I joined one and it's mainly moms and kids activities with an occasional mom's night out. Mainly during the week stuff, with a few Saturday events like local fairs or whatnot. However, after I joined I found out that the majority of the mom's live about 40 minutes north of me, thus most events are about a half hour away. I was looking for something way more local. So then I joined another group of ladies (Hip Mama's) that are pretty much strictly from my city. It works out pretty nice because they have more weekend events and it's a mix of family events like picnics or trips to museums or zoo's- and then there's a ladies only event or couples only every weekend pretty much. So, the best of both worlds!

Today was the first event with the mom's and tot's group, we went to a place called Jungle Java. It was really awesome, for DJ since he was under 2 years it only cost $3 to get in and play in the huge playstructure they had. Basically there's one big playstructure for 3 and up and a smaller one for 0-3. Well, since it was so empty, and mainly the kids that were there were around DJ's age or not too much older, he was able to play on the big playground without being trampled on like at a Chuckee Cheese's. We were there for a few hours and had lunch and DJ had an absolute blast! So did I, the mom's were very cool. Only about 5 moms and something like 8 kids, so a nice intimate group for my first time. I actually got everyone's name down! In fact, I had such a great time that I'm more open to driving out to places to meet up with them, I mean, what's a half hour drive once a week or every other? I've already signed up to meet them at Borders for DJ's first try at storytime, I hope he will at least sit still for a few mintues! Ha.

The first event with the Hip Mama's won't be until the 14th. It's a ladies night...we're meeting at the organizers house first for a sort of meet and greet and then off to a local club for some....dum, dum, dum....DANCING!!! I can't wait!! I hope they play some great music. I'm excited about meeting this group too because it actually was just started last month so I'm joining right in the beginning, which is sort of cool. There are a lot of nice family picnics and outings planned, as well as more ladies nights, so I am hoping this group is as cool as the other!

Ya...I guess I was just thinking lately about how it's just getting harder and harder to see our friends. Everyone is so busy with all sorts of different things going on, and many of them live 45 minutes away. And several have left the state for places like Ohio, Kentucky and Florida. Plus, most of my friends also work full time. I'm lucky if I get an email or call back from them some days. Between that and our sort of drifting away from some other friends (purposely)...I just don't want to get to the point that we don't have a good base of good friends. Just because we're parents doesn't mean we shouldn't have our own life, right? I want to be my parents age (60) and STILL have friends. (Which my mom sort of does, and my dad it's just work buddies/family.) I mean, I know everyone changes and what you have in common does and friends change too. So, I guess finding this meetupdotcom comes at the perfect time. Oh....I really need to find a bookclub to join too!!