Socializing

We have had quite a run of social occasions lately ~ holiday parties, birthday parties, play-dates, and a huge homeschooling event. After our Thanksgiving trip with so many friendly relatives, the first gathering we attended was a Bay Area homeschooling afternoon. There were hundreds of children ~ from small babies up through teens ~ everywhere! And their parents. The place was buzzing like a beehive with activity and sound. Anjali entered the scene and ran up to the first little girl she saw ~ maybe about seven years old ~ and gave her a big hug, to the girl's surprise. She did this several other times to other children before she figured out how to "play it cool," and simply approach children and attempt to play with them. It was so much to take in, Anjali just kept walking and walking around the huge room with all its many activities and stimuli. So much to take in; she slept well that night! After diving into socializing in a group setting like that, Anjali seemed to feel like an old pro. The next event we attended was a holiday party with many small children. She walked in and immediately started playing, as if she'd been there and known everyone for hours. We have had quite a few visitors lately at our house, too. I think this is Anjali's favorite ~ when she gets to host. I think she feels our excitement and feeds into it. She definitely does *not* want to go to bed when friends are around! (Who does?!)

Here are a couple pictures from a play-date at a nearby park with another toddler girl, Zuzu, and her big brother, Haakan.