We had a baby shower this past weekend for my cousin, Anna. I got to see people I hadn’t seen in a long time and one whom I had never seen.
That adorable, chubby-cheeked fellow on Sidney’s lap is the cousin I had never met. His name is Lincoln Jasper. Not to be confused with Lincoln James, who is my not-so-chubby-cheeked fellow in the middle.
Actually, Lincoln Jasper’s daddy is my cousin. So that would make my LJ my second cousin? Or is it 1st cousin once removed? And my kids and LJ would be second cousins. Or is that 1st cousins twice removed?
I’ve never understood this whole cousin terminology. I would be forever grateful if someone would explain this to me once and for all. I’m 36 years old, and I think it is high time I understood the branches on the family tree. I’m reasonably sure that I am mature enough to handle the information.
Prairie Sings 
I believe you are correct. Lincoln Jasper would be your first cousin, once-removed, and second cousins w/ your children since they are on the same “level” on the family tree. But don’t quote me on that.
what i don’t understand…how did my little sister get to be 36. anyway, whenever the cousin thing get explained to you then i will know (at 54 years old).
Well, at least my thinking can’t be too far off the mark if Carla agrees with me. I will officially refer to Lincoln Jasper as my first cousin, once removed and second cousin to my children unless someone wiser than Carla and I put together comes forward to correct me.
There is no one in the world wiser than the two of us put together, sista. Ha ha! 😉
Carla, I can think of atleast one person who would disagree with that, the same person who goes around sporting a cap that says, “If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.” 😉
Fortunately for you and me, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t read my blog. So we won’t be found out.
Unless the wife, who does read my blog, mentions this little dialogue to him.