Farewell to a Dear Friend

It was only a year ago when this happened at our house...

When we began our adventure, one of the best things about Chicago was that I already had a fantastic friend here.  She and her little family had been relocated to Chicagoland the year before (from Japan no less!) and she was a wealth of information, not to mention support, during our move.

Not too long ago, they got the call again.  It was time to move, this time back to where they started - the lonestar state!  Ever so happy for them that they can return to family and friends, but ever so sad for us that we can't just call them up and meet at the Children's museum, or the Land of Nod outlet, or a girls' night out at Francesca's.

The one thing that is for sure in life - nothing stays the same!  You have to enjoy each season, each blessing as it comes, because time stands still for no one and soon it can all change!  I'm happy that we did enjoy our time in the same state for all it was worth, and that we had a fun day together before it was time to go, along with some of our other favorite Illinois friends.

Smiley J. 

Princess A.

The Mr.

And his sister!

We had as much fun as a barrel of toddler/preschoolers can have

Playing in the school room with the windows of light that make me want to take pictures all day

'Borrowing' electronics from our friends

(by borrowing we of course mean pitching a Jupiter-sized fit until we got what we wanted and then refusing to give it back until our mom pried it out of our greedy, little, three-year-old hands. 
You know, "borrowing")

We enjoyed a delicious lunch
(like Mel had nothing better to do than cook for a crowd six days from moving day?  I'm kicking myself for not suggesting pizza delivery!)

Talk about service with a smile!

Some of us had trouble staying in our seats...

...and made heart-melting frowney faces in response to being made to eat a proper lunch.

Others would have eaten a proper lunch no problem....if only teeth weren't a requirement!

And if all that wasn't fun enough, then there was GYMBOREE!!!

We sat mesmerized as Miss Brittany sang us songs....

...rode the air log like a pro

Climbed UP

Slid DOWN

Crawled THROUGH

Acted SILLY

Smiled BIG

Peeked IN

And then it was time for bubbles

And Gymbo hugs

And Gymbo stamps

And a few indulgences, leading to an impromptu jam session

Are those blue eyes or WHAT?

And finally, teddy bear ears and pink cheeks, because no day of fun is complete without those!

Oh, and there was this too....

But this is NOT a "goodbye" photo! (sniff)  It is simply a photo of  dear friends tied together by a thread that will keep them connected whether they are in Akasaka, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas, or anywhere in between.