When Diaper Diva asked Smartmom if she’d take 4-year-old Ducky for a day and a night, Smartmom said yes without thinking. But later, she panicked a bit.
While Smartmom spends loads of time with the beautiful red-headed Ducky, it’s usually with Smartmom’s twin, Diaper Diva, around. In fact, Smartmom and Ducky rarely spend any one-on-one time together. Sad to say, Ducky can be quite shy around Smartmom. Sometimes she even seems to resent her presence because Smartmom and Diaper Diva talk and gossip endlessly, and that’s so boring for a kid.
And when the Oh So Feisty One is around, Ducky hardly notices Smartmom at all. That’s because the two of them are thick-as-thieves and they’ve been playing like pirates since the first day they met four years ago.
In some ways, the mutual admiration society that is Ducky and OSFO has caused Smartmom to be the odd aunt out. Naturally, that makes Smartmom feel a little guilty. She knows that the aunt/niece relationship is an important one, and her sister is truly one of the world’s most-beloved aunts. Diaper Diva became an aunt when she was a single Upper West Sider and she threw herself into auntdom with abandon.
Grrrrr — she’s still so darn good at it.
By the time Teen Spirit was two months old, she had three photo albums dedicated to her adorable nephew. And her relationship with OSFO is closer than close. In fact, OSFO routinely tells Smartmom that she’d rather live with her aunt than at home on Third Street.
Smartmom became an aunt at a time when she was fairly overwhelmed with motherhood, work and life in general. She was thrilled at Ducky’s arrival and has delighted in her presence since she first set eyes on her, but her own children take up most of her time, worry, aggravation and thought.
So this day and night with Ducky felt fraught for Smartmom. Yes, it was a much-needed chance to spend quality and quantity one-on-one time with Ducky AND a chance for Smartmom to prove her prowess as an aunt.
But Smartmom was scared. What if she failed? What if it turned out that Ducky didn’t like being with her at all?
Smartmom walked over to Prospect Park West nervously. OSFO was off at a sleepover date in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and wouldn’t be available for hours. She worried that there would be a scene when Diaper Diva and Bro-in-Law left the apartment.
When Smartmom arrived, Ducky was still in her pajamas playing baby, a game she plays when she is feeling shy. Smartmom decided to play along and held her in her arms like an oversized newborn. Ducky giggled and cooed. But when Smartmom offered Ducky a pretend bottle, Ducky bolted up.
“I’m not a baby. I want you to read to me,” she said grabbing “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” from her bookshelf.
From that moment, everything was fine. Ducky barely noticed when her parents left. Once they were gone, she seemed to delight in Smartmom’s presence and was enthusiastic to start their day together.
“Let’s go to the park,” she said grabbing a soccer ball. “Maybe we’ll have a picnic,” she added getting a bag of Pirate Booty from the breadbox and a couple of Burt and Ernie juice boxes out of the refrigerator.
The pair enjoyed themselves in the Long Meadow, at the Third Street Playground, and the Community Bookstore where Ducky spent more than a half hour staring at the huge and bewitching lizard they have in the back.
Then they were off to an intimate lunch at Joe’s Pizza, where Smartmom did what she never did for her own kids. She let Ducky spend $5 in quarters on the junky toys in the gum machines.
Now that’s the way to win a niece’s heart.
Four super balls and four weird figurines later, OSFO joined them at the pizza place and the happy trio was off to the Chocolate Chip Chamber Music at Old First Church. Founded and directed by local piano and flute teacher Helen Richman, the series features professional musicians in engaging and interactive mini-concerts designed for 2- to 6-year-olds.
Perfection. Ducky ran into school friends at the show and everyone enjoyed “The Wonder Winds Save the Day,” featuring the wonderful Sylvan Winds on clarinet, oboe, bassoon, flute and French horn. The show was clever, fun, and perfectly timed and Ducky seemed to especially enjoy the delicious chocolate cookies at the end.
Back at Ducky’s apartment (where the three were going to spend the night), Smartmom bathed the girl (with OSFO’s help), heated up chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese and popped on her favorite DVD, Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty.”
Smartmom was thrilled. And tired. It had been years since she spent this much time alone with a toddler. But nothing could be more gratifying or special. Especially the book before bed and a huge goodnight hug and kiss for the niece she loves so much.
