A Fabulous Day

Today we went to our friend's son's first birthday party. Normally I dread those types of events. There are always too many people, many of whom I don't know, I inevitably gain a pound from all the "bad" food I eat, etc. Today was different. Our friends live about ten miles north of us. For any of you familiar with the area, it is technically Castaic, but if I were to define it, it is really between Castaic and Gorman. It is for all practical purposes, in the middle of nowhere, except for the fact that you are 20 minutes from my house, which is far from the middle of nowhere. They have 57 acres of land and there is only one other house off their exit. When we got off the freeway, Arnie asked if I was certain that they really lived there and when we got back on the freeway (to go home), we realized that the only purpose for the exit seemed to be those two houses. At the party there were no (yes, no) games. There was no children's entertainment (i.e. bounce house, clown, etc.). What there was outside was a croquet set and a couple scoot cars (you sit on them and propel yourself with your feet). Inside they had typical children's toys that my big boys complained were baby toys (their oldest child is not yet three).

You know what? We had a blast! There were a lot of people I didn't know, but aside from that, this was the perfect party. They live on a ranch with 7 horses. We went out in the fields and petted the horses. The kids ran across the rolling hills through beautiful patches of wild yellow flowers. They played with a pig - not a real pig, but a big wooden, lifelike one used for target practice. We went on a "hike" to the other side of the property. We all jumped over a creek and then went and played near another one. The boys all took turns sitting on part of an enormous oak tree trunk and having their pictures taken with the sticks they had found during their adventures. As we walked back we visited the barn and then the birthday boy's grandfather brought something that was sort of a cross between a tractor and a golf cart down and took all the kids that wanted to go, for a great ride (Carter was scared of the noise it made). After everybody got back from the ride, my boys and the older brother of the birthday boy played for a while in a Little Tikes castle that was up at the other end of the property at the Grandparent's house (two houses on the property - one for parents and one for grandparents). We literally had to tear all three of our boys away to load them into the car after being there for three hours. It was the BEST party ever. I so wish I had brought my camera. Hopefully I will get copies of the pictures that were taken.

Getting back to the simpler times was so nice and really helped to remind me what life is all about. It was hard to leave their house and come back to my "real life."

As a side note, my girlfriend always comes to our house for play dates and never has us come up to her. Today I found out that it was because she thought it was too far to ask us to drive (20 minutes...seriously?). I already broke the news to her that all three boys are ready to go back tomorrow! I guess she will be hosting the play dates for a while!