Goodbye Online Dating. Hello Online Play Groups.
After months of reading about sweet Julia and thinking, “Oh, that sounds just like Ava” or writing an Ava-antic and receiving a comment about how “Julia does the same thing,” the pint-sized virtual friends met.
My pal MckMama and her sister threw an all-out birthday bash inviting seasoned friends and blogger friends to The Meadows, an enchanted piece of this earth that she calls home.
The men threw their weight around the lake on two supercharged jetskis, churning up enough water to make the neighbors peer out their bay windows to see if a seaplane landing strip had been redirected to their wake-free lake.
HungryMan challenged his long-time water rival Johnny to Interstate Tubing, pulling him white knuckled across the lakes at speeds that exceed highway limits.
The girls huddled around the dock stupified at Johnny’s ability to withstand severe water torture and horrified at HungryMan’s utter disregard for life. Surprisingly, there were no other takers for tube ride pulled by Hungryman. Even Ava refused to ride on the jetski with her daddy. Shocking, I know.
I spent the afternoon catching up with dear college friends and former roommates,
(back: Kristi, MckMama, Me, Yvette. front: Shanel, Becky)
and meeting blogger friends that I have only read about.
(Hilary, Angela, MckMama, Me, Tiffany, Kristi, Yvette & Cosette)
While I was being kindly chastised for taking “too many breaks,” Ava and Julia were forming a friendship that hitherto had only existed in the comment section of their mamas’ blogs. I found these two skipping down the stony path while comparing swimming suit stripes. They were both eagerly awaiting a piece of the princess birthday cake. It was clear that the two were quickly united in their keen sense of summer fashion and sugar-laden sweets.
Ava didn’t want to leave all her newly acquired friends until she heard she was going to ride in Shanel’s car.
“I have always wanted to ride in your car!” she squealed as she grabbed Shanel’s hand.
Shanel opened the rear door and Ava peered in, announcing, “It’s not dirty at all!”
Thank, Ava. Really, it’s not my fault that you insist on carrying out two purses full of crayons, polly pockets, notepads, flash cards, chapsticks and who-knows-what each time we go out to the car. I cannot be held responsible for all the treasures you store in the creases of the back seat.
As we pulled away, Ava stared up at stylishly streamlined dash that makes a VW so hip and said, “Oh Shanel, your car is so beautiful!”
Apparently her good taste extends beyond new friends. Here’s to beautiful friendships and many more parties at The Meadows.
Johnny woke up this morning saying that he’s not as sore as he thought he’d be. Maybe he’d say something different now.
It was fun to see everyone. So glad Ava got to meet a kindred spirit. How were the softball games?
Another morning at the beach sounds lovely tomorrow. We’ll see you then, Lord-willing.
You guys are all so cute!! Next year I want to join the bloggy party & see you all in person!
Looks like fun, you guys know how to have a good time.
Yes, it was so much fun to see everyone! I did appreciate all of Ava’s compliments:)
great party post! It was so nice to see you again. It’s been a long time! Thanks for all your help with getting the food ready (sorry about the knife mix up!) wink wink And I enjoyed catching up with how you’ve been.
Glad Ava was able to meet her virtual friend, as well!
Again, it was great seeing you!
That sounds like so much fun.
My van is dirty for the same reason. And now my two-year-old is trying to get in on the fun by bringing his Spider Man backpack and Daddy’s old wallet.
Oh, I still can’t believe that you NAMED our dwelling place!
It was GREAT to see you, as always, Rach. Thanks for coming over!! Looking much forward to seeing you Thursday, too…without any car dirty-ers along with us!!!
Oh, Rach! How WONDERFUL it was to see you and connect yesterday! I loved EVERY minute of it and SO look forward to this being a yearly thing!
Cute pic of Ava and Julia!! How sweet!
And THAT’S why we live in Minnesota. Picture-perfect summer weekend. The fact that you got to meet blogging friends and confirm that they aren’t 57-year-old men who haven’t shaved since Clinton was president is even better.
Hi Rach,
Well, I do pop in on your blog now and again to hear about what you guys are up to! (I’m sorry I never comment; it’s bad blog etiquette, right?) I love reading about your antics! Wish I could’ve been there with ya’ll at Jennifer’s party! Looks like a ton of fun!
Love ya.
That does look like fun!
Are they really holding hands????? Is that the cutest thing ever, or what? There was definitely lots of cute going on at the Meadows. Starting with you and Ava! It was so wonderful to have finally met. Such a darling family you have. Let’s do this again.
Can I just say what a super super cute swimsuit Ava has! Of course it is…she is so stylish, like her mama.
“Wow!” I thought as I looked at Ava with her new found bosom friend, “Ava looks so much like Rachel!” I’m not sure why I never noticed it before as much as I just did. It looks like you guys had a fabulous time. Your lake adventures almost makes me want to move north, then I remember your winter posts.
Rachel,
are all you roomate girls so well written?, you have a great blog here but my comment is selfish When will I get to see the highlight post of the video you shot of Crash n Bang (Nate and Johnny)? I told everyone about it and can hardly wait to pass on the funny.
Israel! Great question. I’ve been asking the same question every night this week. It seems that the crazy footage has crash n banged Adobe Premier. Techno-HungryMan promises to have it up and buzzing by this weekend. I’ll call your home when I post it!
[...] 8, 2008 by Rachel Remember when I told you about how HungryMan was flinging our friend, Johnny through the water like Indiana’s bull whip. I witnessed this harrowing event through [...]