Bonding, blessing and sleep

Today #4 and I headed to spend time with Aunt "net". Though she calls her Aunty, probably since she seems to add the long e sound to most words. I enjoy this time to chat and learn more about her interests and life which bigger functions do not allow. She has been a priceless addition to my life, an ever present support all along the way. I cannot explain my sense of gratitude in words.
Lunch out was a given but a separate surprise was DQ for an ice cream treat. #4 was in heaven with the undivided attention. Mommy of course was trying to share a mini blizzard with her but in typical aunt fashion we each got our own.
Heading out of there with enough cereal and snacks to make all of the big 3 happy and hold them over for at least a week or two helped to leave permanent memories for all, lol. I am pretty sure that depriving them of brand name cereal will leave a lasting impression. I can hear the stories being told over and over, "My mom wouldn't buy it for us ever so ____." You fill in the blank. There are worse things, but is pretty funny to think about at times.
Next stop was to pick up #3, the other two were lucky to have G pick them up (more blessings for the day). Then we made a detour to a friend who recently moved. They kindly were giving us their little coupe car. The only thing that could have made it better was if it were pink in color. Course, I am not complaining. After having 4 kids this would be the first time we owned one of them. #3 asked if he could "test" it out for her. Such a chivalrous man is he... This quickly turned into a game of workers, and boss. #2 remained the boss, #3 I am guessing the taxi driver and #1 I am not sure. At one point he was yelling your fired, and get back to work. Amazing things occur when I say the infamous NO TV for you! Oh and the next bonus was an oops on the lunch order meant we got a full sized pizza instead of kids size. Can you say dinner made easy!!!
Bedtime came and went, taking longer than hoped which would be typical. On the 4th time of #3 getting out of bed he finally had a legitimate complaint. He left his "string blankie" at school from rest time. He did the same yesterday, with little remark but stretching for extra attention pulled out the big guns tonight. Bright idea, I ran downstairs leaving him waiting in the recliner for me. Fetching my blankie which is his fav color yellow and also has a string like end from me rubbing it (snoogling as we call it). When I was a kid this was a fixture in my life. My father tried everything to get me to give it up at the ripe age of 8 or maybe it was 9, I think 8. The only thing that worked was paying me for it. I want to say 20 dollars. I was not easily bought back then.
I left a ransom note for it once before, but instead G gave it to #2 being the first born daughter. Long ago I felt it would have been better suited to #3 since his likeness to me in this area made it meaningful. As I retrieved this memorable item and shared its story with my littlest son his eyes lit up. He smiled and snuggled in a bit more. It made my heart melt too. I am so glad that I still have these kind of things to offer my younger children. Sometimes being a bigger crew equals less to pass along, more hands = more wear and tear. He told me he was going to leave the string one at school, changed his tune quickly for every other day until I explained he could have more than one special blankie.
I hope I can convince his older sister to let him borrow it for a time. Then maybe I can share another piece of me with just her that relates better. For now I carry the peace of everyone going to bed happy, and sneaking back in to watch peaceful sleep. These kind of days can keep on coming!