The Fifth Day of Thankful

I did a little Black Friday shopping today. But not on purpose. I had planned to meet LB and her two kids at a lighting store this morning, to help me pick out a chandelier for my dining room, and new light fixtures for my kitchen, and then I was going over to my sister’s house when we were done. I ended up spending most of the day with them, instead. It started when they joined me at the store, and Isa ran up to give me a hug and asked, “How’s Mr. Baby doing today?” It ended with J asking me to come home with them so he could sit in my lap and cuddle. In between, we had hamburgers and milkshakes, visited a home improvement store, a sporting goods store and a kitchen store. At that point we thought we were done, until we passed a little children’s boutique with a sign out front that read, “50% off entire store.” LB dragged me inside, where I found a cute giraffe outfit for Chiquitito to wear in about a year and a half, a soft little hat, a few small security blankets and a beautiful handpainted wooden growth chart in blue with jungle animals, all half price. I also found a fireman raincoat and matching umbrella for my nephew D, so I’m now done with his Christmas shopping!

In the midst of all that shopping, we rolled our eyes at the kids and their crazy antics, joked about being pregnant, commiserated over our various extended family woes, and had had more relaxed fun together than we have since LB first told me she was pregnant again. It was a lovely day.

I am so lucky to have the wonderful friends that I do, but today I’m especially thankful for LB and her friendship, and the fact that her children (who I adore) consider me (and Chiquitito) to be part of their family.