Anatomy Of A Play Date

One hour prior to play date: Tell 4 yr old that we will be meeting up with her best friend from school to swim. Sheer excitement ensues and she can't wait to see her friend. She begins to make grandiose plans of what will happen on play date.


First 30 minutes of play date: Kids hug. Smiles abound. They run into the water and begin to frolick and splash. Life is good.


Next 30 minutes: Kids decide that whatever swim toy the other has, she MUST have. Negotiations and common sense will not work- so don't even try.


30 minutes later: Children are friends again. For now. They play water princesses and harrass whichever adult is brave enough to be in the water with them.


Last 30 minutes of play date: Lots of "I don't want to be your friend." "You can't come to my house. Ever." "You aren't being nice." "If you don't wanna be my friend, I don't wanna be your friend." From both of the girls who 30 minutes before had been water princess sisters. No hugs. No smiles. Parents pack up and say goodbyes, hoping the kids will be quiet, so maybe the chance of another play date isn't out of the question.


On the way home: "Mommy, when can we see her again? I love her."

I'm Just Glad We're Moving At The End Of Summer

As I may have mentioned, we are leaving this apartment for good. Our house should be finished by the end of July. Needless to say, we are ecstatic.

I've always liked my apartment. I like my next door neighbor that plays in the house band for the Grand Ole Opry and tells me crazy stories of the Opry in the 60's. I like the convenience of it being 5 minutes to everything, especially Target. I like the fact that I've never had to fix anything and if the light bulb just happens to be blown in the room the maintenance people are working in, they go out to their little golf cart, get one of the good ones, and replace it without even asking.

I will miss those things a little bit.

I will not miss the skunk that lives in a hole right outside of our apartment. I will not miss the maintenance people walking in to change the air filter/spray for pests/check the smoke alarm at the most inopportune times- right after getting out of the shower, or nap time. I will not miss the cheapo carpet/refrigerator/stove/air conditioner. I will not miss the fight for parking spots.

Now that I think about it, I can only think of one thing that I will miss. A lot.

The pool.

During the summer, we spend most mornings at the pool. Usually with my friend and Maddie's future husband, Ethan.

It's free. There aren't many people swimming and splashing me. Lunch is just a short walk away. Maddie and Ethan play together in the water, while Christie and I hang out and do what we do best- talk.

The best thing about the pool, though, is the sheer exhaustion that follows.

Maddie is content to just relax for the rest of the day. There is no, "Can we go here?" "What are we gonna do tonight?" "Can we go to the mall?" "What fun thing is going to happen now?"

Instead, I hear, "I'm just gonna sit on the couch for a few minutes." "What movie can I watch?" "I don't really wanna go anywhere. I'm too tired."

Today, she even took a nap. For her, that's HUGE. She hasn't taken a non- car ride inducing nap in I don't know how long.

It was great.

So, while I will miss the pool and the memories it is sure to bring. I'll really miss the naps.