Kids can be tricky...especially when you are the gullible Aunt.
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My Sister in Law is in school. She has recently returned to become a Nurse Practitioner. With a crazy schedule and a husband who is jet set for work from the start of Spring Training through the World Series, it can be tough. It is a good thing that she is the high energy, OCD type. Between classes, caring for a little one (let's call him Mini-Sox) and a house to maintain...she always pulls it off and does it so amazingly well!
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Grammy (aka Minnow...her self selected name) helps with Mini-Sox and Pops (Grandpa's self selected name) does his fair share as well. Since Mini-Sox started attending pre-school, life seems to be a bit easier for the family. During the week when needed, they have hired help or Minnow & Pops to assist with the school drop off, evening pick up, dinner and bedtime. It is only when all possibilities are exhausted that Auntie Homemaker is called.
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It's not to say I don't like kids or that I am bad with them...no, I LOVE kids and can't wait to give Mini-Sox some cousins. It's more that at this point in my life my schedule is pretty crazy and I feel awful that I don't get to see Mini-Sox more often.
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Last night was my first shift in a long time as the 'babysitter.' With Mini-Sox being more self-sufficient and able to communicate, it's really a pretty easy job. The hardest part for me is not being dooped by someone just a fraction of my age.
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The night began with after school pick up. I feared I wouldn't find a parking place in the bustling downtown area where Mini-Sox's preschool is and that his parents would be charged the $1 a minute late fee...but that was anxiety wasted and I pulled right into one just steps from the building.
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Then I worried I may have to negotiate with Mini-Sox his departure from his friends, class pets and toys...but again, things went smoothly.
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As we rode in the car home, Mini-Sox asked if we could watch a movie. Knowing his Mom and Dad often let him have a little bit of TV time in the evening, I didn't see anything wrong with that. Working my way through the busy rush hour packed streets, Mini-Sox informed me his Mommy says that 'if I watch a short movie, I can watch the whole thing...but if I watch a long movie, then I will only get to watch half.' Wow, that was a pretty honest of him!
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The movie of choice, Monsters Inc. It was 5:22...dinner was to be served at 6:30. Figuring the film was like any other I would watch, I assumed letting Mini-Sox watch until dinner would be fine. Laying out the ground rules, I said 'You can watch the movie until dinner, so when the clock says 6:30, we need to turn it off.' Mini-Sox, being the good boy he is smiled and agreed.
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Mini-Sox's Mom is an incredible cook. Every time I am in the kitchen with her, I resort myself to being her sous chef. Dinnertime was a breeze, she had a spicy marinated flank steak all cut up, potato salad, green salad and broccoli all ready to go in the fridge. When 6:30 finally rolled around I noticed the movie was almost over! Seems that kiddo movies are shorter than the ones for us adults. I couldn't bring myself to making him turn it off...so Auntie Gullible let the movie run it course and we ate dinner at 6:45.
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Having had dinner with Mini-Sox quite often, I knew there would have to be some negotiating. Partially my fault, I put way too much food on his plate...the inevitable battle of finishing your dinner began. All in all, it was not too bad. He ate his veggies/sides and a good portion of the steak. Satisfied with his attempts, it was dessert time...every kids favorite (and Hubs' too)!
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Much like how I love to spoil my nephew when I can, my sister in law does the same for the Pups. Having recently had him over for a few days, when I was on the road for work, they had delicious Yoghunds (doggie ice cream) in the freezer. Mini-Sox was delighted by the idea that he AND Pups would be having ice cream for dessert.
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As they dug in, I realized I still had one dinner battle before me...getting Mini-Sox to finish his glass of milk. Nearing the end of his bowl of chocolaty delight, I asked if he had ever had ice cream soup?!?! You see, when I was younger I would often mash up my ice cream and stir it into the consistency of a milk shake. As I ate and the ice cream warmed it became soupy...I called this ice cream soup.
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Intrigued by my question, Mini-Sox was game for trying it out. I explained to him that he should pour his milk into his bowl of melting ice cream and stir. With a delighted smile he giggled and said that Mommy would not like him doing this...so he did it anyway, as happy as can be. I pulled out a can of whipped cream, gave him a squirt and declared we had made ice cream soup! Mini-Sox LOVED it, as I knew he would. He is just crazy about chocolate and banilla (this is how he says vanilla) milk, so of course thoroughly enjoyed this!
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Mission accomplished :o)*Mini-Sox's Mom was let out of class early...phew, this saved me from the last potential battle I was fearing that night - bedtime haha! While Mom fixed herself a plate for dinner, Mini-Sox asked if I would play a game with him. I agreed and you know what he pulled out? A true classic...Chutes and Ladders!
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This game, while remaining true to how I remember it being played, has had a total makeover! From the board to the player pieces, the colors have changed and the overall style much more modern.*
This was Mini-Sox.
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This was Auntie Gullible...which I actually had to convince Mini-Sox of, since he originally assigned me to be the blond girl.*We played a couple of rounds. Final score was Mini-Sox 1, Auntie 1.*I enjoyed a nice chat and glass of wine with my super fabulous Sister in Law before heading home for the night.
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While yes, Auntie Gullible did have her moments of weakness...in the end I felt like I had won and that it was the ice cream soup that brought me victory! HAHA!
Then added fresh basil chiffonade from my garden.
Beautiful!
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