Koi

Via my Instagram.  Why not follow me?

Yes I Can

I picked up the girls on Saturday, and six days into this timeline I'm finally getting the hang of taking care of my nieces full time.  Earlier in the week I couldn't figure out why anyone intentionally reproduces.  It's hard keeping my intelligent wildlings safe, stimulated, in sunscreen, and nutritiously fed three meals a day plus snacks.

We have routine now.  I figured out how to police their interactions.  They have me figured out too; they know when they have to listen to me versus negotiate with me.

Six days into this timeline, and I don't want my girls to go!  I guess my brother and his wife will want them back?  I'm really looking forward to having children of our own.  I can do this.  I'm ready.  The girls are ready too.  Paxten, the 5 year old, told me that she thinks all babies are cute even the boy ones.

Bedtime Stall

If I could get my nieces in bed thirty minutes before bedtime, then I'd read them books and or tell them "stories from my head," as requested.  However, my little nieces who more likely than not have a higher IQ's than me enjoy stretching out bedtime with sweet little requests for more interactions.
 
"Tell us stories Pat-Pat, tell us stories!"

It's a trap.  It's an emotional trap.

I don't support being used to delay sleep.

I kiss my girls.  I tell them how lucky they are to be traveling through this world with a sister, since I'm lucky to have traveled this world with my brother (their father); only a sibling sees the full arch of your life.  I usually throw in something negative about my brother at the end- like he's weak, he's not funny, and he cannot stand on his head (neither can I, but they don't know this; I hope they return home requesting head stands from my brother).  They do know my brother is their father, and they defend him ferociously against my jabs.

Finally, after they stop jibber jabbering on about how great their father is, I encourage them to tell each other stories.  I turn out the lights.  I walk downstairs and sit next to the baby monitor to listen at the 15 to 20 minutes of songs, stories, and shenanigans my nieces are creating.  I love it.

The girls love each other and they love to annoy each other; however, at the end of the day when they are alone upstairs in twin beds next to each other they seem to only love each other.  It's peaceful.

Niece Week

I took off work.  I have one job this week: to keep my 7 and 5 year old nieces alive until their parents return from Ireland.  I am loving time with these two intelligent, humorous, energetic little ladies, but it's also stretching me!  I'm learning to be more patient and calm in the chaos they create.  They are imaginative children.  I'm used to managing large teams of consultants, which is nothing like taking care of my Presley and Paxten.

A few tidbits:

• Presley fell off the monkey bars and got the wind knocked out of her.  It was the most horrific few minutes as she gasp for air.  Horrific.  My husband is a perennial champion in tough situations.  He talked her through the process and encouraged her to relax as much as possible, and then he carried her home.  She's fine today.  
• As soon as we sat down to eat at Rudy's BBQ, Paxten threw up all over herself.  Luckily my husband was with me, I scooped her up and took her to the restroom while my husband cleaned up the table and retrieved extra clothes from the car.   I don't know what I would have done if I had been on my own, which I am right  now. 
• Presley read me four books last night, which was magical.
• Paxten likes to talk through her day, which is also magical.
• You can see the bond of sisterhood between my two nieces, even though they like to annoy each other too.  They are going to be friends for life!

Name Your Price

I'm working with a team that is very sports focused, SPORTS!, and as a result I've picked up a lot of knowledge about Sepp Blatter and the corrupt FIFA organization.

Two thoughts:

First, FIFA's only power comes from owning the World Cup.  It's not like the FIFA professionals are kicking soccer balls and making goals, right? They have over a billion dollars in cash because they can organize a sports event every four years?  Why not just create another tournament hosted by non corrupt individuals?  What really gets me hot is when a group of elite paper pushers (with no real unique talent) have a disproportionate amount of power and influence and use their power to enrich themselves.  The soccer players should have more power and cash since they are the ones on the field.  

Second, I consider myself an honorable individual, and I despise Russia's Vladimir Putin (he's illegally occupying Georgia); however a painting, believed to be a Picasso, was allegedly gifted to Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) president and FIFA executive member Michel Platini in return for his support for the eventually successful Russian bid for the 2018 global showpiece.  While I consider myself an honorable individual and I hate Putin I would do whatever Putin wanted if he gave me a Picasso!  A Picasso!!!  Why hasn't anyone ever tried to bribe me with a Picasso?  I want a Picasso.  A PICASSO!!

Over Eleven Years Ago

On Saturday my husband and I went to get our hair did at Floyd's 99 Barbershop; I get the balding man special: my head is shaved all over with a 1.5, and my eyebrows (where the thickest hair on my head is located) are trimmed.

While I was sitting in the chair the young gay guy shearing my head asked why I was sunburned, and I told him we had been at my husband's parents' house cleaning up flood mess in their yard.  He then asked how long my husband and I had been together, and I informed him our first date was over 11 years ago.

The gay guy cutting my hair was stunned.  ELEVEN YEARS!  He congratulated us.

I don't think the young gay community is aware of the many gay couples in long term relationships.  We exist, but you'll find us at the at home, at the grocery store,  at the yoga studio, or at the barbershop.  We don't travel in the party circuit.

Pizza Party

My husband is a champion pizza maker - he bakes his own dough and makes his own red sauce! He could win awards with his pizza makin' skills.  This weekend he decided to add spinach to the pizza.   My husband is also a genius.  We could all use a little more spinach in our body, right?  Look at his two cheese spinach, roasted tomatoes, and seared pepper pizza!

 

You didn't really taste the flavor of spinach - it was present, it added a little something to the slice, and it was nutritious!