Kate, Little Hayden, and That Girl

When I left for college my parents encouraged me to go through the sorority rush process.  I was not a sorority girl, and although I joined one, I never fit the mold.  I made wonderful friends from those days. One of the best side benefits of the whole rush thing was meeting my friend Kate.  We ended up in the same rush group and lived in the same dorm our freshman year.  That week of bonding before the rush of freshman year lead to a friendship that has lasted over 15 years.  She has lived far and wide over the country following her former soldier from post to post, but we have managed to stay in touch.  Moving to VA brought me closer to her in NJ, but not close enough.  Fortunately for both of us, her in-laws live in Richmond and this has afforded us a couple of quick visits.   Kate and her two kids made a visit earlier this month.  Before they came, I was telling Doodle about who was coming to see us.  She had no trouble remembering Kate's name because it is her middle name.  Hayden was a little confusing because she has a Haden in her class.  She decided to call him Little Hayden.  And then she pretty much ignored Kate's daughter.  They stayed with us for 2 nights and for 2/3s of the visit Doodle referred to her as "That Girl".  She was having fun with "That Girl" and didn't want her to go, but refused to call her by her name.  It became almost comical.  At one point "That Girl" told Doodle that her name was puppy.  You can imagine how well that went over!  Finally, the last day that they were here, Doodle started calling "That Girl" by her name, Elizabeth.  Here are a few pictures of our visit together:)

Somehow Hayden managed to make a pink sippy cup look manly!

June 6 (321/365)
Late night (past 7:30) popcorn party for Doodle and That Girl:) 

Even with 3 years age difference the girls had a great time!

June 7 (322/365)
The best shot I got of all three of them.  You can't tell, but Doodle had to have her hair done just like "That Girl's" hair.

Sadly for us, it was way to quick of a visit.  Even sadder is that The Pitty isn't much closer to NJ than here.  But, we will be making a trip that way!  While we were sad to see the gang go, Kate did leave us with plenty of reminders of "That Girl"... an entire bin of clothes for Doodle (and later Sadie) to grow into!  Also, please note Doodle's pigtails done just like Elizabeth's:)  

June 8 (323/365)