First playdate

Wes had his very first hosted playdate today. We had to reschedule due to some appointments. It went okay. We did have some hiccups because he's not used to sharing his stuff with someone else besides Casey. Z and Wes used his train table and when Wes had had enough, he turned the trains off even though Z wasn't done. When I told him the trains weren't all done, he had a bit of a tantrum and needed to go to time out to regroup himself. Z's mom understood and kind of let me guide the kids through the playdate. We did some 'fishing' with magnetic fish and fishing poles, painted, and built with megablocks.

I know that most playdates aren't that structured and I wondered if Mom was a little unsure of what I had planned. If I didn't keep it semi-structured, then Wes and Z would have been off in different areas and not engaging in play. When we've gone to other playdates with lots of kids, I let him do his own thing. If he wants to run up and down the hallway and the host doesn't mind, then so be it. I can't structure the kids life 24/7. That's not what life is about.

I'd like to be one of those mothers who can just sit back and enjoy watching her kids play, but the reality is, I can't. I don't mind getting on the floor and playing along. It's fun and listening to the kids and their imaginations is great! I'll get my chance to be one of those mom's when Casey is older. He has no problems jumping into groups and joining in. I can see that already in him. By the way, he had a great time with Daddy and completely wore himself out. He was ready to get in a nap almost immediately when he came home. I'm so glad he got a chance to be Casey.