An unusual Sunday. Amazing and full, with terrific moments creating poignant memories to fill me up for the next few weeks.
I'm in Chicago. No animals to feed, no plans to hatch for the day. I'm with my younger girl's family in and I follow in their Sunday footsteps.
There is breakfast of course and a quick hold, or was it hug, or was it hold and hug of little Juniper, but really, the rush was to get her big sister ready for class.
Ballet, at the Old Town School of Music. In person finally this month. I went along to watch.
"I don't need any help" is a recurring theme. The girl is growing up.
Observing her dance was like watching her mom dance. I don't think I missed a class with my daughter, peering through one way windows or cracks in the door, or sometimes, when a teacher felt like indulging my curiosity, I'd be invited inside. Studying a dance teacher's way of conveying ballet movements to young dancers is fascinating. You learn a lot about how young people move and how dance helps them control and organize their movements in good ways. Each teacher is different of course, but the more old school ballet teachers follow similar patterns. I got to see that again today.
At home, Juniper was napping and so I retreated with Primrose to her room and we resumed the game we set in place back in December. With new twists and turns of course.
Oh, look who's up??
I would say (knock on wood) all five of my grandkids have been great babies. No colic, pretty good sleeping habits relatively early on. It's the parents of course. They are that much more attuned to the science of sleep, of eating, of movement. Science, good parenting, and of course -- a heap of good luck.
(Juniper still needs a shoulder to lean on.)
Meals: so many good meals! I always eat very well in Chicago. From a favorite bakery for lunch, to take out from a terrific taco house for dinner. It's all really really good.
(Soon, Juniper! You'll join us at the table soon!)
In the evening, the parents go out to listen to some music. It's their first night out since Juniper came along. They had some trepidation. Sure, Primrose was also about two months old when they finally trusted that I could care for her while they scooted out, but now there are two kids and each has her idiosyncratic demands at bedtime. Still, if I can't handle a couple of grandkids, then what good am I anyway? Go, go! They'll be fine!
Of course, Juniper had the last laugh. Parents out? Let's play! (Photo on self timer here)
But, her breakout play didn't last. The fact is, eventually all children do fall asleep! When anxious parents texted "is everyone good?" I could honestly say -- yes. Just wonderful.
And really, they were just wonderful. The older I get the more I shrug off inconsequential hiccups in anyone's day. They don't matter. They're hardly observable. What counts is that the evening was smooth and wonderful and the kids adapted and we ended the day with big grins of happiness and satisfaction.
Goodnight little ones! Here, up north, and everywhere. Sleep well, wake up ready for another beautiful day!
