Lily of the Randall Field

*c'mon - we all knew that pun was coming*

Congratulations to my brother and siser-in-law, N. and H., for the (early) arrival of their girl. I think I know why she came so early. Her parents will love her. Her "siblings" will throw their white and hairy paws on the ground in worship of her. Her cousins up the lane will babysit. Her cousins all over the country are praying for her. Her grandparents will dote on her (and buy more presents than for their own little girls....cough cough). Her father will teach her the finer points of TV remote control handling. Her mother will instill upon her all her fashion and workplace wisdom.

Lily knows her family is forever. And she wanted to start as soon as possible.

Thirty Minute Pillow Fight

Ever had one for that long? With two boys, under the age of six? Who seemed to be pumped up on soda and sugar? And the knowledge they can overpower their helpless, caffeine deficient aunt?

*notice the Impact jujitsu shirt. some moves learned during class were incorporated into the pillow fight.*

And performing the role as referee, this princess graciously put down her milk bottle (when she knew I was not looking), and intervened. By pulling out all the Wii games of their cases. And the DVD's. And the advertisement inserts. The boys ran to protect their precious technological paraphernalia. The pillows (and my arms) got a break.

* Thank you. I owe you all the cheese crackers in the world.*

The only member in the audience was too worried where his master was to care who won the pillow fight. His long legs could have helped me throw the pillow. I could have ridden him away to safety. His bark would have provided me with a much needed battle cry. But nope. He sat. And watched. And worried.

"Psst. Angus. ANGUS" *poke poke* No response except a furrowed brow and a small whimper for A.R.

Number Twenty

My incredible older sister, E., gave birth to her fourth child this past week. FOUR. As in she has three other ones at home. Under the age of seven. Who have boundless energy - even at six a.m. Who can jump on the trampoline in fifty degree weather, with the threat of rain, for hours on end. Who can rewatch the same Taylor Swift video on YouTube over and over and over again.

And who I babysat for two days while E. brought another one into the world. And I absolutely cannot wait to watch her grow up. I love this new baby. I love her siblings. And I love my sister.

*Avery N. and me. Please focus on the former subject.*

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag

Congratulations on a wonderful childhood.

Congratulations on making it to the teenage years. 

Congratulations on keeping those older brothers in line.

Congratulations on being a great older sister to your younger siblings.

And congratulations on babysitting all my future children.....

I love you.

Happy Birthday A.

Bibliophiles

The other day, during my babysitting jaunt up in A., I witnessed the following dramatic scene between my niece and her younger brother:

Niece: Oh no!
Brother: Uh oh.
Niece (running over to her book with concern written all over her forehead): Where is it? Where is it?
Brother (looking confused): Uh oh.
Niece (carefully opening the book, scanning the pages): Um.....
Brother (now looking at his fee): Uh oh.

*Tense Moment*

Niece (shooting up her hand in a victory punch): YES! It is still here.
Brother: Um.
Niece (proudly producing a small, ratted piece of paper): My bookmark. I thought it had fallen out.
Brother (attention span now expired): Hey, let's play Wii.
Niece (looking frustrated, looks at me): Hey.
Me (addressing the whole room in my twelve-foot voice): What is the worst thing that could happen to a reader?
Niece, Nephew #1 and #2 (in unison): LOOSE YOUR BOOKMARK!
Me: Exactly.

I love that they read. I love that they read everything. Cereal boxes during breakfast, comics during lunch, and Harry Potter everywhere in between.

Except for "the brother". He's schooling me in the Wii. Still a win.

Only one more episode

My friend Katie recently posted her current TV obsession. I will follow in suit. Yes, it's been on for two years. Yes, I think it's actually filmed in my hometown. And yes, I wish I could be Parker. And date Elliot. All I need is a little leverage.

Doppleganger

Remember when everyone was posting a famous person as their Facebook picture for Doppleganger Week?

Yeah, me neither.

Anyway, I think my older brother could have picked from any of the celebrities (A-list all the way through D-list and beyond). He may not see it but I have taken a polling of the greater metropolitan area and the consensus is "it doesn't get any better than this".

Here's for you Seth:

"Tell us about that 2:30 feeling"

http://www.youtube.com/5hourenergyshot#p/a/u/2/qXHIeeLesKs