Treasure Map - A potluck of friends

Yesterday was full of friends, food and fun!

Andy and I went to Cam's house for a couple of hours, where the boys spent a lot of time in and out of the van while Alexa and I sat on the back with the door raised. They were police, then they were criminals; they'd go into the house and return with an assortment of weapons- light sabers, laser guns, plastic swords, and of course the deadly inflatable sword. Bonk bonk bonk! "You are dead, Mom!" Criminals are smart- they know they need sustenance to carry out their elaborate plans- and so they brought out bananas and blueberry granola bars, and shared with their victims. And Ritz dinosaur crackers, which my "bad guy" now loves.

For dinner, Dave, Andy & I headed over to the Binghamton Family Resource Center in the converted train station near downtown. Every Thursday they have a dinner activity for families- last night was potluck, and future dinners include making/eating stew, roasting pumpkin seeds/making grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.

I brought veggies and dip last night, and Andy decided he wanted to contribute something as well, "So everyone can taste my sweet goodness."

He went into the kitchen and said confidently, "Okay! First, we need bread. Everyone is going to love my Mexican Delight sandwiches."

Recipe:
Two slices of whole wheat bread
Vanilla yogurt, spread thinly on bread slice
Cooked rigatoni
Apple slices, no skin
More yogurt on top
Add second piece of bread and ask Mom to cut into attractive pieces

As it turns out, there was only one sandwich piece left at the end of the evening. Surely someone enjoyed the Mexican Delight sandwiches.

Alexa & Cam were at the center, and we were excited to see our friends Marilyn, Katie & Jewel. Andy played basketball, ran around with a cape on, participated in a good-natured pile-up on Katie (who volunteers there!), and played with lots of kids.

We all got to see a train going by on the tracks out back, and then we saw lots of lightning. It rained and rained and rained and flashes lit up the many windows. Andy was afraid to even go outside and get into the car, but we finally did when things calmed a bit.

Back home for reading, Legos, hot cocoa, and the Polly Pocket/Barbie websites with his favorite music. My cool little man danced around in a stylin' baseball cap and sunglasses.

Before bed I held Misha Bear & Barbie for the first time, and Andy petted them. We marveled at the way a frightened little animal will learn to trust a big giant. It's truly a special gift to watch it happen.

And my son handed me a small piece of paper, saying it was the beginning of his diary. On it he had carefully printed the following.

I LOVE: LEGOS AND BARBIE AND MOM.