most precious memory. Every time they opened up their wedding album, there I'd be, forever thirteen.

Would I?

"Of course I will!" I replied. "I mean, if my mom lets me."

Mrs. Barrett was grinning. "Have her call me if there's any problem."

Buddy and Lindsey were arguing. Straw wrappers flew around me. Seven rambunctious kids were turning Burger Town into a war zone.

I didn't mind at all.

The whole crazy day was worth it.

Chapter 3.

Jessi.

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ..." warbled Mallory Pike.

"Aw-rooooo!" howled Kristy Thomas.

"Auughhh!" Claudia Kishi picked up two pillows and pressed them against her ears.

Mallory was unfazed. "Jack Frost nipping off your nose ..."

"At," Shannon Kilbourne reprimanded gently. " 'Nipping at your nose,' Mal, not off."

"That's disgusting," Kristy said.

The rest of us were giggling uncontrollably.

"Yuletide carols being flung in the fire. . . ."

"Okay, okay." Shannon could barely keep a straight face. "I take it back. You were right. You can't sing."

Mal was blushing, but she had this sly smile on her face.

Shannon had asked for it. She'd been trying to get us all to sing carols, which is a little like trying to get rhinos to tap dance. Reluctantly we joined in — except for Mallory, who claimed her voice was too awful. So Shannon made it her mission to convince Mal she could really sing.

Did Mallory shrink away? No. She put on a comedy act.

"They know that Santa's on his way; he's

loaded lots  of  poison  goodies  on  his sleigh. . . ."

Where was she getting this stuff? We were laughing so hard, we were snorting.

Welcome to a meeting of the Baby-sitters Club.

Believe it or not, we can be serious. We were just in a silly mood that day. Holiday spirit, I guess. Besides, eleven minutes had gone by and not one parent had called.