Special Friends

Not only have Dave and I made new friends but it is heartwarming to see our kids play together. Taro and Ciaran (soon to be 7) paired up immediately despite their 2 year age difference. Every once in a while, I would catch Taro wandering off towards the Rymans cottage to look for his 'big friend.' It was very sweet to watch Ciaran read Taro his favourite book, “Captain Underpants”. They also spent hours ripping around together on the beach each evening outside our favourite restaurant Picasa.

Surprisingly, Chloe and Kiyoshi also developed a very special relationship. Chloe is 9 (going on 15) and took on the responsibility of looking after Kiyoshi. This possibly started as a result of Kiyoshi being slightly neglected during our routine 'Happy Hour' on the Ryman's porch.

Anytime Kiyoshi cried about something, Chloe jumped right in. They had a game where Kiyoshi knocked her on the head, she made a funny face and they'd both break into fits of giggles. At any moment, she could be found styling Kiyoshi's hair, drawing kittens on his toes, carrying him in the Ergo or reading him books. Kiyoshi loved the attention; I think we just witnessed Kiyoshi's first crush.

Several mornings, he jumped out of bed, ran out the door and down the path towards their room yelling, “FRIENDS! FRIENDS! FRIENDS!” completely naked. Dave and I were only half dressed at times running down the path chasing after him.