More fun with cousins

Cousins Liam and Sonia live about a block from Grandma so we saw them a lot too - especially Sonia because she joined us for lunch each day.

All the big toys in Grandma's back yard are actually Liam and Sonia's old things. I was thrilled they allowed it to be moved to Grandma's so that they and Claire could have hours of fun play together. Both kids are awesome with Claire. Liam's dad teases him about being too rough but he was honestly super-gentle with Claire. Sonia's 13 and I was really touched that she'd get right into the playhouse with Claire and play along with her. I know that Claire really felt special that her big cousin paid attention to her.

The playhouse is set under the spruce trees and who knew, but Claire was immediately obsessed with the spruce needles. They became her cooking ingredients while in the playhouse, the fuel for the little car, and pretty much everything and anything else. The little playhouse phone was missing the receiver but Claire quickly remedied that with a big stone from the yard. It's funny how quickly kids find solutions for things.

Claire had not one but three visits to Kinsmen Park while in Saskatoon: two with Baba and Dido and one with us. On the train, Sonia and I sat opposite Liam, Claire and Grandma (pictured below). I was really impressed with Claire's observation skills and memory after Baba and Dido took her for her first visit to Kinsmen. They told us she had gone on the train in a blue train car but she then told me later that the other train cars were red and yellow. She said "no" when I asked her about other colours. Sure enough, I saw for myself later that week that they only have blue, red and yellow train cars.

Thanks Sonia and Liam (and parents!) for spending time with us! It was great to catch up with you.