Reality

So in 3 weeks I will be done nannying. It hasn't TRULY hit me yet but it is definitely starting to. Thinking about it makes me want to cry. All of my friends/family know I want to travel, they know it's what I've been waiting for but it's also hard to know my time with my nieces is coming to an end. When you spend 5 days a week with 2 precious little girls, for a year, it's a little overwhelming to think of that changing.

I'm going to miss seeing them everyday. I think I've been a little spoiled, just like them :) Thinking of my big girl Noelle going to Kindergarten makes me cry (I'm crying now). It seems like just yesterday I was leaving work at Captain Ratty's and rushing to the hospital to see her be brought into the world. That little girl has brought me so much happiness over the past 5 years. I can remember some really sad days I've had and having Noelle (and now Alem too) around would make anything better. Their innocence, a simply smile to make Auntie happy. Now I shared a year with her and Alem and I feel unbelievably lucky. Not only getting to watch Alem learn so many first, (smiling, laughing, talking, rolling over, crawling, walking, clapping, high fives, finding someones nose, playing "where's Alem", one day she will say Auntie ;), ) but I also got to watch them grow as sisters. They share so much love with each other. It's such a pure love, Alem is such a lucky little girl to have Noelle as her "big sis". They are both such beautiful, smart, loving little girls, I feel like such a lucky Auntie.

I know everyone thinks I am just ready to be done nannying so I can move on to something else, but many days I wish it was lasting longer. I know when Noelle starts school she is going to be so happy, making new friends, learning everyday (well she knows mostly everything already hehe) and getting to experience new things. Alem is going to make new friends at daycare. They won't have to be stuck with just Auntie all the time ;) I'm gonna miss them though.

In the winter I remember bundling little baby Alem up just so me and Noelle could get outside for fresh air. The spring comes and you better believe the first day the pool opened, we were there. In the freezing cold water ;) Then summer comes and we are miserable outside even just for a few minutes outside.

A quick walk around the apartments. Do some chalk. Walk to the dog park. Hula hoop in the park. Walk to the park, look for turtles. Going on walks and collecting flowers or looking for 4 leaf clovers. Buying Noelle her "adventures" buckets. Driving aimlessly around Greenville trying to find new parks to play at. Making art. Playing restaurant. Building tents to watch movies and eat lunch in. Going to get ice cream. Turning music on and just dancing wildly around the apartment. Making "fairy dust" with Noelle. Reading stories. Going to the library. Going to the pool all the time. Picnics!

I have so many wonderful memories with my nieces. I am lucky. I am happy. I am sad. Not only will my 5 days a week with my nieces be gone but I also won't see my sister every day. No more working out together or changing our minds and just making dinner and eating ice cream. Or getting stuck watching all the reality shows I never wanted to watch, and secretly enjoying it (hehe) Taking the girls on long walks after work. I didn't just watch the girls grow. I watched a family grow. I can't stress to you how very very lucky I feel. I have the most amazing family. It's been such a great time. So many ups and downs but so many wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

I promise I didn't cry the whole time writing this. (I tried at least)