Whirlwind weekend at Guantanamo Play

This weekend, we had the pleasure of hosting a whole bunch of Hursts from Atlanta, Florida, Maine and California. It was lovely getting some quality time with Bubbe, Zayde, Uncle Todd, Uncles Steve and David, and Aunts Sonnie and Melissa and Cousins Dan, Kim, Sam and Nate. Whew! It was certainly a whirlwind. If only our kitchen was bigger...or self-cleaning. Now that Ariel is eating 3 meals and 2 snacks (though they all seem somewhat similar), the kitchen and kitchen nook are in a constant state of "just cleaned" and "needs to be cleaned again". This state was magnified with the cooking and baking done for Shabbat for the gang. Despite the domestic difficulties, it was such a pleasure for everyone getting to spend some quality time together.

Ariel was in rare form talking up a storm with everyone and showing off his skills. He is getting better and better at standing up on his own from a seated position and hovering there before either plopping back down or turning to his favorite toys: his musical table or increasingly dangerous coffee table. The musical table was the best $15 we ever spent. It brings hours of enjoyment to one and all. Plus, you will always remember the colors and alpha bet in both English and Spanish. It's interesting to note that jazz scatting seems to be the same in both languages.

Bubbe insisted on bringing out some toys we had hidden in AT's room, so now the living room of fun (also known as 'Guantanamo Play' when the safety gate is closed) is now home to Patches the rocking horse and parts of an activity table with colorful wooden beads on wires. Add that to a collection of balls ranging from giant yoga balls left over from AT bouncing to sleep days to a night glow soccer ball to a softball in Dodger blue. With the blocks, books and then the low tech toys like a paper cup and plastic water bottle, it is truly a child's paradise.

Gitmo has made the room much safer. The fireplace and TV area are blocked off by gates and Aaron jeopardized our security deposit with the installation of a baby gate in the doorway. Yet when we close the gate to prepare a meal for him or clean up from the last one or heaven forbid, run to the bathroom, he resents it and stands at the gate and whines. It's so sad to hear, but it's so nice that he wants us around so much just for moral support as he plays away.

Ariel got to meet Hurst cousins, Sam (5) and Nate (3) and showed them his fun toys. Even though they are so much bigger than he is, he enjoyed getting their attention by talking, waving, clapping and throwing blocks. He was especially attracted to Nate's shiny shoes, which disturbed Nate. Ariel doesn't mean any harm when he reaches out to grab stuff or hair, but I know other kids don't quite see it that way. It's what made going to IKAR ECC Shabbat class so exhausting for me. All that scooting around to grab him before he had a fistfull of ponytail or nailed another kid with a toy. Last class, I didn't quite get there before he grabbed a baby's face. Fortunately, he didn't get the eyes and his mom was so nice about it. Ariel doesn't stop for a second! He's amazing but so tiring! Can't wait to play date with the other two scamps in the class: twins Matan and Ori.

Anyway, we have many new fun toys, pictures and wonderful memories of the family weekend. Now that the kitchen is back together, we are ready to do it all over again!