Sunday, October 25, 2009

Our little sunshines



This joke pretty much sums up what my one godchild slash niece, Elske or just plain Elly, is like:

A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book, and noticed he had his collar on backwards. The little boy asked why he wore his collar backwards.
The man, who was a priest, said, 'I am a Father.'
The little boy replied, 'My Daddy doesn't wear his collar like that.'
The priest looked up from his book and answered: ''I am the Father of many.'
The boy said: ''My Dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and he doesn't wear his collar that way!'

The priest, getting impatient, said: 'I am the Father of hundreds,' and went back to reading his book. The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over and said: "Maybe you should wear a condom and put your pants on backwards instead of your collar."


My niece, E, is turning 5 this December and I wish every day that she would never grow up, kind of like Peter Pan but without the package to worry about when wearing tights. If you want an honest opinion, ask a four year old. You might not always like what you hear (yes, I know I should never have bought those white pants in the first place, hippo hips), but it's never meant in a vindictive way:

"It's nice hugging you, Ladytruth; you're soft like a marshmallow."

I might be a curvy marshmallow, but at least I get the hugs and you don't anorexic aunt Mary.

E doesn't mind if you play with her hair and whatever she has in her lunch box, you can be sure to at least get half of it. Plus she knows where Mother (who looks after her during the day until my sister picks her up after work) keeps the cookie stash. Bonus. She's like a puppy: always happy to see me, but without the licking. More sanitary.


I know, however, that as soon as she comes home requesting a Hannah Montana backpack which looks just like the other girls' at school, it's over. The corruption has started and it'll be good bye butterfly kisses.


I know this because it happened to my six year old niece, N; my brother's little angel/devil when no one's looking. My mom and I blame the kids at school, but we know that's just silly. We're just sad about our eldest Peter Pan exchanging her green tights for a pink tutu. And Hannah Montana backpack.


We can't keep them sheltered under the blanket of protection and love and affection all the time. They need to experience the world for themselves, they need to explore and learn and yes, there will be times when they'll cry, but we'll be there with the Kleenex factory right behind us. We'll be there when Jean-Michael pushes them off the swing and run away leaving them alone in the sand; we'll be there when they ride their bikes with the pink and blue ribbons without the safety wheels for the first time; we'll be there when they blushingly admit they like the blond boy who draws pretty pictures. We'll be there.


I love my nieces slash godchildren. But sometimes it's nice giving them back to their parents when the day's over.



N (on the right): Man, my party blows.
E (stuffing her face on the left): At least the food's good.



E rocking the Minnie Mouse ears.


This post was inspired after reading about otherworldlyone's beautiful little Hannah

50 comments:

f8hasit said...

It would be nice to keep them sheltered and innocent and just like the way they are now...

But I'm sure after awhile even Peter Pan gets tired of wearing those tights.

Love your story. They look like little sweethearts.
:-)

Possum said...

Love the retort to the Priest!!!
I remember the day my niece slash godchild was born and today she is 22 but I am SO blessed that I still get the marshmallow hugs and honesty that I got when she was 5.

Madame DeFarge said...

I want those ears. I don;t care if I have to lie, cheat or steal for them. I want them.

Gorilla Bananas said...

Feeling broody, Ladytruth?

Anonymous said...

Sometimes you remind me of my wife. This is one of those times. Needles to say, I therefore liked this a great deal. :)

Organic Meatbag said...

awwwww, how sweet...those kids are lucky to have an awesome Aunt/Godmother :)

mo.stoneskin said...

I love the innocence, not that kids are really that innocent - they know what they're doing dammit!. My daughter (13 months) likes handing us her food - she wants us to take a bite, i.e. we give her food, she gives us food. Of course, when she hands me a crushed, half-chewed bit of banana I shudder but it is so sweet regardless!

Shaunak Mukherjee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shaunak Mukherjee said...

"the blond boy who draws pretty pictures"

That sounds like me in First Grade..without the blond hair.

Too sweet...even I'm overly protective of my nieces. Two cute little cuddles of joy. And the nephew's a devil...just the way I like him :D

Dan said...

Two lovely looking little ones there LT. Ever feel broody? Or are the dogs enough? And have you ever felt like putting those ears on the dogs? That would be one of the first things I would think of when I saw them.

Alyson said...

Loved the joke!

They are adorable! And thanks for the shout out. My little demon was actually on her very best behavior this weekend...when she wasn't at her dad's. Good times.

Odd Jeppesen said...

Elske mean to love in Danish. Just thought you might want to know that.

Laura said...

"but at least I get the hugs and you don't anorexic aunt Mary."- That was my favorite line!

I have a 7 year old sister who mistakenly idolizes me. She hasn't reached the stage where other kids influence her more than I do but honestly, I don't know whether this is a good thing or not. I'm leaning towards no, given the fact that I mistakenly told her that I thought marriage was pointless during a family birthday party. Oooops.

xx said...

Very sweet post! I wish I never grew up, just like Peter Pan... but I don't look good in green! lol

Tom Bailey said...

That first picture said so much with so little. These are very interesting thoughts.

Surge said...

I love my little cousin too.. he's such a cutie. :) He's growing so fast, though. I really hope I get to take him for halloween this year.. he wants to be a fireman, last year when I took him he was a pumpkin!

Maryx said...

Awesome post sweetie!!
Personally, I can't wait to be a mommy. But I totally agree with you for now... it's nice to give them back. LMAO!

Kyk mooi na hulle. Hulle is te kosbaar cute.

Eric said...

Aww, I hope someday I'll have a kid or two to impart my warped perceptions of the world to.

plainolebob said...

