Cape Almighty

We made a trip to see our friends who live about 45-minute drive south on an interstate from where we live. They have been our family friends from Okinawa and our kids have grown up together in the past 4 years. That’s a long time considering our oldest ones are only 5 and a half years old. That’s most of their lives. We left Okinawa at the same time in summer 2008 with our friends only a month apart and came back to the Northern Virginia where we live close enough to see each other on a regular basis. I tried to have a play date with my friend, Meredith’s kids at least once a month in the past 2 years.

Whenever we made a trip down to our friends’ over a weekend, we usually spent the night at their place and our kids enjoyed having a sleepover. The trip to visit them this past weekend was the last time we stayed the night at their house before we move away. It’s one of those last times we started experiencing before our departure. It’s strange. It hasn’t sunk in yet that we are moving again.

During this trip, our daughters got a gift from their friends’ grandma. They are handmade capes. Aren’t they adorable? Our girls instantly fell in love with them. How cool is it to have girl capes?

I can’t take credit for the photos of the children running with their capes. I’ve taken these photos I posted, but the idea of them is all my friend, Meredith. You might recall my previous post about her “My Friend, Meredith”. I’ve been fortunate to have her take fabulous pictures of my kids. This time Meredith lined them up, said to the kids something like, “who can run the fastest?”, “who can run backwards?” and “who can run while holding hands?” Kids listened to her and everything was smooth. That’s her talent. Kids listen to her when she takes their pictures. I don’t think I can do that. I benefited from being on her side to have photo opportunities. Their smiles and laughter are priceless.

The second child of Meredith and Joe had a hair cut in the morning of the day we visited. He got a mohawk! Just like David Beckham. I think he looks awesome and I love it. My second child is giving me this sulky face in the photo on the right. This is fake. I find her expression with her underlip tucked in when she’s crying or fake crying so comical and adorable at the same time.

Our weekend was full of fun memories. I tried to savor every moment with them. I will make at least one more trip to see them during the week, so I am trying not to be too sad yet. Our friends also move around every 2 to 3 years due to Meredith’s husband, Joe’s work. Next time we come back to the DC metro area, they won’t be where they live now. We hope our paths will cross again someday. I wonder when is going to be the next time our kids see each other after we leave the U.S. Will my first and Meredith’s first child be awkward to each other? Will they remember each other? I hope they will remain friends.

Life is bitter sweet.