Cupcakes, Chaos, and Catching Up: A Mom Date with Friends

If you’ve ever tried to get three moms and four kids together for a “simple” playdate, you know it’s equal parts chaos and therapy session. That was exactly my day recently—and honestly, it was perfect in its own messy way.

For two hours, we let the kids loose in the play area. They ran, they climbed, they made a disaster of toys and blocks that looked like a mini tornado rolled through—but thankfully, it was the kind of mess that only takes five minutes to clean up. Low stress, high energy.

Cupcakes were the highlight (for them and for us, if we’re being real). I fully admit—I gave my kid a full-size cupcake and a mini one. Zero regrets. He was happy, I was happy, and sugar highs are temporary. Childhood joy is worth it.

But the best part? Not the play area. Not even the cupcakes. It was having time with my mom friends. These aren’t just any friends, either. We actually went to elementary school together—back when our biggest worries were who had the best marbles or who could hula hoop the longest. Fast forward, and now here we are, chasing kids, sipping coffee, and swapping mom-life stories.

What makes it even more special is that we’re all at different stages of motherhood—like our own little flock of flamingo moms. One of us is juggling a toddler and a baby, another is navigating life with just a baby, and then there’s me with my toddler. Different seasons, different struggles, but the same need for support and laughter. No matter what stage we’re in, we stand tall and stick together—just like flamingos do.

There’s something really grounding about having people who’ve known you through so many stages—school days, teen years, adulthood, and now motherhood. With them, I don’t have to pretend everything is fine. I can vent about sleep regressions, messy houses, and toddler tantrums without judgment. It’s a safe space, and that is priceless.

So yes, the kids ate too much sugar. Yes, the play area looked like a war zone. And yes, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat—because having mom friends who “get it” makes this whole journey feel a little less lonely, and a lot more joyful.