Lady Ruth, yep, you give em away and sooner than later they move back in, but when they are young, weren't they cute.
BIG HUGS

Pearl said...

You need to have a little contest, give away those ears.

:-)

Pearl

Sharon McPherson said...

Pic ... funny! Joke ... funny!

I am finally getting round to answering my meme: And I have an award for you on my blog ;) xx

JennyMac said...

what a great post! And I am sure this is how my brothers feel about our son...he is awesome...on a part time basis. And they don't have 1/10th of the energy to keep up with a 2 year old..hahaha.

Jenno said...

I do admit kids are a lot more fun when the innocence is still there... but they gotta grow up sometime.

tennysoneehemingway said...

Yes, I'm looking forward to us finally getting pregnant but I'm not looking forward to the day the peer pressure kicks in. It'll be a while yet but that just gives me more time to be depressed. We can try all we like but, we can't be there all the time.

The Peach Tart said...

They are lovely. I love a good marshmallow hug myself.

erin said...

Awww. They sound a sweet. I love having little girls.

ladytruth said...

f8hasit: they seem innocent, but they are master manipulators already. I have taught them well :)

Possum: those hugs make tantrums seem like a walk in the park ;)

Madame D: that's what I said. So Elly gave me hers. Sweet, sweet kid.

Gorilla B: nah, just a little nostalgic and thinking where has my youth gone?

Matthew: what a great compliment! Thank you very much :)

Organic M: yes, someone has to teach them how to snatch candy from a baby, right?

Mo: that is the only thing (besides wiping their bums after a #2) that I just can't bring myself to do. I suppose it's a parent thing?

Shaunak: I'm sure you contribute to the nephew's devilish ways :)

Dan: question #1: no. After spending a day with those two Dennis the Menaces any and all broody feelings are killed by feelings of exhaustion and sometimes strangulation. Question #2: absolutely. Dogs don't talk back, are always happy to see you and sleeps through the night (mostly). Question #3: I did try that. I'll try and post a picture of it next time because my first attempt of taking one was met with an angry growl.

OWO: the joys of parenting, right? Yeah, right, like I would know. I'm such a wannabe.

O-Zone: thanks for that useful information! None of us knew that. My sister thought of the name through a combination of my mom's name and surname. No wonder the kid adores my mom endlessly.

Lola: let's face it, you're just saving her the unnecessary turmoil of dating. You should educate some more youth of today!

IPDIH: I adapted my costume and made it pink cause I just feel seasick in green ;)

Tom B: that picture was taken before we even cut the cake! N likes the spotlight, but on her terms. Can anyone say Diva?

Surge: how adorable is that! Since he's upgraded to a fireman this year, I wonder what he'll be next year? Have fun with him :)

Maryx: I'm resting my well matured uterus. No rush. AT ALL. Dankie; hulle lyk nogal oulik op die foto's, ne? :)

Eric: at least you don't have the risk of a uterus gathering cobwebs from sitting on the shelf too long. I'm sure your offspring will not only be very handy, but also creative and smart. Like Superman.

plainolebob: sounds like you have some experience in that department ;)

Pearl: but what will I wear with my Minnie mouse outfit? :)

Sharon: thank you! I've been a bit busy, but will hop over to your place in a jif!

JennyMac: I can relate to the whole energy thing. It's like the kids have solar power batteries locked up in those tiny bodies that just won't quit.

Jenno: it's great when they're still small though.

Tennyson: true true. That's why we have to treasure those times we do have and when we can be there cause those moments are so precious and few.

Peach T: kids like to have something to grab on to. I prefer ears.

erin: we only have girls in our family. And it's the best! Dressing up a lifesize doll? My definition of fun ;)

Farnnay said...

I'm the same way, I love my nieces and nephews but sometimes its just time to go home.

and LOL at the snippet a bout the father. haha

Unknown said...

Ha! That's hilarious. Love the joke in the beginning too.

John

sulagna said...

LOL :) heyii beleive me we all wish babies would remain babies..

Farnnay said...

where are youuuuuuuuu?

Mrs. Cullen said...

hehe i love the joke!

Angie said...

Mickey Mouse ears and a snack... exactly the way I spend my Saturday afternoons. Is there anything better? I think not.

hmla2599 said...

Where have you gone?

under the covers a bit more lately....(wink, wink)?

Meg said...

How do you manage all those little minds and personalities??

It's been a while since I've been by to say hi. My apologies. This new job things gets in the way of my life!

Dan said...

Where....are....you?

Chris Gooch said...

Are you ever coming back? We miss you!

Anonymous said...

I have an award for you, please claim it on my blog. Thanks.^^

Farnnay said...

It's been TWO months!!!!!

WHERE ARE YOU!

Pink Links said...

That photo is interesting. Your thoughts are very interesting!

Hug!

Madame DeFarge said...

Are you still with us?

Organic Meatbag said...

LadyT, where have you been?

Surge said...

Where'd you go Lady..

Shaunak Mukherjee said...

Yo, Lady T! Where'd you disappear to?

Her Side said...

I finally made it over to read the blog, and I'm lovin' it. My boys are 10 and 17. One is still young enough to give me kisses. The other regressed back to kisses upon the realization he'll be in college next year. Missin' mama already? You bettah recognize, boy. hehe

The Misadventures of Miss Manship said...

I want a hug from a curvy marshmellow!! :-D

Surge said...

i'm hoping your boyfriend snatched you up and kept you occupied.

The Caped Tirader said...

Hey LadyTruth,
I have returned to the blog world. Will you do the same? :)

Madame DeFarge said...

Hope all is well

Artist/Painter said...

LOVE that photo! Awesome post - thanks for the laugh, I needed that.