cousin adventures, pt 2

Spending time with the cousins is just about Kyalo's favorite thing in the world.  I think I hadn't even gotten Malaikah out of the car after we got to Essex for our visit and he was already playing a game of baseball with the older cousins.

This week back and forth to Essex is one of my favorites of the summer because it is just so sweet to see him playing and enjoying the time he has with them.  We never did anything remarkable -- though there was a Red Sox game and a trip to the Boston Aquarium in there -- but I think that's what makes it so special. Slow (slow!) summer days.

The other thing I liked is that the 'littles' (Vivienne, 5, and Vera, 3, and Kyalo) were usually the earliest risers, and so they'd spend time playing together before the others woke up.

Here are some of the things they did. . .

 improvising on a catcher's mask

morning chats with Vera

impromptu ring-around-the-rosy

The days were filled with:

 badminton

 look at that action shot!

 bike ride/races

 I don't even know what's going on in this picture, but they spent a long time tucked into that little niche there chatting

many, many wagon rides

 how many cousins can you fit on the hammock?  a lot, apparently, but it did come crashing down at some point

Needless to say, the yard was well used while we were all there!  Not pictured? The fort that they created in the tall marsh grass at the edge of the yard.  Also, the sword fights with said marsh grass.  

To me, this makes for a magical summer -- games, family, ice cream, etc.  I keep reading about kids spending 6, 7, 8 hours of time on some type of gadget per day, and so it makes me so, so grateful for this time, these memories, this childhood these kids are having.

A few other shots...

 California lemons gracing my mom's counter

 most of the cousins.  We lost Abby to the The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers.  Can't say I blame her!  Check it out if you haven't read it.

Everyone wants to be read to by Grandma!  Her favorite place to be, surrounded by the grandkids.

It is safe to say that we were all glad to keep everyone in one piece the week Adam & Noelle were relaxing in Paris.  I'm so glad we all had this summer we did.

Amazingly, I do have a few more pictures to share -- the ones where everyone's all cleaned up (and out of PJs!).