Cousin Lovin'

Last week was a busy week but a lovely one too. The reason being that Jenny and Maddie came to visit us. I love that they feel comfortable to come and stay with us for just under a week. I love watching Maddie and Daniel (and Oscar) play together. I love chatting with Jenny. All around it was a good time.

On Tuesday afternoon Daniel and I hopped into the car and headed to Sydney airport. We stopped at the airport Maccas to wait until Jenny called to say that she was heading to the carpark. This was all good and Daniel was very happy playing in the Maccas play area. When I got the message from Jenny we then hopped into the car, turned on the ignition and... nothing. Nothing at all. The car wouldn't start. It was then that I realised that I had left the lights on after driving through the Harbour Tunnel. Oh dear. I was so focussed on feeding Daniel when I arrived that I hadn't paid attention to that detail. When we arrived at Maccas I left the engine on as I fed Daniel in the passenger seat. When he had finished having his milk I lent over and turned off the engine - this meant that the loud 'beep' that happens when you open the drivers door when the lights are still on didn't happen. So I called James up in tears, feeling horrible and not knowing what to do. I then called NRMA and James called up Jenny. Not a great start to getting Maddie and Jenny but I am so lucky that she was so understanding. After being told that there would be up to a 90min wait, a man came who started the engine after 30mins. Fortunately Maddie was happy sitting down, colouring in and eating a cookie and Daniel was happy playing in the Maccas play area again. We then had a pretty smooth trip back home. It was then time for dinner for Daniel and then off to bed. Maddie enjoyed playing with Daniel's toys and reading his books. I love it how a different place provides so much excitement because there are so many new things to look at and play with.

Wednesday was a day of shopping and just hanging out at home. Maddie just loved giving Chilli cuddles. Chilli wasn't so sure about it but did pretty well at either accepting them or avoiding them. It was pretty cute watching Maddie and Daniel play 'together'. Maddie is at that age where everything is "mine" so each time Daniel had a toy, Maddie wanted the toy. We are lucky that Daniel is pretty easily distracted so would give him a different toy and he would most of the time happily play with it. But he did often want to play with Maddie and see what she was doing, even if Maddie didn't like that.

Playing 'together'. Daniel having eyes only for Maddie

I just love how much Maddie has grown since Christmas time. She can speak a whole lot more and tells great stories. She loves Chilli and other animals. Lots of people are her friends. She has got such a gorgeous personality. I can't wait to see what Daniel's personality is going to be like.

I just love Maddie's 2 thumbs up!

 We were often treated to a song from Maddie playing the ukelele. She was good at naming the songs and also treated us to a dance while playing them. So cute!

Playing the ukelele

Serenading Jenny and Daniel

 I love that Daniel got to hang out with his Aunty Jen. He is going through a slight Mummy and Daddy faze but was happy to have short cuddles with Jenny.

Maddie loved making Daniel laugh by being "funny". She would pat her knees a few times and then jump and it was the funniest thing to Daniel. She did it quite a few times and he just kept giggling at her. She too found it funny. They both have the same laugh which is very cute. Unfortunately I didn't get to capture it on video (when I tried of course Daniel didn't laugh or Maddie got distracted while doing it) but Jenny did. Their laughs were contageous.

Making Daniel laugh

Daniel clapping at Maddie while they both have a giggle

She also loved climbing into Daniel's toy box. It was just the right size for her to play Jack in the Box. So often the toys would be tipped out on the floor so Maddie could climb into the box, put the lid on and then jump up.

It was nice to be able to play with my beautiful niece.

On Thursday Maddie and Jenny went into the city to spend the day with Ryan's parents at the Aquarium. They had a lot of fun. Daniel and I went to Mothers' Group lunch at Wahroonga Park. It was nice watching the babies play, crawl around, try to eat each others food and for us mums to have a chat. I captured this photo of Lachie and Daniel playing with his rings. They both were so content to play together.

