A couple years ago, when Finley was newly born, and small enough that we was mostly a sleeping accessory to our life, our small group had a sushi night where we brought all the supplies and together made sushi. I think there were only two kids in our group back them, Audra and baby Finley.
Things have changed since then, everyone has babies, some of us up to three kids each. Life is different these days, we can’t always finish our conversations, but it’s fun and full.
And tonight, we made a lot more sushi than the first time.
Finley told me before they arrived that Aaron is his best friend, but he doesn’t know his name, he just says, “You know, Audra’s brother?” They have played many times together. And Elijah nods along, agreeing with the BFF status. I guess boys can just focus on the important stuff, like Trucks. And Trains.
I am not an organized type of person, I am more like, “Just come over and we’ll hang,” but we have some organizational pros in the group, like legit wedding planners with spread sheets type of thing, who divvied up what we each need to bring. I claimed something that was already claimed–you know, since I didn’t read the email carefully, and my legit wedding planner friend said, “Do you mean ‘Sushi Rice?” and I was like, “Oh, yes.”
Since it was for a group, I actually followed the directions on the package, “Rinse rice until clear” usually means to me, “Don’t waste time, just cook it,” and I usually would never have time for “soaking the rice for 30 minutes” BUT I did it! It was yum. Sushi rice, it’s a real treat.
So are these boys.
Notice the cat not running away from all the kids, the whole day. He can’t get enough love.
Elijah is the resident care taker these days. When Emery fell off her bench, while everyone was looking at her, he ran fast as lighting to the freezer, grabbed a cold pack, ran back and put it in her mama’s hand, then went about his play time with friends. I didn’t even know he’d done it until she told me later. Second nature to him. His favorite game is ‘babies,’ tucking them in, and sushing all of us. He speaks to them softly while leveling his face with their button eyes, storking their paws gently, understanding them and comforting them. “It’s ok, you can have a family.”
Eli
Maria loves parties. She loves little kids, she LOVES sushi. She was in heaven.
Group shot. We have a total of 12 kids now, plus 2 on the way. We are no longer in the same small group together, but I love how no matter the time apart, we can all pick up where we left off. And it’s awesome to think about the future, knowing what kick-ass parents they are and what awesome kids there will be in the world.
Rice thumbs up for a fun night!
