Tips for Long Visit with Sister in Law and Kids..

Great Lakes Crossing is a must...have lunch at Rain Forest Cafe and then go on the carouseal, play in the play area and they also have some quarter-operated rides all in the same area. I would highly recommend Kidde Klub as well...they also have a small and nutrious cafe in which you can all have lunch...it is very age appropriate for the kids you have. Markers, crayons, stickers, play-doh all help entertain for a little while. hope this helps...I have been there! Believe it or not, I bet they will entertain each other a bit more than you would have ever predicted.

Don't underesimate the power of a good sprinkler and lots of buckets! Side walk chalk can also be lots of fun. I would also make sure that everyone gets thier naps. I know when we have guests we usually skip naps but with long visits and that many little ones it will be a must for both the kids and the Moms!!
Have Fun!!!

not sure where you live, but castaway cafe is AWESOME!!!

How fun for cousin time! My brother lives out of state and when we get together, it is the best! Our kids are all the same ages, so we have 2 six-yr-olds, 2 four's, 2 two's and now 2 infants! We don't really plan too much when they come (other than a trip to the zoo), because the kids just have fun playing together! Even though there are so many, sometimes it seems like less work than just my four. They have each other to keep them busy...they often rotate who they play with.
I hope all goes well for you. Enjoy the special family time!
A.

I would stock up on outside toys, water toys, balls etc. Backyard fun and trips to the park will tire them out and make everything go smoother. We sometimes set up a table outside,cover it with paper and let the kids paint outside, then they can rinse off in the sprinkler or kiddie pool. We hang there art on the clothesline to dry - they love it!!!

Lisa,

You've gotten many great suggestions already. I live on the other side of the state, but one thing I thought of was maybe take the kids to some kind of nature center. Somewhere where you can all go and just walk around and enjoy nature, maybe pack a picnic lunch and eat it there, then take everyone home for a nap!

Also around here in our hometown and in another town in the same county they have bands come in on Saturday nights to the local parks. People come in with their lawn chairs, or blankets and spread out and listen to the music. Sometimes its bluegrass, or country, or jazz, mostly instrumentals. Usually they start at about 7:00PM, put the kids in their jammies and when they fall asleep on the way home just put them right to bed. Best of all its free. Do they do anything like this near you?

I just bought my son an inflatable pool from Target--and boy, does he love it! With kids so young, they can have a blast with inflatables and there are so many great toys to choose from also. Just make sure you invest in an electric air pump to make it easier on yourself and your little ones will not be able to wait for everything to be blown up quickly enough. I would also hit all the playgrounds in the area and McDonald's with playscapes--kids love that stuff. Also, water balloons are fun. Maybe even invest in a couple of super soakers. I don't know how far you are from Ann Arbor, but the Children's Hands On Museum is wonderful for kids that age.

-M.

Spend a rainy day at Kiddie Klub in troy. They can run off some of the energy without driving you to crazy.