Waxing Nostaglic from Rainy Squamish.

While readjusting to Squamish life, mainly the quieter life, and the rain, we have spent many hours inside looking out (although we do often take a jaunt out anyway, in our rain wear regala every day, despite the rain).  As such, I've been able to exchange a few emails with my friends in Washington, who I miss very much.  They are keeping me in the loop and, to be honest, a little bit sad we are now so far away.  I think a part of me really hopes we will take a visit back there again.

I've also spent a little bit of time sifting through our photos and stumbled upon one of our last days in Virginia, spent with my dear friend Ina and her little one, Dahlia at the National Harbour.  We really liked it there and it was a beautiful day full of sunshine.  There are many little shops, the Children's museum which we never did have time to visit, and little cafes and restaurants all tucked in close to the water.

You know when you just meet someone and you just "click?"  I had the good fortune of having that experience with my small little group of friends in Arlington, and definitely one of those people was Ina.  We just sort of got each other.  And it was the same for our little ones.  They played so nicely together, mostly giving each other hugs and Dahlia just has the most adorable little pigtail; it is so tug-able!  Don't you think?  Admittedly, Gabriel can be a little rough, but Dahlia takes it all in stride, afterall, she does have two older siblings.

So, because I am missing Washington tonight and having just got an email from one of my Arlington friends, for the sake of nostalgia, I'm posting a few pictures tonight.

I think this is supposed to be a man swimming, although he looks like he is drowning.  The point was sort of lost on me...

Got to admit, I've tucked these sundresses away for awhile, it's too cold here!  Come on sun!

I mean, come on!!  Look at that pigtail.  It's irresistable!

Hugs from Squamish, all the way across the continent and the border, to you!  We miss you!!

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• Last Big Play Date and a Recipe or Four.
• Just a little Icecream Date. No Biggie.
• Cherry Blossoms on White Marble and a Sunny Little Picnic with friends.

Big Play-dates and a Recipe (or Four).

As I pack up and put the finishing touches on our move, I cannot actually believe we are leaving this place and our little friends.  I thought I would take the time to post a few pictures from some of our weekly playdates.  And upon request, a few recipes from some of the cookies we shared.

Play-dates are a staple in the mama world, right up there with the morning coffee and nap times that allow us to actually get stuff done and/or sit for a minute.  We need them.  Sure, we have each other over so our kids can play together, even if they don't actually "play together" yet.  We want to "socialize" them, allow them to play with new toys, poke at each other and learn about sharing.  But mostly, the best part of these times is the precious two-hour mama time that we just can't live without.  Well that's how I feel!

Since moving to the area, immediately four mamas warmly welcomed me to the neighborhood and upon finding our babies at similar ages, playdates began.  I was relieved!  When it's cold out or rainy, sure there was the library, or indoor playgrounds, baby gyms or baby classes, but who wants to pay money to go to these windowless rooms full of germs from kids you don't even know?  We were lucky enough to be able to get together with the kids in the neighborhood, (at least now I know where Gabriel got his cold from or who he gave it to!)

But sometimes it's a challenge to get together, coordinating schedules--daycare, preschool, nap times, appointments, mealtimes, after school pick-ups. I think we all made it to one play-date altogether only once!  And sometimes the play dates go sideways--when all the babies start crying, they are tired, hungry, or they find a roll of toilet paper, or they poke each others' eyes, pull their hair, steal toys (you know, the innumerable circumstances that can happen with toddlers) and the play dates have to end early.  So many things can get in the way.  Luckily, we all live so close here that we can often pop over even for a few minutes and a crib is never far away in case of an emergency nap. 

The best part about this time is that we mamas get to talk to other mamas.  We problem-solve, share stories, learn a lot about each other and from each other.  We talk about politics and world-views, the healthcare system, the education system and our jobs (although rarely) and sometimes we just listen and sympathize.  Being a mama can be hard sometimes and occasionally that is just all we need--a little affirmation, a listening ear and sometimes a little advice.  That's what mamas are here for: to look after each other, to support one another.

