We had another great day. I think the heat brings it out in me.

Met up with R. in the park. As I was putting Butternut’s shoes on to leave the house, he said, “Mama stay home.”

Mama stay home?!? Where the heck did that come from? More importantly, what does it mean?

I tried not to read to much into it. I also tried to honor his feelings. I asked him if he wanted me to stay home at the same time that Pumpkin said, “No, Mama’s coming with us.” Butternut responded that he did want me to go. Off we went.

We were surprised to see pdxfoodmama’s minivan pull up. She and her sons were there for a gathering of lesbians mothers and their children. We found ourselves orbiting their shindig, not wanting to interfere with R.’s visit with us or crash someone else’ party, but also not wanting to get too much in the way of Butternut’s natural inclination to visit his best friend — really, more like a cousin.

As usual, my concerns were, well, only mine. R. didn’t mind — she got an opportunity to visit with pdxfoodmama and to see Butternut play with Little A. And the lesbian moms assumed we were part of the group, even though Pumpkin was with us. There were some nice moments when Butternut and R. were playing together and moms from the group came up to her and introduced themselves and asked her about him. Later, when Butternut was off with Pumpkin and R. and I were sitting together, some other moms came over to introduce themselves and make sure we felt welcome. I loved feeling completely comfortable saying that R. was Butternut’s firstmom, and having these women just get it and embrace it. And I loved that these women saw her as his mother — they just assumed it.

Post-nap, we had a great, last-minute picnic at this park with pdxfoodmama and family, plus another family we know whose kid came through them through open adoption.

Added bonus: we got this swell picture of Butternut and R.

Butternut and R. enjoying each other.