Sunday Urban Family Dinner.

I often refer to our good friends as my urban family, because short of blood relations we basically fulfil all the family roles when we're together. Don, for example, was vacation-dad when we were away over spring break. He's really obsessed with timing trains with google transit and has good navigation skills. I think it's all his years of sailing and scouts.

Although there is the immediate urban family, there are always the extended urban family members. Those whose company you enjoy and you think about frequently... you just don't see them as often.




And of course, we're always welcoming to new family members as well (I really didn't intend for this to sound so cult-like). Or in the case of last Sunday, we were welcomed into the home of new friends and treated to a fantastic meal!




It was the perfect opportunity to use this Chariot trailer one of my clients gave to me. They bought the super fancy one when their son was small... but never really used it. Other than it being dusty from hanging out in their garage it's in perfect condition. Don and I also bought a trailer from MEC for two children (thinking ahead) but this single seater is really ideal while Dexter is flying solo.

We decided to take the trailer because it's enclosed. I can see this being a better option for really crazy sunny days or when it's raining or excessively windy. Funny that I was so eager to get the Madsen. And I have no regrets about that purchase, but it's really good for when the baby is tiny and retrofitted for a car seat, or for a young child that is strong enough to sit up and brave the elements (hold his own umbrella) by himself in the bucket.

I don't think it looks particularly good, but now that Dexter is bigger the Chariot a good option to have. My major misgivings about it are not being able to transport a baby younger than 8 months. Don was towing it with his old GT mountain bike so looks weren't really a paramount concern. It's one of those things that is so practical that I will be able to stomach the sport-factor.

When Dexter fell asleep later in the evening we put him back in the trailer and rolled it into the house so he could keep warm. When it was time to go we just hitched the trailer back onto the bike and rode home. Dexter slept the whole time!

Before we left we took Dougal for a run with the bikes. Here he is waiting patiently for us to get ready.




Dexter getting strapped in.




Dexter behind his protective mesh screen.




I used Don's pannier on the Pashley. I brought wine and diaper stuff.








Off we go!




We were refreshed with Pomegranate juice and fizzy water upon arrival.




They had beautiful dishes.







This was our first BBQ food of the season!




Cous cous.




Wine.




Soup.




Cute house stuff.




Asparagus.




Melamine!




For dessert there was cookies and ice cream.






Brew.




And a delicious cup of coffee.




I've been repeating the old saying that it takes a village to raise a baby, but I think the same can be said of all of us. Isn't having family and friends around when we're grown up still necessary? A good community is still important for fostering your mind and promoting your (hopefully) continued growth as you go through and experience life. At least this is how I see it. I like my friends to be fun and entertaining, but beyond that I expect them to be challenging, honest, and sincere. There are a lot of friends of convenience out there. You know the ones where you just hang out because they're around? I think that's fine. There are different friends for various occasions and friends also come and go during different stages in life.

I'm feeling really lucky these days. My "village" helps with the baby and logistics, but the people in my social community really inspire and help me too.