Being Proactive

Taking matters into my own hands last week, I did a little Internet friend shopping. It's a lot like Internet dating only with the eventual get together you don't have to deal with the awkwardness at the end of the date. What am I talking about? I joined meetup.com and got in touch with some mommy playgroups in the area. There are several reasons why this turned out to be a good idea. One, I am now directed to activities at kid-friendly locations where I don't feel at risk of being towed. Two, it gets the kids and me out of the house so we don't become social misfits that watch a perfectly good summer go to waste. And three, we have fun. I have to say that this playgroup is exactly what I needed. The group I joined consists of about 54 ladies who all live in the same area as me and are really friendly and welcoming. I also have access to amazing activities every day that are planned and organized by someone else and I choose the ones I want to go to with no obligation on my part. I'm meeting lots of new people and it's kind of nice to reach beyond my normal boundaries of church and neighbors.

Last week we went with our new playgroup to a different beach that was more decidedly public, but I felt well assured that my car would be there when I came back for it. I missed the private location of the other place, but it was still very nice and entertaining for the kids. What is it about water and sand that can keep children occupied for HOURS? It's really incredible.

A few days later, we met up with the group again and went blueberry picking at Southern Blues Berry Farm. It was a perfect day for it and the location could not have been more quaint and sweet.

It was the first day the place opened for picking and the bushes were FULL of beautiful berries. Rowan keeps asking to go back again and I have to agree with him. They were delicious!


Either Nadia is trying to tell me she is hot in this picture or that she doesn't appreciate being forced into child labor.




This is about 1/3 of our group.

After we were done, we enjoyed some delicious shaved ice. They also had homemade blueberry popsicles there, but I was warned that those stains would never come out.


Today we went with the group to a dollar movie showing of Kung Fu Panda. Nadia was even free so we got in a nice air conditioned theater for only $2 and enjoyed some ninja action. I'd actually never seen it, but Rowan had at a friend's house. He apparently liked enough to remember all the funny parts and give me a heads up when they were coming.

I never did Internet dating (although I know of quite a few success stories), but I have to say I'm kind of a fan of Internet playgroups.