funky moments in friendship

my son and one of his best buddies since kindergarten (now both in the fourth grade) are experiencing some growing pains in their friendship. they were having a playdate (for some reason that is what hanging out called these days) at our house and i am telling you..it felt like a bad date.
usually a playdate for my kids means a big old break for me...the kids keep each other occupied while i tend to my adult activities, like reading trashy magazines.
anyhow, on this particular playdate, these guys just were not connecting. i am talking awkward...like long silences awkward.i can't really get a grasp on what is happening in the friendship, i just think they are developing different interests and not having a lot in common right now. 
 not only couldn't they figure out what to do together, soon they kept coming to me for ideas. HOLD UP...now it is serious...i just wanna read my magazine, ok?
i had to think of something fast, all of my suggestions were met with zero enthusiasm...jump on the trampoline? nah. ride bikes? nope. play basketball? no. throw the baseball around? no way. make some art? yuck.
in a moment of desperation (I HAD TO READ ABOUT JENNIFER ANNISTON'S NEW HAIRDO)i told the boys to just go out in the garage , get some wood and tools and make something.
Finally...could it be...is that...a glimmer of interest in both sets of eyes? YES! enthusiasm!!!! as both of them ran out to the garage, i settled back to figure out just exactly what is going on between Scarlett Johansen and Sean Penn when it occurred to me...did i really just send two 10 year old boys out to the garage to play with power tools...shit...voyeuristic tendencies, you will just have to wait.
Anyhow, cut to the chase, these guys did end up bonding over a SUPERVISED table building activity (they even used an electric saw!!!). They were happy, my son got a new nightstand...and you know what? I think I may have enjoyed myself more than I would have reading my junky old magazine...

example of 10 year old literature

Baby Boot Camp Rocks

moms and babes gathering up for some strength training

lunge/stroller walks  

getting strong biceps for baby lifting

happy faces (i think this little fella and little lady should become sweethearts someday)

jogging with the babies

for a little over three years I have been an instructor for Baby Boot Camp. this is a very wonderful organization where mamas and their babies/children can come to fitness classes to get a much needed workout. or so it seems on the surface. what really happens is so much more than a workout.
being a new mom can be an incredibly isolating, scary, life changing experience...sometimes just getting out of the house to get a little grocery shopping done is the exact equivalent to get motivated to summit Mt. Everest.
so to come to a class where everyone on some level is experiencing those same feelings is soooo valuable. i can't tell you how many times a  kinda haggard and tired looking new mom shows up to nervously introduce herself and her baby to the class and leaves BEAMING! i have so much respect for what it took for this lady to
a.get herself and baby to class on time
b. try something new
c. come to an exercise class
d. muster up the nerve to get in workout clothes and then SPEAK in front of a group of strangers!

what happens in these classes is obviously a workout which is great...i firmly believe that doing something active everyday keeps us sane. on the days when i can't get it together and don't break a sweat, i turn into a truly horrific person around 5pm. (just ask my family)

the other thing that happens has been fun to watch, all of the conversations...some silly and fluffy (wow, i have heard sooo much about American Idol, The Biggest Loser, Jersey Shores, Desperate Housewives of Wherever, i don't EVER have to watch any of them)
other talks have some meat on 'em, the kind of conversation that i realize is essential to emotional well being. i have seen lots of moms open up, become vulnerable in front of the other moms, to realize that they are surrounded by women going through the same issues. i have seen deep bonds form, and women who normally wouldn't ever be friends are connected for life through the shared experience of mothering.

so while a workout is crucial...that is the EASY part of Baby Boot Camp, the hard part, and the most important part, is realizing how much you need friends and support, and being brave enough to value yourself to make it happen.