Middle Sister called the other day it went like this:

Oldest (Me): Hey Bean, whata ya doin’?

Middle: Nothin’, whata youuu doin’?

Oldest: I’m in the car line waiting to pick up the children…

Middle: Heyyyyy, when do you guys plan on leaving for a Nebraska Christmas?

Oldest: Well, we’d like to leave as soon as we can, once the children get out of school for the holiday, I guess. Probably? When is Christmas, again?

Middle: Aud, it’s in three weeks.

Oldest: Wow, three weeks, okay. I suppose we’ll leave the day before Christmas Eve?

(Big Brother tries ringing through about this time and I have to wait to call him back. Then I forget cause life is crazy during December. Sorry.)

Middle: No, that isn’t soon enough. You can’t leave the weekend before?

Oldest: What’s y’all’s plan, then? Have you spoken to Big Brother and Baby Sister? (She said I had to write y’all cause that’s how I said it, and they are forever making fun of me. I do not have a southern accent. They say I do. It’s a vicious circle of oh nos and uh huhs.)

Middle: Yes, a while ago. We all need to know your plans so we can make our plans.

Oldest: We have no plans, really. We’ll leave and drive to you. Those are our plans, Sis. You officially have our agenda. Run with it, do with it as you wish.

Middle: Okay…

(At this point, during my phone conversation with Middle, Baby posts a picture on Facebook about little sisters standing up for older sisters. Something like: If you mess with the older sister, there is always a younger sister behind her… that you don’t wanna mess with.) 

Oldest: Okay, what? I’m glued to you when I get there, just let me know.  Y’all need to make your spreadsheet of when we need to be where, and base it on y’alls work schedules. (I swear, I did not say y’all twice.)

Middle: Oh! Good idea!

Oldest: Makes sense, right? I mean ‘you guys’, the three of you, know when you want us at your house. Make a plan based on ‘your’ schedules and we’ll see it through. Easy peasey lemon squeezey, right?

Middle: Alright! I’m starting one now! Bye! Love ya! (click)

Oldest: Bye, I love you…

Hmm, do you suppose they’re getting excited about my approaching visit?

(Photo credit: Horia Varlan)