December 15, 2020

Is It Really Still Today? (Aunting for the Day)

Ohmygosh. I feel like it should be at LEAST midnight right now, but it's not even 8:00 PM. It's been such a crazy busy day.

I knew Luke and Riley (my three-year old nephew and two-year old niece) would be coming over at 2:00, so I got up at 7:00 this morning to finish getting things ready for them. Since I was giving them their Christmas presents, I wanted to finish making Riley the little pillows and blankets for her Lil Woodzeez animals (I just keep calling them "critter things").

I also had to take Joey for his walk, which takes 90 minutes. And I still needed to get one more thing for Luke for Christmas (I'd gotten him a popcorn maker, but it wasn't going to be very "fun" to open because it wasn't something he could play with right away).

At 7:00, I went out to the garage. It was only 17 degrees outside this morning(!!!) so I wore several layers of clothes along with my warmest wool hat and gloves. I turned on the propane heater for about 20 minutes and the little heater next to my sewing machine and serger. 

Then I worked for three and a half hours making teeny tiny blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows, bahahaha!



They weren't pretty, but the good thing about making stuff like that for a two-year old is that they don't notice the flaws. Those pillows are one inch by one-and-a-half inches, by the way. Much harder to make than you would think.

The second I was done, I realized it was almost 11:00 and I needed to get my walk done. Thankfully, I was already dressed really warmly so I just threw on my fleece jacket, grabbed Joey and his leash, and headed out. 

To Joey's dismay, I just walked with a purpose--and that was to finish as quickly as possible. Usually, I let him stop and smell the roses pee on bushes and I let him off leash during a couple of spots (walking through the grass slows me down), but today was all business.

As soon as I got home, I let Joey inside, grabbed my purse, and headed to the store to buy Luke's gift. Sadly, I only had time to either hit up Kroger or Family Dollar--so I chose the latter. I remembered that Becky mentioned he wanted a remote control car, and they happened to have several. I figured the quality wouldn't be great, but at least it would be something fun he could play with today.

As soon as I got home, I had to wrap all the presents and take a shower before they got here. They arrived a little early, and I had barely gotten a chance to breathe, but I was so excited for them to come over. They were dying to open their presents, of course, so that's what we did first.

When Luke opened the remote control car, he said, "I always wanted one of these!!" in the cutest way ever, and it totally melted my heart.



Riley, on the other hand, was totally underwhelmed by the little blankets and pillows I made for her--HAHAHA! Becky told me she'd been asking for them for at least a month, but I didn't know just how much she loves pink and purple--so, I made the wrong color choices, I guess ;) She loved the treehouse, though! (I found it on Facebook Marketplace, new-in-box, for less than half of retail price!)



I don't remember the order or even everything that we did today, but it was a LOT. I feel like we did a month's worth of activities in a single day. I'd bought the game Perfection that is made for young kids, and I was really impressed with how good they did with it. Luke did the whole thing before the timer was done, and Riley would have if her fingers weren't sticky from a sucker--making the pieces stick to her fingers instead of staying in the slots! Hahaha.




We ended the evening by popping popcorn in the "special" popcorn maker (this was Riley's first time!) and then we all watched Home Alone.




It definitely wasn't without interruptions (the kids wanting to play with their toys, etc), but I actually welcomed them. I love kids at this age (two and three years old) and getting interrupted during anything as an aunt is somehow different than it was when I was a mom. I wish I could do everything over again with my kids--but since I can't, this is the next best thing.

I played hard today--I played like a toddler. And I loved it! I'm exhausted, but in a really good way ;) (I'm not going to read this over for grammar/spelling, so I apologize in advance. I'm tired!)

8 comments:

  1. I feel the same way about being an Aunt vs being a mom. There are so many things that don't bother me any more that sent me through the roof when my kids were babies.

    But I'm a DANG good Auntie.

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    1. Yes! I'm glad you understand. If I could go back and change things, I totally would--but since I can't, I just focus being the best aunt I can be!

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  2. What a fun day! Those kiddos are too cute! I love their fascination with the popcorn maker!!

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    1. It's hilarious how the popcorn maker has become "a thing" now in my family. From when I was little, to when my kids were little, and now to my little niece and nephew. When Shelby, my youngest niece is a little older, hopefully she's fascinated by it, too!

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  3. Love the pictures of the kids playing! Luke and Riley are adorable!! I miss that age. My nieces and nephews are in their 30s and 40s.

    My favorite photo, though, is the last one. Besides all of you looking so comfy and contented on the couches, I see Phoebe checking out the popcorn next to you (yay -- she's not hiding from everyone anymore!), a glimpse of your beautiful Christmas tree in the mirror, and your kitchen remodel, including the island that you worked so hard to make and that turned out so well. The only thing missing is Jerry, who I know is behind the camera. :)

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    1. I miss that age with my boys SO MUCH. When I watch old videos, my heart just melts.

      It's funny, Phoebe has been ALL OVER ME lately! I don't know what her deal is. It's great, though! I'm glad she's coming out of her shell some more. I wish Jerry was able to be in the pic as well--I need to get a mini tripod for my phone!

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  4. I have never seen my three year old daughter laugh as much as she laughed during the last 30 minutes of Home Alone this year - brings me joy just thinking about it! Glad you could have a fun day with the littles (and now I remember why I am tired all the time - I have a three year old and a six month old - its exhausting!)

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    1. That's so cute about your daughter loving Home Alone! It's a great kids' Christmas movie. And yes, props to you--having little ones that age is EXHAUSTING!

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