otto way the jeweller

I don't think I spend enough time being silly. But I gave it a go last month. My 10 year old and 8 year old nephews are going to be ring bearers when I get married. I started off by telling them that ring bearers have to pay for the rings. 10 yo: You should have told me that before I said yes 8 yo: I can only afford burger rings! 

 Then I rang the 10 year old a week later and said the rings were ready for collection from the jeweller and when could I head in? He played along, asked for the address, but baulked at the identification requirements ("Photo and signature? I'm a kid! Don't they know I'm only 10!) Then I sent him a typed letter, from "Otto Way the jeweller" (real jeweller is Ottaways), explaining that since he was only 10 and probably couldn't pay for the rings or provide correct ID, to send a reply, nominating a grown up that could pick up the rings instead. A couple of days after I posted it, I called my nephew. He said he'd received a letter from the jeweller and already written a reply. "I've told him you'll come in with me. So what day is good for you? Saturday? Okay I'll ring Dad and see if I can come in after soccer..." 

 After the phone call I went and checked my post box (the fictional address for the jeweller) and had an envelope addressed, in his hand, to "Otto Way the jeweller". Inside was a handwritten letter, in pencil, saying "Dear Otto. Thanks for the letter. G or Granny will come with me. They'll let you know when I'm coming in. From..." It's so hard to tell if I've fooled him. He's 10, and he's normally fairly suspicious. On the other hand, he doesn't normally get that engaged with things. So maybe he's up for it. I've had to make a special visit to the jeweller to ensure they play along with letting him collect the rings. 

 His youngest brother, who is 3, has picked out a "waiters" outfit to wear. Yesterday he visited for mothers day and walked in with a bunch of flowers for me. "They're YELLOW" he instructed me. "YELLOW!" Then he was lying on my bed playing with the alphabet letters I'd bought him (yes, educational bribe from auntie G), and I said he could be involved with the wedding by bringing his older brothers, by the hand, up to the celebrant when it was their turn to do the rings. He trilled on the whistle that he'd been playing with most of our mothers day brunch, and said "I can blow the whistle when it's their turn!" It was all too easy to picture, a 3 year old with attitude, dressed as a waiter, supplied with a whistle that he blew everytime the guests were meant to "do something" at the wedding. I don't know where he gets the ego from.