The worst part about expat life is continually having to say goodbye to friends, this applies to ourselves and our children, and it never gets easier.
Today it was with sadness I hosted the last playgroup for my daughter’s baby group (come toddler group, come playgroup) Over the past three and a half years we have congratulated each other on first teeth, first steps, and first words we have commiserated over lack of sleep, picky eaters, and tantrums. We have celebrated birthdays, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, and Easter. We have held sports days, endured rather painful swim lessons, on mass we have taken our kids to the bird park, the theater, playcenters, the aquarium, the science center and anything else we could think of to do in KL. This very blog was born from the idea of keeping a record of our group’s activities .
Once 12 members strong we have dwindled to a mere few, we have lost friends to the UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Abu Dhabi and India, a few of us are still in KL but with the kids getting older and all in preschool those special playgroup times are sadly a thing of the past. I will miss the support of the mothers I shared the first three and half years of my daughter’s life with and I will miss the wonderful children I have had the honour of watching them grow up so far. There is no doubt that we will keep in touch but the sad truth is it will never quite be the same.
We wanted all the kids to have a keepsake from this lovely time in our lives, we very simply got blank canvasses and acrylic paint and assisted each child to add their hand print, we signed their names place and year – the result was lovely I think a great leaving gift or even just a playgroup activity.
Dear Shontelle, Renee, Nan, Francesca, Lorien , Jane and Maike
Natasha and I have really appreciated the support and fun we’ve all has together . Since moving away Natasha and inhave missed the group so much . All the kids , Lola , Sofie , Sofia , Serena, Bas, Lydia and others who have come and gone too . Thank you for lovely experiences shared together and lets stay in touch . Love Deborah and Natasha xx
Dear all,
It was so nice to have met you all and to see the children together and see them grow up a little bit. Bas still misses “his” Thursday morning girls, especially when we have a look in the beautiful picture book you made for us. I miss the talks with you
and the fun you all brought into our lives. And all the outings, we did so much. Thanks for coming into our lives and we would love to see you somewhere once again. Big hug, Bas and Maaike
We miss you all and think of you all so much… It is very very sad to hear the end of the baby group – I remember those early days so well and how you all supported Lydia and I… I could not have done it without you! We will all keep in touch ( and most of us do, still) and I know our gorgeous girls ( and boys) will have a support network for life… Shontelle – I will mail soon. Deborah – let’s talk soon… Just back from 10 days in Valencia – the sun there reminded me how much I miss it! All our love