Backyard water play

What could be better than nine whole days in the So Cal sun playing with Cousin Rene? For Riley, this trip is pretty much the greatest thing that's ever happened. We have got one happy little camper on our hands. The boys have learned Parcheesi (Riley loves it and is surprisingly strategic), gone to Raging Waters (which was a blast for all but Riley who could benefit from some swim lessons), played mini golf, and had a sleepover at Rene's that included mud, kid-made rivers and Angry Birds (in other words, it was a huge hit!).

Perhaps the biggest hit has been water play in my parents' backyard. We have been carefully balancing our concern for California's drought with the insane amount of fun these boys are having in water, so the pool is a win-win.

Rene invented a very funny game in which he would pretend to be floating casually on a blow-up Dodger catcher's mitt. Then, SPLASH!, he'd flip into the water. Hilarious every time. 

Rene is so generous of spirit, totally willing to modulate his play to accomodate a cousin half his age. Bless this child as he has made our trip amazing for Riley. Seriously, I think my boy wants to move here and make this -- playtime with Rene -- his new life. It reminds me of all the weeks I spent with my cousins, particularly those in Bakersfield. Those visits were completely formative, especially as I idolized everything that bore my older cousins' stamp of approval. I see the same happening with Rene and Rilz, and I'm super grateful that the elder is such a good influence.