Social Butterflies

It seems that we have been social butterflies for a couple of days this week.

On Thurs., we had our last official playgroup get-together. We've been meeting most weeks for almost 5 years now. We started when our older kids were about 8 months old. The 3 kids that still get together regularly all have birthdays within 8 days of each other. They will all be starting kindergarten this fall in different school districts. We've seen each other through the births of 4 babies (including 1 set of twins!). They've been very supportive when Gabby was so sick and since Jack died. I'm going to miss seeing them so often now. Owen and Nichelle are a couple of Sarah's best friends. We're hoping to still see each other on week-ends. It just won't be as often.

Owen, Sarah, Gabby & Nichelle

Then today was even busier. We had a playdate at a local park followed by a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese for one of Sarah's friends. The playdate was a lot of fun. It was nice to spend some time with other parents who are also friends of mine and let the kids play. They brought paint and fingerpaints, and a fun, messy time was had by all. (Dirt + paint + play = messy kids) Then it was on to Chuck E Cheese. The best word I have for that place is overstimulating. And that's putting it nicely. You can't hear yourself think let alone what someone is saying to you in that place. Poor Gabby. During the birthday song part, she was leaning against me, and I had my hand over her other ear. She didn't even want to eat her pizza because of the noise level. Sarah had more fun there. They did both enjoy the rides, which were free. However, I don't think that I will ever have a birthday party there or take my kids there for any other reason. If you spend too much time in a place like that, it can damage your hearing. Seriously. It was that noisy. We were going to go to a circle supper with UU church folks this evening. We got home, and I threw together a cherry cobbler. But, while it was cooling, we all wound up taking really long naps instead. I was glad for the rest. While it was a late night for the girls due to the late nap, they are now quietly in bed and squeeky clean.

We're headed to CA for our car-trip vacation later this week where we will continue the social butterfly thing. Of the days we will be gone (about 10) I think that there's only one day where we won't be seeing someone we know or staying at someone's house. Some days we will be seeing more than one person. We will flit from place to place until we are home. And the next thing we know, Sarah will be starting kindergarten. Now THAT will be a change for all of us.