Backyard fun...

I know I have probably mentioned it before, but I live in a great little town.  We have some cute shops, great resteraunts, wonderful school and library, but most importantly, we have great people that live here!  Many of the mama's from town have chosen to work part time or stay at home, sacrificing the extra cash, vacations, etc., to be able to stay home and raise their children.  I really respect this and was thrilled to meet so many cool women when we moved to this town about 4 years ago.  However, over the last year or so, life has changed.  All of our children are older and are involved in a variety of different activities, leaving us mamas with less free time to hang at each other's houses or meet at the park.  As exciting as it is to see my oldest involved in new things, there is a part of me that misses the way things used to be...

Needless to say, I was thrilled to get an email from a friend {who lives just two houses away} saying that she would be hosting a little backyard, kiddie pool get together!  With peaches to share in hand, off we went...I'm not sure who was more excited, me or the kiddos!  We had a wonderful time!  I know I have written about spending special time with each child, your spouse, even taking time alone for yourself; but I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have friends.  Growing up as an only child who was sent to private school out of town, I missed out on these kinds of friendships and being a part of a community.  I can't tell you how surreal it is to have the life you always wanted as a child, as an adult.  Does that make any sense?  It also is great to know that my children will have a different {and in my opinion, better} experience than I had growing up.  There is such a great feeling about being able to walk out of your front door, and know that the people who live around you know your name and that you know theirs... suprisingly, these are the people who become your close friends; not becasue you have known each other forever, but because you see each other every day, just by virtue of where you live. 

To me, this is the kind of stuff that summer is made of: backyards, wet, playing children with grass stuck to their feet, and being able to have fun and see friends without ever getting in the car.  And to think, I have this great life, just from taking my little one's to the local park and getting to know the other mama's there. Pretty cool. 

a. 

Comments

[Emmalina]

Beautiful post. I agree, when you find a sense of community it is to be cherished. I think your kids are lucky to grow up with you for a mama!

[http://mysweetbabu.typepad.com]

Thank you so much!
Oh, I meant to catch up with you...I made your
pasta dish that you blogged about the other day.
VERY good!
: )

[Emmalina]

Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, I know how hard it is to find something to tickle the taste buds during that first yucky trimester feeling. I felt all that yumminess doing me good when I ate it. I'm glad to think you and your tiniest bean are benefiting from the courgette goodness : )

[Mountain NewBee]

I totally agree- it's the BEST knowing that you're giving your kids the childhood you've always wanted! That's what it's all about, right? Each generation can/could do a little better than the last by improving on how they were raised.
I'm just beginning- escrow on my house in the mountains is closing in 2 weeks- possibly 1! I'm so amazed at my life right now- we aren't wealthy by any means, but we just keep getting richer and richer! :)
~M~

[http://mysweetbabu.typepad.com]

Right on! Sometimes we just scrape by, but we have a home that we poured our hearts into making, the mtg gets paid...and I can raise my little ones. I have many years to work full time and make $ for vacations and other stuff, but right now, I wouldn't have it any other way...