Summer Day 3: Buddy Up

I always used to hate it when I was told to buddy up. To me that says, find a friend (good luck since you're a stay-at-home mom) who you can stand to be around for long periods of time, who has the same schedule and the same priorities you do... and tackle whatever you're tackling together. Won't that make everything super easy?? Oh sure, if you can find this miracle person! Well, I'm feeling super blessed this summer, because I have! She's the mom of another kindergarten student, wants to do fun things over the summer with her son, likes my kids, wants to work out together, and has my same schedule. What?? The stars have aligned!

Yesterday morning we met at the lake front downtown. We walked the babies in my double stroller while the boys rode their bikes. After about an hour we were getting really hot so I invited them over to our house to play in the kid wash (see earlier blog post for how to make this super fun water toy). Several Popsicles, a slip-n-slide, a giant bouncy ball, and a Little Caesars hot-n-ready later... it was nap time and we had to cut the visit short. I've been so worried about keeping the kids occupied till midday, and here I am running out of time!

I had a plan for the summer. It was a pretty good one. It involved me playing with, teaching, and entertaining the kids. Alone.

For this one day at least, buddying up made my whole plan a moot point. I would've been fine taking care of the kids by myself, and if this is what you're doing, you will be too. But if you're lucky enough to have someone to call. Don't hesitate! If it doesn't go smoothly, try again. Call someone else. Don't worry about the other mom will be thinking about what you're wearing, you not-so-clean house, you child screeching like a dinosaur whenever they get excited. Instead think about the good, old-fashioned play your child(ren) will be enjoying...

and enjoy it.