Being an Uncle is a fun role to have in life. you get to be an adult figure who is in charge, but also have a little fun with kids knowing they are not your own. Plus you can give them back at the end of the day to let mom and dad deal with the consequences of your actions. However I struggle with being one who likes to keep order. Going to Atlanta today was Jackie and I’s first day trip with three boys who were and are all in all excellent, but also are a handful when together. I was curious to see how it was going to play out. I find myself getting into a certain “mode” or “mood” before any child is placed in my care, and that “mode” being an enforcer of sorts. I tend to be tough, firm, but fair. The struggle Jackie and I realized is how tough is too tough? You want them to have fun, but you also want to put an end to questions and comments like “when are we going home?, can I have a snack? I don’t want to hold your hand, don’t touch your brother, put down the stick, are we there yet, I don’t need to tee-tee, I need to tee-tee”. I could go on. Anyway, I call it tough love, because J and I would do just about anything for our nephews and niece, but being tough can also leave a feeling of guilt inside, because we want them to take away all the fun they had, and not how mean Aunt Jackie and Uncle Greg can be. I have a lot to learn about being a parent when that day comes, and my hat if off to you who are, because it is no walk in the park. Kids will be kids and sometimes you just have to pick your battles with them.

The pictures are not the best, the lighting was poor which caused a lot of blurriness, plus I found it difficult to take pictures and keep track of three boys, a skill which I have not yet mastered. Anyway, here are the best of the ones taken at the Georgia Aquarium. Enjoy!