Reading is fun

Whenever the cousins are together, whether in twos, fours, or sixes, books and reading are popular. Hannah is making fantastic progress as a reader, in English and in Spanish. She brought a favorite book and read it many times to cousins, aunties and uncles, and grandparents. Vivi has heard it so many times that she has much of it memorized, too, which is a hoot to listen to! This is just a sample of reading combos over the past week...

 

 

 

 

Kaleidoscopes and frog eyes

Ralph brought kaleidoscopes and froggy headbands for the cousins. A kaleidoscope is also handy as a pirate telescope, with a psychedelic view of land and sea.

 

 

 

Why, it's Froggy O-dawgie and Froggy Daddy. 

Hmmm... does anyone else make the cartoon connection?

It's all about the hunt

All of the cousins are expert Easter egg hunters. Some of them had already practiced several times this Easter egg season in preparation for Ralph the Bunny hiding eggs at our house this year. 

Ralph is the family Easter rabbit, who has been hiding eggs for us since anyone can remember. He typically leaves a note for the kids. As you can see, even at his mature age he has some work to do on letter reversals. But, he's a good and faithful egg hider, despite his writing disability. 

The cousins were eager to hear what Ralph wrote on the postcard.

A week or so before Easter, Ralph got in touch to ask me if I'd shop for some Easter-egg colored tee-shirts for the cousins to wear while they searched for eggs. I found the perfect shirts, and the kiddos were excited to put them on.

 Don't they look sweet?

Okay, some of the cousins look sweet AND confused...

After the requisite cousins-on-the-couch picture taking session, all six were ready for the hunt.

"Look! I found one!" 

"So did I!"

"Mine matches my shirt!"

"Hey...so does mine!"

"I need a break."

"Who, me? No... I didn't eat any chocolate yet. Why do you ask?"

The cousins found all the eggs and divided them up with the help 

of Mommy Auntie Annie.

 Surveying the loot.

 
Time to relax and play with the Easter chicks.

The end of another successful Easter egg hunt, thanks to Ralph the Bunny.

Some April Fools

I'll share some of Easter weekend cousin events and mischief later in the week. For now, here are a few couch shots, for better or for worse!

In case anyone thinks the only time we capture all six kiddos together is when we attach them to a couch with duct tape, here's proof that there are other (rare) moments that they're all in one place at one time. 

More to come.

Bunnies with antlers

No reason for this entry other than to add photos of all the reindeer from Christmastime. When I have my blog printed into a book at the end of 2012, I want to be sure these antler shots are included, which they won't be unless I put them into a regular posting. So here are the most famous reindeer of all... 

Minnesota weather, as usual, is predictably unpredictable. There is more snow on the ground today than there was over Christmas, so these dear little deer might want to rustle up a sleigh to help Ralph (the resident Easter Bunny) deliver eggs and Easter candy next weekend. Hannah and Vivi, bring your winter coats and boots!

Cousins play ball

I have so many sweet pictures from this week that I don't know how to choose which ones to put here. 

A few weeks ago, Ethan and Owen informed me quite emphatically that we didn't have enough puppies and other stuffed animals at our house. I decided to remedy the problem by adopting seven little puppies, a big cat, a giraffe, a kangaroo, a leopard, and an elephant. No reason for this particular combo of pets, other than that E and O requested puppies and then named another dozen types of animals.

Fortunately, Owen and Ethan made the critters feel right at home.

Annie brought Miles and Westy for a visit on Saturday to meet the animal menagerie as well as read, do puzzles, and play with their cousins. Miles put a map puzzle of the U.S. together in a flash, while Gpappy offered (more than enough) advice as to where to put each state.

While the rest of us were putting together the puzzle and reading some books, Annie and Westy took a nap. Here's how they looked when they woke up. Miles was happy to see them.

After naps, Annie, Miles, Westy, and Gpappy met Charlie, Angie, Owen, and Ethan at the gym for a workout. The boys were serious about the game.

 

 Here are the big boys...and Westy:

I'm not sure what this is all about... maybe I don't want to know!

Here's a snuggly shot of Owen, with Gpappy and Auntie Annie.  

And now for one more picture of each kiddo on the court...

Ethan

 Miles

 Owen

Westy

Today we had a long and fun Skype session with Hannah, Vivian, and their parents. While we looked out at a gray and white winter landscape, they had lunch on their porch! Let's hope the snow is gone before they come to MN in a few weeks!