I am making a blog book so I have been going through my old posts. I forgot about two "features" I used to do; first, specimen of the day where I highlight people we love, and second, old journal entries. I am bringing both of those back. On to today's specimen.
Name: Whitney Katherine Nielson
Nicknames: Whitty, basement dweller
Relation: Sister to Daniel, SIL to me, aunt to my kids, and cohabitator to all of us (for a few more day)
From September, the week after Whitney moved in
Relationship
history: Whitney and I first met in the summer of 2003. I went to visit
Daniel and his family in Austin. Daniel had to work the day after I got
there so we hung out and did super cool, mature things like pushing
tiny decorative grocery carts around Target while wearing hideous
sunglasses. She was like 12 and I was 18. Super cool.
Profession: Expert
sammy maker and
fro-yo server. Two eating establishments that exist side-by-side in Orem. It's a real one-two punch of deliciousness. A few weeks ago she let me eat half of her sandwich and it was packed with banana peppers. It was mighty tasty- who knew? Unfortunately for the sandwich world, Whitney is going to finish up her last few semesters at Texas Tech and become a teacher.
Sadie modeling Whitney's Yogurtland hat
Best Friend: Katherine Heiligenstein. This is a lie. But for a long time it was true and I am sticking with it. Katherine came to Nielson family reunions (where I first met her in 2003) and even came to our wedding in Boston.
She's got Skills: Crafty McCrafterson. Whenever she babysits the girls, she and Sadie craft like rock stars. She makes the cutest little things. They have made these adorable headbands for every major holiday. Whitney also came to an Enrichment activity with me where we made scarves out of old t-shirts and a Christmas advent calendar. I did all the basic things like make straight cuts and Whitney added any artistic element, like little rosettes on the scarves.
Favorite Activity: Dancing with Sadie. This may or may not be
true, but Sadie thinks it is. She taught Sadie one of Sadie's 2
signature moves, the "shake shake shake, wiggle wiggle wiggle"
What will Louie do without Whitney? She's been here half of Lou's little life
Scaredy Cat: Calling Whitney cautious would be an understatement. She sets up booby traps by her bed (things like upturned high heels and items that make noise if touched) in the event an unwelcome intruder is by her bed. Sadie's wood mini-bat just happened to be set by the side of Whitney's bed.
Lessons Learned: Whitney has learned some valuable things while staying with us. They include, but are not limited to, the fact that crystal light tastes bad when you add double the water, Sadie does not respect personal space, Stephen Colbert is funnier than Jon Stewart, hot chocolate is way better made with milk, and Daniel and I are really boring. We have learned what old farts we have become.
Why She's Awesome: The girls love her. We love her. Whitney is funny, laid back, kind, fun, helpful, and just generally easy to get along with. I was nervous about having someone stay with us for a longer time because I am pretty selfish and particular about things. Whitney has been amazing and I enjoyed having her here.
Taking care of my children while I sit on the couch
We will all miss you Whitney- and not just because I don't know the last time I had to bring my girls with me to run errands.
Come back and visit us ASAP. There will always be a special place in our basement just for you.
