I am The Toy for my niece

I saw my brother and his family over New Years Eve and came to the realization that I might just have something in common with comedian Richard Pryor.  Though the realization developed over a period of months it really hit home December 31, 2012.

When I arrived at my brother's abode the first thing my niece decided to do was to take a flying leap into the air thus forcing me to catch her.  It was sweet actually.  But when I put her down and she ran into the other room I heard her say to her cousin that, "Uncle Nick is funny.  He will play anything!"

We then played a game called Bounce House where I lift her into the air repeatedly, a detriment to my 30 year old back. This usually goes on from about ten minutes to eternity as I lift, she laughs, and says, "Again!"

It is a routine.  In the span of twenty minutes we will:

• Color
• Play with the hamster
• Bounce House
• Karate fight (I have to lose every time)
• Play Jail or Time Out (she locks me in a room or puts me in a corner)
• Chase (run in circles around the kitchen)
• Piggy Back Ride

So here we are on the way to the restaurant. I am not going to lie, something really makes me happy to take the abuse:

It might be the smile she gets...

I mean how can you say "No," to someone who wears shoes like this?

Brother, I shall return these plastic princess slippers to you tonight at dinner.

Despite her cherub cheeks and bright eyes it does dawn on me that Richard Pryor and myself are really blood brothers in this type of arrangement as I am sure many men all over the globe are when it comes to the whims of children.  I will leave you now with a video of my life as an Uncle:

TTFN Denmonites

-ND