See these two girls next to me in the photo on the right? They are who I like to call my "sister cousins." (I actually have three, the other is Valerie, but she's not in the picture.) On the left is Jennifer ("Jen") and on the right is Lisa. They are the two daughters of my dad's sister Gloria. We grew up playing together and making wonderfully fun childhood memories, and they are SO dear to me. Last Summer they hosted a beautiful baby shower for me and Tess, and that's where this pic was taken. They are a little younger than me (3-4 years) but only a year apart in age. Lisa is married to Aaron and has 3 beautiful kids: Wesley, Annabelle, and Colette. Jen is married to Evan and has 2 adorable boys, Daniel and David, and a baby girl on the way (arriving in June!).
Anyhow, the reason I'm sharing this is because in October we started a very FUN tradition -- a monthly "play date." THIS is one of those stay-at-home-mom things that I always imagined doing, and I'm so grateful to these girls for making it possible. On the third Tuesday of the month, we get together at either Lisa or Jen's house (so their kids can play together -- my house is lacking age-appropriate toys for kids ages 2-6) for girl talk, encouragement, laughter, fellowship, and to make more memories together. The kids play, and we drink coffee and have lunch and enjoy each others' company. Tess is getting to know her cousins (Are they second cousins, or cousins once removed?), and she and baby Colette are just 5 months apart in age so they will get to be playmates as they both get a little older.
Our time together has been such a blessing to me, to feel connected with my family and to bond with Lisa and Jen in a new way, over stories of babies and parenting. (It doesn't seem that long ago, we were bonding over baby dolls and Barbies!) Below is a pic taken at our last play date, with the kiddos helping Tess "play." It really feels like we've come full-circle, having played together as kids this small and now watching our kids play together. In June, babies Colette and Tess will have a new little girl to add to the fun!
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