Another dream comes true

Our lovely friends Alison and Dan kindly offered to host the children for a sleepover last Friday. After some contemplation, we accepted on Sebastian's behalf. We knew that he would be thrilled to go to a real sleepover - staying the whole night, having breakfast there, no parents, someone else's toys. A big boy experience. And his eyes just LIT up when I told him about the invitation.

Sophie would have been thrilled too; anywhere her brother goes she can go to, right? Except up on the playstructure at the YMCA - too loud and scary and too many big brusque boys and screeching girls. We also wanted the chance to spend some solo time with her - enjoy some extra cuddles and heap attention on her alone. Not something that is done enough around here.

Here's Alison's report on how it went:
"So far...so awesome. We've not one, not two, but three (!) sleeping wee ones in the room next door. Seb and Maeve (quite smitten, I must say) have limbs entwined on the big blown up mattress, Sam perched above them on his top bunk head on dolphin. Our two are enthralled with Seb's every move and opinion.We had a dinner full of laughter as Seb thoroughly entertained us with jokes/stories that were incredibly quick, imaginative and even quite witty. Then a bit of play, tidy up and game of Speedy Eddy. Four books, a bit of giggling and wiggles - and now sleep."



Back at the ranch, Sophie kept asking where after her big brother but was happy enough to munch on a cookie - just for her - have her parents play any board game she wanted and get read loads of books. Later that evening, after a short pitstop on the computer (me) / napping (M), we actually managed to have some grown-up time - reading, chatting, sharing some popcorn. What a concept!

Saturday morning started at 8:20 (!!!) when we heard Sophie repeatedly calling out: Are you awake, Sebastian?" Her dad took her on a bagel run, while I got to soak in the tub and read. How wonderful is that! Then we met up with the other crew at a third family's house for a magnificent brunch. We walked off some of the "I've overeaten" feeling by a trip to a newly refurbished library to see their collection; there, Seb and I took in a children's presentation on Inuit art. Big city living at its finest.

(Today, it's a "hangout in your pyjamas, play chess, read and bake" morning, followed by skating with another family at DG this afternoon, a food shop [reality has to intrude at some point] and a 3 family supper tonight.)

Thanks Dan & Ali (who still reads this blog even though they now live 15 minutes from our house!).