Rolling Out

 The boys are thoroughly enjoying their Spring Break. Yesterday they rose late, puttered around the house most of the day and seemed to eat nonstop. Of course, all good things come to an end and that includes their laid back vacation. This morning they are being woken early because we have places to go and things to do.  

This year we are switching things up in terms of our holiday traditions. Instead of staying home, which has been our Easter tradition of recent years, we are going to Ohio. (My niece, who is finishing her first year in college, has graciously agreed to house sit during the final days of her Spring Break.) This is the first time we will be with Scott's mom for Easter. I know that he is especially excited.

Our rented van is packed and ready to roll.  It's going to be a long day on the road. Wish me luck!

College Tours

 Sunday was all about Timmy, but yesterday my focus was Robby. I was fortunate enough to accompany him on his first college tour. We drove down to the University of Mary Washington, which is a beautiful little state school in Fredericksburg VA. The weather was beautiful and I don't think I could have planned a prettier day to walk around a campus. 

It is so hard to believe that I am touring colleges with Rob. I look in his big brown eyes and I still see the little boy who used to play pirates and fish in the stream. I see his smile and I remember all of the silly games we used to play. Then I look at his full beard and I realize that he is indeed old enough to be evaluating colleges. 

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the tour, I relished the time with Rob. We had a great time chatting to and from the school. He is such an interesting person and I love spending time with him. I know that, wherever he ends up, he is going to thrive.  

Making Friends

Yesterday Timmy and I packed up and headed to a community breakfast for his school. While he had a great time playing with his classmates, I found myself in the all-too-familiar situation of standing idly by myself trying to feign confidence among strangers who all seem to know each other. How do all of the moms and nannies always seem to know each other while I'm always the stranger? 

This has happened since Robby's first play date and I'm fairly certain it will be haunting me through Hamlet's college years. We RSVP yes to every party invite. I attend every parent meeting and class event. While I join the greater email and text chains, I've am still omitted from the more friendly banter. 

Standing by myself next to the playground fence, I felt the familiar pangs of discomfort. I made several attempts to make small talk only to be met with single word responses or the quick arrival of a group of friends who swoop in to "rescue" my poor victim. To be fair, I'm sure it probably wasn't as dramatic as my recollections. I think I am still licking my wounds from the overwhelming sense of rejection.

Thankfully, yesterday was about Timmy and not me. Although he was initially nervous about walking into a large group of new kids, he quickly located some familiar faces and was absorbed by the crowd. I couldn't help but feel happy as I watched Timmy run and play. Apparently, I suck at making friends. I'm glad that he hasn't inherited whatever traits I seem to project in group situations.