Kids!

As many know, the FroggerGirl is a totally Awesome Auntie (I have independent input on this from the subject nephews and nieces…they may have been kissing some butt, but still) There are 4 tadpoles in the family and for good measure there is even gender distribution. I’m currently at this weird stage of Auntie-dom…my nieces and nephews are getting older. Yes, I realize I cannot stop this process, but it freaks me out.

My oldest nephew is now about 11.5 months away from being a teenager. I will have a tadpole nephew no more…he will be a pubescent semi-tadpole-froggy-thing…that is just not ok! Well, alright it’s the circle of life and it happens, but as a friend of mine would say, “I am not emotionally prepared for departure.” As he gets older I’m finding more in common with him in terms of humor and conversation, but it’s hard to part with my memories of him as the quiet serious blond toddler/kid in grandpa glasses who was too precious for word. His sister is hitting double digits this January…the Big 1-0. That is equally tough, but I guess since her big brother is paving the way I can deal with her age better.

As I spent time over the Holidays with my 4 ½ yr old nephew…let’s call him Train Boy…and my Little Princess (aka his sister the 2 ½ yr old Chief Trouble Maker) I was reintroduced to how much I both love kids and am thrilled I don’t have them yet. My older nephew and niece remind me time is passing and kids grow-up too quickly. Train Boy and Lil’ Princess remind me that they also stay young for a long time and are challenges from start to finish. Tantrums, quiet moments, book reading, lap sitting (them, not me, I would squash there little selves!) new words learned (hopefully no bad ones they heard their Auntie slip up and say) and all the other memories that can only come from little kids. Terms like criss-cross apple sauce (I used this too at their age; it’s the PC term for sitting Indian Style) and dealing with the logic of kids who have yet to really learn empathy and sharing on a grand level. It was fun, but exhausting.

Every time I leave family gathers after time with the tadpoles I’m happy to have had the experience and sad to leave them, but I’m definitely happy that at this stage in my life I’m just Auntie. I play with the kids, but diaper changes and tantrums are usually handled by the parents. I may have learned empathy and sharing on a grand level…but I’m still happy to have my time for me and I don’t have to share it! I’m sure Christmas with all the family in one place will bring out the same feelings…but I guess that will be blogged about when it happens.