I just recently spent an evening with my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew.   My nephew amazes me! But to be quite honest, so does my brother!

My nephew could be the brightest, most polite toddler I’ve ever met.  I know everyone thinks that about their nephews or nieces, but really…mine is!  At 2 1/2 he can say his entire ABC’s, count most numbers (even up to double digits), identifies colors, spells words like moon, train, cow, etc.  He says please and thank you constantly.  Have you ever heard a 2 year old thank his parents for buying him rice milk???

About 6 months ago I was spending time with him and I had on a bracelet that had a ladybug charm on it.  He’s never forgotten that.  Tonight, he was playing games on his dad’s cell phone and a ladybug popped up.  He instantly brought the phone to me and said, “Taty, Ladybug!”  “Where’s ladybug?” and promptly grabbed my wrist.  I told him that the ladybug was at home sleeping and he seemed to be okay with that answer!  It just amazes me that the little brain he has can retain all that information for such an extended period of time, considering we are always jamming it full of new things.  He remembers the littlest things that I told him months ago and reminds ME of them!

As much as my nephew amazes me, my brother equally amazes me as a Dad.  When we were younger, I was the street smart one (even though I am 4 years younger).  I saved my brothers rear end more times than I can count.  He would have walked to school more times than he rode the bus if it hadn’t been for me.  I was constantly helping him find his glasses, backpack, shoes, etc.  That being said, it amazes me the father he’s turned out to be.  While he’s still the absent minded brother I grew up with ( he turned what should have been 1 trip upstairs tonight into 3 trips because he could only manage to remember one item at time), however, he’s an amazing father.  It’s fun to see him interact with his son.  It’s neat to see him doing activities and “games” with his son that our dad did with us!  You can truly tell that my nephew has two wonderful, caring, loving, parents and he is flourishing as little boy because of it!

I love that I live near my family!  I can’t imagine not being able to go and play with my nephew or hear his latest adventure or see his latest antics!  He brings so much joy to my life and the love I feel from him when he gives me a kiss and a hug, it’s indescribable!  I am so thankful to my brother and sister-in-law that they are gracious enough to share him with me and let me be in his life!  But really kid, You Amaze Me!  Keep it up Kes!  I love you more than you will ever know!