Ladies, my dear friends, I have learned a lot from you.  I look forward to your want email updates/facebook updates with pictures.  Will miss your company and your little babes!   BUT, looking forward to some of these back in Squamish, especially knowing there will be a few new babies to add to the mix!

*Since my mama friends asked, here are some of my favorite cookie recipes, all of which you have sampled!

• Double Chocolate and Espresso Cookies 
• Cranberry and Chocolate Chunk Cookies 
• Chocolate Hazelnut Drop Cookies 
• Chocolate Salty Oat Cookies

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• Girls' Night Out.

The Prettiest Courtyard in Town.

Just have to share a few photos from the other day.  We were just on our way out for a little walk and I just couldn't help myself.  The dappled sunlight through the heavily laden cherry blossom trees, Gabriel padding around on the sidewalk walking his doggie in his little summer sandals (why is that baby shoes are the cutest of all?!?!), and stopping to bend down and sniff the tulips (Sniff... ahhhh... and then a big grin).  It was all just too much!

Gabriel loves to walk his doggie, but sometimes Abe gets a little too excited.  We've narrowly avoided Abe dragging Gabriel across the concrete... So he is learning to just let go.

Stopping and having a sniff.  

Our neighbor, Magaly saw us outside and offered to snap some great photos of us.  Thank you Magaly!

I'm absolutely sure that we have the prettiest courtyard in the whole village--thanks to Jack, our neighbor who has planted some beautiful tulips.  Sometimes when I am making dinner or in the kitchen, I just have to stop and look at the window at those tulips.  Something about the way the light hits them at different times of day.  I've caught Gabriel doing the same... just looking out the window at them.  Thank you Jack!  We, and all of the other gaggle of kiddlets are loving the courtyard this spring!

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Just a Little Ice Cream Date, No Biggie.

Spring in Virginia is warm and do you know what is great about that?  Besides the incredibly delicious weather, wearing sandals, shorts and playing outside?  The ice cream season just got a whole lot wider for us.  Yay!

Today, after a most beautiful lunch with friends Ina and daughter, Dahlia at Cheestique (glorious and in the sunshine...  and of which I have no pictures), we drove up to Clarendon with friends Margaret and her daughter Corinne for a little ice cream date--the first of the season and much anticipated.  These two are hilarious.  It's taken them seven months... neighbors, pseudo-siblings, frien-emies, and now, just in time for us to leave, BESTIES!  They cannot help but stop on each others' doorsteps and say hello every time they go by.  They crack me up. 

 Mr. Independent, I do it myself.

 And the hugging!!  They just can't get enough of each other!  Too cute. 

Ok, and so Boccato Gelato is my absolute favorite ice cream place in the DC area--many, many options and all delicious as far as I could tell! 

Going to miss you guys!

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• Girls' Night Out. 
• Cherry Blossoms on Marble and a little picnic.
• Cherry Blossoms, Courtyard Parties and a Harmonica.
• First Signs of Spring.
• It's a date with the butterflies. 
• Oh I'm A Baby Pirate.

Free-run Easter egg "hunting"

Happy Easter! Just a few photos of our "Easter morning" celebrated on Saturday, due to an early departure of family tomorrow morning.  We had a little mini Easter egg... hunt... Actually it consisted more of Gabriel, Marion and I running around in our pjs outside like chickens, me planting Easter eggs, Marion snapping photos and Gabriel running through the mud with his moccasins holding a little basket, completely oblivious to the eggs.  Meanwhile, Jordan and his dad, lattes in hand, laughed at the whole show.

Gabriel opened his card, and shook around the little bird with sparkles, ate a couple of half eggs and we had a lovely Easter brunch.  For us, it's ok that Gabriel didn't quite get the whole Easter Egg hunt thing, it's just fun.  And not really what Easter is really about anyway.

Happy Easter!

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