End of an Era

This week, we had our final "little" play group before the siblings join us for the summer. I have been meeting every week with my friends from my new moms group since the summer of 2005. No joke. Every week. B was a newborn and I was lost. I found this amazing group of ladies who were smart, funny, patient and just as freaked out as I was about trying to be a good Mom, loving wife and generally fulfilled women. We started meeting weekly in our homes, then moved out into the world as the kids got older. The zoo. OMSI. Parks. Art studio. Bounce places. Indoor play parks. As the oldest kiddos in the group turned two, the siblings began arriving. Most of the 2nd siblings started Kindergarten this year (all those spring babies), except G and her friend A, who have fall birthdays. A few brave members of the group had 3rd babies, so we got to include Miss D, who is turning 4 soon. 

This year, our group has been small, but we have been pretty good about our weekly gatherings. 

As the weather warmed up, we have been playing at many local parks.

Now for the stroll down memory lane...

Here is the first photo I have of G & A together, taken June 2008 (both about 7 months old), while they watched the Junior Rose Festival Parade while their siblings ran around. They have been hanging out ever since!

Miss D (little lamb) came along in June of 2009, but didn't make the group shots until Halloween that year. The ever helpful big siblings are keeping G (Scottish Lass) & A (Mr. Chicken) in line for this group photo. 

The three littles always got along, but they didn't really bond until the big siblings all began school and the three could hang out on their own terms. They especially enjoyed lunch time, as they would sit together, giggle, scheme, plot and generally enjoyed each other's company.

I am sad to know that come fall, the kids will stop seeing one another on a weekly basis. The moms, however, are hoping to meet weekly (or so) for lunch!