Fun with Friends

Sports camp gang

We sprung (springed? trudged? sleepily stumbled?) ahead this weekend. Four out of five Vs looked a little worse for the wear on Monday morning. And then there was Declan. The boy could have subbed in for the sun. He radiated happiness and joy. And sound. So much sound. Mike and Fiona needed to be separated from him. They’re more “sun [and sound] at midday” kind of people.

As we anticipate spring and warmer weather (while knowing we live in Minnesota and it will probably snow at least two more times), we’ve been enjoying getting out with friends. I imagine we feel as the bears do when they come out of hibernation. Holy smokes – there is a whole world of people out there!

D's best buddy

Dec did another round of sports camp in February. It’s for 3 and 4 year olds – so they basically just run around a gym for 45 minutes. However, this session, his buddy Sam from Ms. A #1 (both in chronological order and in our hearts) was in class. And Sam’s sister Emma “got” to come watch each week. So the ladies happily tagged along to sports camp and spent 45 minutes tearing around with Emma each week. And the mamas sat and visited and watched baby Manny. Life was good at sports camp!

Last Thursday, we attended an 8th grade basketball game to see Dec's buddy Jack (Ms. A #1's son) play. Jack's little sisters were there too and they were thrilled to have some V friends to play with. Dec rotated between watching the game and playing Beanie Boos with the girls. Quinn, surprisingly, also rotated between playing and watching. She was very intrigued by the game and has already asked to go to another one. Fiona was glad that Finn and Bella were there to play with.

Dance face painting

Jack's team got beaten pretty soundly and it was so impressive to watch him take a deep breath, shake off his frustration, and stride across the gym to give Dec a big hug and thank him for coming. Those two have the sweetest friendship and Dec truly looks up to Jack. The girls were also pretty pumped to hug Jack. It's entirely possible that he has three additional pseudo little sibs!

Then Friday night, we headed to the school dance. All was good for the first 70 minutes. They got in line right away for the face painting - which was much better than the 40 minute line we waited in last year! The girls were constantly running around with friends and Dec was happy to explore with Mike and me. Until he wasn't. He hit the wall about 7:15 and we headed out very shortly after that. Quinn was also getting tired, although she claimed she didn't want to leave. There was a lot of aimless wandering and whining happening.

Help! So much candy!

When we got to the dance, each of the kids got a raffle ticket. There were approximately 30 raffle prizes lined up - each with their own bucket. Dec put his ticket in the sleepover kit bucket; Fiona put hers in the beads set bucket; and Quinn dropped hers in the candy bouquet bucket. We limit candy consumption here. It's not banned and no one would accuse us of living a sugar free life. It's just really that we prefer other things - and encourage the kids to choose other things. In fact, we are still working our way through the Valentine's Day candy.

So Monday, when I picked the girls up from school, Quinn proudly pulled the candy bouquet that she had won out of her backpack. Because of course that's what we won. Not only are the "flowers" fun size M&M packets - but the vase is filled with loose M&Ms. We may have to have an M&M eating party! But goodness, she is proud of her win! I wonder how many dozen monster cookies we can make with a vase full of candy ...