Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Cousin fun....

What is more fun than cousins just about your own age?  Well if you are Little Buddy there isn't anything better.  He had the very best weekend with his cousins visiting from Michigan, and his Aunt  Heidi from Wisconsin.  There were lots, and lots of giggles, and so much fun.  Getting the three of them to sit still long enough for some photos was a huge challenge.  





Actually the girls Mother is Little Buddy's actual cousin, these two are second cousins or something like that, but who really cares?  Family is family, and when family visits it is always a great time.  

I always think Little Buddy is progressing at such a rapid rate, then I see him with a peer near his age and it brings to my attention how much work we still need to do.  His speech is coming along so nicely, but pretend play and his motor skills are still way behind.  We are getting there, slowly but surely, but there is more to be done.  Oh and look how tiny he is, we need to get this little one to grow!

Aunt Heidi will be returning to our home in two weeks to watch Little Buddy for us as we travel to Iowa City to watch Mr. 21 in the Big Ten Swim Meet.  Yes he is going to the big one this year!!!  So start sending your positive thoughts his way if you have any to spare.  He has three events to swim so he is getting ready physically and mentally for this big meet. Little Buddy will be in the best of hands because Aunt Heidi is wonderful and is frankly in love with him.  She is so gracious to give her time to come back down to Florida for a week, really just after she gets back home.  She will also be here for the one year anniversary of her husband's death, I think being in Florida, away from home, and with Little Buddy and our other family members might just help her, too.


Look what popped up in my mailbox yesterday.  A beautiful Valentine from the wonderful Teresa.  I was just so thrilled, and so very touched when I opened it up.  It has been a fun weekend with family, but a long weekend if you know what I mean.  And after a long day at work, and a long drive home in the rain, this was the very best thing to find.


Look what was inside, a beautiful heart made by Teresa.  The pattern for this heart is located on her blog.  The heart is just so lovely, and check out the polka dotted tape, even that is cute.  Thank you Teresa from the bottom of my heart!


This evening will be filled with Valentine preparations for Little Buddy's class.  I haven't filled out Valentine's in a long while as my kids are grown.  Little Buddy's teacher sent a note that she wanted all the kids to sign their own name to the cards, really?????  We are just trying to get Little Buddy to make a vertical or horizontal line, we are no where near the name signing stage, plus he is just three.  She will just have to be happy with me signing them.


And my very lovely friend Valentina, found the right link to this heart pattern, you can find it here.  Thank you so much Valentina for doing the research and finding the right link for this fun heart.  You are the best!

Sorry about missing your weekends in blogland, I have had my hands full with family and now I have it full with work.  I hope to catch up with you all soon.

37 comments:

mamasmercantile said...

I am sending positive thoughts for Mr 21 wishing him every success.

CJ said...

Lovely photos, my favourite is the one where Little Buddy has got his feet into the picture. I'm sending heaps of good energy for Mr 21, and a hug for you who will be watching and nervous no doubt. He's done so well to get into the Meet, his hard work has paid off. I'm glad you have someone lovely to look after Little Buddy for you. CJ xx

kathy b said...

awww Valentines day class fun ! Whatever Lil Buddy does to sign the card is awesome.
Cousin time looks like so much fun. Im thrilled you are going to Iowa to see your son swim!!!

Betsy said...

Such a lot of happy news today Meredith. :-) I love it. The little ones are so sweet together. Nothing is better than a bunch of wiggling, giggling children. At least in my mind there's nothing better. I miss having them around. And so special for LB to have the opportunity to get to know his cousins. They look like they just love him to bits. Mr. 21 year old will definitely have positive thoughts AND prayers from me. How great that he's gone so far this year and that you get to go watch him. ( And touch him. A big deal for us Mom's, right?) I know it will be hard for your SIL this year but maybe being away from home will help. I'll add her to my prayer list. Goodness, it grows bigger every day. There is so much sadness out there, but happy things too. Like LB and his cousins, and Mr. 21 and his swimming. I just love your family dear Meredith. Thank you for sharing the happies with us all.
Oh, I almost forgot. I think all of your valentine hearts are darling. I've saved the pattern in my library on Ravelry to use at a later date.
Blessings my friend,
Betsy

elns said...

Happy Valentines :) Family is family, heck yeah. They are a cut couch bunch. I'm so excited for you Swim Mom! And for your son as well. I'm already sending the good and the luck!

Gracie Saylor said...

Fun busy times, Meredith! I hope you can catch your breath amidst all the activity and rest some, too. I am so excited that your son gets to compete and you get to go watch him!!! Thanks for the link to the heart pattern. Wishing you and yours many blessings. xx

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

OMG! The cutest cousins ever!

Teresa Kasner said...

What fun for LB to have those adorable cousins to play with and have fun with! I'm so glad my Valentine got to you before the 14th and also that it made you happy. I will be sending winning, positive energy to Mr. 21 - I hope he does great, and most importantly, has fun. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Carla from The River said...

Sweet photos of the cousins.

YES!! I will be sending CHEERS to your son. Yay! I know you will be nervous (because I get nervous for my boys) :-) I will be sending HUGS your way.

xx oo
Carla

My Garden Diaries said...

How wonderful that you all had this time together!!! And I am sending positive thoughts your sons way for the big meet! So wonderful that you have such loving people in your family friend! Wishing you a great week! And by the way....we are still working on writing our names in my home....in do time!! Nicole xoxo

Karen said...

