My Nanny Diary

Late July:
Talked to my Mom today.  Turns out Jeff and Kathy need a nanny for a week and the 'rents are traveling (yet again.)  Mark my words - I WILL find a way to get to Austin.

1 week after "Late July":
Meetings moved, vacation days blocked, ticket to Austin purchased.  Nanny 911 to the rescue!

Sunday, August 22nd:
I arrive in Austin, TX to 105 degree weather.  That's right - even triple digits won't keep me away from my nephew.  Jeff and I grab lunch and Vaughn and I get reacquainted.  He remembers what I taught him last time I was in town ...

Monday, August 23rd:
Full day playing with racecars, hammers, magnets, racecars, stuffed animals ... oh yeah, and racecars.

Tuesday, August 24th:
Repeat Monday ... add playing in the dirt out back and sweating from parts of my body I didn't know I had.  Took a trip to the Splash Pad to cool off.  Put Vaughn in and out of the car seat, oh, three times or so because I kept forgetting things in the house.  Gimme a break, this babysitter has been out of practice for quite some time now.

Weds, August 25th
Trip to the Children's Museum.  He was by far the best kid there, at least, that's what I heard ... SO good, he even talked Aunt Trace into a popsicle when we got home.

Thurs, August 26th
Austin Zoo, here we come!  Vaughn's favorite was the pint-sized deer that he was able to feed.  He couldn't get enough, and neither could the mini-deer.  They were a perfect pair.  We went home with a stuffed donkey as a souvenir.  Buying things from the gift shop - that skill I get from my Dad.

Friday, August 27th
Walk around the block and past the firehouse so we could wave at the fire truck.  BIG day.  Spent some time on the front porch blowing bubbles.  He blows more from the soap on his lips than through the little stick ... hilarious.

The days were so exhausting, Vaughn and I relaxed in the evenings with our "juice."

The weekend was full of quality time with my brother and sister-in-law.  VIP seats at a local fashion show, cocktails, movies, dinner at a great taco place ... they know how to spoil the babysitter.

Bottom line - Vaughn and I are BFF's!  What a wonderful opportunity to spend some one-on-one time bonding with my little nephew whom I don't get to see nearly enough.  Skype is handy but doesn't always cut it.  Now I can understand his language, I know his favorite foods, and he even knows my name ... Ace!

Escapades

A couple weekends ago now, my BFF and her husband made the trek to Minnesota for a 4-day visit.  That's right, folks ... I got Rocky to leave Ohio!  It doesn't happen often, but that's what makes it so special.  This was Rocky and Tom's first vacation without their little peanut, Ryan, so it was a big deal for everyone.

The weekend kicked off giving Tom a tour of the city as this was his first time in Minneapolis.  He's the type (like me) that needs to see "the sights" everywhere he goes - that's an easy one, Tom.  Mall of America - check.  That's all we've got.  :)

The weekend was full of high quality bonding - seriously, I have to take advantage of any opportunity I get with this girl ;) - but I wanted to share a few of the major highlights:

#1 - We enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the lake.  Pretty common for a Minnesota summer, but when we can be on a gorgeous lake in 15 minutes from our house with great friends and great weather ... life is good.  Kyle even gave Roxanne a fishing lesson!

#2 - Rocky and Tom helped with some significant yard work (they offered, no ... insisted, promise!)  Anyone who had visited in the past several months knows that we had some serious ivy that was out of control on the front of the house.  Well, life was busy and we didn't have a chance to get around to it ... until the Eaton's arrived!  That's right.  The ivy didn't stand a chance against this crew.  And we pulled out some overgrown (and ugly) Junipers.  Rocky and Tom - we can't thank you enough!

Don't worry, I helped.  :)

Before ...

After!

#3 - The third and final highlight will help explain this blog's title (for the fans out there) - Rock and I revisted our high school days and went to the Janet Jackson concert.  We had gone together to see her on a whim back in the 90's, and it was one of the best shows we had ever seen.  The fact that this was only Rocky's second time to Minneapolis for only 4 days and Janet happened to be in town - it was meant to be!  Nothing like a trip down memory lane (and some killer tunes) with your BFF.  :)

Thanks to Rocky and Tom for hanging out with us in Minne ... clearly we made Minnesota fans out of them!

We know it's our turn to visit next time ... but, if you ever get the itch to leave Ohio again, you know where to find us. :)

China Across the US

A couple weekends ago, my Aunt Hedy made the 12 hour drive from Columbus to Minneapolis with her friend, Amira ... to pass down my grandmother's China - how cool.  I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous set of China from the 1940's with enough pieces to serve 12 people, complete with crystal water glasses!  Thanks to my Aunt for the delivery and thanks to my Grandmother for having such good taste.  :) Perfect timing as we're hosting Thanksgiving this year and can christen the dishware in our new home.

My Aunt also bestowed upon me her set of fine silver and gorgeous bright orange Le Creuset pots and pans that she purchased long ago but was never able to use much.  Don't worry - they will get a ton of use in this house as Kyle and I pretend to be chefs in our spare time.  Aunt Hedy and Amira even joined in the fun while we cooked up some new recipes and enjoyed a Mediterranean feast.

Of course the weekend would not be complete without a few beers on Lake Minnetonka, so we spent a wonderful sunny afternoon at Lord Fletchers ...

... and Kyle gave rides on the RAZR side-by-side ... becoming a staple for all of our visitors.  It's like Camp Petersen out here.  Send your kids.  Or not.  :)

Paisley also had a fabulous weekend as Aunt Hedy brought her gifts as well.  True to form, she demolished the first one in about 5 minutes ... here's what is left of her football and her rope before she got to it.  The rope is now in two pieces, but still providing her hours of fun.  Thanks, Aunt Hedy! 

Paisley was so in love with her new friend - I think she must have sensed that Aunt Hedy is a cat person, and she was trying to be super lovey-dovey to change her mind.  Sorry, Paisley, it's not going to work - we've been trying to make her a dog lover for years.

It's always nice to have family visit (and even better when they leave gifts) - so thanks to Aunt Hedy and Amira for a wonderful weekend!  Glad you were able to enjoy a piece of Minnesota summer ... it's what keeps us all living here through the rest of the year.