Meet ups

Yesterday we were lucky enough to meet up with two sets of out of town friends. I met Jennifer when we were both expecting July, 2009 babies in an online pregnancy board. We've kept in touch since and this weekend she was holidaying in Maine where her husband grew up.

We had such a lovely time. They took us out for breakfast and we had a super time meeting MJ and Baby Lane (Jen's newest addition). 

I've really been surprised lately by how much Raf is coming out of his shell when out in public. He's losing so much of his shyness and coyness and, with it, so much of his babyness. It's all very bittersweet. But it is pretty amazing watching him navigate his world, and while my instinct is to want to protect him from every little hurt (especially rejection), I'm trying to learn to let him manage situations on his own (this is much easier said than done!).

Raf was an energy ball during breakfast and so it was a good thing that we headed to the local park so he could burn off some energy.

I was slightly terrified as Raf has suddenly turned into a dare-devil and was climbing crazy big-boy ladders and flying down the big boy slides. Jen sent me a fantastic picture of some of Raf's antics which I need to upload... but here a few.

Going up the ladder to find MJ.

You can see how happy Raf is here!

 Weeee.... down they go.

And now here they both are going down the very big boy slide.

Raf going in for a kiss to say goodbye to Baby Lane. Raf exclaimed afterward that the "baby is nice"!

Raf can be a bit vigorous with hugs and MJ was a little more reticent so instead of a hug and kiss, MJ found rocks for Rafi who put them all in his pockets to take home.

This led to some serious bonding.

We all had a really great morning and Raf left feeling utterly exhausted. As soon as we got home it was almost time to go out again to meet other friends! I don't have any photos but we met up with another family camping in Freeport and got to hang out with my friend, her husband, and her two funny girls. It does appear that almost 3 year old boys are very annoying to 4 year old little girls!!