#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

A Date with My Favorite Four-Year-Old

July 10, 2012 · Narrative

Blurry but Happy
I knew I wanted to be a mother from the very beginning.  It was never a question.  The only real questions were when?  and how many?   As for the how many, the answer, since my early 20s, has always been six.

Being a mom is one of the hardest things that I do.  And one of the most rewarding.  At the end of a long day, after ushering them through camp and swimming lessons (and a full day of work), we go through the bath, dinner, story, bed routine.  I fall into bed shortly after.

Completely spent.

I referee.  I administer band-aids.  And hugs.  And listen.  And steer.  And love.  And laugh.  Console.  Advise.  And beat my head against the wall.  Not all necessarily in that order.

It’s a tough gig.  As my fellow moms can attest.  I want them to feel loved.  And safe.  And happy.  Always and forever.  And sometimes, through all that, it never seems enough.

I try to carve out one-on-one time with the kids on a monthly basis.  I think they need that.  A connection with me that doesn’t have to be shared.  No interrupting.  No talking over their siblings.  No competing.  Complete and unadulterated attention.

Madeline and I planned a date for this past weekend.  Mystic’s daughter watched Nick (making this chicken parm), while Madeline and I escaped to dinner and a movie.  She’s had a trying time with Nick the past week.  She is patient to the nth degree, but had had enough.  She had quietly voiced her opinions about it to both Mystic and I separately.  My heart breaking as I listened to her words.

We both needed our Mom-and-me date.

She had asked if we could see Katy Perry’s new movie, Part of Me.  I was a fan of hers before we saw the movie, and now even more so (equal parts heartbreaking, heartwarming, and inspiring).  As we entered the theater, I scanned the seats – lots of moms and daughters out that night, too sweet.

Saturday Night at the Movies

Madeline chattered while we waited for the previews to start.  Decided what she wanted to eat (we were at AMC’s Dine In Cinema).  Asked if she could have Sprite.  I don’t let the kids have soda often, but this was a special night.  I wish I had captured her face when I said yes.

The littlest things make her soar.

If I could bottle her personality and spirit, I would market it mass wide.

Because it’s that awesome.

My Saturday Night Date

Chicken fingers.  Apple slices.  Sprite.  Shared popcorn with Mom.  3-D glasses.

She definitely considered it a date, grabbing my hand halfway through and holding it for the rest of the movie.  She climbed on my lap in the last few minutes, giving me a kiss on my cheek.

“Thank you for my date, Mommy.  I love you to the sky and back.”

As we left the theater that night, she held my hand.  Batteries recharged.  Replenished.  Fully.

When we got home, Nick was sleeping, so Madeline headed out to a neighboring town to catch some carnival fireworks with Mystic’s daughter.

A perfect night.  For the most perfect four-year-old.

One-on-one time is a challenge to carve out sometimes, but I will move mountains to make sure the kids get it.  They need it.  I need it.

And right then, that very Saturday night, there was nothing more important.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: AMC Dine In Cinema, Katy Perry, parenting, Part of Me

Comments

  1. patsy says

    July 10, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    sounds like an absolutely perfect mommy-and-me date night! so, glad you were able to make it happen!
    patsy recently posted..Simple Bruschetta for a Summer Evening (Recipe)

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    July 11, 2012 at 6:47 am

    SO SWEET. I wish my mom had done that for me when I was a kid…it seems so necessary.
    Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Pesto Potato Salad with Green Beans

    Reply
  3. Ramona says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:54 am

    what a great date for you 2

    you are a special Mom

    Reply
  4. Alexandra says

    July 11, 2012 at 10:32 am

    So sweet. And so right, I didn’t have much quality time with my parents, I had a brother very similar in age so we all did stuff together. It’s so important to feel special when you’re a kid and to be treated like an individual. Good on you !

    p.s. my child number used to be 10 and it’s gone down to 4 now. Sometimes I consider just sticking to the one ! haha.

    http://myfroley.blogspot.com

    Reply
  5. Kris #40 says

    July 11, 2012 at 10:34 am

    What a great date night!

    Love Mommy/Daughter outings.

    Reply
  6. Sister in-law says

    July 12, 2012 at 6:52 am

    Aw that is so sweet!

    SIL

    Reply
  7. Shannon says

    July 13, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    oh my gosh, this is awesome. i can’t believe she is four years old?! where did time go? ha ;) traditions like this are worth keeping <3
    Shannon recently posted..Strawberry Ice Cream

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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