The Understudy, Part II

Sorry it's been a few days. I haven't felt like writing, and I've been busy with other things.

To finish up my babysitting story, everyone did pretty well, although unfortunately the big kids were late to school on the second day due to the dog getting out and not obeying the command "Come."

Also on day two, Nana and Grandad came home from two months away. The kids were SO glad to see them. Evelyn was so cute, she just held on to them and didn't speak.

They were also ecstatic to see Mom & Dad again on Wednesday.



Graham had a VERY loose front tooth -- the one remaining baby tooth on the top middle -- and Steph encouraged him to wiggle it out of there, and he did! He looks a little like a cute vampire with both top front teeth out, and he has a bit of a lisp, too.

The Understudy

Sunday was my first night "in charge." It was also movie night, the weekly ritual being that the kids can watch a movie while they eat dinner. We watched Annie, and I made the chicken parm with spaghetti, croissants and avocado slices. They ate very well. My favorite part was after they finished eating. We watched the movie all snuggled together. I had bookend twins and Evie climbed on my lap. I loved it!

So today was my first full day. I'll admit I was a little nervous about it all last night and didn't sleep very well thinking about everything I needed to do. Paige & Graham are 7 and nearly self-sufficient in many ways, and Evelyn is 3. But it's still amazing to me how much energy it all takes! Once again, I have a renewed appreciation for my sisters as moms, as well as all the moms out there.

My big accomplishments today were getting three kids to three different schools on time (and without getting lost), picking them each up on time, making a healthy dinner, and getting them to bed on time with minimal distractions. It's 8:30, and I'm ready to go to bed myself!

I think the reward for today was when I tucked Evelyn into bed and she said, "I love you, Auntie Emily. I love you SOOOOO much!" :-)

Go Team!

I drove to Houston Saturday morning, and my sister Steph gave me a run-through of the school drop-off and pick-up. My three nieces and nephew go to three different schools! Fortunately, they are pretty well-timed -- providing traffic cooperates -- so you can drop off the first two, grab a cappucino, and drop off the little one. This morning was the first test, and everyone got to school on time! Yay!

Although I'm not a huge sports fan, it is always fun to experience sporting events live and feel the energy of the players and the crowd. On Saturday night, Steph and her husband took me and the kids to a Texans game. Oh, and we were in a box. It was pretty sweet! To me, the best part was watching the kids watch the game. It was the first time Evelyn (3-yrs) had ever been to a game, and she remarked several times that she was so excited AND that she was so excited to be going with "Auntie Em." :-)

Christmas Memories

Christmas was wonderful, although my visit went much too quickly! I had 2.5 days in Austin with Jenn, Anthony, Anna & Colin (and saw my uncle Tom, as seen in this pic) and then 2.5 days in Houston with my parents, Steph, Al, Paige, Graham and Evelyn.


Here's Jenn reading the Christmas story, with dog Francesca listening in. I took Francesca on a run -- or perhaps I should say she took me -- between the wind at my back and her energy, I ran much faster than I usually do on the treadmill!

Colin is still very snuggly, and one of my favorite moments was watching a movie with him on my lap. He's almost too big to do this, but I really love getting those snuggles! Anna is growing up FAST, and she got a lot of pleasure out of picking out gifts for me, including bright pink lipstick and a beautiful beaded necklace and earrings.

After church, the kids came over to Nana & Grandad's and we did crafts. I showed them how to make funny glasses out of pipe cleaners, although Evie didn't want to wear any. She's happy that the Christmas Chihuahua came out to sing "Feliz Navidad." After Evie went down for a nap, Nana and I went shopping with the twins. Paige was my buddy, staying close by and hugging on me or holding my hand almost constantly. :-)


Graham -- or Grahammie the Hammie -- tries on the blinking nose for the Rudolph model in the front yard.

Graham made me smile when he gave me a goodnight kiss and then ran to his mom blushing and saying, "I can't believe I gave Auntie Emily a kiss!"

And here Evelyn pretends to nap, watching her Grandad, who really was nodding off. As soon as he closed his eyes and started to relax, Evelyn would say, "Grandad!" and wake him up. :-) She also delighted me and Nana when we came to see her after her nap and she ran to us giving us tight hugs and saying, "I missed you!" So sweet.


Again, I come home with a full heart. I feel so fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my family, especially all the little dear ones.

Nantucket

While many of my family members are roasting in the severe Texas heat and drought, we've had such a slow start to summer here in the Northeast. June was almost completely washed out here in NYC, with only 5 days not having rain. Since July arrived, though, it is feeling like summer, and I've been reminded how much I enjoy summertime. For so many years, living in Texas, I dreaded the summer and the heat that zaps your energy, existing from the air conditioning in your house to the air conditioning in your car until you get to the air conditioning at work. Living further north, I've been enjoying feeling the warm (not hot) sun on my face and being able to enjoy the sunny days with outdoor activities.

