"I Love Nieces to Pieces"

All summer Judy and I have been trying to find the perfect time for our nieces, Emma and Jessie, to spend the night with us. Between all of our appointments and trips, we got all the way to August 13 before we were able to arrange it (you know 13 is my lucky number)! I brought them home after Wednesday evening Bible Study. Judy (Aunt Juju) was ready with a snack of chocolate chip cookies with milk or juice. We had a blast just chatting at the dining room table as we snacked. We talked about anything and everything. Since the girls had their piano books with them they were eager to play both our piano and keyboard. They are doing exceptionally well in their lessons and seem to love every minute of it as well. We had to stay up late since our evening got started late. We tried out a fun yard sale game called "Guess Where?" It was something like the familiar "Guess Who?", but none of us had played it before. Judy and I were astonished at the girls's photographic memories and astute guesses. After two games we got cozy in the living room to watch a Veggie Tales episode. We had at least ten to choose from and Emma utilized a special selection process to arrive at "Sumo of the Opera." I cannot reveal how late it was after that, but fortunately the girls had already spread their sleeping bags and gotten into pajamas, so after bedtime Bible story and nightlike checks, we settled in for a sound sleep.

Come morning, Emma made perfect pancakes, with Judy relinquishing her usual head chef role. Breakfast was purely dee-licious. We all built a miniature farm in the living room, played more games and more music, and as soon as the dew had dried a bit we headed out to the field. The girls swung on our "tire horse swing," did gymnastics on the swing set, and provided Uncle Ken plenty of exercise with roller coaster rides in the wood cart (that cart that Amanda, Stephen, Jennifer, and Matt gave me is SO cool it will get its own blog one day)! I rested between rides. While Juju wondered if Uncle Ken was up to it, Uncle Ken just relished the challenge. It would have made an interesting obituary, however. "Retired Teacher Has One Adventure Too Many."

Lunch was awesomely special. Picnic on the porch, with made-to-order sandwiches by Judy. With the ceiling fan, fresh air, and singing birds, it was ideal. It was soon time to pack up to deliver the girls back to Mom, but Judy had one more idea. We stopped at both Given Book Shop and the Sandhills Coalition and found Emma and Jessie some take-home books. I had promised Jessie last year that since I was retiring and wouldn't get to teach her, I'd have lots more time to be her "Uncle Ken." I enjoyed every minute and so did Judy. We won't wait till summer to do it again. It was WAY more fun than school!

*Sneak preview. A few of you know that Emma and Jessie's sleepover extended into my and Judy's 32nd anniversary, August 14. My next post will feature that momentous occasion.