"We awe habing a picpic!"

(Picnic, that is.)

Last night we were talking to Wendy and Max, our new neighbors. Max wanted to play with Bridget but Bridget needed a nap. So I asked if he would like to have a picnic tonight and play with Bridget and Emma after dinner. He and his mom said yes, so we did!

I made breaded chicken tenders, rice (Max said he liked rice when I asked him what he likes to eat, but he actually ate more chicken than rice), chicken gravy, and veggies. The kids had apple juice and we grownups split a bottle of Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider. We all sat on a blanket and towel on the ground on the back patio area, except for Bridget, who sat in the baby rocker and was fed jarred baby food. While we ate we talked, and then we grownups cleaned up while Max and Emma both played with toys (they each have some outdoor toys stored on the patio, and played with each other's to their hearts' content. Max also taught Emma how to dump dirt with a toy dump truck.) Then we had the fruit cocktail cake that I had made, and some cookies and cream ice cream that Wendy brought. The kids played more while we finished clearing up, and then we said good night.

It was really fun! I love having neighbors we can hang out with, and Max and Emma seem to be fast friends already. I think that she was not very close to the last little boys who lived here because there were three of them, 4, 5, and 6, so they always played together, and also they were much rowdier than her, plus their parents smoked so I never wanted her in their apartment. Since Max is an only and Emma just has Bridget, who she loves but who is after all just a baby so far, and because Max is a much gentler, quieter kid, they seem set to become good friends. Also, Wendy doesn't smoke, so I don't care if Ems goes up there to play with Max. Anyway, it was great to eat outside (the weather has been nice) and have friends to share it with.