This past weekend, I went to Nantucket to join my sister Steph and her kids for a few days. Nantucket is even cooler than NYC, and the water was so cold I only braved getting in on Saturday when we had the warmest weather.

Some Enchanted Evening

I had a lovely time last night with my surprise visitors -- my sister Steph and her daughter Paige, who is 5 1/2. Paige called me as soon as their plane landed. She was so excited to be here on her special trip with Mommy.

I met them for an early dinner at Gramercy Tavern, which is conveniently located close to my office. While Steph and I enjoyed a lovely bottle of wine, Paige was thrilled to enjoy a Coke! (A very rare treat.) She called it her "beer," and the effects were almost immediate. She was buzzing from the sugar and caffeine. Of course, it was all part of Steph's plan to help Paige stay up through the Broadway show!

We went to see South Pacific, and the talent was fantastic. From the orchestra to the performers, the costumes and the sets, everything was breathtakingly beautiful. And Paige was such a trooper! We only saw two other children there, and she was definitely the youngest. Poor baby had gotten up at 4:45 a.m. that day to catch the plane, and she definitely got a zombie look through the performance. But she was completely well-behaved and everyone around us commented on her poise and maturity. And she was entranced enough in the story to stick it out until the end.

During one of the opening numbers, a group of guys dressed as sailors sing "There is Nothing Like a Dame." We had incredible seats -- even the usher said they were his favorite seats in the house! They were situated on Row F in the orchestra and were overlooking a stairway where the performers would enter and exit. This meant no one was directly in front of us! During the "Dame" song, at one point, all the guys turned in our direction and seemed to be singing directly to us. I swear I caught eyes with one cute guy, and he continued to sing while maintaining my gaze. I felt my face go hot (I'm sure I was red) and it seemed to go on for several somewhat-uncomfortable minutes. I can't remember the last time I blushed, but it was such a powerful experience. I love Broadway! I love the talent, the live performance, the energy you get from the performers and even from the other patrons around you. I like the smaller theaters where you feel almost a part of the action.

All in all, quite an "enchanted evening," to borrow one of the popular songs from the show.

Nantucket

Ah, Nantucket. What a lovely little island. It's nicknamed "The Grey Lady" because of the weathered wood shingles on most buildings and for the frequent fog. Everything there moves at a much slower pace (especially compared to NYC), and it took me awhile to slow down.


Steph took me to a fancy party on Saturday night. The view was spectacular, and the food and music weren't bad either!







I enjoyed the cooler weather, the refreshingly cold water, and especially playing with my nieces and nephews. Paige was particularly attached to me this visit, and I just loved it. I got lots of snuggles.

Memories from the Weekend

Here are a few pictures from my visit to Houston.
The twins had a pirate-themed birthday party to attend, and Graham had his mom draw a mustache for it.
The baby I'm holding is Toby, son of friends Katie & Nick. He was completely relaxed and deeply asleep.

Better Late than Never - Pics from San Antonio

(Paige insisted on getting her temporary tatoo on her lumbar area!)

Gettin' Lovins in Houston

Posting from Houston, where I arrived last night. My bro-in-law Al, my mom and the twins came to pick me up. Paige and Graham kept saying "Auntie Emily! Auntie Emily!" in a singsong voice. It was great. I got BIG hugs and whopper kisses, too.

Today, we helped Steph decorate the outside of her house. She is SERIOUS about her decorations! Every year, she finds new additions after the season (on sale). She has three gingerbread houses with six gingerbread kids, two snowmen, two lighted garlands, a blow-up snow globe and a blow-up penguins with candy canes. Then there are wreaths and additional lights sprinkled throughout the front yard.

Steph is still recuperating from last week's hospital stay, but she is in good spirits. Tomorrow, more family is coming in to join in her annual Christmas Tea, ladies only. Should be fun!

Visit to Houston

Houston-Sept-06 007
Originally uploaded by Gem-Em.

Steve and I visited with the twins, Steph, Al and Nana & Grandad this past weekend. I was very anxious to show them the book I created for them. It's a fictional story with Paige and Graham as the main characters. I think they liked it...we had to read it 20 times!

See the video.

A Happy Easter Weekend

Happy Easter! 

Steve and I visited Steph, Al, Paige & Graham for Easter weekend. We had a ball Easter egg hunting, swimming, lots of great food and lots of giggles.


Hello, Easter Bunny 

On Easter morning, Graham got creative with his loot. We were all tickled.


StickerMan 

Unfortunately, he had to take them off before church. He protested, "No...I want to be funny!"