Cousins

There's no question that Brooklyn loves her cousins! The other night I watched as she looked at Ella...then Canon...and just gazed back and forth at them with the biggest grin on her face! She was filled with excitement to just be in the same room as them. Even if they're busy doing their own thing! But that's the best part: they're never too busy to play with her! Seven years her senior, Canon has many other extracirricular activities he could be doing, but instead he chooses to get down on the floor to stack rings with her.

He gets so excited to see her growing and learning! He's always saying "Aunt Joci, look! Brooklyn just....yada, yada, yada..." and he describes some new talent he's witnessed for the first time. He's such a good kid. He loves to see others succeed. He encourages other kids (and even adults!) if he thinks that they need it. I've even heard him encourage my dad!  "It's okay, Grandpa. Maybe you'll catch a fish next time..."  :)

 Ella, of course, is happy to play with another girl! She's growing leaps and bounds herself this year: she's a reader now! She read three books to me the other night. Here she is reading to Brooklyn:

 Each of the kiddos took turns with the "Michael Jackson" hat. It makes Brooklyn giggle every time!

After reading together, Ella served as Brooklyn's chauffer for the evening, taxiing her through the house with toys, babies, and blankies.

But when it's time for bed, Brooklyn is sure to let us know. Sometimes she'll lay the kitchen towel on the tile floor and lay her head down on it. Here she is cuddling with her pig and blanket.

One night last week, she and Jackson were cuddled up enjoying a game of football on the tube when she got down from his lap, walked down the hall to her room, and sat next to the rocking chair, waiting for him to follow, as if to say, 'Daddy, it's storytime, and then bedtime. I can't do it myself, so I'm going to need you to help me out here, please.'  And so he did!