Mud pie

My friend S had a birthday party for herself tonight, and she invited 5 other families to come for a late afternoon playdate and casual dinner. I don't know if it was the perfect combination of families, or her rambling house with great indoor and outdoor spaces, or the lovely spring evening, or just having a fun social event on a Monday (or, hello, clearly the combo of all of the above!), but it was just a super wonderful evening. The gaggle of a dozen kids, ranging in age from 1 to 7, had a ball together, and as we all sat on S's front patio enjoying the spring air and the homemade cupcakes (my gift to S) and the kids going in and out, all being looked after by each other and the other parents, I was struck by how the whole evening just felt affirming of why we live in this town, in this community, and how lucky in this life. The evening ended with many of the kids digging with great purpose and gusto in the mud in the backyard. I took it as a sign of a really great time that my kids were so covered in muck and mud by the time we finally got home that they had to be stripped down on the front porch and carried directly to the bathtub.