giggle Blogs

Growing up, my mother was a stickler for homework and studies.  The rule was simple and unbreakable, as soon as you came home, you did your homework.  You were not even to change out of your school clothes, which for me included and awesome little maroon clip-on tie.  There’d be a snack (mine of course was a Yankee Doodle), a glass of milk and a pencil waiting for you.  And when report card time came rolling around, the reviews were intense with both Mom and Dad, making sure you were on track.  At the time it was nerve racking, but in retrospect, an invaluable piece of my development.  It also helped that I was a bit dorky in my younger days.

This message of “smarts” has forever impacted me, and as expected has trickled its way into my interactions with the kids.  Since I don’t have my own kids, I cannot possibly instill the first part of forcing them to chomp down a sugary treat and not leave the table until their homework is done.  But the second part is very much alive and well in our relationships.

When tests, projects or reports card grades come home, the kids will, as we say, “step into my office.”  My office is mobile and only consists of a place where we can sit face to face.  But the kids know it means Uncle Joey is getting serious.  We’ll take a look at the report card together and I’ll provide feedback on what they should work on and hear from them about how they feel they did.

On a recent visit to my cousin’s house, the nine year old was waiting for me with his report card…literally.  I walked in the door, he hugged me hello and asked me if we could step into my office.  His mother later told me that her kids are more excited for me to see their report cards than their own parents.  To that I say, maybe they should get an office.

While dining over chicken nuggets with my neice and nephew, they requested I do impressions of Disney movie characters.  Impressions are not really my thing, but if forced to I’ll put on a funny voice and do the best I can.  I really believe it is all in confidence, as the folks in theater say, “selling it.”    I do one hell of an Abu from Alladin.  Besides that, the impressions are pretty much lame-o, but apparently entertaining to 5 year olds.  After struggling through about 10 or so, they asked me to do Donald Duck.

To be honest, it was the worst Donald I have ever heard.  The Donald Duck impression is clearly a chink in my Uncle armor.  Cultivating the honest relationship that I have with the little ones (Uncle Joey has one rule with all of them – which is never lie to Uncle Joey), I admitted it was terrible.  The looks on their faces were proof that they were in complete agreement.

But what happened next is what I love about my nephew’s little personality.  He said, “No Uncle Joey, it goes like this.”  He then said “Hi I am Donald Duck” with such the perfect Donald Duck voice that it would make Walt Disney look like a hack.  It totally caught me off guard and I busted out laughing so hard that he got a little embarrassed.  He honestly never ceases to amaze me.

I hate nosebleeds when I get them.  I hate them even more when my adorable niece gets one and is crying to me to “make it stop.”   Watching kids you care about suffer, no matter how big or small the injury, is really no fun as an uncle.  The good thing is that I am pretty good at dealing with it.  But sometimes, that helpless feeling really is the worst thing ever.

A couple of years back, my nephew needed to take this medicine for a dangerously high fever he had.  And he hated the taste, so it was a struggle.  With my sister holding him down, my brother in law was getting him to take it as I stood by and watched the little one put up one heck of a fight.  He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and cried, “Uncle Joey help me!”  If you listened close enough, you could hear my heart break.

Lucky for me, and I believe this whole heartedly, they say “Laughter is the best medicine.”  And when you are a clown like me, the doctor is always in.  So even though she was having a tough time with the nose bleed, she forgot about it while I was making her laugh with my silly dance moves.  Take two of these and call me in the morning.

One thing Uncle Joey is known for within the family is my sense of humor.  More specifically, my ability to move the group from a bunch of chuckling into a real life, “lmao” moment. 

I had a very proud uncle moment this weekend when my oldest nephew tapped into that ability.  I guess it comes from sharing more silly moments together than I can count or the fact that he is always by my side.  But this weekend, it was his turn to entertain with a story.

The gist of his story is that he had five friends over this past Friday night to hang out and play video games.  My sister picked up a dozen of Dunkin’ Donuts (because tweens run on dunkin’).  They each had one with a glass of milk, leaving 6 in the box.  When my nephews asked for another each before bedtime, my sister promised they could have one at breakfast the following day.  When they woke up, it seems their father had finished the donuts during a late night Tivo session, catching up for the week.  This left my nephew waking up to an empty box of donuts.  “Who has six donuts, honestly?  I mean that’s half a dozen.  Give me a break Dad!  I was dreaming about them!  Maybe 2 or 3, but all six.  That is just crazy!” 

He looked at me with a huge smile plastered on his face while the tears streamed down mine from how worked up he was and how he effectively got funnier and funnier with his delivery.  It was a touching, proud moment as I saw what I consider one of my favorite qualities about myself become a part of a little boy I love very much.

These treats were a staple in the kitchen snack drawer growing up, gently tucked next to the Twinkies.  And for those few poor souls out there that do not know what I am talking about, they are a delicious, cream-filled chocolate cupcake treat from Hostess.  I was a HUGE fan of these growing up.

My niece loves them as well.  It was getting a little close to bedtime when my niece made a request for one.  And since they came in a pack of two, her father did not want her having too much.  The little bargainer that she is, she told her father “But I can share with Uncle Joey.  One for him and one for me.” 

To my niece’s surprise, I said that I didn’t want one (since Operation Skinny Uncle Joey has been going so well).  Her mouth literally dropped open in disbelief as her twin brother smacked the table and yelled “What!”  I guess it is going to take some time for my niece and nephew to get on board with the idea.

Is there anything better than spending a lazy Sunday hanging out playing video games with my niece and nephews ?  I don’t think so…and neither do they.   

Although it has resulted in an interesting situation for me.  The boys know I am good at video games or, as they say it, a “Super Mario Master.” However, they are a bit challenged by certain parts.  They are also equipped with cell phones.  So when Nintendo has them at their wit’s end, they treat my cell phone like a Microsoft tech support help line.  They’ll call with questions about navigating their way through the final castle or how to beat a certain bad guy.  I guess I am going to have to up my plan’s cell phone minutes (and not take their calls in my cubicle).

Part of the reason I love being an uncle is because these five NEVER let me forget the fun of being a child.  Too tired?  Nonsense.  Work to do?  It can wait till after you are done playing.  It seems so simple to them.  And sitting there with tears of laughter streaming down my face as my niece continually yelled “Stop stomping me stupid big turtle!” at the screen reminded me that life may not be as complicated as I sometimes think.  At least I don’t have a stupid big turtle trying to stomp me.