Auntie

"I just want to be an aunt before I graduate."

Marissa did not shy away from letting Holly and Dreyton know that the only gift she wanted for high school graduation was to be an auntie.  That gift did not appear in June of 2019, she had to wait until the day before her birthday in 2023.

It was worth the wait.

Riss is an amazing auntie.

For the last 3 months Marissa and Jake have endured another separation as she continues to fulfill her internship for her SMART scholarship.  Their separation meant we got to spend those 3 months with her.  

Of course I wanted to spend every moment I could with her, but there were other family members that wanted Rissa time, including a little boy who quickly discovered she was so much fun to play with.

Once Cutie E became more interactive on the phone Riss would call just to talk to Cutie E.  She called it baby time.  From the beginning of their chats together she would make the same sound over and over.  As time passed Cutie E began to recognize that when he heard the sound, it meant Auntie was on the phone, then he began to mimic the sound to her.

When she arrived three months ago she stood at the door and made that very sound.  His little face lit up with a huge smile and then he made the sound right back.  Cutie E knew exactly who was here.

Riss spent a lot of time with each of the boys.  The boys love her.  If Cutie E hears the garage door open or sees her pull into the driveway he will grab his bag of soft squishy blocks and hold it up.  He wanted to play. 

While playing blocks she taught him how to say "Boom" as he tossed them on the floor.  They loved building towers and knocking them down.  She also taught him how to use the block that looks like an arch in a bridge as a telephone.  Now he walks around with it to his ear saying, "Hello".  These two had so much fun with these blocks.

Cutie O is right at home in her arms.  Its a comfy safe place to fall asleep.  She has gotten lots of sleepy sleep snuggles, kisses and now hugs.  While she beams with each one, so do they.

Cooking time was extra fun with Auntie Riss.  She has taught Cutie E  how to pour ingredients into the mixing bowl, stir and mix.  If she stayed any longer she might have him making us cookies.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her include the boys in what she was doing.  One evening she was lifting weights, guess who wanted to join in, Cutie E.  He isn't quite old enough yet, but he sure enjoyed hanging out in the garage with her.

Those two could splash most of the water out of the pool on hot days, play a great game of chase or hide and seek.

Only Aunties can make the ordinary extraordinary, like taking out the garbage.  This auntie knows how to love on these boys and make them feel special every time they are with her. 

Its only been a few days since she left and we already miss her.  Cutie E knocked on her bedroom door yesterday to sadly discover she was gone.  He misses his buddy.

Its now time for us to share her with her hubby, but she will be back at Christmas and this time she will bring Uncle Jake.  How many days do we have to wait?

We love you Auntie and can't wait for you to come back to play.

Cutie E & Cutie O