Being Neighborly

The girls and I had our first official “play” date today.  We’ve gotten together with other kids before, but not since the girls are old enough to actually play.  Today was the first time they were given the chance to interact with their peers, and interact they did!  There was beautiful Lily, who is about a month younger than the girls, and loveable Steven, who is only a few weeks younger.  The kids spent most of their time colliding mid-air with each other and coveting whatever toy was in someone else’s hands.  The moms stayed close by, playing referee, distributing food and water, and keeping the kids from poking each other’s eyes out (we kind of sound like jailers of pint-sized inmates, don’t we?).  It was wonderful to have other moms with which to swap suggestions (“Try this brand of sippy cup for less leaking”), shore up our shaky intuitions (“I think it’s OK that she’s not talking yet…right?) and share relieved admissions (“Oh I’m so glad he stuffs all his food in his mouth at once, too!”).

Especially since we live in a rather rural area and the girls won’t be able to just run down the street to play with neighbors (unless they wanted to play with neighboring cows and horses), it’s so nice to have found local children for company.  The girls are very social with each other, but I’m thankful that they won’t have to spend all winter cooped up inside poking each other in the nose – now there are other noses to poke!  

Becky (on left): “Can you show me that doll-flipping move again?  I’d like to try it on my sister.”

Susie (in middle): “I don’t know what’s more fun – having so many new people to smile at, or so many new toys to grab!”

(The second photo courtesy of Lily’s mom)