Being an aunt...

Last weekend we had Christmas #1 in Cedar Falls, with my dad and stepmom. We enjoyed a good meal and a lot of fun opening presents. While I was looking forward to the Christmas family time on Friday, I was especially looking forward to Saturday.



Let me preface this with the fact that it's been a year in the making. Last Christmas, I gave my niece, Kayla, a new Build-A-Bear outfit. It was the ice skating outfit she begged for. Needless to say, she was thrilled. In that moment, I thought it would be fun to promise her and Madison that we would go ice skating together sometime.

Kayla & Me - with her Build-A-Cat

I fully intended to keep this promise, but we all know how difficult it is for everyone's schedules to come together. So, here I am nearly a year later (after hearing the girls ask me if we were still going), and we've GONE!


I called them a few weeks ago, to invite them. They were on speaker phone. I said, "Hey, do you girls think it would be ok if your mom and I took you ice skating on Saturday?" Before I could finish, I heard screams of "YESSSSSSSSSS!!!"


This is what I love about being an aunt. I love these kids so ridiculously much and I love seeing them try new things. This would be their very first time skating. And, while that may not be a big deal to anyone else, it was to me.


On the way to Young Arena, the girls and I sang and jammed to Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Then they decided who would skate with whom first. After some "rock, paper, scissors," they had a decision. Kayla would go with mom (Kamie) and Madison would go with me. Once we were on the ice, they were both fearless! I didn't ice skate until I was nearly an adult. I doubt I'd have done as well as they did. They are 8 and almost 6!

Madison & Kayla

First time skating - DONE!

Of course, we held their hands, but still, I was impressed. They used the railing for some support, but both were also good in the middle of the ice.


We took breaks and switched partners and I think we skated for over an hour. I asked Kayla what her favorite part of ice skating was. She wasn't sure. Then she said, "My least favorite part is the falling." I can't disagree with her there!


Let's not forget about little Rylan, the 4 year old. I asked him what "special" activity he and I could do, since the girls were going skating with me. He narrowed it down to Burger King play area and playing Playstation Star Wars. He chose Playstation. Who knew THAT'S all it would take? I played Star Wars with him (getting killed a billion times) before we went skating.

Rylan & Me, after making the decision to play Star Wars

I am SO blessed to have these experiences with the kids. Whether they even remember them doesn't matter to me. What matters is that these experiences and the memories of them put a smile on my face. They have enriched my life in a way they'll never fully know. I couldn't have chosen better nieces and a nephew if I'd had my pick!