Little Ones

Thank you very much to those who have commented so far on Pete’s entry. I’ve been forwarding all the comments to him and it has really helped him feel less alone to find other ex-pats commiserating—to know it isn’t just him.

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My brother and sister-in-law and their two daughters were in town since Thursday (leaving today). They live in Houston, TX and I only get to see them once or if I’m lucky, twice a year. It was good to see them—my SIL had a high school reunion in Bethesda, MD to attend, so they flew in Thursday afternoon and then left the kids with my parents while they drove down there for Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday. Pete, kiddo and I stopped in to see them all Thursday evening. On Friday my daughter had camp and my parents spent the day with my nieces, but overbooked themselves! That evening I called to see how they were doing, and my mom sounded as if she had been run over by a truck.

The kids are 7 and 4 and the four-year-old is something of a tornado in her actions—very high-spirited and exhausting to be around for too long.  We had plans to see a movie, but I asked my mother if they needed a break and would like us to come over. She meekly said no, but my daughter heard the end of my conversation and immediately called back when I said how tired her grandma sounded. “I would be happy to come over,” she said to my mom. “Don’t be afraid to say yes!”

My mom conceded defeat. My daughter immediately matured by 5 or 10 years and said she was going to walk over there. Pete and I had our dinner and watched Six Feet Under DVD’s until we had bed sores. I called in the middle there and found out that my daughter had been elevated to saint status—she had taken over and was bathing her cousins when I called, and my parents wanted her to sleep over.

Saturday I met them at the playground and then forced S. to come home and rest for a little bit before we had to go to her half-sister’s high school graduation party, and we took the 4-year old with us to give the sisters a break from one another. She was a fit of giggles for most of the party. My daughter stayed over Saturday night, too, and I met my mom and all the girls at the pool Sunday afternoon after having a fabulously lazy and lovely brunch with some hot bloggers.

My daughter was so tired and worn out from all the hard work she was doing that she wasn’t ready when the camp van arrived yesterday morning to pick her up, and last night when I said we were going to stop by there again to say our last goodbyes and hang out for a bit, she didn’t want to. “I’ll have to play with them!” she whined.  She took care of herself, though, and snuck right upstairs and hid out with the TV as soon as we got there. I got to snuggle with my nieces and soak up as much as I could before saying goodnight and goodbye. I did get a chance to hang out with my brother for an hour or two alone yesterday as well which was needed—we have both been very bad about staying connected and it becomes habit, and easy, but some days I stop and think, “I have a brother, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like it” and I get sad. I know we can do better.

I want us to, and I want my youngest niece to call me “Aunt Sarah” instead of “S’s mom.” I miss them already.

Comments

[Heatherg]

My brother is in S. Florida, and i miss him. He is single, no children, and is just now interested in getting married "one day".

It terrifies my mom and I, ( Dad doesnt say much about it) that we may not get to be close to him and his wife, and his children.

I am really close to mom.....
and only speak to brother via email, most of the time. So i completely understand.....

Try to keep in touch with photos and maybe S. can mail some "update letters" and things like that?!

[Cecily]

1. Excellent post by Pete.

2. Excellent daughter you have there.

3. Sorry it took me so long to read these last two posts.

4. I cannot believe you already got today's photo's on flicker!

[Shelli]

Does it make you a little sad that S is growing up so fast? Bittersweet, isn't it?

[Menita]

Let me know when S is free, I got a toddler for her here.
Your kid is SUCH a rock star.

[Dustin]

It's funny, I'm still "young" and don't consider the growing distance between my sister and I any big deal, rationale being that we're both poor and busy. However, I fast forward 10-15 yrs. and how sad it would be if I had nieces and nephews that I didn't know and that didn't know me.

[menoblog]

I have one brother with whom i am close and one who i rarely see. They both live nearby so it's puzzling. I'm going to do some thinking about that.

Nice job by S with the kids.

[Menita]

Your daughter is fabulous. Let her know that now that she's freed up some time I have a toddler just for her.

[Menita]

And yes, I know I put that in a previous comment, except now I'm not so sure I'm kidding...

[beingbebe]

We were very sorry not to be there, we get to see them so rarely as it is. Life sucks, bluuuch. Now that I've finally checked your blog you are gone. Actually, I found out from Marion that you will be in NC. As you will be reading this on your return, I hope your trip was fab! Call me ASAP for you must see and use our newly renovated accomodations which by now should be complete. I miss y'all, don't make me use guilt to see you!