Teeth chattering, because Melbourne Summer can throw you a cool one straight after a scorcher. Yet, my little cousin Eliza decided Summer is for legs out, and didn’t dig deep for the jeans like I did. Jeans. In Summer. Wish I could say I missed you my old friends, but dresses will always win my heart.
I grabbed Eliza and hugged her and told her I’d warm her up. Then realised she probably didn’t remember who I was. Us Russells only got in touch again a few years back, and our once a year (if we’re lucky) catch up often constitutes reintroductions. “I’m your cousin, Kelly”, I said, as she happily accepted my holding cuddle as I wrapped her inside my cardigan.
I asked her if she still loved Snow Leopards – because remebering stuff like that is important for kids, and she smiled and said yes.
More cousins, auntys, uncles, and new babies arrived.
Second cousins meeting third cousins and the confusion on the kids faces as they try to work out where they fit in the picture. “So if your Dad and my Poppy are brothers”, asks Malitda, “what does that make us?” “Sisters?”, I reply, as we giggle at the thought.
I love catching up with my cousins and hearing of their year gone by since the last time we threw a red and white checked table cloth down, filled it with cheese and bottles of champagne and called it a ‘Russell Reunion”.
A toast made to the newly engaged Anna and Sacha (about time Australia!), and the new arrivals of Emmerson and Edith – more babies to love!
Over the years my cousins have created some of the best little humans getting around. (… “but Miss Watson, you said we were your favourite kids”. It’s ok 2W, plenty of love to go round.)
I walked over to the playground and soon realise that I should make more effort to spend time with these amazing kids.
Benji – A hot dog roll hanging from his mouth as he hoists his similarly cheeky, inquisitive sister high enough to reach the first monkey bar.
Ed – Demonstrating that height is no feat as he climbs on top for a better view.
Matilda – energetic and taking charge to organise a fair swing sharing system.
Mabel – showing her affection with a donk on the head and a giggle.
Eliza – sweet sweet girl. I could have cuddled her all day.
Lili – strong, independent and happy as she plays.
Oscar – quiet and shy, seemingly older than his years.
Nancy – one with the boys. She ain’t got time for no one.
And Juno – my strawberry milk drinking, chocolate eclair eating, freckled nose, unicorn dreaming, ray of absolute sunlight.

I do spend most of my time with the kids. Maybe it’s because I’m a kid at heart too. I can’t pass a swing set without jumping on to feel the thrill of the air against my cheeks and the rush of flying higher. Or maybe it’s because I don’t have any children of my own, so the opportunity to love someone else’s is something I’ll always accept with open arms.
Maybe it’s because I’m a teacher and can relate to their everyday lives – like, my gosh, how annoying are teachers when they haven’t had their coffee. I know right.

On the car trip home, Dad smiled and said, “Well that was a bloody good day”! Yes Dad. It bloody was.

I belong to something pretty amazing.

I’m sure you do too.