Sherrie Brindley

Andrew & Sydney

On July 28, 2005, my nephew Andrew was the first baby born into our family in 15 years. For about two years it was just him, and I babysat him often. He was actually my favorite date at the time, more fun than most of the grown-up men that I went out with. We had lots of fun times! Then, two years later, in quick succession, came Alanah, Sydney & Adam.  And of course, Mike and I started dating, then, too. This meant that my date nights with Andrew have been precious few since then and sadly, I have never had a date night with Sydney. Until this past Friday!

One of the great perks of leaving my job is that much more of my time is my own. So, when Randy called to ask me to sit while he and Michelle went to a golf outing I was delighted. During the handoff, Randy left me $20 for pizza or McDonald’s or whatever. I decided to take Andrew and Sydney on their first visit to Chuck E. Cheese!

First, we decided to go for a walk around the block. As I tried to unfold the stroller in the garage, Andrew said, “That stroller is only for one person” I was sure the one in my hand would hold two children, and told him so. When I finally got it open I was disappointed. “This is not a double stroller,” I said, frustrated.

“I told you,” he said.

Andrew asked repeatedly if we could go visit the neighbors, Paula & Scott. Since I have only met them a few times, I didn’t really feel comfortable going over to visit. “But why can’t we go to Paula  & Scott’s house?” he asked.

“Because, I don’t feel like visiting,” I said.

“But why don’t you feel like visiting?” he asked.

“I feel like going for a walk instead,” I answered.

“But why do you want to go for a walk instead?” he asked.

With no double stroller, I loaded him and Sydney into the wagon, and started walking around the block. As we came around by Paul & Scott’s house, we saw Paula outside with a little girl, Sydney’s age playing in the sprinkler. Andrew said, “Can I play in the sprinkler?”

“No, not right now. You are all dressed and have your shoes on.” I said.

“But why can’t I go in with my shoes on?” he asked.

“I don’t want your shoes to get all wet,” I said.

“Why you don’t want me to get my shoes all wet?” he asked.

Finally, I just let him take his shoes off and go in the sprinkler fully clothed. I stood talking to Paula, and her little babysittee, Danica, who was playing with Sydney. I was slightly angled so that Andrew was outside my peripheral vision (my mistake!). Suddenly, I was being drenched with a shooting spray of cold water. My sweet nephew (who is entirely my brother’s child) had grabbed the sprinkler and was wielding it like a weapon, drenching me where I stood and laughing hysterically at his own funny prank.

After all of this, you might not think he should be treated to Chuck E. Cheese, but it was all in good fun. So we changed his wet clothes, and put socks on Sydney who is not quite walking (but climbs like a professional), and loaded ourselves into Randy’s suv and headed to Chuck E. Cheese for even more great adventures.

I finally figured out how to do this! I uploaded the video to YouTube first! Enjoy this video of my Nana. She never, ever, ever sits still for long enough to take a picture. I have dozens of photos of the side of her head, the back of her head, the top of her head because she is zooming in one direction or another. This time I thought I would trick her and use the video feature of my camera to capture her, and of course, she outsmarted me. She sat stock still for 10 straight seconds. Then she resumes her naturally antsy ways.
Transcript:
Silence…..
Cheese!
Take a picture Gransherrie?
Can’t reach it. (She reaches for the camera)
Granherrie, Nana take a picture?
(My daughter comes in) Auntie!
Gransherrie, I take a picture?