Long ago, in a kingdom far away, I met a beautiful little family. On a hot Chicago summer home from school, I was hired to help care for the family's little ones. There was dashing Jack, the eldest, at 5 years of age. Sparkly Rebecca, who at age 3 already knew how to use her beautiful eyes to her advantage. Then there was Caroline, a sweet bundle of a baby, who had been been born less than two months before I came along. Above is a picture of me and my summer kids. (Notice my teeth with the attractive metal braces complete with rubber bands. Good times.)Below you'll see a "recreation" of that famous photo from the summer of '99.
My summer kids are all grown up now! It made me so teary-eyed. They recently visited San Diego on their spring break, and I was sooooo touched that they looked me up and called me. Seeing them and spending time with the whole family will be one of the highlights of 2008 for me. We all went out to dinner at Old Town for some good ole Mexican fare. How amazing to see them all so big and bright and healthy, with mini adult minds and fabulous dreams. Today is my Sweet Caroline's birthday. She's 9 years old! Time simply and absolutely flies, doesn't it? I can remember clear as day her sweet baby smell. I don't think I'll ever meet an easier and happier baby than Caroline. It seems like yesterday she was sleeping in my arms.
A clever, witty, smart and pretty gal she has become. Caroline narrates her life in real time and it is wonderful entertainment. She and Rebecca are close, and I love that about them. Sisters are priceless. I love that I know her. I love that I'll see this sweet baby continue to blossom into a magnificent woman.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Caroline, and may you have many, many more.......
6 comments:
So cute! Both you and the kiddos!
What beautiful kids. You actually look better in the photos now than you did in college; how did you pull that off? Nice work!
So glad you are back online.
OMG, I'm so easily confused these days. When I first clicked on your blog, and that picture came up, I thought it was the same three kids from Laura's blog, and thought for sure that your post was going to be all about how you knew them, or babysat for them. Thank God I read the whole thing before freaking out.
Cute kids, even cuter babysitter!!
The kids that were my "main" family that I babysat for are all grown up now. The oldest is a DEA agent, the middle son is an Oak Lawn police officer, and the baby is in law school. Yikes!
How sweet!
I'm sure you were an excellent nanny; you are such a warm, loving, caring person! You'll make an awesome "human" mom (you're already a great doggie mommy) someday!
thanks for delurking on my blog... it's nice to meet you! and what an interesting blog name, and story behind it! ;) (when I lived in Chicago i was partial to Midway because of the cheap flights to detroit, and less hassle)
What a great post! And what a wonderful reunion for you! Yes, it is truly wondrous to see "little ones" that you used to babysit for grow up. I used to babysit for twin boys (Josh and Luke) who are now entering their sophomore year in college (makes me feel quite old). They have grown into wonderful, responsible young men.
Life is ALL about the journey.
(And yes, I would agree with the comment that you have aged VERY well and look just as pretty in the 'current' pictures as you did in the pics when the kids were young....) :-)
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