Better late than never...

I'm behind as usual with this online journal of my family's life. But I am a firm believer in the truth in the title of this post, and so I will continue on. This one actually has dual meaning...

A couple weeks ago, we fully utilized our close proximity of Em and Logan Cotter (Furler) to take advantage of this portal into the Furler family. I've been joking with Em, hoping that she doesn't feel like I use her to see the rest of her family, and I'm hoping that Milo and I have been spending enough time with just Em and Drew to make that real, but nevertheless, we took advantage of them again. First for Sue, now for Sarah, Kyle, and Livy.

Sarah and I are 2 of the middle daughters in this McGurfer conglomerate, so we tended to spend the most time together growing up. Common interests of epic computer games (Kings Quest of course being the favorite) and legos, sealed the deal. Unfortunately as we've grown into adults, we've been far apart geographically and not able to see each other very often, or at all. Crazy enough, or maybe not so crazy as I always seemed to be following her as a kid, we married within weeks of each other, her in July, me in August, and then had our kids within months, Livy born in April, Milo in June. But we haven't seen each other since we've had babies.

Em was a gracious host, and we played together, trying to make friends with each other's kids; I think Livy is still a little wary of this crazy lady, but I'll win her over :) Drew and Livy were on much more similar nap schedules, so it seemed like Milo was often sleeping when they were awake, but we managed some good kid time. The six adults played a game reminiscent of ourchildhood in the Furler household, a great train game called Ticket to Ride, and Sarah smashed all of us. Then, so familiar to me and Sarah, everyone else went to bed, and she and I talked until the wee hours of the morning. Sarah is still the most staunch night owl I know. Most of us in our old age ;), can stay up late, but generally find a happy medium, but Sarah still doesn't seem tohit her stride until about 10 or 11 at night, and is really her best after midnight. It was great though, catching up on each other's lives, laughing and comparing notes as moms.

I've really loved getting to know the Furlers again as adults. I know them because we share history; I know where they come from and where they've been. But it's like starting the next book in the series when we hang out as adults: the characters are all the same, the history is still there, but our characters have continued to grow and change as our families have grown and changed. I will always love Sarah, and she'll always be one of my closest friends, as we add years and kids to our lives. And it's fun to get to know Em as an adult, to catch up on a few thingsI might have missed because I was just a little older, and to see her as a mom and wife, especially as we're both at home with our kids.

Post Note: No idea what's going on with my font and underlining... Maybe it'll just magically be right again on the next post... Hopefully...

Favorite songs...

I hope you can hear this, totally cute... Starts off with the ABCs, sort of. Then moves on to "the wheels on the bus." Next time you see him, we'll demonstrate in person!

For Gaye...

About a week ago, I was starting to unload a clean dishwasher when Milo toddled over. My first instinct was to sternly say "no!" There were sharp things, breakable things, just stuff I didn't want him getting into. But in the split second that I hesitated, I heard my friend Gaye's voice in my head, talking about how kids just want to be an active, participating member of their community, however that looks. Gaye is a Montessori teacher and administrator, and though Milo's a little young for some of the programing, this basic lesson struck me.

I took out all the knives and anything else that I was really worried about, and then asked Milo to hand me the spoons and forks out of their basket. He handed me 2 or 3 at a time, and I put them away in the drawer. I grabbed the bigger, heavier ceramic plates out of the bottom, and then told Milo to hand me the smaller ones. After we finished the bottom rack, I pulled out the top rack, put away most of the mugs and glasses pretty fast, and then handed Milo his plastic sippy cups and tops. He has two drawers at the bottom that he has free reign in, one with tupperware, and the other with his cups, etc. in it. I told him to stack his cups and put them in his drawer, and he did!

Great reminder for me that 1) I don't always have to say "no," 2) I can make chores a fun task for both of us, 3) Milo and I make a great team, and best of all 4) he's not always set on making messes :)