June travels.

 In June, we took a trip to Chicago for my 20th college reunion.  I hadn't been back since Dani was 6 months old...so it had sure been a while.  It was so awesome to be back in a big city and to see great old friends, and enjoy all of the cool things Chicago has to offer.

Navy Pier and the Chicago skyline.

 One of my best friends from college, Chang, spent tons of time with us.

 The kids had a blast with Uncle Chang!

 We rode a trolley.

 Enjoyed some Mexican food in the sun.

 Rode the rides.

 And enjoyed a wonderful reunion with my old besties!

 I'm sure not going to wait another 6 years to go back!

Party girls.

The whole family went to a late afternoon birthday party in Clifton Park at a place called Bounce Around. It was kind of like a Chuck-e-Cheese, but without making any effort to make parents actually want to be there (by serving food or beer). If you are having a party you can bring your own, and the party room we had did have some chow from the hosts, Aimee and Seamus McNulty, and 3 year old birthday boy Liam.

The place was like walking into a toddler's dream. It was bright, and colorful, and loud and every square inch was packed with something to bounce on or play with. Dani spent some time in a cool car.

She adhered to her rule that cupcakes are best eaten by licking off all of the frosting. Dani's rule was slightly modified today, as she dipped popcorn in the frosting, and seemed to think that was a great nosh.
She was on the young side, so we stuck her in the 1-3 year old only farmland bouncer. For the first few minutes, she was the only kid in there, and just kind of walked around trying to figure it out. Then a more experienced kid came in and started leaping around, and that was all Dani needed to get rolling.
Tori was too little for much, but we bounced her on the wall of the toddler bounce house while Dani was playing. She was screeching and waving and saying hi to everyone and everything.
Dani insisted in going in the "Go Diego Go" bounce house. She was alone for about 5 seconds, and then an older toddler came in. Of course, they bumped heads in less than a minute, and two crying toddlers rolled out of the bouncer.
Undeterred, she continued to play and eat and have a blast!

Riding in cars with boys.

Today one of my oldest and dearest friends was in town. Janine Nelsen (nee West). I brought Dani and Tori to her mom and dad's house this morning, and it was a blast. Janine's got 3 little ones, her sister has two, (and there were dogs!) and my two meant that there was, shrieking, bubble blowing, pogo stick jumping and everything fun you can imagine.

AND, a car. A big, red car. With the letters "mustang" on the side, which Dani was happy to spell out, before she got to ride in it. At first, she just watched all the other kids drive and ride in it. When the car was close, she would run up to it and yell "red" and try to push the buttons on the dash.

Imagine her excitement when she was able to ride in it! Charlie Susi was happy to be the driver. But, first he made sure Dani's seat belt was fastened, and then they started zipping around the driveway.

Dani also rode with Janine's youngest, Clara Bea, who is 3. (It's funny because Dani at 20 months is as big as Clara at 3 years!) Dani ultimately refused to get out of the car, and encouraged all of the older kids to drive her around, saying "more" and "again". Janine's oldest, Ella, also gave Dani a ride!

It's so fun to see Dani with other kids and Tori too. Tori didn't make a peep, despite being held by everyone.

Last night we found a cute, little beret that I don't think Dani ever wore. Tori loved it, and was super-smiley at daddy.

And, a quick video clip of the car ride.

Reconnecting.

Throughout my life, for a number of reasons, I've lost touch with close friends. Off the top of my head, I can think of a number of people that I've really cared about, who, either due to hurt feelings from a silly disagreement, or just kind of drifting away after a while, it just happened. And those few days, turned into weeks, and even into years. I often thought about them, with mixed emotion, wondering whose fault it was that we weren't talking anymore, wondering whether they missed me, or had simply forgotten. Had I become just an old friend on a page in a photo album who didn't fit into their new life, or did they think of me from time to time as I thought of them?

I suppose it is a testament to true friendship that many of these paths have crossed again. I'm not sure how, whether I reached out, or they did, but the important thing is that it happened. These friends are back in my life, and I'm glad they are. Immensely glad. And when they came back in, it was as natural as if no time had passed. A couple of them are regular readers--and I love you guys.

It happened again tonight. A few weeks ago, via facebook, I reconnected with a close friend from high school who I hadn't seen or spoken to in about six years. (He has never met Big Man, so it's at least six years.) We were close friends and academic rivals in high school, stayed in touch throughout college and our 20s. We even went to our 5 year high school reunion together. Always a sucker for an open bar, I went to his brother's wedding too. He was always like a brother to me, and we used to argue like siblings, over everything and anything. Back in the day, we'd get together every time he came in from Boston, which was at least a few times per year.

He told me he was going to be in town for the day visiting his dad, and asked if I wanted to get together. So I invited him over for pizza and to meet the family. I'm so glad I did.

Unfortunately, it was a work night for Big Man, so he was in bed when Robert came over, so they didn't get to meet. Next time, I will make sure it happens. And there will be a next time.

Over pizza and wings, McScreamy's fussing, and Dani's zany energy, we spent a few hours catching up. It was as natural as if I'd seen him last month. Welcome back, friend.

I will make every effort to not let a lapse in contact happen with anyone I care about again. It seems to me that with every new technology, we as people manage to become more distant. Cell phones constantly interrupt conversations, because people feel compelled to answer them at the dinner table and everywhere else, despite the fact that answering them interrupts an actual face to face conversation. Email means that you don't actually have to call people on the phone and talk to them, or god forbid, write an actual letter. Facebook lets you keep track of a ton more people's lives, but at a greater distance.

I'm going to make more of an effort to stay in better touch with the people I care about. In touch for real, with calls and visits. Now that Big Man is back to work, and I'm home evenings, I can make calls, or invite folks over for coffee or wine, or to play with Dani and Tori. And I will.

Just as my daughters will learn what to expect from a marriage by watching Big Man and I, they will learn about friendship, first from observing ours, and then by forging their own. I will teach my daughters to be good friends by working to be a better one to mine.

Tonight I was reminded about the importance of friendship, of making and keeping connections for a lifetime, from one of my oldest friends. For that, I am thankful.