Friends under Forty

It doesn't seem to matter that I'm the only one pushing fifty in our girls night out dinner group and the other girls are.... well... under forty. These are young vivacious beautiful woman with small children at home. Don't let the small children fool you into thinking these moms feel the need to hurry and eat so they can tuck their little ones into bed. No, no, not these gals. They can close a joint like no other. The only reason they glance at the time is to make sure their little cherubs are well into slumber land before they'll even consider going home. Girls night out is one night a month and even though they are the best moms and love their families, they take full advantage of their evening out on the town. It's what I love about them!

I'm the only one without young children. May sound grand, but it has its draw backs. When my boys were young lads I used to take them to a water park at least once a week during the summer. I haven't been there in years....remember, no children at home.

My under forty friends planned a trip to the water park and I was beginning to feel a little left out. Not that I couldn't go but that I didn't have any kids to take. One of my friends suggested I could pretend I had kids swimming and every now and then yell out,  "Johnny quit splashing your sister!" Yeah, I suppose that would work but it wasn't the same. I love that park and I needed some kids.

As it turned out, one of the girls couldn't make it. I felt bad for her truly I did. Well, maybe not that bad because I boldly suggested since she's not going, perhaps I could take her kids instead.  Because selfishly speaking, I really wanted her kids. Paaaaleeeessssee! My friend, being the friend she is, graciously let me take her oldest three. Yippee, Hooray!! Three out of four, I'll take it, I mean, them! Now I don't have to feel like the only mom at the water park without children!

Water surfing, which was pretty brutal.

Although, kids are tough. I'm not into water boarding and having my nose and brain flushed out.

The lazy river was more my style

Trying to see how long he can hold his breath. 8 seconds was pretty good!

She enjoyed chasing the greedy gulls.

Front row viewing for the water slide races

The husbands of my under forty friends racing on to victory.

                                              What would a day at the park be without good food! Although, I packed enough for an entire weekend. The rest of our menu consisted of fruit snacks, red vines, turkey rolls, Doritos and strawberries with a variety of drinks, the kind that come in a pouch accompanied by a straw.

 After closing the park, it's what these girls do I tell ya, they love to stay until the very last minute, we ate dinner at...none other than.....Dairy Queen! You know how long it's been since I ate at a fast food restaurant....A.  Very.  Long.  Time.

Chicken strips and fries were the best. The kids ate....Kids meals, what else! 

The kids I took were so well behaved and well mannered we felt they needed to learn something naughty. One of my other friends taught them to blow the plastic wrap off of a straw. The kids thought that was the greatest thing and next thing you know plastic wrappings were flying everywhere! Ha! it was great!!

Don't get me wrong, I still play with girls my own age, but these under forty friends of mine are a riot and definitely know to have a good time. I just took my mama's advice, the one we've all heard before about surrounding yourself with good friends. Yeah, thanks mom!