Nose picking and games!

I totally understand why Sienna's finger is pretty much constantly up her nose - not only did her Dad have expertise as a nose picker (my brother always had his finger up his nose growing up - he even "taught" me how to pick my nose well and flick it behind the sofa when Mum wasn't watching) BUT why not have it up there? There is lots to find up there and it is perfectly fit for a finger! But as a good Auntie I do try to tell her that she shouldn't have it up there, well not in public - that is for sure!

Board games are FANTASTIC, haven't  played some of the golden oldies in so long...I am so happy to see my nieces enjoy playing the old favs as well. I love Connect Four, Uno, Guess Who?, puzzles - thank god the girls do too. Heaps of fun for kids, educational and entertaining for all! They have been a god-send, can keep even Sienna entertained for well...15 mins or so! Speaking of which, she has joined me now and is about to destroy the office...

On my own...

So the evening was eventful. Firstly poor Sienna went into her mum and dad's bed and FREAKED out when she realised they weren't there. Sure, Ma and Poppy where, and thank god they were because she would have completely lost it if NO one was there...so after loads of screaming and crying she finally went back to sleep only to wake up a few hours later to come into my bed and sleep with me for a while. Once she got bored with me (of course I wasn't much entertainment at 2.00 in the morning) she went back into Ma and Poppy's room.

Thank god Ma woke Tara and I up pretty early and thanks to my forward thinking and having got out all the breakie stuff ready and all of Tara's clothes and school bag etc ready, the morning went smoothly. That was until we had to try and get Sienna in the stroller to walk to school. Again, she absolutely lost it. It amazed me that one moment she is a lovely girl and the next this total terror is let loose! So after strapping her in I just continued to walk, with her screaming most of the way! Once at school Tara started to get upset, then Sienna got upset so the teacher asked if I wanted to join the class and keep Tara company for a while. This was the most fun thus far. I helped her group form sentences out of puzzles and helped with some other projects. It was fantastic. But of course when I went to leave Tara told the teacher she wasn't feeling well...the smart teacher knew she just wanted to come home with me...and so the tears started again and I had to make a quick get away. Poor Sienna is extremely tired today but managable. Yes I have resorted to DVDs and yes I have told her she can watch Ariel as many times as she wants...and yes I have read her Hairy McClarey numerous times - what ever she wants at this early stage of the game is my key. I want to keep them calm and happy. Isn't that my job as an Auntie? Hm, I smell poo - time to change Sienna, and soon time to pick up Tara. And back we will come to play as many rounds of UNO as my little Tara wants...

My weekend of training

Like training for any job really, I was given a manual and numerous instructions as to how to care for these two little girls. I went through everything needed to get Tara organised and off to school - I was even taught how to drive the 'soccer mum's car' - yep, have gone from a small black Barina to a larger black Captiva! Scared the crap out of me at first - but after a while I felt quite comfortable. Still, driving such a big car would not be my choice! Small is definitely the way to go...but I understand why some mum's need the large car, don't get me wrong about that! So, I drove to school, drove to ballet, drove to the gym (where I have to take Sienna to the daycare centre 2 days a week to ensure that her place is kept when Bec comes back and heads back to the gym). And I even got to spend some nice quality time with my brother, which is pretty hard to do now that he has three girls to look after. Before I knew it Dean and Bec were gone and I had the whole house to myself (with my mum and dad thankfully staying as well to help in the mornings and evenings, the both would be going to work during the day). So all in all I felt ready for anything...or so I thought!

It is nearly time...

So, I have been summoned by my brother and sister-in-law to head down to Melbourne and look after my darling nieces, while they head overseas for a much needed holiday! Tara is 6 and Sienna is nearly 3 - both gorgeous, delightful, loveable girls. But unlike other visits, which involved their parents - I am the one (and only well with the help of my mum and dad as well,when they are not at work-thank god!)to look after them. Yep, little old me - a 33 year old (non-mother)! But never fear...I think I have great potential as a mother...and I hope Tara and Sienna think I am a cool Auntie...should really ask them I guess. Now, my challenge: for 10 days I have to feed, clothe, bath, entertain, take Tara to school, play with Sienna all day, take them to ballet, swimming...hm, the list is VERY long. But I have my head held high and will give it my best shot. I mean it can't be that hard...can it? Well stay tunned because I will be writing all about our escapades over the coming week. Wish me luck!