I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how this week was going to go. Claudine was done with camp for the summer, but Mia had another week to go which meant that Claudine would be home all week. Not that it’s a bad thing, no, however at this point it’s just easier when there are 2 kids in the house, not 1, and the girls are very used to having each others company now that they are on the same exact school schedule as of a year ago. I guess you can say…they are sort of codependent. Their close relationship is fascinating to me as someone who grew up with a brother who is 6 years younger.
But Claudine and I developed a really great rhythm to our days. After walking Mia to camp every morning at 8:15, we’d stop by the playground for an hour or 2 on the way home and swing together. Because it was so early in the morning, the playground was usually empty aside from a few babies so we could swing as long as we wanted without a line of kids waiting behind us. She also mastered the monkey bars this week, hanging and swinging her way all the way across the bars. We’d come home and she’d draw and play legos for a few hours while I’d get some work done. Then we would have lunch. Around 2pm, she would start asking when Mia would get home.
On Monday we had a playdate and took a nap together. On Tuesday we took the subway into Manhattan to run some errands and buy her a pair of Fall boots. She brought along her little handbag and swung it from her shoulder. She really liked going into the stores and looking at all the shiny pretty things. All the leopard print shoes that we saw were her favorite. On Wednesday we went to Staples to gather the rest of the school supplies on her class list and buy a set of markers for our trip. On Thursday she stapled 11 pieces of paper together and worked on her 22 page story book for 3 straight hours. Today is our last quiet day together. We plan on organizing the kitchen cabinets and start thinking about what to pack.
I guess I had forgotten what it’s like to have just 1 kid in the house. It’s been a while. The girls often feed off each other and the energy in the apartment can get quite chaotic. Without the fighting (there is A LOT of that going on these days), the competitiveness, the chasing and the wrestling, the house was quiet. It made me remember a day early on in the summer when Mia and I had a morning to ourselves while Claudine was at a birthday party. One on one time allows you to actually enjoy the company of your kid when you’re not constantly playing referee, but this opportunity seems rare these days.
I think Claudine really enjoyed her quiet week at home too. I don’t think she quite knew what to expect either, but she told me yesterday that she liked being home when Mia’s not here because “she’s annoying sometimes”. We laughed at that together. But 10 minutes later she asked when Mia was coming home.
really, really sweet. thanks for sharing your week π
What a wonderful post. I loved reading it. Lovely indeed!
This is really sweet. I grew up with a brother 2.5 years older, but he was often off in his own world, so I got a lot of mom time. When we were little we played together, but once I entered adolescence he turned mean and my mom became my best friend.
Growing up I never felt like I got any one on time with either parent. My mom was a single mom until I was in junior high and when we saw my dad, we always saw him together. I have an older sister and we are close in age so I don’t ever remember a time without her. We were always and still are very close, but it would have been nice to get undivided attention from my mom (or dad) growing up. Claudine will probably remember these time very fondly. It’s good to take time to actually connect with your kids as individuals.
I have a sister who’s five years older than me. We fought *so much* growing up. But after I turned 16 something changed and we became thick as thieves. Reading this post made me a little teary /sniff
I loved this post.
That haircut has to be the most adorable one I’ve ever seen. Too bad my daughter still doesn’t have enough hair to pull that off. Lovely photos.
What a sweet post! I’ve settled on being an awesome aunt forever and leaving the having kids thing up to my siblings, but posts like this leave me wondering if I’d rather rethink that π
sounds like a perfect week! I LOVE the outfits on those little mannequins at the 5th ave J.Crew store and could not stop admiring the sequin pattern on that little top…kills me!
Having two girls is the sweetest thing ever!
Sweet π
That said, I have two very young boys… I’m expecting a lot of competitiveness and all that jazz in times to come!
I love this! It’s so sweet…and it reminds me when my kids were much younger. They are 4 years apart so it was really like having an only child again (well just during the school day hours)…we could go to the park, mommy and me classes, etc while Madeline was at school…but I love the way they still hang out with each other…and they are girl (17) and boy (13).
Your photos are so charming…the one with her carrying her pocketbook, standing in line at the children’s boutique…and of course the one on the subway platform.
sounds like such a sweet week, makes me want to have a daughter too. =)
Very sweet post! I have to agree that one on one time with the kids is precious time, especially with three at home.
As always I loved the photos. I did a double take on some of them thinking they were of Mia. But alas! Claudine all along! Thanks for this lovely glimpse into your week!
i really loved this post.. it was incredibly touching, especially being one of three sisters. me and my sisters fought a lot as kids but now in our thirties, even with all of our differences in goals and lifestyle, we are best friends and i am so grateful for their company.. what a gift.
Love this post. Have a wonderful trip.
What a precious, lovely week you had with your daughter! I have two boys and I love having days where I get to spend the day with one. You hear such fabulous things from them and their little personalities seem so vibrant. I bet she’ll remember these few days fondly when she’s grown!
I always like to stop by your blog, but posts like these – about your girls – feel particularly genuine and sweet somehow. Thank you for sharing.
Looks absolutely delightful! You inspire me so much Jenna… thank-you for sharing your life with the world.
So lovely!! What a precious week! You really do take the most beautiful photos. Are these taken with an iphone? If so, I would love to know what filter or app you have used. Thank you!
I always enjoy my one-on-one time with each of my kids. I wish we could do them more often because it really does give you an opportunity to get to know your individual child. They can just be themselves with you. For a little while, they get to shed their “big sister/little brother” roles.
Once in a while, my daughter and I have have a “mother-daughter thingie,” while my son and I have a “mommy-son date.” When they get alone time with Dad, it’s called “Daddy-Daughter date,” and “Boys night.”
As a new mom of twins, I have great appreciation for one on one time with each child! It really is enriching…and I know it will be even more crucial when they are older. Beautiful pics as usual Jenna π
Sweet pictures. I had some one-on-one time with my youngest a for the first while in a long time, too. http://yellowsketchbook.posterous.com/first-steps
your daughters are just going to LOVE reading your blog someday π