This beautiful child is my niece. A big perk in traveling to California and suffering with their ridiculously good weather, is getting to spend some quality time with her. But after yesterday, her parents may think long and hard before letting their daughter be alone with me. You see it started innocently enough. We were hanging out at Paseo, enjoying the seasonably awesome weather when Eden leans over and picks something up. I know this because I'm watching her closely through my new camera lens.
She carries what I assume is a stick or flower or leaf or some other harmless thing towards me. I watch her transfer said object from one hand to another (again through the camera).
She approaches a boy and kindly offers the object to him. With the innocent trust of a child he reaches out his hand to take it.
At this point the boy's father jumps up, yells "No, no!" and swats the object to the ground. Eden is shocked and I am shocked and (finally) pull the camera away from my face. That is when I realize that Eden had picked up a bee (a BEE!) and had carried it, switched hands holding it, and then given it to another child.
I couldn't believe it! I was relieved that there was an adult around to intervene in the situation. Until I remembered, that I am an adult and at the time was The Adult in charge of Eden. Oy!
But we went on to enjoy a lovely day. Complete with bubbles. The End.
P.S. Please think twice before leaving your child in my care.
P.P.S. I'm usually a very responsible grown-up and parent and aunt.
P.P.P.S. Baby Sister, if you're reading this, why don't you call me anymore? Wait, I mean please don't worry about leaving your sweet newborn baby girl, Miss Riley June in my care.
GREAT photos.
ReplyDeleteI honestly thought that she would have been carrying around something much worse than an insect. I thought perhaps with your intro about California you would say she was holding a prophylactic device or a hemp cigarette!
Happy early birthday~
Beautiful pictures! I was also afraid it would've been worse than a bee. Now I'm just thankful no one got stung! Enjoy your trip. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! The fifth one is fantastic, I think we need to save that one for her wedding day.
ReplyDeleteBW
Ha! You'd make a great journalist - reporting on the event, but doing nothing to alter events as they unfold. :)
ReplyDeleteI can identify as well - there was a period of time when it seemed like a lot of people were asking me to watch their kids. Always I turned them down because I just don't think my careful watchfulness and understanding of my own children would make the leap onto other people's children, dear as they are. I haven't risen to those heights of universal motherhood!
I am a bit uneasy about mentioning that I have also noticed myself getting caught up in the photography, thus allowing my parenting skills to slip occasionally.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really interesting is that her mother did the same thing when she was just about Eden's age. Unfortunately, the bee stung her thumb and then we had swelling and other issues to deal with. I'm thankful that Eden didn't get stung but also that she wasn't afraid of it. I applaud your lack of fear. It will be a blessing to her in the future. By he way, GREAT PICTURES! MAKKA
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