Cousin camp 2015

It was last Sunday evening I was talking with Kathryn and Ben and Zach were face timing that we realized we our plans to visit at the end of the summer were not going to work. Our boys were so disappointed. Ben went to bed and prayed that we would be able to come. It was while he was praying that I looked over our calendar and decided to make this week work. Ben's prayers were answered and we drove our bodies down from NJ to SC!  It was exhausting with three boys and a dog but everyone was a trooper and we got to Harris land safely.

The reunion amongst cousins was exuberantly boisterous as they all paraded around the house hugging laughing yelling and screaming. Dogs were wrestling as the boys showed off their newly acquired light sabers and epic battles immediately broke out amongs the ruckus. It was a wonderful way to be greeted and exactly what one imagines as she fights her way through bumper to bumper Virginia traffic. 

Cousin Camp day 1:

We relaxed and soaked up each other 's company. The boys played toys and read each other books.

In the afternoon we took our herd to the movie "inside out" where we ate too much popcorn and candy.

 

That evening the adults went out and left the cousins to play with a babysitter. Miles was exhausted from jumping on the trampoline with Andrew and playing the the hose so when he was put in the tub to wash up he relaxed a little too much and fell asleep. It was the cutest thing.

We enjoyed some good southern food

  

and a walk through the marsh. I was fascinated by all the little spider crabs that were along the boardwalks and in the grasses. I was impressed even more by the sunset and impressive ambiance. People here known how to enjoy all the beauty around them.

Sunday was nice except that Zach threw up in the nigh and so our plans to go the water park on Monday were put on hold.  We decided to take it easy by going to the pool.  I was my boys' first time to go to a pool for the summer.  Ben was in total disbelief at this fact and he had to scrap his jaw off the floor because they had been to the pool everyday for weeks now and it seemed impossible that someone hadn't been to a pool yet.  We stayed there 5 hours.  I was pleased at how well Andrew took to the water.  it was nothing like last year when he was so fearful of getting in the water.  We all played and had a good time.  I sat there in enjoyed the warm sun and beautiful palmetto trees.     

 

   Two for Tuesday was the deal at the water park and that meant that 50% more people were there.  we got there at a reasonable time and before the busses of kids.  We had a good time playing on the slides and in the lazy river.  Andrew went down all of the park slides including the ones that only big kids could go on.  His size continues to amaze me.  On Adam's last run down the slide he some how came out of his tube and got flipped upside down or something and he says that that was thrilling and his favorite part of the whole trip.  I'm glad to see that there is adventure in that kid.  After we came back tot he house the Ben and Zach played outside in the fort with dinosaurs and stuffed animals and chase and Adam were always playing with their lightsabers.  It was nice to see everyone getting along so well.  This is kind of why I can't resist coming down because everyone gets a long so well. 

 

Wednesday we spent at the beach.  We tried to make hand sculptures in the sand and it worked until all of the fingers broke off of the sculptures that we made. We had a good time regaurless of our pinterest fail and played in the low tide and waves.  Adam as usual was out in the waves for a long period of time.  Miles got some kids to pull him on the boggie board, Zach and Ben were playing and Chase dug an impressive hole in the sand.  Poor Andrew came down with a fever and we tried to take it ease on him.  He fell asleep on one of the boards after he helped me make volcanos in the sand.  After beinf o the beach for most of the day we grabbed pizza on the way home, ate, went to th pool, and ended our day with fireworks as the Cousin Camp Grand finale!  After fireworks the boys got to watch the spongebob movies and eat popcorn.  What Lucky Boys!!!!

 

As usual it was a blast at cousin camp 2015 and so glad that we were able to make it down to see the Harris family this summer because it almost didn't happen.

10 years old!

A few months ago Adam mentioned that he would like to have a helicopter ride for his birthday so that is what he got.  I like the idea of giving him an experience rather than a thing that would no doubt get broken and forgotten all too quickly.  I don't think I have looked forward to celebrating a birthday more than I have this one for Adam.  I secretly planned a day in the city and the helicopter ride.  His birthday was the Saturday after school ended and so it was like a kick off for the summer as well.

We followed our tradition of waking up the birthday boy and going down stairs t open presents.  He got to open the helicopter last whis was when I told hime what our plans for the day were.  He was excited.  We took the bun intot he city and walked to times square.  It was interesting experience having all of those scuzzy looking characters zero in on your child and flock to your child.  I did not stop because as soon as you do 3 or 4 more try to accost you. I let Andrew look and wave but stuck my elbows out as I clinched Andrew and Zach closer to me.  If I got pushed just a little bit more I'm afraid what words would have come out of my mouth to communicate to the phychos behind those masks that I didn't want them to come any closer to my children. 

From there we walked over to rockerfeller center where the boys quickly found the lego store.  We told them that they could pick out any lego set that they wanted and buy it with their "mom bucks" that they have been earning all through out the school year.  They were thrilled.  It didn't take them too long to pick out a lego set.  I was worried that I would be stuck toting their packages all over the city but I was mistaken.  They would have nothing but to carry their bright yellow lego bags where ere we went.   I know Adam and Zach felt the envious stares of all the kids on the subway which filled their hearts with pride.  When ever we were traveling the boxes were taken out of the bags and studied with delighted anticipation to when they could build and play. 

We made our way over to grand central station which was what I was really excited about seeing.  there we gauked at the magnificence and then enjoyed a bite to eat.  Zach and I picked out some desert and everyone enjoyed Zach's choice of the best and most giant piece of chocolate cake.  While Zach and I were getting treats for everyone Josh convinced Adam that I would be the best/most fun parent to take on the ride with him.   From there we got on a train and went in the helicopter ride.