July 20, 2013
It dawned on me the other night, as I was sitting around with a group of girlfriends whom I had grown up with, so to speak, as a mother, that it was an end of an era. We all had kids, especially our first 2, very close together and the kids were all very close in age. Our kids had grown up together, through play dates and park adventures and outings to far flung museums I can’t believe we were so adventurous to try with such young ones. At the time, we picked their friends by our choice in friends. They played together because us moms all loved, respected and got along with each other. As time went on and the start of elementary school began, our adventures together with the kids dwindled off, the kids started to form their own interests, and therefore preferences in play date buddies, but at the heart of it all, was the foundation of them growing up together, from babes to toddlers to preschoolers to school age children. Those foundations are strong and those bonds are hard to break.
I’ve been in denial that it’s the end of an era, that our kids are no longer babies, or even toddlers. They’re all in elementary school, our weekday adventures long gone. And while those days of having 2 under 2 were often, so so hard, they were also ridiculously special. The friendships I formed, the bonds the kids made together, are some which will never be forgotten.
Mommas of little ones, still toddling around, still nursing day and night, still crying at preschool drop off; treasure this time. I know it sounds crazy, but one day you’ll look back and realize just how special of a time it was. Go out and make friends, find a tribe that you can vent to and cry with and laugh with and your kids can spend this special time with. Once school starts it’s a whole new story and that chapter will be closed forever. You may not be able to see it now, but this time is hard and rough but it is very, very special.
I’m happy where we are right now, but I’d love to go back in time just for a day and have one more Aquarium adventure with the gang, chasing after a couple of toddlers, wondering how my life had come to this. Hindsight is always 20/20 I guess.
*The kids had a really special sleepover last night, with their 2 buddies they grew up with on Julian Ave. Syd and O have known each other since they day O was born. Taylor and C met when they moved on our block, when they were both just 2 years old. It was a great, great night and morning. Next week they move across the country and while I’m optimistic that our friendship is strong enough and special enough to last, of course I can’t help but be sad that we won’t be able to see them whenever we want. Last night, as we were swimming, I turned to Art and said, “I hope they all remember this time together.” He assured me without a doubt that they would, and I can’t help but believe him.
Oh did this hit home, Andrea. With A entering 3day preschool in the all and V being a FIRST GRADER, I look back and think about how HARD those years were but also how much I miss them already.
Misty over here
I love these pictures and the remarks. Thank you for such a special night for my girls–and for the many, many special memories in the past and the many, many special memories to come!