The next two weeks will be entries documenting the first fulfillment of that promise. Beginning this past Sunday, our eldest nephew Nathan began a two-week stay at our home to commemorate the start of his 15th year of life (he turned 14 on 07/28).
We've had some entertaining times already these past 2.5 days. Benjamin and I will try to capture these moments in an effort to preserve the enjoyment we are having and for Nathan's sake years from now when he is trying to think of things to do with our 14-year old child. :)
Sunday, after we left the restaurant in Sterling Heights, where we "made the trade" (otherwise known as where my sister bid her 14-year old farewell, younger siblings clung to Nathan half-joking, not certain that they liked the idea of their brother being gone for 2-weeks and we acquired a teen aged boy), we traveled to apt. #132 where Nathan helped Benjamin and I get dinner together for Benjamin's dad's birthday. Nathan entertained Shirley (Ben's Mother) and "Aunt" Pat (our family friend) with technological tid-bits and gigabitten facts about mobile devises, external hard-drives, and which iPhone application is best.
Monday, Benjamin entertained Nathan while I was at work with some domestic chores like grocery shopping, kitchen cleaning, Wii Resort Championships, a trip to Dunkin Donuts and some random TV watching. (Apparently the last three have recently been added to the list of things to do when being a stay-at-home-dad.) The point is, they had fun. I got to entertain Nathan and was subsequently entertained with a trip to the theater to see Despicable Me. We spent $10.00 (total) on the show for both of us and $24.00 (total) on candy, popcorn and white cherry slushies. Good. Grief. The night ended with a Super Mario Smash Bros. Brawl between he and I until way too late. He looked over at me on the couch, amidst my hyper-enthusiastic inquisition to "play again," and said, "Tianna, can we go to bed now?"
Today has been a "work-from-home" day for me and Nathan cooperated by helping clean-up our personal computers (a task that he is excellent at), reading, some Wii, sorting laundry and a nap. After work, we headed out to the Southfield Public Library, where he found a Star Wars Comic book that he'd been looking for. We did a quick trip to the grocery store where he came up with the fantastic idea of making Rice Krispie Treats! (see below for a few pictures)
As I write, Benjamin and Nathan are "killin' it" at Wii Resort Sport and I'm enjoying the naive delusion that having a teenager is going to be the easiest and greatest thing in the world.
If you are so inclined, please watch for more fun updates as Benjamin helps me keep my promise to my sister and brother-in-law (not like it was hard to do) and enjoy entertaining and being entertained by one of the most creative, inspiring, delightful 14-year old boys we know.
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| The "Trade" |
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| Nathan's masterpiece |
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| Uncle Benjamin explaining the importance of "folding" marshmallows and butter vs. just stirring |
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| Yum! |
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| Yummy-er! |
