Aunts and Uncles and Cousins . . . Oh My!

A few random thoughts and a few random pictures from last Saturday's family reunion.

The party starts as soon as the first guests arrive.  Days in advance.

Don't expect your 3 year to mind his manners.  Despite being told explicitly what you expected of him.

He told his cousin Katie she was "pissing" him off, which made every body laugh.  When I heard about it I was not amused and made him apologize.

"But, Mama, everybody waffed!"

I loved what she said to him when he apologized.  "Just because we laughed doesn't make it right and it really isn't a very polite thing to say."  Then she gave him a hug and he told her.  "I still wuv you."

Said niece posted a picture of said 3 year old on her facebook page and he told me very excitedly, "Mama, Mama, I'm on da internet!"

10 month olds have opinions too!

Late nights make for grumpy boys, and well, a grumpy Mama too.

Never leave valuables in plain site in your car.  The cost to replace the broken window was more than the stolen item.

If there is a puddle of water, the kids will swarm all over it like bees in a field of wildflowers, and be soaked within the first 10 minutes of the party.

Don't assume that your 30+ year old cousin who is married and has teenagers understands that the $20 per family that his parents paid, doesn't include him or his brother.  Wait . . . was he kidding about that?

There's nothing better than rolling down hills with new friends.

Volleyball is not for the weak of knees . . . or wrists . . . or back.

Some people really don't want their picture taken.

The minute you decide to gather everyone together for the group photo, it will start to rain and last only as long as it takes to take the picture.

Someone will always take their shirt off, (cough) Darren.

HT has decided that his cousin Anna is his new girlfriend.  He also loved playing with Darren, because he would play with him, and at 19 is his nearest cousin in age.

I am grateful for my family and the connection we have and I hope that despite the miles that separate us we will always find the time to share a laugh, a smile and sometimes a good cry.

"Do good".