We had a big weekend of wholesome, small town fun. Every Friday in the summer and one Friday a month in fall/winter/spring, our street throws a Flamingo party. The host puts out a collection of lawn ornament flamingos and everyone gathers to kick off the weekend. It was the kids’ first flamingo party – and we were very fortunate that this month’s hosts have 4 kids, including a 3-year-old with an amazing collection of outdoor trucks that Elliott has been lusting over every time we pass their yard on the way to church. There’s a 4-year-old girl on the street, who Natalie likes to play with…. and some girls in middle schools who were teaching Natalie backbends and hot potatoes. She loves them! The night couldn’t get much better… and then the host mom brought out ice cream sundaes! SCORE!
Erin: “Elliott, if you were in Peter Pan and needed to think of something happy to make you fly, what would you think of?”
Elliott: “ICE CREAM!”
Whoops – just a couple drips…
On Saturday, the kids’ preschool had a Peter Pan bus (the local bus line) for the parade. Elliott was very disappointed to see that the bus was red – not green. His plans to ride on the bus almost vanished, until I pointed out that is was a red double decker bus – like they have in London, where Wendy, John and Michael live. The preschool graduates earned the coveted seats on the top, but luckily, everyone knows Elliott is Natalie’s shadow at events like this, so he got to sneak up there too.
The bus led us to the Long Meddowe days festival (no idea why that is spelled differently), for bounce houses and train rides. We saw at least 50% of the people we know in Longmeadow at the festival – its obviously the place to be.
Train ride…. $9 for 3 min. At least it was for a fundraiser….
All in all, Longmeadow is proving to be a great place for our family (to our parents & grandparents – don’t worry, we still only plan on being here for a couple years). Folks have been welcoming – many are not originally from Longmeadow so understand what its like to be the newcomer. And the town is safe and bikeable too.
Um, Mom, why didn’t you bring our double stroller?
I’m so tired Daddy