webcoynes: Besties

Of course, James found a bestie in our first week in Alabama.... Because really, how must that intro go?

"Oh you're four and you're a boy? Let's be best friends!"

and in the case of James, upon knowing someone for five minutes... "I love you."

Meet Haydn. (NOT a typo - it's the traditional Gaelic spelling of that name so don't email me!)

Haydn IS James, born into a different family all the way on the other side of the country, but still, they are the SAME PERSON. It's awesome. They hold hands everywhere they go, they like the same superhero/super spy/drawing on any surface/fire-looks-like-fun activities, and they have been known to "go vigilante" on a boy at Chick Fil A who was picking on Haydn's younger brother, Connr. Just kidding - it's Connor.

The best part about this whole "relationship" is that it has procured us two (TWO!) invitations to join Haydn's parents (Angie & Jeremy) on their boat! Well done, buddy. You get to eat tonight.

Ok, so the first invite resulted in a broken boat, but we had fun none the less. A&J rented a cabin on the Lake Martin military property (about one hour from our house). We took the kids to a little swim area and they did what kids do.... James & Haydn repeatedly tried to swim outside the "swim area rope," Connor complained about Molly stealing his bucket/shovel/sand/lake, and Molly almost drowned herself three times. You know, the usual.

But after all that, the boys got to make s'mores.... in their underwear.

It's hot here, people.

Seriously H.O.T.

Angie and I quickly worked out a "playdate exchange" where we take the older kids while the younger ones sleep and it allows us..... wait for it..... a LONG, QUIET, HOT SHOWER. Angie may be regretting this little setup as it seems I have introduced Haydn to Trix cereal, "food experiments," and lots of other activities that involve a mess. BUT Angie and I share a mutual parenting philosophy - it's all washable - even the kids so the playdates continue...

The last time I had Haydn over, I let him and James make their own ice cream.

James picked out the "special ingredients." (Please note his bowl of DOTS is already gone)

They both chose blue for the color and named it "Superman Ice Cream."

Really, who WOULDN'T like that ice cream?

2nd trip out on the boat was far more eventful. Wakeboarding, swimming, and lunch at a lakeside restaurant.

It made us simultaneously miss our boat and be grateful that we don't own one.

Our fearless driver, Jeremy.

Look at grumpy gus. He actually had a great time, but this picture makes it look like we forced him onto the boat and then told him he hate to eat liver and onions.

Molly LOVES Jeremy. She screamed her head off (that life jacket can't be comfortable) and Jeremy holding her, while driving, was the only thing that calmed her down.

Not pictured: me, in the back, eyes closed, while everyone else takes care of my kids....