Homemaker, office manager and politics

I've been helping my sister and her husband out the last couple weeks. Babysitting, filing, babysitting, documenting items for tax deductions, cooking, babysitting, helping Nicholas with his homework, cleaning the house, trying to unearth broken toys, sweeping age old dust from underneath the couch and drudging up things that haven't been seen for at least seven years. Seven years ago, that is, before my sister and her husband had their first child. Underneath a thick layer of Batman and Star Wars figurines and unfolded laundry is the beautiful semblance of a Havana motif they wanted their living room to have.

Never having thought I was the homemaker type, I have actually enjoyed the last couple weeks very much. There is a routine, of course: picking Nic up from school, fixing him a snack, helping him with his homework, and other second grade stuff. But the variety of the tasks keep me on my feet, and I love getting creative with leftovers (did I just say that?). Yes, my friends, the woman who has put off marriage and kids for years is getting a taste of what it means to be an authority figure, a frugal shopper (proudly saved ten cents per ounce on shredded cheese today), and keeping a seven year old interested in chores.

Speaking of Nicholas, he has turned into a very eloquent and creative little boy. Incredibly adept at drawing and storytelling, he makes mini books as well as greeting cards that Hallmark should snatch up. He also says the funniest things like:

"Of course you're stylish! That's why Uncle Chris has dated you for, like, FOUR years."

"Wow, this tuna sandwich is even better than I ever imagined!"

"David (imaginary character, I presume) is either a soccer player, spy or a kid!"

Today, I was making an itemized list of many, many pairs of boys shoes for a tax deduction. Why do we have to do this, he asked. I explained to him, as simply as possible, how we can get a tax deduction. Flippantly, I said, "Tax man, tax man, go away!" In response he said, "Tax man, tax man, please don't make us pay!"

Watching today's election coverage, he told me that he would vote for Obama if he could. Why, I asked. "Obama is against war." What else do you know about Obama, I asked. Nicholas shrugged. As best as I could (c'mon, I've been on a ship in Africa, for six months!), I explained to him the position of the Democrats and Republicans and how they remain divided on different issues. War, taxes, gay marriage, abortion...

"What's abortion?" he asked.

Hm. Again, seven year old explanation needed. And I admit, this conversation is very premature for a seven year old and I should have turned on Cartoon Network at that moment. Nonetheless, I explained what it was. Gently.

In his own sensitive way, Nicholas furrowed his brow. "Oh no! Obama shouldn't kill babies!!"

"Nicholas, don't say that," I responded firmly. "Obama isn't killing babies."

We discussed it further and it made sense to him after a while, what I was trying to say. We went back to itemizing donatables when suddenly he got an idea.

"I don't think anyone should kill babies at all. Maybe if a Mommy cannot have a Daddy, she can have the baby, but the government can give her more money and then that way she can learn something and also support the baby," Nicholas said thoughtfully.

So there you have it. A liberal conservative in the making? :)