Up A Creek With Your Buddies

Dear Henny, 
We have loved the years growing up with your buddies who were adopted by their families within the year that you came to us.  We have so appreciated our at least once a week play dates and the first super warm Wednesday of spring has brought us the best play date two years in a row.  This week we went to Olcott park and by the time you all grew tired of the playground we hiked back on a short trail jumping in at a little creek with shallow flowing water.  Etienne fell in first and the moms braced to see if this was going to be a good thing and he popped up laughing only to "slip" again.  After this point it was on.  

You all splashed, explored and laughed big belly laughs.  You looked for fossils in the rocks bringing me crinoid stems and shells embedded in rocks, and a geode that had you exclaiming, "I found some rollie pollies and lobster!"  It wasn't a lobster but it was a miniature crayfish swimming inside the geode. 

Hazel decided the small hike would be a great time to try and ditch her glasses and Heather was our hero searching the trail back to the parking lot looking for your little pinkies.  You played on the blanket happily watching the kids splash, though I'm not sure you could really see them.  
When we called time to go each of you had a negotiating tactic ready to try and extend the time.  Then it was clear exhaustion hit and on the way back we heard whines of "I NEED this stick!"  "I just need to lay down, right now!"  "MOM, could you carry me?"  All signs of kiddos adequately played out.  
We started the search for Hazel's glass and just as we gave in Eunice yelled from the parking lot that she found them.  Yes!  So Hazel, you aren't getting rid of them that easily!  A great play date that is sure to be repeated lots of time this summer.  So grateful for such great friends.  
Love, Mama

A side note, Keeg's parents, Eunice and Matt, are up and waiting to adopt their second child through the IAC in an open adoption.  They are great parents with a wonderful extended family.  Check out their profile:  http://www.iheartadoption.org/users/donovan