Lunch with a Loved One

Our elementary school has a cool tradition. Each semester they hold a special event called "Lunch With a Loved One." It is held on the beautiful lawn in front of the school. I really like that it isn't called "Lunch With Your Parents" or "Lunch With Your Grandparents." Families today are made up of all kinds of loved ones...some related to us and some not. I like that our school recognizes the importance of all of these people in the lives of our kids.

Last Friday...Ainsley, Allie and I set out for the elementary school. Anastasia had requested McDonald's for the occasion. Judging by the line at the drive-through, so did every other kid. I popped Allie in her stroller and we set out across the lawn of the school to find a spot for our blanket.

It was a BEAUTIFUL spring morning.

The kids finally came pouring out of their classroom and joined us for our meal.

It's such a fun way to get to interact with teachers and the other students that Anastasia spends her day with.

Here she is with her best friend S who is sporting a super-cute haircut!

We had such a lovely lunch together. As to be expected there were some kids who didn't have a loved one in attendance. My heart swelled when Anastasia invited a little boy named J....to sit with us when she realized no one was coming to eat with him. J was a delightful lunch companion and seemed intrigued that all my girls' names began with the letter A. "Do you ever call them the wrong name," he asked. All the time little J. All the time.