First Sleepover

In October our best NY friends moved to "the country" - New Haven, CT, about 90 miles away. We have kept in touch by phone and email but yesterday the girls and I loaded up in the car and went to visit. It was an uneventful ride there, besides the expected fussing and spilled snacks, and it was wonderful to see the Robbins again! Hazel and Violet picked up their friendship right where it left off, with lots and lots of playing, only now with more room in their new house. Ginger took to climbing the stairs whenever no one was looking, and I loved having adults to talk to again.
Because of the long drive, we made it a 24-hour visit, so it was Hazel's first non-relative sleepover. Corey and I share the same birthday (this Saturday) so we had a little present exchange and celebration for the best birthday ever. We also spent approximately 15 hours in deep dish - motherhood, books, politics, religion, schools, electronics, diapers, fabric, home ownership, relationships, shopping, eBay France, cooking, cartoons, cleaning, and chocolate were all thoroughly covered in a way that gives deep satisfaction to the soul. I literally took about 100 pictures of the kids playing together - love the digital - so we could always remember the visit.
It was super cute at bedtime when Hazel and Vi automatically took to jumping on the air mattress - kids don't need to be taught what's fun.
Then they settled down for a couple of stories.
After a breakfast of fruit and pancakes (thanks, superdad Dave) there was more playing and talking, diapers and stair-climbing. Dave even led the girls in a watering can scavenger hunt.

I was sorry to leave after lunch, and even sorrier when we hit traffic in the Bronx and crept the last 25 miles home in 1.5 hours. But it was a wonderful visit and we hope it will not be the last.
Thanks, you guys!