Today definitely made the top 5 list of my favorite days...I surprised my 6-year old nephew with an ice cream date. This was the first-time just he and I have gotten to hang out since his baby sister was born (over a year ago). This quality time was long over due.
Around noon I cut out of work early really excited about the afternoon ahead. I made a stop at home to change and grab a bite to eat and then I was off to my brother's house for the festivities to begin. Unfortunately, my brother was laid out on the couch sick, but my sister in-law was there to give me what I needed to pick up my nephew from school. This was my first time going through a pick-up line at an elementary school and so I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. Fortunately, the people who work there do know what they're doing. I was also a little worried that he would get into the wrong car because he normally rides home with a neighbor.
I pulled up to the curb and spotted my little man. When his name was called he started walking towards his neighbor's car (who happened to be the car in front of mine), but then he looked up and spotted me, Auntie Alison, in the pick-up line. At first he was confused, but then his little face lit up with surprise and excitement and the best smile ever. He was doing a mix of hopping and running towards my car.
When he was secured in his seat belt the questions began flowing...
"What are you doing here?!" "Did my mom say it was ok?" "What are we going to do?"
After he had all of his questions answered I gave him a packet of silly bands that his mom wanted me to give him. If you haven't heard of silly bands, google them. He then bestowed upon me the girly colored silly bands in the packet. I am now the proud owner of 4 of my very own car shaped silly bands in pink and purple.
We then headed off to my mom's office (aka Nana) for a visit. My mom works at my church, and my nephew used to go to pre-school there, so he had some people he wanted to see. We made our rounds and passed out hugs and kisses. The best part was he kept saying "I'm just so happy" and was spontaneously singing "If You're Happy and You Know It..."
When visiting hour was over, we headed off to the local ice cream shop for a treat. In the car on the way there he asked, "Can you pick me up from school every Wednesday?" I desperately wish my answer could have been "Yes". We also talked about our family, and how one day I hope to give him some cousins to play with. I told him that I have to get married first and he told me that means my last name wont be Hunt anymore more. I told him I didn't like that and he said "Well, maybe when you get married you can tell him to change his last name to Hunt!?" I said "Baby, it doesn't work that way" and he said "I know." We were both a little sad we wont always share the same last name.
At the ice cream shop we made our selections (He had mint ice cream with gummy bears and I had coffee ice cream with chocolate chips), and found a table and sat down to enjoy our snack. As we sat there we continued our conversation. The topics included, among other things, mean girls in his class and what we should do after we eat our ice cream. We also made silly faces at each other. It. Was. Awesome.
Up next on the agenda was a healthy dose of wii playing. Little man got to play all of the games he wanted without having to watch out for his baby sister crawling around or being interrupted because she needs something from one of the adults he was playing wii with. This is what you call heaven for this 6-year old boy.
The best part of the day was all of the spontaneous hugs and "I'm so happy" statements and the fact that when I asked him what is his all time favorite thing to do in the world, he answered "Spend time with you and Nana." Melt. My. Heart.
Today I realized that his love language is definitely quality time and I intend to give it to him as much a possible. He is an amazing older brother and is so content that it is easy to forget that he needs some special attention too. He amazes me with his generosity, his kindness and his love for his family. He is one of my biggest inspirations. I love my little man!
