Kisses

While at a matinee of Monster House this weekend, I leaned over and kissed my 6-yr old nephew. He leaned over the armrest separating our seats and gave me a kiss in return. Then he whispered to me, "there's more where that came from."

How Cute!

Scream and Yell came over bright and early this morning. The days that one, or worse - both, is a little turd, I can't wait for their parents to pick them up so I can have some piece and quiet.

But then there are little moments when they're irresistible. Even though Scream was a little squirrelly and frustrating this morning brushing his teeth, he made up for by being so cute when he left for school.

I was paying bills and updating the budget on the computer and not paying close enough attention to the clock. I didn't realize it was already time for Scream to go to school. Not only was it time for him to go, but it was a few minutes later than when he usually leaves.

I told him he should hurry to make sure he got there on time. He ran the whole way, his back pack bouncing up and down as he went. It was just adorable.

Plus, it is somehow completely adorable when he comes home from school and walks in the door. Everyone agrees there's just something oh so cute about it. So I know I have that to look forward to later today.

A Conversation I Had

Earlier today my 4 yr old nephew Yell was asking about an ice pack he saw. I told him it belonged to Wonderful Hubby's friend.

"Who is him?" asked Yell.

"Who is he?" I told said, correcting his grammar.

"I don't know," he answers.All of a sudden I was in an Abbott & Costello comedy routine.

I Created Treat Monsters

Being almost five, Scream has been potty-trained for a while now. Even though Yell is almost 4, he's really bucking the whole potty thing. He's been dry for the most part, but to be on the safe side, his parents have him wear a pull-up.

Quite a while ago, I told Yell that I'd give him something from my treats drawer every time he used the potty. I have a drawer in the kitchen with all sorts of goodies, the likes of which would make me too hungry so I can't list them now. Since Scream is so close in age to Yell, it only seems fair to give him a treat for going potty too, especially since back when I started the bribery, he was relatively new to the whole potty thing himself.

After Scream and Yell hanging out with me for the afternoon, I'm surprised there are any goodies left in the treats drawer. They finally caught on to the idea of potty as currency.

After snack time, they wanted more junk food but had grown tired of me telling them they had to wait for supper. They both darted for bathrooms, even remembering to flush and wash hands, and came running to the kitchen to claim their prizes. Hmmm, I might have to figure out some other bribery plan.

Sorry, Bucko

Fantastic Kid was upstairs, busy plugging away at his math homework so I was trying to keep my nephews, Scream and Yell, downstairs so he could work with at least some peace and quiet. As the boys were walking down the stairs, Scream pulled the neck of Yell's shirt.

This of course made Yell let out a high-pitched squeal. The windows didn't break, but one might be a little shattered. His face was a neat shade of red, too.

In trying to teach the two little guys how to interact without hitting and punching and kicking, although I sometimes prefer these methods myself, I coached Yell in talking it out with Scream instead of the high-pitched squeals.

"I don't like when you pull my shirt," Yell told Scream after some prodding. I was expecting Scream to apologize, but there was no response."Scream, did you hear what Yell told you?" I asked.

"I heard it," he replied, and went about playing.

"I don't like when you pull my shirt," Yell repeated after some more prodding. Still no response from Scream, let alone an apology.

Again I asked, "Scream, did you hear what Yell told you?"

"I heard it," he replied a second time, and resumed playing a second time.

"What can you tell him?" I asked Scream, hoping to coach an apology out of him.

"Sorry, Bucko." It wasn't the heart-felt, concerned apology I was looking for, but I guess that'll have to do.

Locked Out

When The Best Kid On Earth was coming home from school this afternoon, I decided to put the dog on his leash and walk down the street to meet The Best Kid. On our way we passed a friend of my son's and a much younger boy.

The two boys were outside the younger boy's house. They told me that the younger boy was locked out of his house and that his parents were gone, so he was home alone. That left the little boy sitting in a snowbank at the end of his driveway.

I invited him to wait for his parents at our house. Before he came over though, we still had to meet up with The Best Kid and walk home with him. We met up with him, the dog pulling us all over the street to sniff at melted snow and garbage the whole way, and proceeded to our house.

On the way, we again passed by the younger boy's house. When I looked at his house, I saw that the screen door was closed as usual, but the front door was opened wide into the house. I asked the little boy if he was sure he was locked out and suggested he try the front door to double check.

Turns out his mom was home all along. She usually has the garage door open when she's home. It was closed today, so the little boy decided that meant she was gone, and if she was gone, she surely would've locked the doors, and that would surely leave him stuck in a snowbank and the end of the driveway. I hope he isn't planning on being a detective when he grows up.

One Free Back Massage

The autism center I volunteer at has a cat named Ladybug. She loves attention. I'm not a big fan of cats, but I put up with her.

Today I was sitting on just the front half of a chair and she jumped up behind me. She was trying to get all cozy back there and started doing what cats do - pushing her paws down as if she's marching in place or kneading dough. The funny thing is, she was doing it on the lower part of my back so I got a little back massage out of it.

Maybe I'll have to rethink my stand on cats. Wait, I just remembered the tiny poke of her nails going into my thigh when she tries to cozy herself onto my lap.

Babies In Love

Friends of ours had gone on vacation and left their 9 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter with us for the weekend shift. On Friday while the big kids were at school, the 4 yr old and me were hanging out at home. But not alone. Scream and Yell were also over because I was babysitting them, too.

My little 4 yr old friend fits in nicely between Scream and Yell, being just a few years younger than Scream, and just a few months older than Yell. They kept each other entertained nicely, all according to my plan.

What I didn't count on was Scream and Yell falling so head over heels for my little 4 yr old friend. Sure, she's adorable, but I didn't think that'd matter so much to them.

Yell is a little cuddly lover - has been since he could control the movement of his body. "Cuddly" was even one of his first words. Within minutes of meeting my little 4 yr old friend, Yell hugged her told her "I love you." She ignored him.

Play continued and they all got along smashingly. No arguments, stealing of toys, pushing or shoving, as happens at some point when little ones play together. Nope, just one little love party.
When it got to be movie time, my little 4 yr old friend sat on the couch, and was promptly joined by Scream. He sat as close to her as he could and even put his arm around her. He too, proclaimed his love for her, to which she nicely responded, "please don't say that." He proclaimed his love a couple more times, each responded to with the same "please don't say that." He was even stroking her hair down the back of her head. She eventually moved and came to sit with me, thinking she'd get away from him, but nope - he followed right behind like a little lost puppy.

At 4 yrs old, my little friend is already quite the heartbreaker. I hope her dad is ready for her teen years.