Nanny Annie

So I just finished my nannying job today. Let me just say it was SO FUN! I watched a 4 year old and a little toddler that is almost 2 for about a month. The 4 year old, Ryan, had his little friend Caden over to play quite a bit, and I always died laughing when they started talking to each other or to me. Part of the hilarity comes from the fact that both of them can't quite say all of their letters. Here are some of the funny things they have said to me.....


While playing outside one day..... (This one is particularly significant because Caden's favorite movie is Planet Earth)
C: Did you know that you souldn't do anyfing to animals? R: Yeah, I knew that.
C: Yeah because if you do anyfing to animals they will ruin your yife. (life)


Eating popsicles outside....
R: Popsicles come from the North Pole
C: (Looking at me) No they don't. Do the weally come from the North Pole?
A: Where did you learn that, Ryan?
R: I just knowed it myself.


Eating popsicles outside another day....
R: Every airplane goes to the North Pole. That one is going there right now.
A: Ohhhhhhh.


Swinging on the swingset
A: Do you like girls?
R: NO! Girls have cooties! NO!
C: No! Wait, cept i yove (love) the girl I'm gonna marry someday.
A: When are you gonna marry her?
C: Yike in a yong time yike 100 days or somethin. When I'm growed up.


Swinging on the swingset another time....
R: I am smarter than my dad, you know.
A: Oh yeah? How did you get so smart?
R: Because I got a shot in my leg.


Playing with puzzles....
R: Caden, don't play with Lukey! You are my best buddy so come over here and play with me.
C: Well somebody has to play wif Yukey to make him feel happy inside.


In the kitchen....
A: Ryan, do you drink Vitamin D Milk? (I know, like he would know...)
R: No, that's daddy's milk. I drink vitamin R milk. R for Ryan. D for Daddy. If I drink Vitamin D milk I will turn into a daddy and I'm not ready to be a daddy yet. I have to grow up for awhile first.
A: Vitamin D Milk it is.

One of the first conversations we ever had....
R: You are a Cougar?
A: Uh-huh.
R: Oh man, my dad says you're going to have to sleep outside.

A later conversation.....
A: Ryan, I think Lukey is a cougar fan today.
R: No he isn't. He's a Ute fan!
A: No, I just asked him and he said Cougars.
R: Lukey, you are gonna have to sleep outside tonight!


These kids made me cry from laughing so hard. What a fun adventure!

Best Mascara Ever

Hello, everyone. Please buy this mascara. It is the best mascara I have ever owned- Lash Blast from Cover Girl. It is a miracle worker. No clumps, super smooth, it doesn't rip your eyelashes out when you take it off, and it makes your eyelashes look perfecto. BTW, I don't use waterproof, so I can't vouch for that kind. But just buy it. You'll like it. K Thanks.

San Antonio is for Awesome People

Last week I drove down to San Antonio with my dear friend, Nanci Hanks, and got to spend a few days with her and Ben and Sadie! It was a party! I was on a mission to make Sadie like me, and let's just say.... IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. Force is never a good tactic. The morning I left, Nanci was feeding her breakfast and she would turn around and CLAW my face. On purpose. Repeatedly. I'm not that ugly am I? Okay, maybe I am. Whatever. But, I still like her. She is a cute little shnooker! Sadie is really good at her animal sounds, and this is a video I caught of her when she was on her "A" game.

And this is the face she made pretty much every time I looked at her or said a word. Just kidding. She was just feeling a little pouty that morning. But honestly, she's probably crying herself to sleep every night because I am gone. Who wouldn't?

And here we are. America's Next Top Models. It was really fun to get to hang out with Nanci again! She and Ben have such a cute little house, a flippin sweet minivan, and they are the greatest entertainers on the planet. They reacquainted me with San Antonio, and we had a great time checkin out the riverwalk and eating some Tex-Mex. Once a party animal, always a party animal.

And, this is completely unrelated, but.... I just have to give a shout out to KRIS ALLEN!!!!! Yay American Idol!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!

Grad School Shmad School

I just got a call from the dean at University of Michigan saying there is a spot for me, Ms. Porter would love to have me, and I have tonight to think it over. It is MAY 18th!!! I think I'm still a no.

I don't care that much about having a big name school on my resume do I? BU will be fine.

Why did they even have to call? She could've returned the phone call I made 2 and a half weeks ago.

Bleh. What a process.

Piano Prodigies

People make a big deal that I play the flute, yada yada yada, when we all know that I'm not really that talented. My family members hear people telling me this stuff and just roll their eyes because they know they are the real musical geniuses in the family. So here are some clips from their piano recital. My mom played, Meg played, Sam and Luke each played a solo and then they played a duet that pretty much stole the show. I'm including a few clips.... you don't have to take forever and watch each one, I just think they are cool. And, not to be forgotten, is my dad, who received an award for.... well we don't really know.... but something like slavedriving. Way to go, Dad!

Luke and Sam playing The Magnificent Seven. If you watch this one, make sure you watch the end where they bow. They are so stoic.

My mom played the "overture" to the recital. This is a piece by Gershwin- she's a star.

Way to go, Meg!

And this is just a little teaser from a few weeks before the recital. Too bad I stopped filming when I did, because right after this their teacher said, "Stop playing like little girls and play like men!" Bummer I missed that. Also an excellent point to note in this video is that dad is standing over the piano, taking part in the piano lesson, because he is a surrogate piano teacher.

Happy Mother's Day to Me (and my mom)

Many of you probably don't know that I am a brand new mom. It was pretty fast, and I didn't tell a lot of people, so don't feel left out or hurt that I didn't tell you. I posted some pictures, because I know you are all just dying to see my little bundle of joy and announcements are just outside my budget right now. I'm saving for grad school. By the way, I haven't named her yet and I am not planning on it-- I'm not the naming type.

Here she is with her big sister. Big sister has been getting a little jealous because she doesn't get to spend as much time with mom lately, but overall she's handling it quite well. Such a big girl!
They have been playing quite well together... here they are in the recliners watching a documentary on The Effects of the Little Ice Age on Europe on the big screen. Mom didn't realize she would be a grandma so soon. Here she is hastily tying a quilt for the newest addition. Can you see the family resemblance? We always knew Sam would be pretty much the best uncle there ever was and he has not let us down. He has already taken his niece to work out with him, hang out with his friends, and groove with him on rock band. Or, if he hasn't, he will. What a star. Meg couldn't be more excited!

Really, though. For graduation, my parents bought me a piccolo. Thanks, mom and dad. My brother thinks it is the perfect instrument for me because I am little. I'm not exactly looking forward to being a piccolo player, but it'll be good for me! And for all you flute players out there-- it's a Hammig with a winged headjoint. It's nice because it directs my airstream in pretty well, so it doesn't sound half bad! Wahoo.

And Happy Mother's Day to my own mom. She is such a star and I just love being home for a little bit so I can be her little friend and we can spend time together. I know she secretly likes me best. Sorry, Luke and Meg, it's just the truth. My mom is the bomb.

Oh and if you wanted to send baby gifts, I am totally open to that. Gift cards would be best. Thanks!