A Fun Filled Family Visit

Nathan was OVER THE MOON that cousin Kevin was able to come with Aunt Karen to visit us this past weekend. After taking a while to really wake up from his nap, he and Kevin were soon laughing and having a great time!  I wish I had taken a video - they were having such fun playing on the couch!  Nathan would try to crawl behind Kevin, who would lean back and squish him as he climbed back and forth.  Lots of laughter and a great way to bond right at the start of the visit!

Nathan did his best to show off to our guests. On Saturday morning he wanted to do about every craft activity we had in the house. Markers, stencils, crayons, water paint - he kept asking to "do something new". Finally we were able to distract him by getting out the puzzles (one of his new favorite activities).  Aunt Karen had given him a 24 piece dino puzzle for Christmas and we had tried to do it together once, but it had been a frustrating experience for both of us.  Since then he has mastered a fire engine floor puzzle that he eagerly showed off to our guests (I had to guide him through every step the first two times we put it together, but he quickly figured it on his own).  Even so, when he asked to try the dino puzzle again (Aunt Karen had gotten it out to give it a try herself :), we were all very surprised at how well he could put it together for the "first" time!

At one meal, out of the blue Nathan told Kevin "I really love you!" and I got all teary eyed because it made me so happy! Then Kevin started telling Nathan "I love you more" when Nathan would tell him that he loved him. When it was time to say good-bye on Sunday morning, Kevin was holding and hugging Nathan, who then looked into his eyes and said "I love you more!"

And while Kevin was a big hit with Nathan, Sarah had some time to bond with Aunt Karen.  Here, Karen would pull out the measuring tape just a little, then Sarah would take it and pull it out to arm's length and let it automatically retract with a *snap*.  So funny.  Every time.  Aunt Karen also loved how Sarah would go find a book she wanted read to her, then just come and back up to Aunt Karen, just expecting to be picked up and read to.  I was also excited to show Aunt Karen how much she loves her ladybug pillow she got for Christmas.  It is our official shoe-putting-on seat, as well as her go-to spot when she is reading by herself.  Its really amusing when she decides the pillow isn't quite in the right spot in her room and hefts it up (its pretty big and bulky for her) and moves it a foot in one direction or the other.

Today we were over at a friend's house, who mentioned that their friend Kevin had come to visit them lately.  Nathan was quick to pipe up that HIS Kevin came to visit too!  When I asked him "Who is Kevin?", expecting him to say "cousin", he instead answered "My best friend!" Family's the best, isn't it!