After both Maddie and Daniel finished their nap we hopped into the car and headed over to Mum and Dad's place for dinner. Maddie was very excited to see Oscar but then got a bit shy when we arrived. After a little bit of time she was happy to run around outside with Oscar and play different games while Daniel had his lunch. Maddie again tried to make Daniel laugh and just loved playing on the beanbag.

Cuddles from Maddie

Giggles with Oscar

Laughing at Maddie on the bean bag

Daniel really is lucky to have 2 cousins who love him so much! (as well as the rest of the family too). Daniel laughing at Oscar

 

 Daniel laughing and chatting with Maddie

Friday was a beautiful day to head out for a picnic so we went for a drive to the Howie's place so Jenny could look at the things that the Howie's have in their Fairtrade store and so that I could do a salt dough handprint with Oscar and Daniel. Daniel was entertained by Howie.

Boy in a box

After some time there where Oscar showed Maddie his room and the turtles we then headed to Bobbin Head for a picnic. Maddie and Oscar went on the swings and had a little bit of a play in the playground and then it was lunch time. Maddie and Oscar had a great time chasing the seagulls that were hanging around our picnic table. Our food was definitely safe with them around. I tried to have Daniel continue his sleep which he started in the car but that didn't work out so he joined in the fun. We found a grassy spot for him to have a crawl around and the others joined in making it a race. Of course they finished in order of size and age.

Another leaf!

Chasing Maddie

Maddie and Oscar decided that the pine needles were called Magpies and they started to wave them around. Oscar then tried tickling Maddie with one which she didn't really like but then she decided to try tickling Daniel. Oscar joined in the fun. Poor Daniel being the youngest cousin was getting picked on and didn't look too impressed (but he was fine).

Oscar tickling Maddie

Maddie tickling Daniel

Oscar coming over to join in the fun

Poor Daniel

Not happy. Hehe.

I just love watching Maddie and Oscar together. I know we each have said it but we do keep forgetting that they aren't actually cousins. Daniel is the only one who is related to them both. But Oscar is so good with Maddie and Maddie just loves playing with Oscar too.

Cheese

I took this photo of Maddie and Oscar popped into it too. I said that he was photo bombing it and had a bit of a giggle. I then said that he needed to do the 'peace' sign the next time he photo bombed and taught him how to put up his 2 fingers. Maddie tried it too but only put up 1 finger.

Now it was time to go for a walk to see if we could find some crabs on the board walk. Daniel was popped back into the Ergo and off we went.

Hand holding was needed as we crossed the road

Maddie and Oscar were pretty good with following the instructions from the mums about when to stop and when they could go. They enjoyed running over the bridge (although the poor crabs probably got quite a fright). 

Oscar enjoyed pointing out the different colours of the crabs we could see. There were heaps out and the noise didn't seem to faze them too much. Maddie liked trying to get a good look by lying down on the boardwalk and looking as close as she could.

It was quite a nice walk. It was really lovely to see how Oscar looked after Maddie and how Maddie enjoyed following Oscar. Daniel was also there :-) He enjoyed the walk being in the Ergo.

What about me?

Saturday I got to have a bit of a relaxing morning. I worked on painting Mum, Julie and Nan's Mothers' Day presents while James and Jenny looked after Daniel and Maddie. It was nice to just have some down time and to focus on something other than Daniel. They went to visit Aunty Megan and Aunty Shirley and had a lovely catch up. Apparently Maddie and Daniel were both really good which is great to hear.

Happy family

In the afternoon Oscar, Jenny and Howie came around to hang out. Maddie again loved chasing Oscar around and Daniel too. While Oscar read books, Maddie chased Daniel around the hallway. 

Eyes only for Maddie

I then enjoyed reading some stories to Maddie and Oscar.

It was so lovely having Maddie and Jenny stay with us. We hope they can come down again for Daniel's birthday when Julie comes down too. I can't wait for Daniel to be more active with Maddie and Oscar - to be able to interact with them more. Thanks for visiting Maddie and Jenny!