that's what friends are for

Yesterday was a continuation of the whirlwind that was our weekend. John had to work, but I didn't and E and A's school was closed for Columbus Day. So, we got up in the morning, got dressed, ate breakfast and headed into Arlington for the first of two scheduled play dates. This one was with one of my oldest friends, Liz, and her two sons, Jake and Sean, who are 6 months younger than E and A, respectively.

The play date was great...Jake and Sean are a little shy but the girls had great fun playing with all of the fake power tools, cars and Lincoln Logs at their house. I have to giggle about the gender non-neutrality at my house...so we'll be buying a few cars and trucks in the near future. We had some lunch (chicken nuggets and tater tots for the kiddos, Lost Dog Cafe for the mamas) and then headed home.

After A went down for her nap, my parents stopped in. They were on their way home from a nature walk at a nearby vineyard. Then E and I played a little Cariboo and made some pizza dough for dinner.

After A woke up, play date #2 began with Marathon Mom and her crew coming over. While the kiddos whooped it up, we chatted and caught up. It was so funny to see her holding Baby Meredith and think that when we first met at New Mom's Group, E and William were about Meredith's age. Who would have thought that 4 years later we would still be getting together for play dates.

Jenn and her clan stuck around for pizzas, which the kids successfully helped make by sprinkling the cheese on. After dinner Jenn headed out with SPC's Chicken Tetrazzini (finally!). I threw my kids in the tub, into bed and then pretty much collapsed in a heap of exhaustion myself.

When I was telling John about our day, he looked at me like I was crazy for scheduling so much on my day off. The fact of the matter is, I wouldn't have had it any other way. Life is just crazy these days with balancing work and family ... and it's embarrassing how little I get to see my friends when it all comes down to it. So, yeah, I might be tired because of the insanity of it all...but the conversations, the catching up, the chance for my kids to become friends with my friends' kids? That is worth a little exhaustion.

I just hope I don't have to wait for the next three-day-weekend to see Liz and Jenn again.