Where is Beyonce?

Hey Good People!

I am back from Florida. I missed New York! In less than 24 hours my niece Shadae reminded me of why I love being home! When I am away and return home or she just had not seen me in awhile she asks a lot of questions. There was just question I could not answer...

"Where did you go?" Florida

"What is in the suitcase?" Clothes

"Can I come with you to you room? Yes

"Why do you have two mirrors? Because I like mirrors

"Can I read your magazine?" Yes

There was silence for a few minutes. She was enjoying reading (translation- looking at the pictures) my copy of the latest Essence magazine. Then here came the next conversation:

"Auntie Sandrawa?" Yes

"Where is Beyonce?" Huh?

She was looking at a picture of Beyonce in an ad for some perfume.

"Where is Beyonce?" I don't know

Well that answer was not good enough.

"But I need to see Beyonce!" For what?

"I just need to see her!" Why?

"Cause!" Cause what?

"I want to!" Well I don't know where she is.

She sighed, clearly disappointed. She continued looking at the magazine. Then she said:

"Where is Grandma?" Downstairs.

She hopped off the bed and started down the stairs with the magazine. Now it was my turn to ask the question.

"Where are you going Shadae?"

"I am going to ask Grandma to help me find Beyonce! See you later!"

Discipline...Start Them Young...

I love this picture. This is one of my little cousins in Jamaica. I was so amazed when I saw her washing - she was so serious about it. In this photo, she is three years old going on 30! She is washing her great-grandmother's (my grand aunt) under garmets. It is something she did everyday. That little girl LOVED her great grandma. She passed away recently. This photo, for me, represents love, respect and discipline. You can see it all in her eyes.

Just so you know, I felt like a slacker after watching her....I grabbed my own bucket and got my washing on!

I Need a Cracker...

Shadae Richards, 3 (2008)

Hey Good People!

On occasion, I play the favorite Auntie Sandra to a number of nieces, nephews (and sometimes little cousins who think I am their aunt to!). There is one in particular that works "Auntie Sandrawa" (very unique greeting...sounds like Sand-JWAH..I don't know...it is just different). Her name, Shadae and she just turned three years old. Among the many workings she puts on me, the one that I have to share is the cracker conversation.

On my way home from watching the movie, Sex and the City, (Sidebar -for someone who never (I mean never) watched the series, I loved the movie!), I got a call from my mom that "The Girls" were staying the night - Candace 9, Cierra 6 and Shadae 3. That should just tell you the story right there!

When I got home it was about 11 pm, the house was quiet and dark. I thought to myself, they are sleeping. Great, I will be "auntie" in the morning. I did my usual routine before retreating to room (up two long flights of stairs) - I got a tall glass of Kool-Aid and a bottle of water. Just as I was turning around to shut off the light a little girl says, "Hi Auntie Sandrawa". Shoot, it is her. I thought I was in the clear.

"Can I have a cracker?"

Easy. I gave her two crackers and she followed me up stairs. My mom's room is on the second floor. I thought she was going to dart into grandma's room. Nope. She was right on the heel of my foot. Then another one joined her out of no where.

"Auntie Sandra, can I sleep with you too?" Too? It dawned on me that Shadae had invited herself to sleep in my room and Cierra was just asking to join the party. What could I say? At least she asked. Shadae lives off of assumptions.

"Sure - where is Candace?" I asked Cierra.

She replies, "Sleeping with Grandma."

Ok, I thought, I can deal with just the two. We went up the second flight of stairs. Cierra jumped in my bed and was knocked out in a flash. I couldn't wait to do the same. I put my Kool-Aid and water on the nightstand as I began the second routine for the night - getting ready for bed.

All the while, Shadae is finishing up her crackers. I changed into my pj's really quick. I was tired and sleep was calling me. Shadae then begins the memorable conversation as I was washing my face.

"Auntie Sandrawa, I need another cracker."

Splashing water on my face, I said "No, you just had some." Splash, splash, splash.

Shadae - "But I need it."

Me - "No." (I thought I was stern!?)

Shade - "I really need it."

This girl is crazy. She was asking me to down two flights of stairs, get some little crackers, go back up the stairs and push my heart rate up?!

Me - "No - you will get it in the morning"

(In disbelief) Shadae - "Not the morning, I need it now!"

She don't know who she is dealing with.

Me - "Little girl, go to bed."

Shadae - "I'm not tired".

Hold up...she has lost her mind. I was not going to argue with a three year old. I picked her up and put her in the bed with the Dora doll she left in my room from her last visit. She looked at me and said, "You are not being fair".

Over a cracker? I put her under the covers next to her sister and said, "You will thank me for this lesson later. Go to bed and not another word."

Sista girl was mad at me! I turned on the TV to calm my nerves. She was wide awake. I told her three times to go to bed and she replies each time, "I'm NOT tired". Attitude, attitude I made a note to tell on her in the morning! Yes, I will tell on a three year old!

About fifteen minutes later, she started again, in a sleepy tone.

Shade - "Auntie Sandrawa?"

Me - "Yes"

Shadae - "Dora's tired".

Me - Well put her to sleep.

She thought she was slick. Instead of admitting that she was tired, she put it on Dora. Next thing you know, old girl was knocked out and had the nerve to snore! It was a long night. They were kicking the hell out of me as they tossed and turned the whole night. Uggh!!!

As daylight broke, Shadae woke me up with several taps. Stared dead in my face and said, " Auntie Sandrawa? I need a cracker. Its the morning!"