Big Kids & Babies

Rain cancelled my Red, White, and YOU playdate today - had crafts all ready to go, made the mistake of telling Natalie about it last night.  I was seriously bummed, and Natalie was more than a little distraught (it is so hard to be three)!  When we got a very impromptu invitation to hang out with a few friends - indoors - we jumped at the chance.  This little gathering included a photo session.

Here are the "big kids"* - all nearing their third birthdays** - who have known each other since the days of tummy time and rolling over!

* Matthew is not pictured.

** Morgan (far left) is only two and a half, but she hangs with this "older" crowd!

And here are the Babies ... all born since December. 

Charlotte is the oldest, but not the biggest, thanks to Alex ;)

Of course, she is also not the smallest, either.

Before I became a mom, I never realized just how special
my relationships with other moms would be ...
sharing, celebrating, commiserating, supporting, enjoying, ...

That our children would be playmates who look forward
to seeing each other almost as much as we do.

That our babies are growing up side-by-side, making memories. 

Watching their interactions and their individual personalities is a absolute wonder!  

This is a very special (and unexpected) part of my motherhood journey! 

Say It With a Song: Best Friends

Ask Natalie to name her best friend, and without hesitation, with no doubt in her young mind, and a big smile on her face - she'll say, "Cee-Cee!"  They were born five days apart but first met at the tender age of six months.  One of Natalie's first words was "Cee-Cee" and despite the fact that her friend's name is actually Sahara, I have a hard time calling her anything but the nickname Natalie bestowed upon her at about 15 months of age.  In just about a month, these best friends will turn three years old!

Almost  not a day goes by that Natalie doesn't ask to play with Cee-Cee.  When they do see each other - probably about once a week - they run to embrace each other and then fall in step as they head off to play with each other.  It is the sweetest thing!

Here are a few photos taken at a local park on a recent (and rare) sunny day:

Between these candid photos and the words of this song, I think you'll start to understand that this friendship is truly special!

Best Friends

written and sung by Frances England

We’re best friends

We look out for one another

We’re best friends

We take care of each other

I know you and you know me

We fit together like puzzle pieces

When I wake up in the morning

It’s you I want to see, It’s you I want to see

We share our books, we share our toys

We jump up on the bed and make lots of noise

Sitting in the backyard under the tress

It’s just you and me, it’s you and me

Building forts with blankets and sheets

Swimming in the pool to beat the summer heat

Riding our bikes through the park

Staying up late, after dark

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You can hear a preview of this song here.

I am linking up with BJ Mama 

for her Say It With a Song Sunday

at For What It's Worth ... or Not.

Top Ten Tuesday - Mom Dating

I blog as a way of journaling my life.  As a way of preserving memories of my daughters' early lives.  As a way to remember what happens in the blur of motherhood.  And I really like to look through my "archives". 

I've realized that there are some really good "old" posts floating around this little blog of mine, so I plan to dust them off, shine them up a bit - just for you - and share a favorite each Tuesday.  I even made a button ... 

Mom Dating originally posted January 20, 2008

I am fairly certain I was picked up at Starbucks today. Her nonfat vanilla latte came up just before my own nonfat, extra hot chai tea latte. She swayed with a sleeping, knit hat clad baby in her oh-so-northwest Ergo carrier. I rhythmically pushed my stroller to-and-fro in the hopes that my little NHV would finally fall asleep. Eyes met. Knowing glances were exchanged. And a 15-minute conversation ensued ... with a total stranger ... a woman who, prior to giving birth, wouldn't have even said hi to me as we grabbed our hot beverages from the barista's counter!

Our tiny companions give us enough in common to chat like old friends. Of course, we provided our babies' names before we introduced ourselves - that's what mommies do. I think we are so darn proud of having made such a monumental decision, that we just have to share that information first. Anyway, we covered incredible amounts of information about our babies - from age and weight to sleeping and eating habits ... and about ourselves - from our feelings about the dreary NW weather to our decisions about returning to work. Yes, it was a successful first date.

Our conversation ended with a somewhat awkward phone number request, but something tells me, she won't call. And that's alright with me. You see, the immediate and compelling need for adult interaction was satisfied ... at least for today. And there's always another mommy to meet ... and, if I am being honest, that fact is more than a little comforting. There are days when the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" just isn't enough.

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Today's Thoughts:  It felt like deja vu this past Saturday when - for the first time - I gave my "digits" to a mom I barely know - and by barely, I mean I've seen her twice in my entire life. Before I left for my recent trip to IL, we chatted outside the Carter's Store while our girls rode the quarter carousel. This past Saturday we both bravely attempted a trip to Costco - on Memorial Day weekend!  In line for frozen yogurt, our eyes met.  I thought, "Huh, she looks familiar."  Natalie started whining and distracted me.  Suddenly, it clicked and I said, "Hey, I know you from the outlet mall."  Great pick up line, huh?  We chatted and made our way through the crowd to our parked cars and said our good byes.  But I had this lingering thought that I would really like to hang out with her again.  While CPV made sure the girls were strapped in their car seats, I scribbled my email address on a random scrap of paper and raced toward her minivan.  And, guess what, today I got a message from her ... inviting me (and the girls) to a playdate in this week.  Funny, it's so NOT dating ... but there's still a certain thrill to meeting a mom who could potentially be a friend!

Wordless Wednesday: Friendship

"Friendship is one mind in two bodies."

17 years of knowing each other

High school duo

College roommates

Maids of Honor

Best Friends

Separated by many miles and a time zone

Sharing phone calls, emails, photos, & blog posts

Celebrating triumphs

Supporting through tribulations

Appreciating all the silly things

Basking in the joys of motherhood with these two

the strong silent type & a little chatterbox

deep brown eyes & bright blue eyes

two peas in a pod - nonetheless

You can see more great photos and Wordless Wednesday posts here and here and here.

A Seat for Our Friends

Natalie totes around her Elmo and Eebee doll ... and finds some pretty interesting places for them to "rest." Just the other day, Elmo and Eebee got a front row seat of all the backyard action from the flowerpots. How cute is that?!