First Dates......

When you move to a new place where you don't know anyone and your a stay-at-home mom, the first invite to a play group is a pretty big deal. Kind of like being the new kid in a school cafeteria but more like being on a group date on the Bachelor. You have to play your cards right, you want to stand out so you get invited to the next "date" but not so much that you're overbearing.....it's a very delicate balance. My particular problem is when I get nervous I tend to get louder and talk more. I tend to say terribly interesting things like "so how about that humidity huh" or "the roads here are really narrow" or "what's the deal with uncomfortable nursing bras" (oh crap, did I just say nursing bra on the first date).
It's hard enough to pull off just keeping myself in line, then I have to add in the wild card....my children's behavior. This is something no bachelorette ever has to deal with. You want to be the type of mom who has the fun yet well behaved, obedient kids. The type of kids that other kids want to play with and moms want their kids to play with. The kids can make or break you. I happened to be invited to a playgroup made up almost entirely of little girls, and I happen to be the parent of little boy who finds great delight in throwing "fireballs" and chasing after little girls to scare them with bugs until they scream.........I also happen to be the only parent in the group to find him absolutely adorable while doing this.
As we walked home from the play date I turned to Luke and said "listen kid, I think you may have just cost me the final rose." He just smiled....... and handed me a bug.