Special Events with the cousins

I swiped the computer from the kids and posted several times.

So while we've been watching my nephew and nieces, there have been a couple fun things to do.  Wednesday night we went to a Christmas-tree lighting hosted by the housing facility.  I didn't actually take a picture of the tree, being too enamored of the Navy Brass ensemble.

Sorry, it was hard to get a good picture.  But you can also see the Marine Corps serviceman ready to collect for Toys for Tots.  When Delaney saw him, she exclaimed, "You look like my daddy!  He wears that too."

They also had a Santa come and hand out age-appropriate loot for the kids.  Santa sippy cups for the toddlers, cute pen and paper sets for the next set (Callie and Delaney) and recorders for Joshua and Marian.  I'm sure I should be happy the kids are happy, but recorders should be listed under torture, not toys. 

Nachos and hot dogs were served, but Camden's only interest was the cookies.  I love how he's just happy hanging out with his cousins and watching all the activity.

I did take him to see Santa and Camden behaved rather predictably to sitting on a stranger's lap.

I love how he is clutching the cookie and candy cane so fiercely and yet, so unhappily!

Fortunately, the water-works and volume decreased significantly once he was restored to the proper person.  And he has almost calmed enough to care about the cookie.

Today we encouraged the kids to clean the house, by holding out a double lure - no screen time til the chores are done AND we would go to a cool park.  I thought that some of them would sleep in, but no!  When I got up at seven, everybody was awake but Rylee.  Callie informed me she and Marian had already cleaned their room, except for vacuuming.  Sweet!  After breakfast, Joshy and Marian and Callie got to serious work.  I wish I had pictures.  Marian vacuumed and wiped baseboards.  The three of the worked together to beat the rugs and sweep and mop the upstairs areas.  Joshy even cleaned the front door.  I am so impressed with how hard they worked.  We were all done by nine.

So we went to this nifty park that a friend told us about.  It was more geared to the older kids, but Rylee had no trouble finding fun either.

This was a popular item for Rylee and Camden both - it rocked very well. 

Mom and I were very impressed that Rylee scaled this wall, no trouble, no fear.  At the top, Rylee exclaimed, "I did it!  I climbed!"

The park had several variations of this sort of spinning top toy.  I like this picture because you can actually see Marian smiling.  

Everybody but Rylee is swinging around here.  Marian and Joshua were great at keeping the spinning motion going. 

Grandma helped Camden get into the spinning, as well.  As you can see, Camden liked it.  He gave a cute laugh every time he spun around.

Not the best picture of Callie (she isn't a snotty kid), but it shows how cool the park is.  

Here is Marian in her favorite place - Up.

Another day

So my mom and I have been watching my sister's kids this last week and it's been pretty good.  Rebecca has five kids, ages ten to two, but they are easy!  Camden is more work than her five put together.  Probably a sad commentary on my own parenting skills, but hey, Rebecca's brood are still alive and well after all this time.  And there hasn't even been any blood spilt.

The days have been quick and the pattern is nice.  Up at 6:30 to get breakfast made, help Marian make her lunch, and referee computer time before Joshua, Marian and Callie walk to the school just down the block.  Then Mom and I take Delaney and Rylee and Camden out for a walk around the base.

To discourage Camden from wanting out too soon, I started driving over the raised reflectors and popping some small wheelies.  Camden and Rylee were delighted and giggled and laughed together in the cutest fashion.  Delaney thinks they should get married when they grow up.  I decided consanguinity is too complicated to explain.

Play at home (or run to the thrift store or commisary and have Camden melt-down on the way home), then have lunch and let the toddlers nap, while Mom and I have freedom!  And Delaney plays on the computer.

Since there is a park across the street from her house, the younger kids and I have spent most afternoons there.  

At first I thought she was really stuck, but no, she just thought this was a very fun place to sit - in the hole.

Here is Delaney explaining some of her thoughts, which are often entertaining and quite random.

The older kids are quite vigorous and roam through the woods to exciting adventures and fun discoveries.  

I have no idea how Marian manages to climb so high and so very well, especially wearing just flip-flops.

While we play, Mom usually fixes dinner (which means putting in some meal Rebecca thoughtfully prepared and put in the freezer before she left).  Then it's homework time or play time and then scripture-reading time and then bedtimes.  So one doesn't typically get much of a breather after dinner until 8:30 or later.

But it has been very fun.  The girls are always delighted if the "Tickle Monster" makes an appearance.  And these kids aren't whiners nor complainers nor unpleasant to be around at all.  They are fantastic and silly and great helpers.  But I am very glad not to be the only adult!

Why I don't have a girl

Rylee needed a re-style after her nap yesterday, so I tried my hand at creating a pig-tail.  

How hard could it be?

And you know what?  My mom watched me do this without offering even a suggestion or helpful hint!  And then she laughed and laughed at my lousy style.  Poor Rylee!  I did better on my second attempt.  

What we've been up to

Oh, we've had adventures out the whazoo, but since we didn't take any pictures of the interesting things - including Thanksgiving, you only get a view of the mundane things I've managed to capture.   

Here is Camden climbing up to the treehouse at Grandma & Grandpa's house.  This picture is most significant because it shows off Camden's new boots.  Camden really wanted to wear Grandpa's shoes, but was persuaded to accept these instead.  

Camden was also thrilled to meet the chickens.  They were less happy to see him. 

Here is Camden, just chillin' at Aunt Rebecca's house!  

He looks older than he is in this picture, I think.

 

We attended story time at the local library near Rebecca's house, which has this super cool castle inside.  Little Rylee is peeking through the window!

Delaney and Rylee and Camden enjoyed storytime a great deal, especially as there was a fun craft cutting and gluing afterwards.  Unfortunately, the fire alarm went off as things were finishing up and the kids seemed quite concerned about the library burning down, a concern enhanced by the fire trucks showing up.  We tried to persuade them it was just a practice to help people know what to do just in case there was a fire sometime and we even drove by the library later to see that it was undamaged and open.

Camden and Rylee, who is just 6 months older, have a sort of fun-fighting relationship.  They are either having a great time together, or shoving and crying over the same toy.  Fortunately, as the days have passed, the ratio of fun to fighting has improved.  

Grandma and the kids and I have enjoyed taking walks in the morning.  

We've probably ruined the harmony that previously existed for Rebecca, specifically that her kids may no longer be happy to ride in the stroller while she runs.  Camden loves to run alongside (and get distracted by everything!) and Rylee wanted to join in.  Delaney walked a bit too, but not as long.  Grandma harnessed the eager energy of Rylee and Camden into helping push her stroller along, conveniently corralling them at the same time!