I live in different states (quite far away) than my two nephews (kindergarten age and a year and a half younger), which causes me a little distress at times. I should Skype them more often (they use it to talk to their “other” grandparents a few states away from me), but you know life. Anyway, I come home every Christmas (so far), which is when I generally see them. I introduced the older one to Dragon Quest (though he’s still a few years away from playing I, let alone the one I showed him, which was IX), and I try to do stuff with them while I’m there.
Anyway, a conversation (paraphrased, obviously, as I was not there) ensued back home that my mother gleefully called me to report:
Many years ago my parents and I went to visit my brother’s family on Christmas Eve. We arrived maybe late morning. When we first arrived, my nieces immediately wrapped themselves around my legs. They were like human leg warmers. They made it a little hard to walk.
We immediately headed off to a church service. When we go there, my nieces sat really close to me on the pew.
The minister began her service, and asked all of the kids to come up front. My older niece did, as well as my nephew. But my younger niece stayed attached to me. There was nothing that would budge her from me.
The minister asked the kids if they knew what Christmas was. “It’s a birthday party. And whose bithday is it? Jesus! What do we do at birthday parties? We have cake!” She then pulled out a big tray of cupcakes.
So much for my younger niece. I was awesome, but I was no cupcake. Loyalty to an uncle loses out to frosting every time.
So the kids were eating cupcakes while the minister told the nativity story. When she finished, she asked “Does anyone have any questions?”
When my son was a toddler, he was afraid of Santa. No biggie, I didn’t try to do the mall photo thing. Then his grandparents and great-grandmother came to our house for Christmas.
Christmas morning, we gathered around the tree, and of course the focus was on first grandchild/first great-grandchild. Let’s all watch him tear open his gifts!
Except he didn’t.
He climbed onto a chair next to his great-grandmother, whom he hadn’t paid any especial attention to the night before, and cooed and babbled and just made it clear that he cared about her, only her. Forget the gifts and tree and candy. She loved this. We all did, but we couldn’t figure it out. And then I realized that in a bright red sweater with curly white hair and “grandma” glasses, she looked exactly like Mrs. Santa Claus.
So he was scared of Santa, but not his wife.
It was probably one of the best gifts she ever received.
Unfortunately, I was reminded this weekend that when it comes to paying attention for Skype or a phone call, although I am more popular than Santa, I still cannot hold a candle to cartoons or putting up Christmas decorations.
Ah, well. I’ll be there soon enough, and although not as long as I like/could’ve, a week there is better than nothing!
My SO’s niece absolutely adores him. She claims to be his girlfriend and wants to come to our house, and hangs off his legs and is completely enamored.
This despite the fact that I am the one who buys all the presents; wraps them, brings them over, etc.
I’m happy that she loves him so darn much! But I wish she would save a drop or two for me. She shies away from me (and I never force a hug or anything on her, though her mom does) and generally isn’t fond of me.
Obviously. That’s OK. I just bought her gift (and her little brother’s) yesterday. I’m rather pleased - he asked for, and got, a pirate costume! It’s got coins and a little scimitar and everything. I got her an adorable little set of steel pots and pans to bang around and play with, and both of them get books.
My SO can get the credit. It makes me happy to see them happy.
’mika buy me a pirate suit and I’ll be your favorite nephew.
I’ve always enjoyed the role of the good uncle/great uncle with the great presents. However, I know enough to know I could never compete with cupcakes or cartoons.
Update: I’m on my last full day home. I’ve had a stellar time with my nephews. The older one is apparently, according to my sister and an old family friend, growing up to be me (doing and saying things similar to what I did and said at his age), despite me living in another state. This is extremely interesting.
I’ve played games with them, gone with them to the beach, enjoyed Christmas and meals… Too bad it ends so soon. I just wish I had more time with them, especially since my younger nephew’s at that age where his speech is at max cuteness. (It took a long time - perhaps longer than was necessary - to get dates straight, and thus my visit dates were razor thin; just one week. I definitely regret it, but it’s equally definitely better than nothing. I guess I’ll just have to arrange Skype a lot more.)
It makes me happy to see them happy.
