October 28, 2004
I Am Becoming THAT PERSON
That Person, the one who raves about the HI-larious antics of her niece and nephew, a.k.a The Boy Child and The Girl Child.
Recap: The Girl Child will be 4 next week and is a complete ham. The Boy Child is 21 months and most likely bi-polar. They live an hour away, and I'm there at least twice a month for my fix of snuggly cheeks and to-die-for eyelashes and unconditional adoration.
So I get to Sister's house and immediately change into comfy chillin' clothes. Even the bra and watch come off. The watch goes on the counter with my purse and ever-at-hand camera, for when they do something adorable. Which is always.
Now, Girl Child is a non-stop stream of random narration, which we generally tune out. Much like my blog.
So when she said, "I know where your watch is," I was all, "That's nice," and just kept snapping photos of The Boy Child eating a hotdog. Because, you know, no child in the history of the world has eaten a hotdog as adorably as him, so I must have thorough photographic documentation. Apparently.
"I can show you where your watch is!"
"I know, sweet pea, it's on the counter. Finish your chickie nuggets."
"No, not that watch!" she giggles.
Took a minute for the lightbulb to go on over this very blonde head, but then I start cracking up, and Sister is all, "Girl Child!"
"So, Sister, I guess I know what I'm getting for my birthday, eh?"
"Note to self: Don't tell Girl Child any more secrets."
Well, DUH! It's a beautiful watch, black and silver beads, she made it. She's very crafty, in addition to being smart, beautiful and funny. I hate her. But she gives me shoes, so I deal.
After their baths (I took, like, 30 photos of nakie butts, seriously, I was no help whatsoever), we tag-teamed the kids to get them dressed. I got The Girl Child. Sister said there was a brush on her sink, so I got it and did my best, but it didn't seem to be very effective.
"Sister, you may have to do her hair cuz I'm just not getting it."
"Um... that's a nail brush."
Reason #147 Why It's a Good Thing I'm Not Reproducing. (The other 146 reasons have lots to do with dressing them like the Amish, and home schooling, and survival training and such.)
Anyhoo, random topic change (nod to Girl Child) -- Older Sister gave me the soundtrack to "Mary Poppins" for my birthday, which I'm listening to right now. Balk if you wish -- I defy you to listen to "Mary Poppins" and be in a bad mood! It's just not possible! Except for "Feed the Birds." Damn, that one always gets me.
I had such a crush on Dick VanDyke growing up.
I also have more recent happy associations with "Mary Poppins." Like when I was babysitting the kids, and we were all watching it, and both of them curled up in my lap. Now to get one of them to sit still is a rare occurrence. But both of them -- SIMULTANEOUSLY?! The planets were in perfect alignment that day, my friends.
And I just sat there and cried with the happiness like a big, big baby, that I could sit and watch "Mary Poppins" and snuggle Girl Child and Boy Child both at once. Thank God it wasn't the part with "Feed the Birds," or I probably would have been sobbing hysterically.
[Please forgive my random change of verb tenses throughout today's post. I also got a big bag of Riesen chews for my birthday, and I'm in blissful delirium.]