Two weeks ago was Spring Break for all the kids in this area and our daycare provider took the week off. I was starting to feel a little like I needed a break as well and considered taking a little trip but waiting too long and missed my opportunity. My Mom took Elle and her cousins for the early part of the week so Lindsay and I could work but I took Thursday off so I could spend Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with my Elle Belle. I am starting to realize how soon our life will change as we add another sweet girl to our family and while there is one part of me that cannot wait, there is a small part of me that already misses my alone time with Elle.
I decided if I couldn't go away for a few days I would still make the week special for Elle even though she doesn't know what Spring Break is or that we weren't going away. So, Elle and I had a "Stay-cation"! One of the things we did was paint pottery. I have been dying to take her there since I found this little place down the street from my work. She loves painting (as we found out when I got her to make art for my office) and I knew she would love it. I was right! She was a little overwhelmed at first because it was busy with other kids on Spring Break, but once she picked her piece and started to paint she was in heaven. Look how serious our little artist is!
It was a great exercise for me in letting go. I know adding another little lady to our family will mean less time for laundry, a few less face washes and a more likely chance for meltdowns in public. I need to learn to let go and not expect to be the "perfect" little family everywhere we go. Elle selected an owl mug all on her own. I thought, this is great...she can paint it to match her new room, that will be so cute. As we were picking her paint colours I suggested she use pink and green (just like her room). She insisted on a wider variety including purple and blue and the kind man working there smiled and said, "this is probably not going to look like what you're hoping for." I smiled and said "You're right, I need to let it go..." So I did, I let go of every OCD tendency I have passed down to her and let her make it her own. When I picked up her finished piece this week the owner of the shop was there and she asked how old Elle was since she remembered seeing us there. Before I could answer her she handed me her mug and said "oh she's young isn't she". I smiled and laughed and said "I had to let go and let her do it, she had the best time." The owner responded "if it looked any different she would know you helped her when she gets older."
My little girl is becoming a big girl and as tough as it is for me at times, I love the new stages and independence (especially when it is directed at good behavour like cleaning up) she is gaining. I am finding new things to do with her and reminding myself constantly to make time for special things we can do together. This might be tough with a new baby but I want to make sure Matt and I still take special time to celebrate Elle being big while she is still little and loves hanging out with us.
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