Friends

We met our neighbors around the corner a couple of years ago and discovered that Nolan and Connor are the same age. This was exciting for the two boys because they have a convenient playmate. Nolan is the only boy of three in their family and Connor is the oldest boy in ours and sometimes they need to do boys things and talk about boy stuff, things that sisters or moms just don't understand . . .

It started this summer, they would take turns going to each other's houses and ask the other one to come out and play. Their routine is quite predictable: Nolan knocks on the door and asks if Connor can come out and play, we give Connor a time to be home by; usually for dinner. The boys skateboard or bike and then come back to our house and Nolan may stay until dinner is served or his expected time (whatever comes first). They've settled into this nice routine and are quite responsible at getting home at their desired times.

What I love the best is that they truly enjoy each other's company and never get into any arguments (yet, because every friendship should undergo one). I love listening to them chatter (if they are using their indoor voices) about made up stories, exaggerated plots, and current events, while I prepare dinner.

And in that moment I feel that we are a chapter out of a Judy Blume book: Peter Drexler and Jimmy Fargo playing chess! (Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, if you were wondering)

Their friendship has given Connor some extra responsibilities and the experience to just be a kid.