TaterTot

Happy 8th birthday Caitlin!!  The youngest Goover is now eight years old.  I just don't know where the time has gone.  This means I am now eight years behind in my scapbooking........

Tater and Hannah Goovering it up!

Auntie has some time off coming up, so we will be planning a goover birthday sleepover, complete with a trip to the library, some cousin time I'm sure, and various other adventures.  There will be brownie sundaes, and I believe she has picked taco's for dinner. I'm pretty sure we'll be learning some more fabulous songs too.

I see so much of my fearless self in this young one, it scares the heck ( I was going to write something else, but if she reads it I will owe her a quarter.) out of me.  When I had the girls at the library last week I had to leave them for a minute, and I was terrified Tater would wander off, just because I know from experience how distracted one can get, and what fabulous adventure surely awaits around the next bend, even if you were told not to move.

As the girls and I were approaching the library I realized that I had to pee. ( I really love being over forty.  It's great......) They are eight and nine years old, do I have to drag them in with me?  This is a really bad neighborhood.  It's the library for Pete's sake.  What better place to snatch a kid? Arg!  About 70 scenarios flew through my mind as we approached.  There was a fabulous exhibit in the entry area, where the bathroom is, and the girls ran right over to it.  Some women were having a meeting in a room adjacent, with the door open, so I thought it was time to trust the Goovs (for the first time with me) alone for a second.

"Hannah, I'm going to use the bathroom.  You stay right here with your sister.  If anything happens that you don't like go right into this room with the ladies, or holler.  I will be back in one minute."

Bending down to eye level, holding Tater's face, I looked deep into her mischievous eyes.  "Do not move.  Not one step.  I am not kidding.  If you aren't in this spot when I come out of the bathroom I will return your books, you will get no more, and we will go straight back to your house.  Do you understand me?"  Her eyes widened as I spoke. "Yes, I understand." was her quiet reply.

That was the fastest pee in history!  The girls were exactly where I left them, and I was met with a proud bright smiling Tater.  "I didn't move, not one step!"

Yes, the baby is eight years old, and she is still my wild, willful, wonderful girl.  I am so enjoying sharing my love of reading with her.  I had forgotten how nice it is to curl up with a kid(s) and a book.  I'm used to reading to fifteen at a time.  Her passion seems to run more along the lines of art, which is not my forte, but we talked about an "art supply" birthday present, because I am nothing if not encouraging of their passions, as long as it doesn't involve sitting in front of a computer.

Happy Birthday to our baby!  Thank you for reminding me how fun the world can be when you have a free spirit!  I love you to the moon and back, and around the block! ♥  Even if I'm going to be up half the night because it's your turn to sleep with me. ;)

Auntie's Day

Today is Auntie's Day!  Finally, a day for some of the other women in our lives, important women who may have played a big part in shaping the person we grew to be.  I hope that you are lucky enough to have one.  I consider myself lucky to be one, and am always mindful of the role I play in the kids' lives.  Well, that's part of what I do, being a preschool teacher and all, but even if I weren't I know how important it is to be a good role model.

I have a half dozen or so Great Aunts that have been a small part of my life, although Sister Eva Jean was a bigger role in our family life.  From these women I gained a sense of family connection, and more importantly from Sister Arlene my love of music.  We also share a talent for it, and apparently also the love of writing which I didn't find out until she was gone.  If I had followed the regular college route I would have tried Viterbo in LaCrosse due in large part to her.

I have three Aunts.  Aunt Dorothy was the visiting aunt, so it was always laughter and good times.  I was excited to visit her, and excited for her to arrive at our house.  I have mentioned before in one or more of the "Traveling to Madison" childhood story blogs that she has the most crazy, amazing laugh.  No one else can top it, I promise.  Aunt Pat is the local Aunt.  She is the one I have the most contact with, although admittedly not enough.  She's there for me though, always in my corner no matter what nuttiness is going on, and I know it.  Then there is my Aunt Mary, my Mother's sister.  My one and only by blood Aunt, and also my Godmother.  The original Queenie.  If you take my no nonsense, absolute control, give me a situation and I'll handle it, side and amp it up by three.....that's my Aunt Mary.  She was Director of Nurses at St. Joseph's here in town back in the day, and I'm sure that she ruled that roost with an iron fist.  She absolutely told it like it was, no holds barred, and she pulled no punches.  She's been gone for a few years now, and I can't tell you how much I miss that strong presence in my life.  She put me in charge of some of her affairs, including her final send off, and I'm so honored that she knew she could trust me to carry out all of her wishes.  Which I did, exactly as specified, because even in the great beyond you do not mess with Aunt Mary. ♥

Many women pass though our lives and leave a footprint on the wonderful woman we grow to be.  Aunts or not, to those who have left their imprint on who I have become, I thank you.