Back in school, more like can we go back in time?

Back to school has always been an exciting time for everyone, whether starting 2nd grade or high school . Who couldn't wait to show off the coolest Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper or champion for who could climb the monkey bars the fastest? As a teenager, you would scope out your prospects, hoping they resurrected without braces.

Fast forward, errr ... several years and I'm 35, still thinking about crushes but thankfully the metal is long gone.  As I logged onto Facebook today, I was reminded that I am as old as I am and how many of those peers I use to race on those monkey bars are now walking their little ones into school for the first day. I've realized that is a reality for me that may never happen but then they say, "never say never". My news feed was filled with pictures of my friends kids.  I skipped on over to my sisters page, knowing she would do the same. I found a picture of my godson/ nephew looking, as my sister said "pretty fresh", he defines the word "Jackness". Then she posted a shot of my niece, Natalie and I was stunned.  When did she become old enough to be a 5th grader? I literally had to look away because I felt wells forming. She looked adorable, not because she was wearing an outfit I gifted to her <shameless coolest aunt plug> but because she's just that, adorable.  She has changed soooo much in just one year and it frightens me that time is going by way too fast. 

This is a same little girl whom I convinced to dust my bedroom for $5 and she made sure she collected. Same little girl opened her own spa in her bedroom.  She would draw the blinds, play classic music like Disney Lullabies. She would collect small bottles of bath and body works lotion from her mothers assortment and line them up for me to make my choice. Then she would give you the best hand massage (god forbid if you asked for a foot massage), I swear she had "baby magic fingers". Now she's into dip dying hair and multiple manicures a day, on herself.  Just last week she wanted to do my hair, her mother has found her holding the eye lash curler hostage. 

Recently she has become an entrepreneur. If you don't already know, duct tape crafting is all the rage. Last year she made me a small purse, you know, "it's to hold your iPod Auntie Shell". This year she is into re-designing Bic pens. So much that I bought one from her and recruited two co-workers to purchase as well.  For $2.50 you can write in style, she's so creative and makes me proud. 

As proud as I am of her, I sometimes wish she would slow her roll.  I just can't wrap my head around her changing.  I remember how geeked she would get to come over Shell and Zia Zias's to make Christmas cookies. Now she wants to know what's on my newest playlist. Oh' my li'l paczki, can we go back in time?  I think it's time for an Auntie Shell and Natalie date.  Hug the little ones in your life, I'm not a parent but I know this much! XOXO