Special Play Dates

Graham and I have enjoyed an array of special/unique play dates over the past couple of weeks that were too good to pass up mentioning. 
First up was a surprise play date at the zoo with Graham’s buddy from infancy, Kalista Hall.  Kalista’s mommy, Jenn, is one of my favorite mommy friends but I hardly ever get to see her because she has an older daughter who keeps her on a different schedule.  It was my last Friday with Graham before he was going to start preschool so we planned an extra special outing to the zoo.  As we were walking to the front gate, Graham was really excited and could hardly contain himself, but just before we got to the entrance, Jenn drove up and surprised us!  Immediately, Graham decided he wanted to follow Jenn and wait for Kalista (and big sister Sophia) before going into the zoo.  We met up in the parking lot and the kids were so, so sweet, holding hands as they walked in.  We did the front half of the zoo together, before parting ways after some fun rides down the grassy hill with all three kiddos trying to fit on one piece of cardboard.  It was a great surprise to run into the Halls and made Graham’s day at the zoo ten times better (2 years, 6 months, 13 days old):

Next up was a very, VERY, special visit with baby Lee (who is not a baby anymore).  Lee’s mommy, Grace, along with Rylan’s mommy, Natalie, were my walking buddies when our kids were first born (not to mention the fact that we were all in the same birthing class together).  We walked together every week and supported each other through those very beginning stages of parenthood, while our little boys became the best of friends, but Grace moved to the east coast when the boys were six months old.  Natalie and I were thrilled when we got the email that Grace was going to be in town, so we planned a play date at the park.  Our (now) two and a half year old boys played together like no time had passed and the old walking buddies got to catch up (and marvel that it certainly didn’t feel like two years since we had seen each other last).  The boys ran, jumped, played in dirt, played with cars, and ended the date with lots of hugs.  Great seeing you Lee!  Hope we get to do it again sometime (2 years, 6 months, 15 days old):

Our next play date was with Janet Brasler, my dear friend Elizabeth’s mom, and Graham’s buddy, Zane Kneizeh’s grandma.  I was telling Elizabeth that I was bummed that my very favorite changing pad was on backorder, so I wouldn’t be able to buy one in time for Baby Boy Millington #2’s arrival.  Even though she lives in Virginia, Elizabeth offered to send me hers and then came up with an even better plan when she was able to send the changing pad back to California with her mom, who offered to drive up from Thousand Oaks to hand deliver it to me.  I arranged to meet Janet at a park (for the hand-off) because I would have Graham with me.  Our quick hand-off turned into an hour and a half super fun play date.  Janet and I caught up as Graham played and then Janet joined Graham and he was smitten right away.  Janet is a retired kindergarten teacher and it totally showed.  I ended up only getting pictures from afar because every time I got off the bench to join Janet and Graham, Graham would say, “no Mama, don’t play with us, go sit back down.”  Apparently, he didn’t want anything to interrupt his special time with Janet.  She even gave Graham his own book, so he wouldn’t feel left out when Baby Brother was getting the changing pad, but Graham ended up playing with that, as well, when we got it home (2 years, 6 months, 16 days old):

Our next play date was a trip to the beach with Cherise, Kenzie, and baby Cassidy Beard.  What made it special was that the Beard family was willing to join us.  Graham had been begging to go to the beach for a LONG time and I just couldn’t face it on a hot day, so when a chilly, overcast day rolled around, I jumped at the chance.  Needless to say, the beach wasn’t terribly crowded that day, but Cherise agreed to come anyway (with jackets and blankets in tow).  Graham played with his beach toys while he waited for Kenzie to arrive, but just as she arrived and Cherise and I settled in for some chit chatting, Graham decided to take off with his dump truck.  By the time I went after him, he was so far ahead of me that the lifeguard decided to take over the chase and was in the midst of a deep discussion with Graham by the time I waddled up to join them.  When it was finally time to pack up and head home, the kids had a great time sharing the only sand-free space left and flashing their silly picture smiles (2 years, 6 months, 23 days old):

Finally, we capped off the run of fun play dates with a special Mommy/Graham date.  We started off the morning with a PEP meeting at the park and after about 2 hours of hard play, I decided to give Graham one extra treat before heading home.  We went for another ride on Little Toot!  We opted for the roundtrip adventure and ended up being the only passengers in both directions.  Graham was really excited this time and wasn’t scared at all.  We saw pelicans, kayakers, and huge boats, but Graham’s favorite was the sea lions.  He got to steer the boat again and had a great time pointing out the pier as we headed back to dry land.  It was a great day with my special little boy (2 years, 6 months, 26 days old):