My nieces are coming! My nieces are coming! My parents are bringing my nieces to visit. All of those FaceTime calls are finally paying off. Maybe I should start at the beginning.
My nieces live in Hawai’i. I live in Washington state. There is an ocean in between us. Visits are very costly, and usually result in my seeing the girls only once a year. However, the girls have now gotten a few years under their belts and can finally speak to their fellow humans. At 2 years and 5 years old, they are making their thoughts and wishes known.
And they want Aunt Heather!
Commence Operation Unicorn*
Almost every weekend results in a FaceTime call. On desperate weekends, they FaceTime me twice in a day. That usually means a grandparent or parent is down for the count and in desperate need of a nap. That’s when I get to run at toddler speed, often becoming nauseous on my couch as their phone jiggles rapidly. I get to marvel at toddler drawings made with crayons and a dose of artistic gusto. Better yet, I get to ride on those little rocking horses that I outgrew three decades ago.
Those should be available in adult sizes at Ikea.
I also get to fill up whoever’s iPhone or iPad is being used to call me. That’s right, the babies have learned how to take photos of me while they FaceTime. My father had an entire album full of the goofy faces I made in order to hear my nieces laugh.
I love those little hooligans.
So, we’ve been working on Operation Unicorn for a few months now. The girls ask to see me, I ask to see them, and we all put on desperate faces with a tear running down whenever my parents are around.
It worked.
*I am the unicorn in Operation Unicorn thanks to being the only aunt in their entire world. I may (read as ‘I did it’) have dyed my hair purple just in time for their arrival. Hey, one doesn’t hold onto the title of Unicorn without some effort on their part!
Check out my Facebook page @ShankYouHeather and @ShankYouDesigns
I also tweet like a bird on Twitter @HeatherKeet
You can also find me on Instagram @ShankYouHeather and @ShankYouDesigns
Lola and I opened a store so we can sell our funniest blog sayings on cool stuff. Check it out at Shank You Very Much
I CAN’T WAIT!!!!! Moopey
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Ahh how exciting! Have a wonderful time with them.
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Thank you, I’ve got some fun things planned for them!
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That’s awesome have a great time. What does Lola think about the visit? #GlobalBlogging
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She hates it! She is not a fan of the little kids who suck up all my attention. Plus they scare her when they run around 😢
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Don’t you just love those little xx have gun when they visit, an sure we:ll get to read all about it xx ps my hair is currently pink
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Pink!! That’s awesome!
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Yippeee!! so exciting! I hope you (and Lola) have the bestest of time with them! #globalblogging
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I will, Lola hides from them. They run around clumsily and she gets scared – then she knocks them over to make them stop 😳
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Thats great, so excited for you. It’s great how technology can shorten the long distances but nothing beats a real visit #globalblogging
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I love the real visits!
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Oh what wonderful news, I bet you’re so excited! #globalblogging
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It was such a wonderful visit! Short, but we packed a lot into it.
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Every little hooligan needs an aunt like you!
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Thank you!
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I bet Aunt Heather is so much fun. And Lola too. Lucky nieces. #GlobalBlogging
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Thank you, I’m told I’m a lot of fun 😁
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Ahhh that’s what the purple hair was in aid of! I love FaceTime. It absolutely rocks and I can imagine it rocks even more when ‘conversing’ with a toddler. #globalblogging
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You’ve not truly lived until a toddler has taken you on a phone adventure!
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Haha! That’s true. I just love that you dyed your hair for toddlers…that’s aunt love for you!
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Oh how exciting!! Have lots of fun! #globalblogging
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Thank you, we did!
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Sounds like they have a blast on Facetime with you! When we Facetime our nieces, we always go on house tours, get dizzy, see up their noses and close ups of their eyes. Hope y’all have a fabulous visit!
#GlobalBlogging
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Up the nose and close eyes are definitely a staple of the experience 🤣
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Times like this you realise the beauty of electronics and how it allows us to stay in touch with family and friends further afield. I be you cannot wait to see them! #Globalblogging
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I was so excited I couldn’t sleep!
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That’s so cute! But I’d e visiting Hawaii to see them, myself! #Globalblogging
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I love to when I can!
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I love that you are a hands on aunt but even better that you can babysit via cyber space! That’s brilliant, I don’t know why I have never thought of this seeing that my parents live in Ghana and I often need a nap. I might just use this in future. Sounds like you are a rocking aunt – let me know if you need more nephews and nieces – I have 2 of each gender for you. xxx Enjoy your time together
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Thank you! And yes, use technology to gain yourself some peace and quiet for a while. My niece and I were laughing a few weeks ago because my mother was completely asleep on the couch and snoring while I FaceTimed. She just needed that five minutes of peace that I could bring with technology.
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Hope you enjoy the time spent with your nieces and I’m sure you will spoil them.#globalblogging
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I did spoil them! It was a short visit but we packed in a lot of play!
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awww your relationship with them is amazing, nothing could tear you guys apart and this is why technology for me is such an amazing tool…. it keeps families like yours together!! I hope you have an amazing time together and I cant wait to hear all about it! #globalblogging
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Thank you! We had so much fun, but there is a very humorous blog post coming out because of the results of our antics. 😉
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I wholeheartedly agree with the rocking horse statement and will gladly sign your petition. #Globalblogging
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I knew there were other adults who thought it was ridiculous they don’t make them in adult size! I did fire off an email to IKEA. I’ve gotten no response but if I do get one, I’ll update you!
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Sounds like all parties involved are pretty darn excited! Good luck with the visit and have tons of fun!
#globalblogging
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Thank you!
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Is there photographic evidence of the unicorn purple hair?
#globalblogging
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Oh yes! I put it on Instagram!
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It’s hard when you live in different parts of the world. #GLOBALBLOGGING
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Lovely! Hope you’ll all have a super fab time together!! x #GlobalBlogging
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I’m so super excited for you all! Would love to see the purple hair too 😉 #AnythingGoes
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what a fabulous aunty you are!! I salute you for the purple hair! xx
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Thank you!
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Purple hair! They’ll love that 🙂 I look forward to hearing about their visit.
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I loved being the fun aunt! There is nothing like nieces and nephews. I was both my niece and nephews 1st grade teacher. My niece took it in stride. My nephew talked at the dinner table like I was a different person. I should state we all lived together in a big house. At home I was Aunty Rae. Aunty Rae did this…said that…! At school it was Miss Gnann said this and said that. He would tell me about his day talking about Miss Gnann. It was kind of funny. Enjoy your time with the girls. Hearts, flowers, unicorns, rainbows….it will all come!!! #anythinggoes
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That is funny, maybe he thought you were a superhero so you had two completely different identities!
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I wish I had an Aunt as cool as you! We’d love to dye our hair purple! Good luck with Op Unicorn x #AnythingGoes
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Back with #anythinggoes
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Aaaaaw I love the idea of operation unicorn, I feel almost like I’d like to be part of it. I’m glad you get to see your nieces, I’m sure you’ll be so pleased to see them! #Anythinggoes
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The more the merrier! We spend our visit having fun and laughing until we can’t breathe.
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Happy for you and it is pretty cool. #Anythinggoes
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