Married to the Empire

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Sweet Reunion

My sister's family has been living in London now for almost 2 years. I hadn't seen my nieces since we visited them for Christmas 2006. I've missed them so much! They are here visiting, so I spent the day with them on Wednesday. It was great!

Ashley is the youngest at 4 years old. She speaks with a British accent. I wanted to capture it on video, and I asked her if she'd say, "Aunt Anne Marie is the best aunt in the whole world!" She said no. My dad offered her a dollar if she'd say it. She said no, but she'd do it for 20 pounds! Our little extortionist. We're so proud!

Here you can hear a bit of her accent. Well, what you can hear over Leah's piano playing!



Leah (8) and Emily (6) were bouncing all over the place and showing me all their gymnastics tricks. I decided to show Emily that I can still do a cartwheel. I wish I hadn't. While it was perfectly executed, I discovered that in my older age, I need to stretch first. A lot. And it didn't exactly help my rib issues.

Leah took this picture of Ashley and me:



She also took this picture of her mama, my sister:



Ashley likes to pose:



Caroline (10) was with her dad at a dental appointment, but once they came home, we girls all headed out to Claire's so Leah and Emily could get their ears pierced. Apparently, Claire's is the epicenter of all things tween. It was like the Disney Channel threw up in that store with all the Hannah Montana, High School Musical, and Disney Princess junk.

Leah bravely waiting for her piercing:



Emily nervously watching Leah's piercing:



Grandma (my mom), Caroline, and Ashley spent the time looking around the store:



Leah proudly shows off her pierced ears:



Emily freaked herself out with the anticipation of pain:



A happier moment:



Then... my camera's battery died. I didn't get a picture of Emily sporting her new earrings. I only had that one far-off picture of Caroline. But I'll see them again this weekend to have more fun with them and take many more pictures!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think Emily looks a bit like her auntie! :-)

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

It's funny you say that, Becky, because my mom and I have always said that Emily is the only one who resembles our side of the family. She's even the only one with brown eyes; the others all have blue eyes.

My mom says Emily reminds her of me in personality, too.

AnneK said...

It must have been so much fun to have the family over. I totally know how that feels to have close family overseas. So glad you had a good time. All the kids look so sweet!

I was looking forward to the British accent though!

Anonymous said...

What a little sweetie with such a cute accent! I'm so glad you got to spend time with your family :) And now, you can mail letters to your nieces with cute earrings tucked in the envelope for them YAY!

*carrie* said...

I remember getting my ears pierced (at Claire's!) when I was 11. It was my main birthday gift.

Enjoy your time with family!

ashley said...

How fun! I know what it's like to grow up overseas and have family so far away. :-) I think it's so cute when American kids who grow up in foreign countries take on the accent of their country. :-) I knew a little 5 year old girl who'd spent the past 4 years in Australia, and I just wanted to sit and listen to her talk! So cute!!

*carrie* said...

Anne Marie,

I get the magazine Wondertime and there's an a funny article written by a woman who's married to a die-hard Star Wars fan. Anyway, it made me think of you. I'd be happy to mail you the article--if you're interested, just e-mail me your mailing address.

The writer has a blog you can check out: http://finslippy.typepad.com/

Sue said...

What fun to be able to spend time with your family! I bet it's hard having them so far away.
Your niece's accent is ADORABLE!!!