The Ordinary Moments 8/52 – Cousins

Half term is apparently a mad week of cramming in as many fun things with the kids, going to places rammed with like minded parents and spending a load of money on activities and days out to fill the time so they don’t trash the house and get under your feet. That and getting together with cousins…

I had to laugh at myself on Friday night as we said goodbye and drove home from a fun packed day of swimming, slides, cheeky chips and games with our family – It was planned weeks ago because it was half term. Its funny because everything I have planned this week has been “Because its half term”! Yes my kids are in preschool and yes 3/5 days we are at home anyway with no school runs and free to do and go wherever we please, but we did TONNES this week because its been half term and whilst that meant more driving than usual and the occasional very frequent late nights, the highlight for them was how much they got to see (most of) their cousins.
We are very lucky, and perhaps maybe even take for granted at times that we both get on well with each others families. Some of my best friends are my sister-in-laws and whilst there are aspects to our lives, interests and parenting ideas that are very different in other things we are so like minded. We all have fun, have LOTS to talk about and I appreciate that I always feel like a sister as oppose to an “in law”. I love that our friendships have evolved to not just friends but sisters where we laugh, cry, hug, forgive, excuse, understand, help, support and even laugh til we cry, I’m aware this probably all sounds very cheesy but it really is our reality and its brilliant. Having my own sisters too its just even better as both sides offer those relationships and its great to have so many wonderful women in my children’s lives and that have also been so kind to produce many great play mates for my kids. We are lucky to all live in the Yorkshire area (or there about’s) and that we can frequently get together for lunch and play dates. Little E has loved seeing his baby cousins and asked a couple of times if we could just steal them?!?!?!?!?!??! (I did explain that this would result in prison and not one of his best ideas).

I had a great childhood and great times with my cousins, I still laugh and cry with them now and some things only they will understand or remember. I always hoped when I had kids they would have lasting friendships and years of fun with their cousins and as things go I think were doing great with this goal…when together there are usually some tears, there is most definitely mischief (we noticed Ethan tends to bring this out in a couple of them) but there are always smiles, giggles and things non of us mummy’s have a clue that they are chatting about. I love that “because its half term” we have had muddy walks, climbing in the parks, pancakes, scooter rides, swimming and general fun and games with the cousins.. yes they are things we regularly do with them but as its been more than once in a week it has made it that extra bit special. I can’t wait to see how their friendships evolve and I know they can’t wait to hang out with them again VERY soon.

Ethan and Megan have 6 cousins on my side and 6 on Naths side. Both sides have a set of twin girls and together the ages range from 5 down to 8 months. Poppy was number 9 on both sides and as non of us are yet done with having kids or all of Naths siblings married it will be great to see how many cousins they’ll all end up with!