Cousins on the Loose

On Monday evening, Mimi, Sumie, and I received my sister and her son Alder, who is a mere month Mimi's junior.  Though they've only me each other a few times, they're already best buds.  On Monday Mimi was jumping up and down on the couch, pointing out the window, and chanting "Alder, Alder!"  They were both a little shy upon seeing each other again, but soon warmed up.  By the time we all sat down to dinner they were inseparable.  Here's the two of them posing for a Baby Gap ad. 

Tuesday found us at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.  Across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, this is a wonderful, and relatively reasonably price, museum that helps children discover the art, nature, landscape, and even commerce of the Bay Area.  Here Mimi is exploring a re-creation of Northern California's creeks and streams, complete with ragged rubber fish. 

The museum consists of 8 buildings filled with exhibits, but like most toddlers, Mimi and Alder weren't all that impressed by the doings of adults.   Save the massive Brio train set that ensnared Alder at the end of our stay, the preferred exhibit of the day was a muddy puddle at the end of a cement tunnel.  I suppose if I had been wearing boots and were only 3 feet tall, it would've been my favorite as well. 

The two cousins would fight over toys from time to time, but could usually reach a happy conclusion before any adult intervention was needed.  They even shared story-time together. 

 On Thursday, having spent Monday and Tuesday with Grandma and Grandpa and Wednesday visiting friends, we made the journey up to Sacramento to see Great Grandma.  Here's Mimi listening to a few rhymes from Great Grandma's big book of poetry. 

 The two also attempted a duet at Great Grandma's piano.  They'd tried this at home earlier with little success.  Despite Mimi's rather frenetic page turning, they never really came close to a tune.  Had a lot of fun, though. 

On Thursday night Mimi and I dropped Alder and Julie off with my Mom, who would take them to the airport on Friday.  It was sad to see them go.  Mimi went through at least 30 "bye-byes" by the time she'd been strapped into her car seat for the ride home.  They haven't known each other very long, but I have a feeling Mimi and Alder will be friends for life.  Hopefully that will give them sufficient time to work on their piano playing.