Peekaboo and snacks

Sometimes you just need a hug to help wake up

“Tut, tut, looks like snacks”

Just two gals resting after a Saturday afternoon dance party

Testing the new mattress before Des’ first sleepover, brother points to sister’s absolutely criminal behavior of standing on the bed

<3

And now it’s snowing. Again.

Reminiscing about her first spring, Eleanor yearns for another, pondering, “will this winter ever end?” (note the ironic selection of the stuffed snowman in her arm)

Mom is ready for the sleepover with her grilled cheese game dialed up to “serious” mode

Let the wild rumpus begin! Or, let’s all watch Inside Out and watch dad hold back the tears

Liam reading The Lorax quite well, despite the many tongue-twisters

Although Liam eventually tired and tapped uncle David to finish. He too read quite well, despite mom’s heckling about the Lorax sounding a bit too derivative of Sean Connery

Cousins, quietly winding down before bedtime 😉

This moment captures the grand experiment perfectly. While there was some initial chatter between all three of them, it was immediately apparent that Desmond was going to assume the time-honored role of “The Instigator.” He was certainly keyed up (read: overly tired) and excited about his new sleeping buddies. However, the older—and much wiser—cousins knew folks may not be happy about the current noise level and instinctively ducked into sleep-like postures when they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. “Lay down Desmond! Be quiet, you fool, or we’ll all get it!” they seemed to warn in hushed tones. Everyone eventually fell asleep without ever waking up sister in the nearby room. Overall it was a wholly successful first sleepover with Liam and Viv.