelia: Molly and Muddy are the just the sweetest children, and those two babies are almost as adorable as my little twins.

Branson: Yes babysitting is not that bad, I will help again.

Katrina: You see, I told you so. Off to bed you too. It is already very late. Good night.

Amelia: Nighty night, mommy and daddy.

Branson: See you in the morning.

Sebastiaan: Good night you too, love you, and don't let the bed bugs bite.

Katrina went upstairs to quickly tuck in the twins too. She felt very satisfied with the evening. And was really glad that it went down so smoothly.

Downstairs the house was a mess, but unlike Katrina she didn't mind. She was more worried about those two babies, Noah and Jess, and was hoping that there is a good end to this story.