Best Friends

Naomi has had a little buddy to play with since she was one years old, her name is Mia. I have been working one day a week at McKay's Parent involvement preschool for the last 2 years. It was really an answer to prayers that I could find a wonderful, yet affordable preschool for McKay.  It worked out perfect for both myself and Mia's mom, as she had a child attending the preschool as well.  They have had scheduled play dates twice a week for the past 2 years, one day at our house, and the other day at Mia's house.  This allowed us the opportunity to be at the preschool with our older child.

So began the adventures of Naomi and Mia.......When we first started swapping days Naomi was 13 months old and Mia was 11 months old.  Naomi is a highly sensitive and strong willed child, having that combo of a personality she had a difficult time going to Mia's house at first.  We would start driving towards her house and she would start crying because she knew what was coming.  She was going to Mia's house and mom was leaving.  Mia's mom Amy was very patient with Naomi while she adjusted to the new environment.  Over time she only cried once we got to their house, and stopped within 5 minutes of me leaving.  Mia has a very outgoing and social personality and she never had any separation anxiety problems, so she always had a huge smile on her face when she came to our house.  They played together, pooped together, ate together, and napped at the same time.  It was amazing to watch one year olds develop a friendship.   I wish I had taken pictures of them together then, but I have this cute video clip when they were 1 1/2 years old.

Now, they are 2 1/2 years old and every day Naomi asks "Mia come our house?" or "I go Mia's house today." and she is asking because she wants to go and play.  I have loved watching their language skills develop, and seeing them communicate through gibberish.....and now they are engaging in some pretty funny conversations.  Here is one I can recall from the other day. Mia "My mommy go bye bye."  Naomi "Your mommy amybarton."  Mia "My daddy is Joe."  Naomi "My daddy at work."  Mia "My daddy at work."  Naomi "No, My daddy at work." and so on...

They have also been known to sneak away taking off all their clothes including poopy diapers.  At times they like to take whatever toys they are playing with and throw them over the ledge to the downstairs area.  However, they are not always getting into mischief. They love to care for their baby dolls, have tea parties, and they enjoy dressing up while dancing and singing.  They are both complete daredevils; jumping off couches, jumping off bean bags, acting silly, and encouraging one another to do something they are not suppose to do.  Through it all they make me smile and I have loved all the memories (well most of them).  I love watching them grow up together and watching their friendship grow.   Next year they are both enrolled in the same parent involvement preschool I did with McKay.  I can hardly believe they will be 3 and starting preschool.  The adventures continue....