It's confirmed. I am the 'cool' aunt. LOL! Yesterday, I picked up our nieces after school and we hung out, they helped me make supper, and they slept over. They came with me to the library today, as I was doing 'story time' at the library. Afterwards, we rushed over to the hall, where the Christmas tea and bazaar was held because I was asked to donate some of my baking.

After looking around for neat Christmas gift ideas (all handmade by some of the local ladies!), we (my SIL, my nieces and my MIL) sat down for tea, sandwiches and yummy treats. In our famiy, our nieces are lovingly called 'Toad' and 'Pook'. E is known as Toad because when she was born, the way she was positioned looked like she was a little frog. C is known as Pook because....she used to puke a lot when she was little. Anyway, at the tea today, Toad looks at me, leans over and says, "We've been discussing this a lot lately, and we have decided that if my mom and dad die, we want to stay with you and Uncle J." I was kind of surprised and all I could say was, "What?? Why would you guys talk about such a thing?" Toad replies, "Well, Auntie C, it's important to discuss matters like this." I'm thinkin' "Do 9 and 11 year old kids think about these things???" Apparently, they do.

My SIL laughed and said that yes, J and I are the chosen ones. The girls just love staying at our place and have lots of fun with us. The most important thing is that they feel safe...meaning, with all their food allergies, they feel safe because we know what they are allowed to eat and not eat. We also know how to use their epi-pens. Since becoming their aunt, I've done so much research on Celiac disease and nut allergies. Usually when the girls go somewhere, they always bring their own food and utensils, but haven't had to at our place because I make sure to have different cutting boards and working surfaces in the kitchen so as to not cross-contaminate their food. So far they have never gone into anaphylactic shock (crossing my fingers and knocking on wood) while at our house or in our care. It's scary business taking care of kids with such conditions.

Anyway, I just thought it was funny that Toad thought to mention to me that we are the chosen ones. I asked her if we were her first choice and she said we were her second!!! I jokingly said, "Ah, I see! We're your second choice! Who was your first?" She said, "Grandma, but she's old and it's better not to choose old people because, well...they have fewer years left to live. We need to choose a young couple to live with if our parents die." Oh my goodness! It's nice to see that these kids actually think things through thoroughly! LOL Funny kids!