Ruby's life has been full of playdates lately. In the top picture, EJ and Ruby are watching tv while Megan and I were visiting with Barbara (who requires those oxygen tanks, yes). In the middle picture Ruby and Sam joined Sam's sister , Adelaide, for a snack during our weekly Wednesday afternoon outing with Sam. And in the bottom picture Ruby had a playdate with her classmate Sadie and we naturally invited Sadie's twin sister, Clementine, along.

I enjoy Ruby's playdates. Seeing the kids is fun and I love watching them grow up alongside Ruby. How can I not love it when Sam asks for his "Masha" as much as his "Ruby"?! And watching EJ and Ruby grow closer as they get older is heartwarming because I know I'll be in touch with Megan for a long long time hopefully, so these girls have a chance, if they continue to like each other, to be friends for a long time too (I wish that for Sam and Ruby also, but I have less certainty because I don't have that same kind of relationship with his parents). And hanging out with kids from Ruby's school makes me feel like I have a better glimpse into her life away from me.

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Something unrelated, but I wanted to hold on to this. Ruby has many names for us, and lately, what has been fun, is that she has added to them. David used to be either Papa David or Daddy, but now she calls him Dada more consistently. I used to be Mama, Mom, Mommy and only very rarely Mama Marsha, but now I am "Mamiya." It sounds so sweet and I love it.