Spending time with the little ones can be exhausting, and they can really dry up your wallet, but I never thought that I would feel so happy about that with my niece. I'm not sure if I can tolerate other kids doing that, but with my niece, I'll gladly take care of them for a day even though they are full of energy and I can't really keep up with them, like I feel so old.
Because you see, I already experience taking care of one of my niece before. I didn't last long that time, that's so embarrassing! Lol. She's running around the yard, and we don't have a gate at that time. And there's a 3-step staircase outside and inside at home, so we really have to be watchful of them so I also have to follow her around.
Then there's another one who loves to be carried always, and well, for me, that's better than following them around to the point of me being tired. I feel like I played tag with her, lol. But carrying the kids longer than 5 minutes is much worse, my gosh. I experienced massive pain in my arm the next day, lol. But I admit that I had fun playing with them.
Now, if I could re-experience a weekend today, I want that from March 11, 2023, which is Family Day in my niece's elementary school. My brother and her partner can't really go home during that time due to work, and they have to travel by boat to get there, and it's really far. At first, I didn't want to come, but then I felt bad for the little ones, and it'd be sadder if not even one person attended for them, so I came.
My brother sent money to prepare lunch for the kids. Mama prepares fried chicken, pork adobo, and sausage for the kids. Before the event, I am already imagining the kid's happy face once they see their favorite Fried Chicken and Hatdog. And yeah, it happened, and they are all excited about it. And this is one of the reasons why I want to come. And also the reason why I want to experience this again. To see their happy face and for them to feel happy with our appearance at that event.
That day, I experienced being a real "aunt" to them or Tita. I thought they would need more of my assistance, but they can really take care of themselves well. I don't even need to help them eat, unlike any other kids, although they are kind of messy when they eat. And I thought I'd get annoyed at them being messy, but no, surprisingly, I feel okay, I find them cute in fact. While I can't take it if it's the other kids, I know I'm just being biased, but maybe because they are my brother's kids, I feel with them being like that.
I feel satisfied just seeing them. You know, in my head, "they are doing well while growing up, I hope it stays the same when they hit their teens." And I'm late to realize this, but I actually missed spending time with them. I missed their phrase, "Tita, buy this for me," and me, who's a good tita, will buy it for them, lol. Good thing I always put cash in my back pocket, lol. "Your Tita is ready for you kids!" Yes, yes, when I attended that day, they really didn't hold back, saying what they wanted to buy. It's cute, but it's painful for my wallet, but it's okay because it's not like it's an everyday occurrence, right? Lol (≧▽≦).
Given the chance, I'll surely attend again if my brother ever asks me to. This can be a little bonding time between me and my two beautiful nieces. I also want to hear them say their favorite phrase again using their cute voice, like they know when to act sweet when they want something. And it's really cute, my heart melts for them. I don't want to spoil them so much, but I want them to remember me as a cool Tita.