Family of Friends

Friend is really a New Yorker misplaced in Massachusetts; we met back in Albany and quickly became dear friends -- Tomcat included. When the babies started coming, we made a promise to see each other at least once a year so our kids would grow up friends.

Here’s how the 6 of them line up:
Slugger = 1 year older than Peanut
Sprite = 2 days older than Little Man
Tank = 10 days younger than Doodle

Try to imagine us skipping from coast to coast every year with our brood! One year during a remodel at our house, we had 9 people sharing 2 rooms! Many have been baffled or awed by our commitment, but we both emphatically say that it's been worth it!

This year the kids meshed like cousins immediately and it’s been beautiful. Our plan is working! One of these days the kids will take care of themselves and Friend and I can have a bona fide vacation.

Here's an example of how close the kids are: Slugger wanted a drink of Little Man's water, but he's in the no one else's slobber stage. So he told Slugger, "No, we can only share germs with our family. Well...uh..um..I know you are family, but I mean the other kind of family."

So the kids truly do have a sweet bond with each other and they genuinely enjoy their personal memories of going back and forth to each other's houses. In fact, this year Peanut wants to stay here; they have a small forest-swamp area behind their house and the kids run wild back there, gathering salamanders and whatever else. It's a heavenly place for her here. She rolled her eyes at me when I tried to tell her about the Massachusetts winters...

Friend has always wanted us to plan a visit out here during Autumn. Now, I understand why. It's the perfect show off season for everything wonderful New England has to offer.