Playdates and Sleepovers

A few years ago, when we had just one child, my sister-in-law asked to have her spend the night with her kids (the cousins).  I thought she was crazy.  Why add another kid to the chaos?  I thinking the cousins were ages 3, 2, and 2.

When we had our second child, she asked to have them over for playdates and offered to keep them overnight.  What in the world?  It was all I could do to keep up with my two.  Did she have some superpower I knew not of?


I wanted in on this action, but only if it was a sure thing. 



I have recently discovered the reason why she asked for and welcomed more kids at her house:

More kids make life easier...at least on a temporary basis.

(Here's a picture of us with our 3 and our niece and nephew many moons ago.  

At that time, I couldn't imagine having 5 kids in the house on purpose.)   

What?  Now you're the crazy lady! (I'm sure that's what you're thinking)


But it's true.

The more kids we have at our house, the more playmates my kids have to play with.  I may have double or triple the amount of kids in our house and have the most peaceful time I've had all week.  While they're busy playing and building friendships, I catch up on Facebook.  I catch up on the dishes and the laundry.  I sit and read a book.  It's beautiful!!

When kids have a "new" playmate around, suddenly everything becomes more interesting.

The toys they haven't played with since Christmas take on a new shine.  They're playing in the playroom.  They're inventing games upstairs.  Their rooms are transformed into pirate ships or zoos.  A whole-house game of tag or hide-and-seek may begin at any minute.  All the kids are happy and engaged.  No one is coming and asking me for something to do or to eat.  They're too busy.

Big score for mom!

It's so cute - my 5-year-old had her first sleepover with one of her best friends recently.  We did makeovers, ate tons of Oreos, watched Frozen, and it took them hours to fall asleep (maybe all those sugary Oreos were a bad idea).  This is the stuff good memories are made of.



There's something so special about spending time with a friend.


Friends are the keepers of secrets, and the sharers of tears.  They are the laugh-til-you-cry funniest people you've ever met, and they're the ones that show up when you're hurt, lonely, or just need someone to talk to.  I'm so thankful for my friends, and I love that our children are growing friendships, too. 


And so, I welcome playdates and sleepovers whenever possible.  Bring on the fun!!