Best Friends

The past couple days have flown by, exhaustingly so, as we host both the FBR and the BRS for the long-planned cousin-a-thon. They have been so good together and definitely fun to watch. The BRS has become firmly implanted as the FBR’s shadow. This only becomes a problem when the FBR does something the BRS is not physically capable of, like jumping from one stone wall to another. What the BRS lacks in size she more than makes up for in heart; we’ll just have to work on the common sense issues involved. The pictures tell a much better story than my words ever could about how close they have bonded.

Best Buddies

We’ve tried to schedule some fun events but the weather hasn’t been exceptionally cooperative. This doesn’t seem to matter to the two cousins though who revel in the smallest things, as long as they can do it together. They’ve become firm fans of popsicles and abuela’s crafts. We had an engagement party for my cousin’s son last night. Great Aunt and Soxfather stepped up to babysit for a few hours. My Favorite Panamanian felt we were imposing by asking them to do this but I assured her we were doing both our granddaughters and their babysitters a big favor.

Taking Over the Man Cave

Whatever One Has the Other Requires
Abuela had to Give up Some Purses

Cousin Tea Party

This was borne out watching them together. They arrived when the BRS was just waking up form a nap so she was a little standoffish. The FBR seized this opportunity to totally dominate the time with her babysitters with a complex game involving pieces from her monopoly game. This eventually thawed out the initial concern from the BRS and by the time we left the BRS was completely entranced and a new member of the Great Aunt/Soxfather fan club. It was weird leaving the house for the party as both my wife and I felt something we hadn’t in over thirty years – leaving children in or house in the care of babysitters!

Everything is Done Together

FBR Wearing Hojaldra Dough

Popsicle Pals

The party turned out to yet another re-affirmation of one of the themes 2020 denied everyone. I hadn’t seen my favorite cousin in over a year. That is way too long. His son popped the question a couple months ago and the engagement party celebrated that event. One of the coolest things about my cousin is not only his family but his group of friends. We’ve gotten to know them over the years and have never failed to have a great time in their company. We picked up as if it hadn’t been nearly two years since we were last together. It was obvious the two people we were there to celebrate are a good match as the two families seemed to marge flawlessly at the party. It was a great time. I could have stayed all night as I’m sure the party continued on but we had young children in the house to return to.

Wife at Party

With my Cousin

And Another Cousin

We returned home to find both Great Aunt and Soxfather suitably exhausted from their time with our family’s answer to the energizer bunnies. They marveled at the non-stop, kinetic nature of the FBR and BRS. They eventually corralled them into bed but not without the obligatory four stops by the bedroom to have them settle down. Great Aunt reported on one conversation she picked up on the monitor, the FBR told the BRS, “You know, you’re my best friend.”. The BRS repeated the sentiment. It’s one of those saccharine filled moments that makes granddaughters soul fulfilling.

Morning Dance with Abuela

FBR Thought Park Bridge was Cool

Rare Moment of Non-Movement

Abuela "assisting" the BRS on her Climb

Turtle Escort Time

Posing by the Pond

Onward

Rock Posing

Too Cool

C'mon Grandpa, The FBR Did it

Post Park Lunch on Deckzilla

This morning was spent in a park where more adventures awaited us. We had virtually the entire park to ourselves which pleased the two granddaughters immensely. Here’s where the BRS’ desire to do everything the FBR does became very challenging to monitor. My Favorite Panamanian had to follow the BRS up a climbing tower because the BRS was determined to do it after seeing the FBR clamber over it. We took a breather from the playground to walk around the park and chased squirrels (okay, that was mostly them). They escorted a large turtle into the pond and the BRS took the prize for stepping in the biggest dog poop. I used the field expedient method of a stick and puddles to return her shoe to service. Again, one of those techniques I’ve haven’t had to employ since the cousins’ parents befell similar predicaments more than three decades ago. So some things are more nostalgic than others. The fun continues!

Best Friends

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn