September 23, 2010

Cousins in all shapes and sizes

Today, Lillian learned an important lesson: that cousins come in all shapes and sizes, and cousins can be mommies too. When I told her that my cousin Brooke was coming to visit today with her husband Karl and two kids Kyra and Kylie she was very excited. But when they all arrived she was very, very confused. "Where is cousin Brooke?" she asked. When I pointed out that Brooke was Kyra and Kylie's mommy, she was even more confused. "Why isn't she little like me? How can Brooke be a cousin and a Mommy?" her little mind pondered, followed by the inevitable breakdown to just repeating "Why, why?!?" Before this visit her experience with cousins has been limited to her cousins Lucas and Raquel who are other little kids. She was completely blown away by the fact that Mommy and Daddy have cousins too, that these are also her cousins, and cousins can grow up and have kids of their own (who are also cousins). The concept still seems a little fuzzy for her but she seems to have taken our word for it. Once she figured everything out, she had great fun playing tea party with Kyra and Kylie and politely sharing a table with the two sisters at dinner.




September 19, 2010

Party Girl

Last night our friend Efsun hosted her second annual Ramazan party. Ramazan Bayramı is a Turkish holiday that celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The festivities involve lots of sweets in all forms. Lillian really got into the partying wearing a crazy hat and sunglasses, the girl knows how to party. Eric might have over-indulged in the Turkish Delight and muscat as well.

September 12, 2010

Jessie's Pets

This past Friday we hosted lunch for our friends. Lillian's buddy Jessie brought her pet garden snails for everyone to see. As you can see the snails were a big hit with all the kids.

September 5, 2010

Camping

Just as we had last year, this year we again attended our stroller hiking group's annual camping trip. We traveled again to a little spot in the hills near Soquel, CA. There we joined up with a horde of small children and their families to spend the night in a tent, roast marshmallows, build fortresses by the stream, stargaze, harass dogs, and of course do a little hiking. While the people in our family enjoy camping, Nash was in doggy heaven, running free without a leash, a creek to swim in, lots of kids to throw sticks, other dogs around who help him figure out the pecking order*, and friendly grown ups who give him snacks. This year Lillian's friend Rebecca and her family came out as well, which made for even more excitement than last year. I'm not sure how we will top the experience next year.
* Nash is a beta dog, always has been, and always will be.

Lillian and Rebecca eating goodies by the campfire.


The campfire, site of Eric's masterful marshmallow roasting.


Baby Penelope and Nash by the campfire.


Lillian at the creek with a really big stick. Nash proved unable to fetch this one.