Thank you, please come again.

Have I told the world how much I love my siblings already? Let me tell you again.  They are so easy to be with.  They are loving and compassionate, creative and hilarious.  They are so fun and the most amazing people in the whole world.  I respect each and every one of them.  They are incredible individuals who do difficult things and excel, all the while serving and caring for others.  To say it is a treat when they visit would be a gross understatement.
Carrie cuddled little girls, loved, jumped on the trampoline to their little girl hearts' content, cuddled girls some more, cooked me amazing food (probably my favorite, having someone else cook food in my own house without me doing any work was the most luxurious feeling ever),  she took care of kids, she bathed, she dressed them and welcomed them home from school with Auntie love, she entertained, we crafted, we watched funny shows and occasionally ate nachos for dinner.  Did I also mention how talented she is in the wardrobe department? In one shopping trip I was completely outfitted for my trip to the upcoming wedding down to the shoes so quickly we even had time for lunch.  Then she sat on my bed one afternoon while I literally tried on everything in my closet so she could tell me "yes" "no" or "put away until further notice".  I feel better already. 
Carrie and I were roommates for most of my time at college.  I like her. a lot.
My kids called her "Mom" for two weeks and I was referred to as Grandma...with no permanent damage to my psyche.  We took her to some of our favorite places and ate ice cream as many days as possible.

 We sat and made headbands almost every night...a project that she just made up.  They are so adorable that my kids have been wearing them every day...I may never be able to give any of them away.  By the end it became kind of a compulsion.  We couldn't stop.

This is her sweat shop face.

Just Carrie and I went out for pedicures and dinner on her last night.  She treated me to a delicious steak that apparently, I didn't like one bit.

Oh Carrie, come back.


On a side note, did you know that today Connecticut had the hottest temperature anywhere in the US? We hit 99 degrees up in Hartford, the hottest temperature here in Connecticut since August of 2006.  Just thought you might want to know...and the A/C is out in my car....AND I locked the keys in the running car with a sleeping baby while picking Mia and another child up from preschool AND had the fire department save my skin a second time in two months.  The kids thought it was pretty cool.