Penelope turns two this week. Today we threw a small party for her and the other kids in her Mother’s Day Out class. They get together on Tuesdays and Thursdays for four hours and play. Two hours of that play time was eaten up today by their attempt to eat lavishly frosted cookies. Frosting in hair, up noses, in ears. And an entire box of wipes used in the clean up efforts afterward.
I was sure to take pictures of her and her classmates – not knowing which one will ask her out some day or be in her wedding or pick on her in middle school. This is the benefit of small town living.
I grew up in a daycare my mom managed. It was the best childhood I could have had – mom with me all day but a hundred friends to play with too. Some of those friends went through puberty with me, dated me, broke up with me, bullied me, cruised Broadway with me, stood beside me when I got married.
There’s a lot to be said for the big city if you must be entertained to the hilt, fly internationally, eat out often, or just die faster breathing polluted air. But I’m betting – hoping – having friends who’ve known them from frosting covered nose to cap and gown will give my kids more contentment than all the perks of the big city combined could have.
Happy Birthday Penelope! I can’t believe you’re two already! Such a pretty lady too. Tell daddy you really need a pony.
Beth