All about cousins

Since our move to Kingston we have been so lucky to have had time to spend with family that we have missed so much while living in Toronto. Bodhi has many wonderful cousins who love him and who he loves so much. There are Kurt and Ben who live in Cambridge and are always so sweet with Bodhi. On every visit, Ben gets out the toys he knows Bodhi loves and brings him toy after toy the whole time we're there. Then there is sweet Lucy who lives in Winnipeg but still feels so close. Lucy is gentle and sweet with Bodhi and is always there to read him a story, point out and name new things they see and play games that he can take part in. And how could we forget our Sophie. Sweet wonderful Sophie. Bodhi has had the fortune of getting to be around Sophie more this summer and the two of them have gotten so close. Sophie loves playing the big cousin and sets up wonderful tea parties, brings Bodhi toys she thinks he might like to play with and is full of vibrating, big hugs and kisses.


And then there is Clara. Clara was born 4 months before Bodhi. She is the closest cousin in age to him and just about the same size (well, Clara is actually a bit taller). When we first came to Kingston in the summer, Clara and Bodhi had a little trouble adjusting to each other. There was another little pint-size to contend with, stealing Mama's attention, and interested in the same toys and books. A lot for a little one to deal with. Especially when they aren't used to having to deal with it (read: Bodhi had some difficulty breaking away from his "only-childness"). Slowly but surely Clara and Bodhi have really warmed up. Last week, Bodhi and I headed over to Brett and Karen's house for a daytime visit with Grandma, Auntie Karen and Clara. When we got there Bodhi and Clara practically dove at each other (in a good way). They played so well together, sat together and had their snack and even traded hats. It was adorable. Yesterday was much of the same. Sitting together, exploring in the backyard and playing happily in each other's company. And today Karen and I went for a drive with choruses of "Bodhi Bodhi Bodhi!" being sung from the back seat, the two of them trading books back and forth and making each other laugh. I feel so fortunate that Bodhi has a little cousin the same age as him that can look out for him, teach him things (Bodhi has already started picking up 'signs 'from Clara) and keep him company. These two will grow up together, be in the same nursery school and maybe even in the same classes. They'll go into high school together, graduate together and embark on their adult lives together. Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself!

Pretty soon Bodhi won't be the baby anymore when his newest cousin joins us all next month. His cousins all play such an important role in his life. He'll grow up playing cars and trains with Kurt and Ben and getting his toenails painted by Sophie, Lucy, Clara and Lucy's little sister. I feel so lucky that my little person has all of these little people around him.