First week getting acustomed to the life of an Italian Au Pair

I'm trying to catch up on events that have happened in the last few weeks while I have been here in Florence. The very first week I was here was a whirlwind. I am so glad that Niel, the last Au Pair, was still in town and able to show me the ropes and teach me some of the most important Italian phrases like: "Basta!" which means "Stop!" (Giova hears it alot from me and his parents), "Piano" which means "Easy or Carefully", and "Lasha" which means "Let go". Giovanni, or Giova for short, had a few friends over this first week and I recieved a very fast and some might say harsh initiation into life with a 5 year old boy. Sword fighting is common among all young boys, myself included. I figured this would just be a simple and active way of playing and bonding. I was wrong! This was Giova's way of testing my will, patience, and phisical strength. His swords are solid wood and for a group of 5 year olds, their swings were quite accurate and strong. Needless to say I withstood quite a beating and was left with numerouse bruises. Niel later confessed he would have never taken the pounding for as long as I, and sat quietly in the background wondering when I was going to crack. This "torture" lasted for maybe an hour, but was excruciating and was made even more frustrating by my lack of Italian, which made communication very difficult. I would later retreat to my room and wonder to myself what in the world I had gotten myself into. This was the day Giova "lost" his favorite sword which will remain hidden firmly behind my bed out of his reach for the next I don't know nine months or so. His other habits include the not so funny "is my butt clean" question after every poop that is inevitably followed by a bend over spread eagle butt in the air. I say all this looking a few weeks back and laughing at how much better it has gotten. Giova still has his moments for sure, but other moments are much more enjoyable and are very sweet. Our nightly movie time means a snack, blankets, and Giova cuddled up next to me and falling asleep to some of the most fantastic Disney movies that remind me of my own childhood. All of the tantrums and cries for attention are emediatly erased by that sweet little boy sleeping next to me looking so innocent, and I realize it's my job to show him love and affection and how to become a strong and good man one day. This is going to be the most tiring job I have ever had, but I am also realizing that is by far the most rewarding and life affirming, gratifying, and most amazing time of my life. I can only imagine how I will feel when I have one of my own one day.