Fun with Cousins

Little Lila in 2014 with "Jones" & "Freddie"

Jeremy's cousin Carrie has a daughter named Lila, who'll be 7 in May.

Carrie was expecting her when Jeremy and I met, and she was just a baby at our wedding. I've had a soft spot in my heart for her ever since the boys were babies, and she named her twin dolls "Jones" and "Freddie" in their honor.

Little Lila never ceases to be so sweet to the boys, and even on those times when they've completely ignored her or had no idea how to respond to her adorable shows of friendship, she's continued to sprint up to see them anytime they show up in the same place.

I will never, ever forget this about her, and I will ALWAYS love her for it.

Yesterday was no different. The boys and I walked in to Uncle Ronnie's funeral, and Lila was there before we could even take a seat on a pew in the front of the church. While we drove to the graveside services, the boys and I decided it'd be a great idea to invite Lila to join us in today's planned viewing of "Peter Rabbit."

Jones asked her as we walked into the family dinner after the burial. I added to his invitation, "... if you're available." Her face got as bright as her beautiful blonde hair, as she said, "I'm available!" Later, after I'd arranged everything with Carrie, I told Lila, "Guess what: you get to go with us tomorrow!" She spontaneously wrapped her arms around my waist in excitement.

I cannot get over how precious this child is.

To be honest, I think her kindness to the boys means even more to me, because I know the kind of relationship her mama and their daddy had as children. Carrie and Jeremy were the babies of the Boone girls and grew up as thick as thieves. The specialness of this second-generation relationship is not at all lost on me - especially as my boys don't have too many other cousins close in age to theirs.

So off we went today.

On our way to pick her up, we reminded the boys that not only is Lila our guest - she's also a lady, and ladies go first. Apparently, they took it to heart - at least, Jones did. As we left Carrie's place, Jones yelled to Carrie, "Don't worry! We'll take care of her!" and when we got out of the car at the Carolina Theatre, Jones said, "Ladies first" and let Lila climb out before him. I was confused, though, as he immediately sprinted ahead of her when we walked to the building. "If ladies are first, then why did you run ahead?" I asked. Jones said, "So I can get the door for her."

Well, then.

All three kids did great watching what was an absolutely ADORABLE movie. Jeremy pointed out that I may have enjoyed it even more than they did, which is entirely possible, because James Corden. Come on.

Lila chose McDonald's for lunch after the movie, and then we dropped her off at "Antcy's" house (which is how the boys say "Aunt Nancy"). It was a wonderful way to spend a morning and the first of many more that I hope we'll be spending with little Miss Lila.

Dolly-days

There are precious few things in the world that I love more than I do a day at Dollywood with my babies - ALL of my babies, that is. Sissy and I took the Four I Adore Plus a Couple More to Pigeon Forge today, and we had an absolutely amazing day.

First off, because I know you're all wondering, Jones DID get to ride Pow Pow Bullseye - on his first try. Yes, Virginia. There IS a Santa Claus. Beyond that, we rode all of the usual suspects. I forced my boys on the River Rapids ride, thinking they'd like it. Jones screamed the ENTIRE time, and when we got back to the dock, he begged the worker, "Excuse me, Captain, can I please get off of this ship?"

After all of his screaming, I'm pretty sure he didn't have to ASK to get off. I honestly thought he'd settle in and enjoy it after the first rapid.

WRONG.

Not even Freddie liked it. He told Jeremy when we got back, "Pease don't ride dat boat again."

WHOOPS.

Anyway, they had a great time the rest of the day. So did I. I even got to ride most all of the rollercoasters - some of them more than once! - with the big kids, which made for a serious sense of "just like old times."

I was so grateful - and even more grateful that the boys didn't pitch a single fit (Jones's Rapid reaction notwithstanding). They missed their naps and CLOSED DOLLYWOOD DOWN, and they didn't so much as act a teensy bit "cross."

I think it's because they adore "my Four" as much as I do. In fact, as we drove away, Freddie said he wanted them all to come to OUR house.

And then he snored, LOUDLY, all the way home.