Cousin Week

Last week Cousin Will spent the week with us.  We actually spent the whole first half of July with Will.  Several days in his hometown (were the in-laws also live), then a few days with his whole family here at Wallace South.  Finally his folks and younger sister returned home leaving W with us for a week.  I decided that we'd just pack the week with as many things as possible.  We wanted to introduce him to our household traditions and activities.  Honestly I'm surprised any of us were still walking by the end of the week we packed so much stuff in.

We started the week with a visit to our favorite summer place -- King's Dominion.  He's a thrill seeker, all 44" of him.  He absolutely loved everything we got to ride, which included 2 full fledged roller coasters.  I'm pretty certain he would've ridden the most extreme of them all if he'd had another 12" tacked onto him.  E & J had a great time showing him all their favorite rides and taking turns sitting with him.

Tuesday was one of our slower days in which we went to a movie (Despicable Me 2) and spent the afternoon splashing in the lake.  W is a true water baby and I'm pretty sure he would've spent the whole week splashing at the lake if we'd had the time.

Wednesday the morning was spent building houses for Despicable Me toys (thanks McD's) our of paper, ribbon, cardboard, legos, you name it.  You think OK, an hour or so of this...nope this took about 3 hours.  That allowed them to save up for an afternoon of bouncing at our of our local favorite bouncy places.

That evening provided another chance to indoctrinate W to a Wallace South tradition.   We have Kids' Cook night every couple of weeks.  W LOVED it.  He invented his own blended drink (frozen raspberries, blueberries a sliced apple and cranberry juice).  And it was awesome.  He helped Uncle T. prepare dinner.  He measured and smelled spices and other ingredients.  When T hollered for help he was the first one in the room.  Now W is a pretty picky eater and he did a great job trying the soup we made, even though it wasn't something he'd normally try at all.

Thursday brought us to a park with a super cool wooden playground.  It was a little warm, but the kids ran and played for several hours.  They we took W to find his first Geocache.  We explained that we were looking for a treasure and he was hooked.  The one we were able to find wasn't very large and didn't have any swag, but he thought it was just the coolest thing.

Friday brought rain and another movie, but it also brought Grandma from home.  Saturday we finally got our planned trip to the peach orchard and one more Geocache.

What I notice when I look back at the things we did last week is not only how much we did, but that it's really things we've always loved to do.  I let the kids complain me into sedation sometimes.  I don't want to go.  It's too hot.  I'm really busy with my game.  I'm too tired.  Do we need to do all of these things in one week -- nope.  Not sure we could handle that again (I'm still recovering from last week).  But should we geocache more -- definitely.  It it worth the hour to drive to the super cool playground -- yep.  Are fresh picked peaches amazing -- certainly.

So thanks W, for coming down and visiting.  We had an awesome time.  And thanks for reminding me that there's so much more to do out there.  It doesn't have to be expensive and bells and whistles.  Just time together.