One on One is important no matter what your age

Having spent some amazing quality time with Leandra last weekend, I came to the sad realisation that Audra and I hardly ever get a block of time just for us.  When I was on maternity leave it was easy. We would bundle into the car, drop Leandra to school and then the day was ours.  We would go to the park for a walk, or to Mainly Music to sing and wiggle together.  We would go to coffee groups and SPACE afternoons.  There was singing and dancing, talking and playing.  There were also plenty of cuddles, tickles and raspberries.


While I do my best to do these things with her when we disappear for nappy changes on the weekend, it's not the same.  So I jumped at the opportunity to go to a Open Day for Gingerbread Cottage today (her home-based care is through them), just me and her.  We said goodbye to Dad and Leandra and gleefully got in the car.  As we drove to the Open Day, I turned the radio on and we sang along.  She has always loved music and she will "sing" the songs we know and love.  Its so cute listening to her enthusiastic joyful sounds in the back. 

When we arrived, it was perfect.  The sun was shining, the wind was icy but we had a sheltered play area outside.  The BBQ was going and there were so many fun toys and art activities to occupy us.  First we played with some blocks.  I sat with her, showing her each one and talking about the colour, shape and texture.  Then we moved onto some plastic animals and wooden cars.  After discovering the play kitchen for a bit, she ventured outside with a plastic knife and a pink goblet and I followed.  She showed me all the play equipment, climbing the frames and moving about.  She became frustrated that she couldn't use the equipment and carry her kitchen treasures with her.  If only she had a third hand!  But a distraction arrived in the form of the woodwork table where she took great joy in the plastic milk bottle lids instead. 

At one point I noticed she was throwing one down, listening to the sound it made as it bounced off the concrete, and then throwing another.  The discovery and the joy on her face was priceless.  But these are the very things I miss.  I'm constantly amazed by her whenever I have this special time.  I just wish I had more of it.   After the throwing of lids lost its appeal, it was back inside for a game of painting.  While I'm sure the object of the game was to paint some paper, she got very red and then very pink herself.  As she started to feel tired, she started to snuggle into her trusty flannel.  We cuddled up in the book corner and I read the Three Little Pigs to her.  It was the traditional version where the wolf gets cooked in a pot.  Nice.

We played with the baby dolls a bit more and then said our goodbyes.  As we got into the car, I decided to feed her in the front seat.  The sun was warm and the cuddles were snuggly.  As she unlatched she sighed a happy sigh, smiled at me and even blew me an impromptu kiss.  Oh my, kid!  That's the kind of moment a mum wants to burn into her memory for all time.  I love you so much Paudrason.  You were well worth the wait.