Anthropologie Dance Partner

My life does not feel balanced without spending at least a little bit of one on one time with each member of my little/big family.  

So.  It was Hannah's turn.  Or rather my turn with Hannah.

She has been "left behind" a few times recently because of things like kindergarten orientation, Audrey's mommy daughter date, a few other things, and then of course kindergarten itself everyday where Audrey goes and does something without her.

Leaving her is the hardest thing for me, even for those times when it's just for an hour.  She cries, gets angry tries to put her shoes on and come anyway no matter what we try to say to convince her.  And then I make it worse because I linger at the door feeling sad and frustrated with myself like "why am I even doing this in the first place, why don't I just stay home or bring her with me, what's the big deal?"  But I do believe that every one needs their time- sometimes I need my own time, sometimes Andrew and I need time, and sometimes Audrey and I need time.  And sometimes Hannah and I need time and that time FINALLY came.  Since kindergarten had started we had already had several lovely afternoons just the two of us while Audrey was at school and Eli was napping.  But finally the BIG day came.  Mommy Daughter Date.

We rushed out the door right after dinner one night.  I had been telling her all day that tonight was our night but I don't think she fully understood until there was no one getting in the car with us.  She's a little more quiet in moments like that- Audrey gets excited and squealy, but Hannah gets contemplative and curious almost.  The first thing we did for our date was sing at the top of our lungs together in the car to the song I Thought I Lost You from Bolt, her favorite.  All the while her face with the look of "are we actually doing this?" as we drove along.  Her confused little smile and almost skeptical eyes at me.  Then we went to City Creek and walked around the entire mall together going into any store we wanted!  We even went into Tiffany's!

The best was Anthropologie.  Yes.  And she wanted to touch everything.  And yes. I let her!  Because honestly she is my careful child!  As crazy as she seems sometimes, she is not reckless very much at all.  She's very thoughtful and careful.  And so, she touched.  And she ooooooohed.  And she aaaaaaahhhed.  And she thought everything was SO BEAUTIFUL.  We had to smell every candle.  We sampled perfume.  And then in the fancy pillow section she looked at me and said, "Let's start dancing, Mom."  Just totally serious.  So.  We danced.  In Anthropologie.  Best date ever.

We made it over to Temple Square eventually with a paper sack from the Deseret Book candy corner full of chocolate rocks, Swedish Fish, and more.  We found our own special spot to sit.  We mostly just sat quietly looking around, up at the temple, around at the flowers.  And by the time we got home she was asleep.

It sound so simple and silly even.  But it was one of the best nights I've had and I will treasure it forever.