No matter how much I vow and declare that our summers are going to be laid back and calm, by the time July rolls around we have turned into the Clampetts. That is not to say that we have loaded up the car and moved to Beverly (Hills, that is), but we are definitely spend our fair share of time on the road. This probably has something to do with the fact that I have never met a road trip that I didn’t just love to pieces, so when we’re not on a schedule, I’m ready to fill ‘er up and hit the highway.
This week, however, the road trip came to us. My cousin Paige brought her little boy to our house Saturday afternoon so that he could spend a few days at what we like to call Cousin Camp. We started this tradition a couple of years ago – when Paige was under the weather and J stayed with us for about a week – and it’s become one of our favorite parts of summer.
We’ve had a great time so far, even if I’ve had to ask the boys to slow down a time or forty because MAMAW CAN’T MOVE SO FAST ON HER BUSTED ANKLE. The good news, however, is that the pool has been the great equalizer. Because do you know who’s still the fastest one in the pool? ME. And that is why we stayed in the pool for approximately three hours today, only pausing to reapply sunscreen and eat a quick lunch at the snack bar.
By the way, today at lunch I ordered sandwiches for the boys and a salad for me, and when I picked up our food a few minutes later, I didn’t see a fork on my tray. So I asked for a fork, and one of the girls behind the counter smiled and said, “Um? We’re out of forks?”
And I said, “You’re out of forks?”
And she said, “Yeah?”
And so I ate my salad with a plastic spoon.
For some reason that makes me very tickled.
Anyway, the cousins had a most excellent day of swimming, and Alex continued to show his strong and unwavering allegiance to goggles.
The child loves him some goggles. He even wears them when he jumps off the diving board. It makes me so happy.
After we wrapped up our pool time, we came home and had some book time. There was also some light saber battle time, but I didn’t get any pictures of that because I was afeared of getting in the middle of the light saber action. MY ANKLE, you know.
Now that I think about it, maybe it would be wise and prudent to milk the “my ankle” excuse as much as I can over the next couple of weeks.
I’m just as sorry as I can be that I wasn’t able to fold all that laundry. MY ANKLE, you know.
Well, I had no choice but to watch fourteen episodes of “House Hunters” in a row. MY ANKLE, you know.
Oh, of course I’ll have that extra piece of chocolate pie. MY ANKLE, you know.
I think this idea has some real promise!
I’ll be certain to keep you posted on my progress.
{ 20 comments }
Very clever strategy! And I do love the goggles. Cute.
I say milk that ankle excuse as long as humanly possible! The title of today’s post made me smile, as we’re in “countdown mode” to our own family’s “Cousin Camp”….3 days and counting. It’s our second annual “Cousin Camp at the Coast” (Oregon Coast) – my parents, my two brothers and their families, and our brood…12 cousins altogether, aged 2-10 – they’ll keep us on our toes, I’m sure! Enjoy the rest of your “Cousin Camp”!
Absolutely you should milk it. You might even need a day at the spa in order to completely heal. Just sayin’
Let me just say that Alex seems to be the sweetest kid. I am certain there are moments that you don’t tell us about (or maybe not!) but in every post that is about him, he comes across as the nicest, friendliest child! Kudos to you! Hope my boy grows up happy and friendly, too. That picture of him reading to his cousin? Melts this English teacher’s heart!
No, no. When Alex goes swimming, he transforms into the “Amazing Super Howard!”
MILK IT, SISTER!! I broke my ankle in May and I plan to use that as an excuse for months to come. :)
lol love couSin camp!!!
and did you really Say afeared:) Ba ha ha
I love that Snack Bar Girl told you about the no fork situation in the form of a question. Priceless.
Oh we have some hard core light saber battles over here as well. And the sound effects. My the sound effects. It can make a mama want to buy a crate of ear plugs and gallon of tequila. But there isn’t anything quite like little boys, is there? : )
Hope your healing continues to go well.
Oh, how I understand your boy’s obsession with goggles. My oldest, who is right at the same age, adores his goggles. LOVES THEM, I tell you!
I’ve been a bit behind in my reading the past few days due to the torments-of-hell, I mean, final exams, but yes, you should milk the ankle AFTER YOU GO SEE AN ORTHO DOC!!! Seriously, my daughter “rolled” her ankles 2 or 20 times during her high-school and college basketball career, even to the point of having surgery one time. I would say you have torn at least one of the three ligaments alongside and across the top of your ankle. The prescription is R.I.C.E. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Ice it for 20 minutes every hour and wrap with an ace bandage in beetween. The worst tear my kid had was all 3 ligaments, and she was on crutches for 2 weeks and a walking boot for 3 more. If you try to “use” it too soon, they will never heal properly and you will always have a problem with it “rolling over”. Sorry, I became my mamma there for a minute.
I just wanted to let you know that I recently discovered your blog and I find you to be one of the funniest ladies I have ever encountered! Keep it up (no pressure)!!!
Long time fan…first time commentor. Love your daily outlook on life! Brings happiness to day :0)
Awwww, sounds like a GOOD time!! They are so cute!! Love the goggles!!
Now, the ankle….WORK IT SISTER!! ;-)
There must have been some mix up with your snack bar and our Sonic, because today they were all out of spoons and Daughter had to eat her Reese’s Sonic blast with a fork.
1. Sims.
2. Who DOES J look like?
3. Get that ankle looked at by a real Dr. I think you have TORN something. Hello? The popping sound.
4. Seriously. Mind me.
5. :)
I probably need a day at the spa complete with mani, pedi, and facial.
MY ANKLE, you know.
Hahahaha…you and your ankle are a hoot! My ear’s been botherin’ me…it’s been real convenient when I don’t want to hear my kids. :) That must have been tough trying to stab a tomato with your spoon. I guess they could have pureed your salad for easy-eatin’, but where would be the fun in that? Have fun during Cousin Camp!
~Susan
My land, has that boy grown a foot since last you showed us his picture??? And just gettin’ handsomer by the minute!
Thank you ever so much for the smiles that you add to the day!!
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