The NC heat has a way of making you gather ANYWHERE there’s shade, no matter how small! This evening, we did just that with old friends of my husband and new friends to me. Luckily, it was a spacious and beautifully decorated farmhouse porch where we gathered, with fans to create a faux breeze just cool enough for us to kick back and chat.

We laughed. Big! My little got to play, get talkings to about sharing and lots of aht ahts! (This mama doesn’t have to remember when because she’s smack dab in the middle of it, and totally understood the chaos). He also got to ride out and see the cows, the bull and the goats with his dad and his friend! I got some kid free, uninterrupted, mama talk time with my new friend. Did you read UNINTERRUPTED, as bigly as I meant it? #praisehim

Anyway: there was no agenda and no rush (except for 6pm draft…which could be done iin the car). While the guys took Leo out, we talked about the peaks and pits of motherhood, sharing way more peaks than pits. We had girl talk about bachelorette parties, and agreed that it must be mandatory for husbands to not close doors or cabinets, no matter how little and adventurous their littles are. (If you have any tips…help a sister out, although I believe it’s DNA encoded).

Once we were all on the porch, we continued talking about our family life with our smalls. How much joy they bring to our lives, how they’ve changed us and talked some honest to goodness TRUTH about parenthood! It was glorious. The most special time about our time together…..we were a tribe. Playing for the same team. No explanations. When I was yelling aht aht, and still making eye contact with my new mama friend…she kept talking. We didn’t have to apologize for the glorious (let’s use that word loosely) LOUDNESS of my little. The best thing I heard her say about her beautifully decorated porch… don’t worry, it’s all kid friendly, everything out here is plastic. SHE GOT IT. There were toys in every corner in most rooms. Mama had motherhood figured out and this mama breathed a big sigh of relief. I could now divide my attention 60/40…maybe 70/30 favoring the adult convo and let my kid be a kid….because we were at a kid’s house (let’s be honest…they own the place until they’re like five). Having a mama on the same journey, at the same time, right smack dab in the middle of parenting littles is freaking GLORIOUS! My heart is full. Our talk tank is empty (okay, mine is not EMPTY but definitely more depleted than usual) because we didn’t have to spend every second watching our little and neglect connecting with our friends. Now, I’m sitting in the driveway of our home, finishing this post while my husband has a whole draft set up in the passengers seat…while our adventurous little is snoring. Today was a good day!

We love our friends with older kids and grown up houses and are so appreciative of the time we get to spend with them. Today was just extra special and good for this mama’s soul. It’s rare you get to connect and parent your little and today we did both. Clear eyes, full heart and a 3/4 empty talk tank…I’m thankful.

Here’s to the mama tribe of littles! You NEED mamas with littles on the same “fancy month blanket” square (or pretty close) as your little. It’s life giving and heart filling.

Excuse me while I go add toys to corners in multiple rooms because that’s just motherhood mastered AF.

❤