Sending good thoughts for Mr 21. What a great time you'll having going to watch him!
I always get the cousin thing mixed up, too. You're right, family is family no matter what you call it!

Kris said...

The kids must have loved playing together! How nice of LB's cousin to come watch LB so you can go to Mr. 21 year olds swim meet. I wish him much luck!!
Love all the hearts!
XO Kris

Una said...

Cousins are great incentives for development. My daughter never crawled and didn't walk until she was nearly 2, even though health professionals said there was nothing wrong with her. On a holiday to see her cousins in Ireland, they literally got her up, held her hands and made her walk. She did it because she was desperate to join in the fun. That was the big breakthrough and her walking really improved after that.

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

A lovely sweet photo of the cousins & they look like they are enjoying themselves lots! Lots of good luck & positive thoughts for Mr 21. I hope you have a good week x

Amy at love made my home said...

The cousins look so happy together! How great that they can spend this time with each other, I am sure that it will encourage Buddy along the way. xx

Unknown said...

Aw, you're so kind to mention me, thank you dear! xx
I wish all the best to Mr 21, I'm sure he'll do great! : )
And your little boy looks so happy with his cousins, I'm sure he's had lots of fun!

Gillian said...

I remember when we met up with our cousins. It was always such great fun. Loads of laughing and messing about.

Clare said...

Happyy Valentines sending postive vibes from the Summerhouse, have wonderful weekend
Clare x

Tanna said...

Oh, there is nothing like "sousins" fun as our little ones call it. ;)

Sending good thoughts to Mr. 21 as he prepares for the Big Ten!

Love the hearts!! blessings ~ tanna

Home Meadows said...

Hi Meredith, your little guy looks happy playing with his cousins. He'll grow in time. It sounds like he has come a long way from things you have posted on his progress. My guy has been going to speech for four years for a disfluency he has, it just takes time and a lot of love. Congrats to your older son on his achievement! Heather

Susanne Tyree said...

Teresa is so thoughtful to send you something special for Valentine's Day. Oh how cute, your little guy with his cousins. Children thrive when they have others of similar age to be around. They learn social skills. Right now my grandson is showing some signs of being a bit selfish, he is an only child. He wants you to sit down and play with him but decides he wants the toy you have in your hand. Right now the big issue with him is learning to share. I kept him for overnight on Saturday and he told me right off the bat, "Don't touch my stuff." Now where he picked that up I do not know, but that will not work in this family. Hope all goes well with your son. I know he works hard in his beloved sport and I also know that no matter, win or lose, he has parents and family who love him always. Happy Valentine's week, my friend.
Susanne :)

linda said...

They all look so cute together lovely photo's, lovely hearts from Teresa too :) xx

Acorn to Oak said...

Cute kiddos! :-) That heart is pretty! And, I love those little ones! They look like fun to make too. :-) Three seems like awfully young to expect them to sign their names. Happy Valentines Day!

Anonymous said...

HAHA! So funny :) I love those crocs lil buddy!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

Little Buddy is so cute and looked like he was having a great time with his cousins. Good luck for the big swim meet xx

Toni said...

Awwww, how sweet!

Okay--my husband just explained this one to me for the umpteenth time, so I think I have it: 2nd cousin refers to how far one has to go to find a common relative. "Once removed" means one generation away. So they would be second cousins once removed. Now when I have completely forgotten how it works, you can remind ME. :)

Ingrid K. said...

Hi Mere!

I loved seeing the kids' happy faces!!!! So sweet!

Thanks for sharing!

Hope you get some time for yourself soon!

Those crochet hearts are cute!!

have a good week!

Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

Pradeepa said...

Cute kids! I am sending my positive thoughts to your son. The crochet hearts are beautiful.

handmade by amalia said...

These is no better time than family time! And the photos of the cousins are so sweet!
Amalia
xo

kristieinbc said...

It will be exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time to watch your son at the swim meet. Congrats to him for making it to the competition!

It's always a treat to see Little Buddy pictures, and to see how much he is loved. :-)

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

LB looks so happy and playful with the girls, it must have been so much fun! Nothing like family and kids. Hope you have a great trip. Great to have someone so competent to watch over LB, so you don't have to worry.
xoRobin

Géraldine B. said...

I wish you the best for all of you !!! HAppy valentine to you !!!

millefeuilles said...

How proud you must be, dear Meredith, of all your blessed family, both small and big! I'll be sending regular parcels of positive thoughts for Mr. 21! How flipping exciting!

Warmest wishes,

Stephanie

Judy S. said...

Getting together with cousins is fun at any age! We just saw cousins for the first time in ages which was great. Best wishes to your son; I hope he breaks all sorts of records! Hugs to you, too. Glad you can go see him swim.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Little Buddy has grown leaps and bounds with your love and care. I don't think he would have come this far had he been with anyone else. So nice to see him interacting and having so much fun with his cousins. Definitely will be a healing time for Heidi when she returns to care for the little guy. All the best vibes and thoughts are sent Mr. 21s way! :) Hugs, Tammy

Suzan said...

so much fun taking pictures of kids!!! Love your red hearts!!

Wainwright and Wright.Co said...

What lovely photos of Little Buddy with his cousins - three very cheeky faces!! Good luck to son Mr 21!
Caz xx