Time with my favorite little guy

October 27, 2011 at 7:26 am | Posted in family, my nephew is awesome, sentimentality | 13 Comments

I took Monday off from work to pick my nephew up from Kindergarten. His parents were both busy with work and my mom, who usually picks him up, was away in Utah visiting relatives. I try to snatch up any opportunity to hang out with Finn because, well, to me he’s the coolest kid ever (Auntie bias, I am allowed).

I arrived about 20 minutes early. I was concerned about traffic and getting lost, unnecessarily apparently. I found his classroom and peered in. There he was at a table with some other boys playing with dinosaurs. He looked so grown up, it kind of broke my heart a little. When did he get so big?

When the class let out he pushed his way through the crowd of kids blocking the door with a big smile and ran up to hug me. We gathered his things and, holding hands, made our way out to the parking lot. He knows his way around, his routine, names of classmates- he’s this little tyke who is independent in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I can only imagine how I will feel when I have a child of my own. Watch out, heart.

We sat in the car for a bit while he ate some snacks and we chatted. He told me about how his class, called “The Bat Clan”, sings a version of the Batman theme song when they come inside from recess. How they went to the library and got books about Pete the Cat. Kindergarten seems pretty cool. But seriously, how is he school-aged already?

I roped him into coming with me to a couple of stores (I was looking for supplies for my Halloween costume). He said sure but that he gets a toy if he comes. What a racket! But of course, I agreed and off we went. At Target I came up empty on the costume front but he spent 20 minutes going up and down the toy aisles pondering which toy to pick. He’d point out which toy he liked and I’d be all, “Sorry dude, that’s too much money. But I’ll try to remember that for Christmas, ok?” They purposely put the expensive toys on the shelves at eye level with kids (damn them!). “What about some Thomas the Train stuff? Are you into that still or are you over it?” I asked him. “OVER IT!” he said as he walked right by it with nary a glance. Okay then. He’s 5 going on 12.

I’m counting down the minutes, trying to get him to make a final decision. “10, 9, 8, . . . ” “STOP COUNTING!” he told me. But we were already late and traffic was going to be bad. Finally, after much negotiation, he chose a samurai sword. Swords, superheros, animals- these are his new interests. Later, Thomas the Train.

I remember when he was little and I changed my work hours to watch him while my sister went back to work part-time. Those hours I had with him each week are still some of my favorite of my life. I look at him now, growing up so fast, and am so grateful I am here in the same city as him, that he knows me, that I get to see him grow from a baby to a toddler to a young boy. I hope he always knows how important he is to me and how much I love him.

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He knows, he can feel it
<3

Comment by jenny2times— October 27, 2011 #
haha, what a good negotiator he is already… :)

what are you being for halloween?

Comment by Alice— October 27, 2011 #
This is so sweet, Sizz. Exactly how I feel about my nieces. Aren’t we lucky to be aunties. And I know you’ll be the greatest of mommies, too!

Comment by Mel Heth— October 27, 2011 #
He looked so grown up, it kind of broke my heart a little. When did he get so big?

This. At least once a week, I peer into Gavin’s class before picking him up and wonder where did my wee little preemie go! It’s so fulfilling to see him thrive and yet so heartbreaking to no longer have certain kinds of precious moments with him.

I think it’s fabulous and wonderful that you get to have such a special relationship with your nephew! Finn is one lucky kid!

Comment by Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks— October 27, 2011 #
I picked up my nephew from Kindergarten on Monday as well. It was nearly 80 degrees that afternoon so we got Slurpees together. As we sat on the porch and drank them I thought, oh my gosh, this is going so fast. Look out when we have our own kids, indeed.

Comment by LesleyG— October 27, 2011 #
They grow up so stinking fast. I find myself in both awe and horror that my babies aren’t babies anymore. it really makes me so sad.

You are a wonderful Aunt and will be an even more wonderful mother.:)

Comment by gorillabuns— October 27, 2011 #
You are a fantastic aunt! Being an aunt is my favorite. I love *my* kids.

Comment by Melissa— October 28, 2011 #
He is so lucky to have you as his Auntie.

They really do grow up too fast. Sigh.

Comment by Angella— October 28, 2011 #
What??? NO photos of Finn???? You had me by the title… you hooked me in….I kept reading and reading…. till the very end. And no photo of Finn :(

Comment by Matilda— October 28, 2011 #
Sister, there’s no way he could ever think otherwise. He’s as crazy about his TeeTee as you are of him. xoxo

Comment by L is for Lightl— October 29, 2011 #
Kids are heart breaking, sort watching them grow up and pull away. But it’s all tremendously magical at the same time. You know?

and yes, they know when they are loved and among family.

Comment by Nat— October 30, 2011 #
You are so blessed to have him close by! It breaks my heart that I only get to see my nieces and nephews once a year.

Comment by 180|360— October 31, 2011 #
This post broke my heart just a little bit… I so miss my Soph, having her close by in NYC was one of favorite things, and now, well now I’m far away and missing out on everything. Enjoy him Sizz, they do grow up too fast.

Comment by Polín— November 21, 2011 #

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