So, last weekend a miracle happened. One that made me realize that GD and I have embarked upon a new stage of parenting. Last Saturday, BOTH kids were invited to sleepovers. On the same night. My mind reeled. A night without kids?!?! And no babysitter needed!?!? Oh, the possibilities! I quickly told GD the exciting news and we began to make plans. Lets go to a movie! Lets go to a nice restaurant! The ideas just kept coming... But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me digress...
The previous weekend, Katie had her friend (and, not coincidently) across-the-street neighbor, Michaela, over for a sleepover. Michaela's mom, Bethany and I had devised a plan. Since neither Katie nor Michaela had ever spent the night at a friend's house, we thought we would be good test cases for each other since we are right across the street. That way, if one of the girls got homesick or scared or sick (the possibilities of what could happen are endless, really) then we wouldn't have far to go to get them.
So on the night of Katie's birthday, Michaela spent the night at our house. The girls were so excited. Bethany and I were excited. We started the night with pizza, then moved on to a movie (Horton Hears a Who) with popcorn. Here's a pic. I should note that Katie and Michaela went to a birthday party right before the sleepover. At the party, they had a face painter. Hence, Michaela's jaguar face in these pics. :)
The girls did great. They watched the whole movie quietly and ate tons of popcorn. (In addition to pizza and cake, but what are sleepovers for if not eating?!?) After the movie they changed into their pj's and mugged for a quick picture.
We made a pallet in Katie's room for the girls to sleep on. I am pretty sure they used every single blanket we have and every single stuffed animal in Katie's room.
I read them 2 books to get them settled down. It was around 10:00 at this point, which is late for these girlies. I turned the lights out and made sure that Michaela knew where I was and that she could wake me up if she needed anything during the night. Then I told them good night and walked downstairs. I had to go up a couple more times to settle them down. But by about 10:30, this was the scene in Katie's room:
And not a peep from them until...ahem...6:45 the next morning when they were up and at 'em! But the first sleepover was a definite success!
Now, fast forward to the next weekend and part 2 of the Katie/Michaela Sleepover Plan. This past weekend was Katie's turn to spend the night across the street at Michaela's house. At 5pm, Katie and I walked across the street to Michaela's house. We had 2 bags filled with some clothes but mostly stuffed animals. Katie was so excited. I went in for a bit to talk to Bethany. Katie looked at me and said, "Mom, you need to go. I don't need you." In the midst of my joy at a kid-free night, this statement was a kick in the heart. My baby doesn't need me anymore?? Conflicting emotions hit me hard. I was excited to have a kid-free night out, but I wasn't at all sure about this not-needing-me business. However, I swallowed my emotions and kissed Katie goodbye with instructions to Bethany to call me if she needed anything.
GD and I left soon thereafter for our kid-free dinner at Mi Cocina in Plano. We had good conversation, great food and yummy Mambo Taxis. After dinner, we walked to Marble Slab creamery for ice cream. Here's a quick pic we snapped after our drinks and ice cream. Drinks and ice cream make everyone happy, right!?!
Its a good thing we did because 3 phone calls later I was walking across the street to pick up my baby. She just couldn't go to sleep at Michaela's house. She was ready to come home.
Maybe she does still need me after all.....
:)
