I am the Auntie who smells of expensive perfume or baked goods.

Yesterday I had my nieces and nephew over, so that their parents could tackle some more painting in their ancient hobbit house. Nothing like the built-in playmates that are cousins. Even E. who is twelve today was a good sport about all these little kids. There was the race to the bedroom to play with the toys and to whoop it up in the secret room. Then there was the business of pretending to be princesses and toothfairies. The boys went downstairs to wander about. I am not one for a lot of structured time/activities. (and we'll do this for this time and this for that time and so on.) It is likely a product of spending all that time doing preschool co-op. Loads of free-play and gentle guiding toward the next thing when it seems like the energy is a little too frantic. For awhile duplo, and railroad track and a farm kept people happy. Then I had them all baked some brownies. A bit more playing and then some lazy time watching, "The Incredibles". All three girls would get a bit distracted and go do other things for awhile and then come back to the movie and then wander off and then come back around. Then it was time to have brownies and biscuits at tea-time and then I sent them all out into the garden to play as it wasn't freezing and it was sunny. It also gave me time to bring laundry off the line and put more on. Just find a bunch of balls, pull out a tricycle, a riding toy, a scooter, and a toy pram with a baby doll, and they kept each other entertained. Only one minor upset about sharing and that was easily sorted with Miss Biscuit apologizing to her cousin for trying to hit her, and convincing the twins that the best course of action is to ask, "can I have a turn with that when you are done" is better than shrieking at one another. (but hey, one's sister can inspire all kinds of emotions.)

Eventually their Mother showed up and managed to drag them home. (getting children to say goodbye is a bit like Minnesotans to say goodbye. It will take a good two hours to get out the door.) It seems they had a good time. I am not exactly Maria Von Trapp with kids. I figure they know how to play, my presence is more about settling upset feelings, and offering a baked good. When in doubt, have the kids help bake something because it's a good bit of alchemy and then they can have something fun to eat. (plus it helps the time pass.)

...

A friend sent me a copy of "Winds of War" and I have kind of devoured that. I have less than a hundred pages left. (it's over 800 pages) It is absolutely fascinating because it mixes fiction with some obviously well-researched history. (in addition to philosophy and certain cultural practices/experiences.) I will read it in the bath at night and then realize the bath water is luke-warm and I've somehow read 50 pages. So there you go, "luke-warm bath worthy reading." is my seal of approval. It is definitely vast/epic in the most classic sense. A bit ridiculous at times but if you go with it, it's pretty entertaining. I may have to take a break and read something fluffy before attempting the sequel. Because DANG. DANG.