Being Single

30

Kennedy fell asleep at the family room again.  At least this time, she didn't drop the empty coffee cup on herself, furniture or the floor.  It was actually on the coffee table.

Sleepy head wake up. We are leaving for work.  The kids have been fed and changed are back asleep for now.  Thanks Jane. Why don't you actually go to bed and get some good sleep.   Avery will be here in an hour to take the kids Christmas shopping. Okay, I will.  I will take a shower before she gets here.
They left and I  went upstairs to take a quick shower  .
Avery arrived 30 minutes later with her boyfriend.
Hey cousin how school going? Rough but okay.  Well we came to get them to give you a break.  Tomorrow uncle Tommy and Drew will get them so you can sleep and study without falling asleep downstairs instead of your bed. Jane didn't mentioned that to me. Cousin we want you relaxed when you take your finals.  Thanks. I appreciate it.  The kids are fed and changed. Their individual bags are by their  cribs.  Okay Bradley and I will get them. My aunts need to get them beds soon . Bradley that is what we can get them for  Christmas.  We will let them choose their beds and bedding and we can do the rest. I think they will like that but do it soon. They plan on ordering their tastes next month. Okay thanks  .
My cousin and. Bradley left with their car seats in Bradley's hummer and off they went.  I went upstairs after locking up and turning the alarm on.

Bradley we will let them pick them out and some accessories. Depending what they choose we may have to insist my aunts to leave their home for the week or weekend.  Sounds good to me.
We arrive at the store for children and we put them in the strollers to make it easier for us to especially with the Christmas crowds.  We go to the girls bedroom area first. Kathryn looked around and is so picky like her mother.  She finally decided on pink princess theme with a castle and stairs. 
We went to the boys section. They knew exactly what they wanted so much like Yilena and auntie Jane.  Leo picked Dallas cowboys and James picks batman. We find accessories for each of their rooms after I took Kathryn alone so the guys wouldn't get upset on how much I knew my little cousin would take.  We ordered everything and met  the guys at the food court who had already ordered chicken nuggets for us all with French fries and apple juice for the kids and a coffee for us from Starbucks. 

Avery I have an idea but we will need your aunt Lisa's help to pull it off. Let's get their parents their gifts and we will go to my aunts home.
The kids loved auntie Kiki and auntie Gloria as I do.
Auntie Lisa aka as Gloria to me and several others. 
Auntie Lisa we need your help with the boys bedrooms for a surprise for their parents.  They picked out the beds and the themes.
Okay come in your auntie was just about to make got cocoa with candy cake. Oh goodie. Yes,  you still love that after all these years.  Yup auntie Kiki gave me my first taste around 3 years of age and egg  nog when I got a little older. All auntie Kiki's doing.
Bradley and Lisa laughed.

Bradley has the idea.
Okay Bradley what am I painting? Batman mural and football mural.  What about Kathryn.  Her bathroom only. Hmmm. I am going to need two weeks to do what you are asking which means I  will be taking time off but for these three angels no problem.  I will need the walls painted first in these colors.  Kiki. Bradley, Avery this will be your responsibility.  Gotcha. Okay Avery how you going to get them out for two weeks? Cousin Kennedy said they all need a break. They can go to auntie Jane's cabin in Tahoe. Perfect.  Okay you get these paints for the wall. I will get what I need for my portion.  Okay drink up.  The kids were asleep while we drank our hot cocoa.
We put them in the car seats and headed to auntie house.
We got back a little before dinner time.
Kennedy we need your help.  Okay what?
We went over what our plan was. She was on board. We left the kids gifts to Kennedy and their parents wrapped up and put them in Yilena's closet.  I knew Yilena wouldn't try to open  or shake them like my other two aunts would. We left before they returned.

Aye Kennedy were home. Hey you all know we have been busting our butts at work and me in school.  I was hoping next week we could go to the Tahoe cabin for two weeks before Christmas arrives . What do you guys think? I am in. Me too. I am definitely in. Dealing with my assistant duties and my field work I am beat. Jay has been bugging me to take time off too before the end of the year.

I have to go. I am taking my last final tonight. Wish me luck.  I know Tommy and Drew coming tomorrow.  I won't be studying but definitely sleeping if you three don't mind and doing Christmas shopping.  No problem with any of us. Thanks Maura. I hugged my little cousins goodbye and kissed them on their for heads and left.
I called Avery and told her it was OK.