Nothing says "Happy New Year!" like a jury summons.
Today, I get to join the rest of the lottery winners (who don't feel like winners) and wait for either my name to be called to serve on a jury of my peers or get sent home (or back to work) to wait for my name to come up in the pickings again. (Meh. Usually, once they find out I have a Criminal Justice degree, they throw me back anyway. For some reason, they don't like people who understand the law to serve on juries.)
So, while I'm sequestered away from my laptop and other such media outlets, I'm going to share a story with you.
I've got time. Do you?
About three months ago, I was in the produce section of a local Publix with Sprite and John and noticed a little girl with the most gorgeous curls. Shirley Temple has nothing on this little girl's tresses and SHE had professional help. Anyway, the tot and her younger sister looked very familiar. Then I noticed her mother.
"Rachel?" I asked, hoping that she wouldn't think I was a stalker.
She looked over and I could see her briefly trying to place me. Then she saw Sprite. "Oh, hi!"
Two blogs had just gone live.
Rachel and I had been blogging buddies for a while now, and we knew we lived close to each other, we just didn't know how close. Question answered.
We introduced the girls to each other. Sprite, Elizabeth, and Lilli threw any notions of shyness and began showing off their jumping skills to each other near the bananas as we promised to try for a play date soon, but time was short due to the upcoming holidays.
The holidays came. The holidays went. No plans were made. (I am so bad at that.)
December turned into January and any excuses just didn't count anymore. What was I going to do? Wait until Arbor Day to finally announce the holidays as over? I was nervous about asking for a play date. (I swear, asking for a first play date feels like asking for a date. I was all nerves, thinking, Sure, she thinks she knows me from the site. But this is like blogging in 3-D! What if she thinks I'm a full on Monet? The site is nice and all, but up close? Jen is a big old mess! Quick! Which movie did I swipe that quote from?) I sent her a message on Facebook (because asking for a play date in her comments section? Comes off a bit tacky and what if she says no? My self confidence couldn't handle that type of rejection.) and we made plans for last Friday evening to meet up with the girls for some dinner and a stroll to the playground mere steps away.
Guess which one is Sprite? No, really! Just guess! Lilli, the one year old who thinks she's three (I think I may have mentioned at least a thousand times that night about how astonished I was with her maturity), is on the left. Of course, Miss Elizabeth with the golden curls is the one in the middle, and was the ringleader of this threesome as they navigated the smaller kids section of the playground and then laid claim to the bigger slides and climbing apparati.
The girls hit it off in the best way, no fighting. Okay, maybe Sprite pushed Elizabeth off the whale statue, but she apologized promptly. (Or that could be read, she apologized after being prompted, but she DID apologize.) Cookies and milk were enjoyed in the undercover play area of a local outlet mall, which for some reason had the fans on, despite the temperatures dipping into the 40's. (Hey, it's THEIR electric bill, not mine.)
Rachel and I hit it off as well, (which I think is just as important for a successful play date, even as important as the kids liking each other) talking about everything from blogging to living in SW Florida to World of Warcraft (she's for, I'm against) to common interests. By the end of this night, not only had Sprite made two friends, I had made one myself.
She also helped me with understanding my daughter. Sprite was sitting in the play car, singing something incomprehensible. I just stood there, trying to gain a handle on what she was singing, when Rachel came over and said "I know that song." She then started singing it with Sprite. "Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun..." She then told me where it was from. Barney.
Folks, I don't do Barney. There is nothing remotely Barney related in my home. I even think I signed a clause in my daycare contract banning any Barney-like substances or songs to be presented to my child. I may need to have a talk with her teachers...
(Sorry, I had to include this picture of the girls drinking their milk, since Lilli's expression had me laughing. And again, I have to notice the obvious differences between the kids. Here you have two fair haired little angels and the exact opposite. Sorry, my kid sticks out.)
While Rachel did her own send up of the play date, I'm hoping this post will tell her we are definitely interested in a repeat.
And maybe this time, we'll leave the kids at home.
They all are so cute. Lilli with her hands to her cheeks. Darling. I love Sprite cheesy grin.
Posted by: Michele | January 22, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Way Cute! And don't feel bad, dentists are always yanked from the jury pool as well.
Posted by: The Dental Maven | January 22, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Cute, and cute story. My boy is scheduled for his first play date next month. His little buddy from daycare gets to take somebody to Build A Bear for his birthday, and he chose my boy. And apparently, when this little boy does something wrong at home, he blames my boy, even though he's never even been to his house.
