Those who know me know that I love children, well most. As long as they aren't spawns of Satan, I can usually get along with them pretty well. And if they are related to me, or the children of my friends, there is usually an even better bond. For instance, my best friend has 5 children, and even though I don't see them as often as I used to, they all still love me and even the 18 month old was very good for me when I babysat them for a weekend.
Here is a picture of all 5 with my nephew Tyler.
Speaking of Tyler, we have an interesting relationship. Most days he really loves me and gets so excited to see me, but on occasion he doesn't like it when I tease him. For some reason a few weeks ago he started thinking that I was going to steal his chair when I would come over, so he would come and open up the door when I pulled up and stand in the doorway very excited to see me, until I got out of the car and then he would say, "my chair, no Aiya" and run and sit in it. Even after I explained that I didn't want his chair, he still wouldn't leave the chair for fear of me stealing it.
But then days like Monday happen. My sister and bro-in-law were going on a date and their babysitters weren't able to make it into town in time, so they brought him over to me. Tyler was so excited to be coming to my house, he even asked my sister if he was spending the night at Aiya's. Sadly no, but still nice to know that he wanted to. When they pulled up, the first thing he said to me was, "Aiya's house. I went wee". Let me explain "wee". Where I live we have underground parking, so to get to my downstairs you have to drive down a little hill. He loves it and will put his hands up in the air and say "wee" when going down it. So then he comes into my house and says, "Aiya's house, wow". And as he continued to walk around, he kept saying "wow"! I guess I have a nice house. Then he walked into my kitchen and had to look at the "wee". A little bit later a firetruck drove past and it was really loud because the firehouse is across the street. So he looked at me and very excitedly said, "Nee naa, nee naa. Firetruck Aiya." He was in heaven! After we ate dinner, we left to go to the store and he continued to talk about the fire truck. He told me that the firetruck has water. I then asked him why the firetruck has water. He thought about it for a second and then said, "for a bubblebath." I had never realized that, so I asked for some clarification. He then told me that the firetruck had a bubblebath is now all clean. Who knew?? The things you learn when driving with a child.
Tyler is also into running these days. Now instead of us taking walks, we go running. Well he runs and I mostly walk fast. But he loves it. He can run probably about 1/4 of a mile without stopping. His little legs just keep going and he doesn't want it to end. I now take him for a run if he is getting upset and won't calm down. It has worked every time so far.
I also flew a kite with him for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I bought him a Cars kite for his birthday and on a really windy day we took it to the park by their house and flew it. He laughed so hard and wanted me to keep flying the cars in the sky. My sister will someday post the pictures of it (hint, hint).
And last but not least, the kid has some good taste. I got dressed up to go to the symphony with my friend and Tyler was there when I was getting dressed. When I walked out in my dress, he looked at me and said, "Aiya cute". Who am I to argue with a 2-year old???
