When They Grow Up...

Remember when Ruby and Kenna looked like this?

 It was, like two weeks ago, right?

But now, they are getting ready to start 1st grade. 

1st Grade!

When did that happen?

But even though it freaks me out that my oldest nieces are getting so, well, OLD, it is kind of fun to think about all of the awesome things they are going to do someday.

There is no doubt in my mind that, when K-Rae grows up, she will be a multi-billionaire businesswoman.

Kenna will be a leader in her family.

 She will also serve as the General Relief Society President.

And during her free time she will play professional sports.

There is also a pretty good chance that she will seize power as the dictator of a medium-sized country. She is a hard-working, no-nonsense type of girl who is going to go far... and hopefully support her favorite Aunt Mindy after said favorite aunt retires from teaching. 

Ruby's future is a little trickier to predict. She is constantly reinventing herself. She might be a model one day...

... and a superhero the next.

She could be a BYU cheerleader, or play on their volleyball team, or become a Biology professor.

One week this summer, Ruby gave me an awesome makeover one day...

... and then went to a t-ball game the next day. And she didn't just PLAY in that t-ball game, she also COACHED.

Ruby is very good at helping people. She would make an excellent coach or teacher.

She might even be the 13th and first GIRL regeneration of The Doctor.

(Sorry, Matt Smith. Your long hair doesn't count!)

But even though I'm not positive what Ruby and Kenna will be when they grow up, I do know what they are now:

Terrific Big Sisters!

 

Wedding Day

A wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of a girl's life, and it was... for Ruby.


 Ruby got to leave extra early in the morning to ride to Temple Square with Grandpa, Grandma, and me. While the grandparents were in the temple giving Greggie oxygen, Ruby got to have pancakes and hot chocolate in a mall, while her brothers ate Kix at home.

Then she pretended to fall into every single fountain on and around Temple Square...

...flirted her way into the visitors center before it was actually open...

... and played with her Idaho cousins.

The highlight of the day was helping the Bride with her wedding dress. All in all, the day was a dream-come-true for little Rubistar.

Oh, and speaking of the Bride, I think she had a pretty good day too.

It's a shame little Ruby doesn't get to attend the reception in Monterrey this weekend. She would have a blast posing for photos  pretending to fall into the ocean.

I guess I will have to play in the ocean for her.
Am I a good aunt, or what?

Two Conversations With Ruby

The following conversations took place over Labor Day weekend. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent.

Note to Readers: For a more authentic experience, read Ruby's parts in the conversations with the cutest speech impediment possible. For example, Ruby should be pronounced "Woo-Bee", the brothers should be pronounced, "da Brudders", Milo should be pronounced "Mi-Whoa" and recess should be pronounced as "Wee-cess".

Conversation #1
(in Jenny's Kitchen)

Me: Hey Rub-i-Star. What are you learning in school?

Ruby: Nothing.

Me: Nothing? Really?

Ruby: Yep. (pause) Well, I am learning recess.

Me: Coolieo.



Conversation #2
(in my car on the way to Target)

Ruby: When we get to Target, will you buy me a Barbie?

Me: Sorry, not this trip.

Ruby: Why not?

Me: Because I don’t have money for Barbies. I spent all my money on gas to come and see you.

Ruby: Gas doesn’t cost money.

Me: Ummm, yes, it does.

Ruby: Did you buy the brothers something when you took them to the store?

Me: Nope. Maxwell used his birthday money.

Ruby: What about Milo?

Me: Well, Milo is too little to have money so I bought him some juice boxes that you helped him drink, remember? And they didn’t cost very much.

Ruby: Mindy, know what? You should get married.

Me: Married, eh? I never thought of that…

Ruby: When you get married, you get a husband. Then your husband goes to work and gets money.

Me: I go to work and I get money.

Ruby: You go to work?

Me: Yep.

Ruby: Where?

Me: At school. I’m a teacher, remember?

Ruby: That’s not work.

Me: You must be a republican.

Ruby: No. I’m just Ruby.

Me: Alrighty then. Look, we’re almost to Target.

Ruby: You need a husband to go to work. Husbands get lots of money. Then your husband can give it to you. And then you can buy me a Barbie.

Me: But what if I marry a husband who has a lot of nieces and we have to spend the money on Barbies for his nieces?

Ruby: What?

Me: What if the husband I marry has lots of nieces, nieces named Sapphire and Diamond and Pearl,  and he wants to spend all of his money to buy those little girls Barbies and there isn’t any money left to buy you a Barbie?

Ruby: (Ponders this… then…) Will you buy me some Barbie clothes?

Me: Now, or when I get a husband with money?

Ruby: Now.

Me: Sure. If they are modest Barbie clothes.

Ruby: (Ponders… then…) Or nail polish?

Me: Nail polish it is!