This is 12; This is Mother's Day; This is Houston

Every year since 2007 for the Cohan family, Mother's Day has become synonymous with Mira's birthday. And since Team Cohen joined the Texas crew in 2013, it's become synonymous with a fun-family-filled weekend in Houston for us as well. While recent storms threatened Aunt Sandi's plumbing, we took to the grocery store as toileting needs arose, and made the best of our time together!

We surprised our kiddos by heading straight for Houston during nap time, picking up Gabi early from school. Our evil plan worked, though, with car nap time:

We also managed to surprise the gang in Houston by arriving just in time to start the weekend celebration early with some fabulously exciting ice cream.

The "fairy floss" around the cups was definitely the excitement of the afternoon.

toddler double fisting action

bro cousins happy to be reunited

When you have to go to the grocery store to relieve your bowels, it's even more special when you get to explore a fire truck while you're there.

Saturday morning shenanigans continued. First the kiddos went crazy inside Aunt Sandi's house; then we let them loose outside.

Cohen family musicians

photobombing Jacob is super cool

Sandi threw finger paints, canvases, paper, and various paint brushes at the cardboard trough. Children's creativity grew alive.



One thing led to another...

In the afternoon, we had some indoor playtime before splitting ways.


Children ages 6 and under ventured out to frozen yogurt.

Children ages 9 and up ventured out to watch an Astro's game!


Since we were "low" on numbers that night, Aunt Sandi said we could have a special picnic dinner on the floor! And then she read bedtime stories to us too. We love special aunt time!

Mother's Day began quite early the next morning...like 5 am early, when Ethan had to use the restroom and Starbucks had better working toilets than Chez Cohan. (And I had to pay for something to make myself feel better.) Then chaos resumed as per usual once the rest of the cousins woke up.

It was great to spend quality time with my babies and some other quality moms as well.


Lest we forget, we were there to celebrate Mira's 12th Birthday too! And since we had had ice cream each other day in Houston, it seemed an ice cream celebration was clearly in order.

A little more family fun before leaving Houston to head back to the ranch:



Heading back home, we had tired big kids and a wide-awake, yet delightful toddler. A great trip to Houston as always!