What a busy few days we had in August with four cousins.  This grandma was beyond thrilled that four grands decided to come and hang out.  I used to get all 12 grandchildren to come but time passes and some are adults and are working for a living, one was on a mission trip, and one was studying abroad in London.  Their worlds have certainly broadened farther than grandmas little circle.  I was delighted that my four youngest grands could come.  Even the two that are Junior’s in High School and have summer jobs chose to come.  That was a real honor. 

Grandma had made too many plans for the few days that we had and then Jake said, “You know grandma, I think it would be fun to go to Castle Rock.”  So of course that was added to our schedule.  Castle Rock is quite a rock formation found in our relatively flat area of Kansas.  It is a great place to climb on rocks, look for fossils, and have a picnic!  So that is what we did. 

• “My cousins are shareholders of my soul.” —Saswat Padhy

Grandpa had a woodworking project for the kids.  They made wooden pencil holders for their desks and got to try their hand at grandpa’s wood lathe for a bit. 

Grandma always tries to interest them in some sewing and craft projects.  We took on some big projects this year and barely got them finished in time.  It’s good that grandma has a stash of fabric.  Jake wanted to make a flag pillow case, Luke made a flag pillow and Addie made a puppy appliqued pillow.  They all did a precise job with their sewing.  I remember when I used to have them sitting on my lap while we sewed together.  There is no need of that anymore.  We have a very talented crew.

Sophie missed some of the projects as she was able to come for an afternoon only.  She also drove her car out to grandma and grandpas house.  We had a good time while she was here playing some of their favorite board games and trekking to our annual ice cream soda fountain in town.  There we try to see just how much delicious ice cream we can eat. 

Grandma and Grandpa had a good time and we hope the cousins did too.  Every morning we started the day with breakfast and devotions.  It reminded this grandma of the cousin camps she attended with her cousins on the ranch in Oklahoma.  My dear Granny would take us all to Vacation Bible School and then we would roam the ranch having all kinds of adventures!  

• “A cousin is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.” —Marion C. Garretty