You know those moments – when you look back (or forward) and think how great that was (or is) to accomplish two goals at the same time ?
Emma and her friend, Nora, love to plan parties. They want to have a picnic or get-together every time one of their stuffed animals celebrates a mile-stone. They can spend an hour on the phone planning what to eat, approximately how much everything will cost, and who will bring what. Perhaps they will have a future as party-planners. But, for now, these constant demands can be very wearing . . . until, Nora’s mom (Pam) organized a ‘Secret Garden Party’ so both our families could enjoy each other’s company and let the girls have their fill of planning and ‘partying.’
Then we turn to the next group of children, Caleb and Yaseen (Nora’s brother). They are in Cub Scouts together and were short one requirement in getting their Bear Wolf Award*. That requirement – learning how to do an outdoor flag ceremony. For some reason this never happens at their scout meetings. So, yet again Pam takes charge and makes an appointment for us with a fire department to teach our two boys about the flag ceremony.
So, with all of Pam’s forethought, we had a great day with their family on Friday beginning with our stop at the firehouse learning about fire safety and flag etiquette.
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Then off to a secluded park I had no idea was there (right between the Garden State Parkway and another busy road). It truly was a ‘Secret Garden’ which we had to ourselves and enjoyed a great tea party complete with soda-filled tea cups and ice cream cake.
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Just the thought of making this day so efficient made my happiness level raise quite a few notches. Add that to happy children and it was a great day!
*Helen, thanks for pointing out my mistake!*
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