Because from her comments on my last post I know Eileen is going to want my take on this

My niece and nephew are clearly two exceptionally gifted children. As I may have mentioned in passing, my birthday is quickly approaching. Elizabeth (I am told) took it upon herself to write me a card

and pick me a present.

The thing that really makes my heart get all gooey and sticky is that the Care Bear was one of her own personal toys that she decided to give up for me. Not an easy decision for a four year old to make. Its one half of a pair of Care Bears that hold hands via velcro.

She has the other bear at her house and I have this bear at my house. Like one of those necklaces. So, I guess now, Elizabeth is my BFF! That is great news to me, because competing with the illustrious Theresa for favorite aunt is impossible.

My nephew Ian is still fairly shy of me because generally Aunt Joie="Mommy is going somewhere without me." So, no birthday presents from him. But, that kid is brilliant in his own way. He has a special talent for creative and well-planned self-destruction. Last week he tried to walk in his Uncle Ben's footsteps and pull a hot iron down on himself. But, in his first attempt he discovered that the iron was not hot enough to do any real damage, so he found the end of the cord, plugged it into the wall outlet, pushed a chair up to the ironing board, climbed it and proceeded to hold on long enough to give himself a third degree burn. How many 17 month olds that you know have enough forethought to plan that one?