"We're having a sleepover tomorrow!" (actually, not until Saturday)
"We're going to the nature center - the one by Grandma's house."
"Maybe we will watch the Bare Necessities?" (the song in The Jungle Book she danced to in her recital)
In the car, I heard her murmering about it to Dylan, who is likely oblivious to the meaning of "sleepover" but who listened and smiled, enchanted by everything she says.
Outwardly, I smiled, laughing with her and talking about how much fun they would have.
Inwardly, I sighed, missing them before they even left.
We carefully chose which pajamas and outfits to pack. And yes, I said outfits, plural, for her one night stay at Grandma and Grandpa's. I guess overpacking runs in the family.
Saturday morning came, and I kissed and hugged and kissed them goodbye, burying my nose into each little head of hair, inhaling them.
They were only gone a little more than twenty-four hours, but I missed Abbey's constant updates about Mit the Mouse and Dylan's garbled, giggled babbling.
My heart felt a little out of place, but...
...I didn't mind listening to an Eminem song without headphones.
...I cherished the long dinner out with Ryan, laughing about our slightly spastic waiter without worrying that one of us would have to leave the table with a restless child, food growing cold on the table.
...I luxuriated in sleeping all night and reading 8:10 a.m. on the bedside clock in the morning.
And when I saw them Sunday, comfortable and happy with my parents, I remembered.
I am not the only one who loves them.
Grandpa's got this one
Grandparents are awesome. I think my Monkey is almost ready for a sleepover. Exciting and terrifying and happy and sad, all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteLove that everyone loved the sleepover :)
Those overnight stays are always so bittersweet! I love the time I get to spend with my husband and the luxury of sleeping in but oh I miss my daughter when she's gone! It just doesn't feel right to have her bed empty all night!
ReplyDeleteI know! It's weird to go to bed without checking on little ones.
ReplyDeleteMonkey will love it! You will kind of love it and kind of be sad :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it hard to let someone else take care of them...Im glad you enjoyed your time alone! =)
ReplyDeleteOooh that last line, wow, yes I am crying a little....so happy you got a day of rest, relaxation and Ryan. So amazing to see other people love them as much as we/you do isn't it????
ReplyDeleteXo
Aww, The last photo is precious! :),
ReplyDeleteAw, so sweet. I love that line..."I'm not the only one that loves them"...Glad you had a nice time :)
ReplyDeleteSUCH a sweet post. I was listening to "Last Friday Night" with the kids until I recently heard my 9 year old belting out lines about skinny dipping in the dark and menage a trois - SO I guess that's an earphone song now too!
ReplyDelete(And I love eminem).
This is such a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you had some time for yourself while your babies were in such fabulous hands. :)
Such a sweet post. It's great to have time to yourself and recharge!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, isn't it nice to have grandparents like that? I love feeling like my kids are so taken care of when they are with my parents. Glad you had a night away!
ReplyDeleteI think when parents see their children with the grandparents, it reminds the parents of how much they were loved by their own parents... they get to see a glimpse of that love from an adult point of view and cherish it all the more :)
ReplyDeleteI know it is so hard to leave the pumpkins but it does wonders to get a little reenergizing break! Glad you had a good time! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to sleep in, that's for sure. Of course, my definition of sleeping in means to sleep past dawn now :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way of putting this! My parents are amazing with my kids, and I know my brother and I were lucky to have them during our childhoods, as well.
ReplyDeleteI love that when they are with my parents, I feel 100% confident that they will be protected and loved beyond belief. It's comforting. I don't think I could leave them overnight otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how even cleaning the house seems like "battery recharging!"
ReplyDeleteThank you! One of the biggest blessing in our lives is having my parents close by. I thank God for them every night.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know. So much of the pop stuff I think is fine, and then I hear things come out of her mouth that I wish I hadn't!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think my parents are more attentive at the park than even I am!!
ReplyDeleteYes; it can be hard to let them out of my grip sometimes, but it is good that they understand they have other people to love and support them, too. It will come in handy when they are teenagers and hate me!
ReplyDeleteI thought it would be easier when I stopped working, but it's not really! I am protective :(
ReplyDelete