Posted by: Cameron | January 22, 2009 at 09:24 AM
How funny. seeing a fellow blogger randomly, wow. how cool.
Posted by: carrie | January 22, 2009 at 09:42 AM
What a great story!! The kids look just adorable, and I'm glad everyone clicked! You Floridians seem to have an over-population of bloggers! Maybe you can send a few up here for me to play with, mkay? Thanks...
Posted by: HeatherPride | January 22, 2009 at 10:10 AM
So cute... makes me jealous! I wish I had a cool blogger friend nearby! The girls look like they had lots of fun together.
Monet... is that from Clueless? Cracks me up.
Posted by: bessie.viola | January 22, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I'm so jealous, you met another real live blogger? So you guys really do exist?
I don't think I live that close to any of my fellow blogging friends, but Kirst lives in the same general area, we should meet up. Meggers can entertain my kids since they LOVE older kids. (Hear that Kirst?)
Glad to hear you got out of jury duty. I've been called three times and all of those times were after I became a SAHM. What's up with that?
Love the pictures, they look so cute on the bench together. I'm glad you found a new IRL friend.
Oh, and thanks for putting that Barney song in my head. I know it all too well.
Posted by: Casey | January 22, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I forgot to mention that Carrie from Colepack and I were both at the Nick hotel on the same weekend. She didn't know I was going to be there (I didn't either until last minute) but I was looking for her the entire time. I couldn't call her since my SIL was there and doesn't know about the blog. That would have been tough to explain.
Posted by: Casey | January 22, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I wish I lived close enough for a playdate. We don't have to bring the kids though right?
Posted by: Kat | January 22, 2009 at 11:14 AM
It does sound like a fabulous time, and all the kids are adorable!
Posted by: Tricia | January 22, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Having a play date where the kids get along and you like the mom are a definite plus!!
I've spinned:
http://www.geezlouize.com/2009/01/10th-grade-torture/
Posted by: Heather | January 22, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I am so scared of playdates! Its not even funny. I guess when I already have four kids in my house that I can't send away the thought of other people's kid's just well scares me : )
Glad you guys have fun. And those are some cute kids!
Posted by: Sarah | January 22, 2009 at 12:07 PM
i just wrote something about playdates scaring me and how stella met another stella and i regret not exchanging numbers ... and wanted to add that i spun my poem (?).
but my comment got lost. so this is the (sorry excuse for a) comment that came of it.
Posted by: jen | January 22, 2009 at 12:29 PM
That is really quite cool that you guys got to meet in person and hit it off! Here is to more play dates!
Posted by: WickedStepMom | January 22, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Awww, a bloggy playdate! I love it. Cute kids.
Posted by: Rhea | January 22, 2009 at 12:41 PM
How fun! Isn't it funny how times have changed since our mothers' generation? There is something like this in hte trailers for "He's just not that into you"
Posted by: bex | January 22, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Isn't it great when you get to meet an online friend in person?
Posted by: Debbie | January 22, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Isn't it great when you get to meet an online friend in person?
Posted by: Debbie | January 22, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Isn't it great when you get to meet an online friend in person?
Posted by: Debbie | January 22, 2009 at 01:17 PM
I've bruised my knuckles so much trying to pinch those six little cheeks through my computer screen! I am sqeeing!!!
As an aside...I had really hoped to participate in the Spin Cycle this week, but I am absolutely dry and washed up when it comes to poems and rhyming. I'm afraid all you'd get would be Vanilla Ice lyics and nobody needs that. I'll participate next week. Can't wait to see what you've got for us! I love your poems!
Posted by: steenkybee | January 22, 2009 at 01:30 PM
How adorable!!! Play date, leave the kids at home- now THAT sounds like a good idea! :)
Posted by: Beth | January 22, 2009 at 01:35 PM
How adorable!!! Play date, leave the kids at home- now THAT sounds like a good idea! :)
Posted by: Beth | January 22, 2009 at 01:36 PM
I always get nervous talking to other moms. I totally feel like I'm trying to pick them up. I haven't had to ask for digits (or give mine) in forever.
Glad your playdate went well. Blogging is great, but real life mommy friends are definitely needed.
Posted by: K | January 22, 2009 at 01:46 PM
I'm glad to hear it went so well. Once the Barney seed has taken root, you'll just have to wait until she outgrows it...
Posted by: Jim | January 22, 2009 at 02:27 PM
That's the best when the kids get along and the moms can share a laugh. I wish I could join you!
I am in north Florida he he he
Cheers,
Anita
Posted by: anita ovolina | January 22, 2009 at 03:11 PM