A little bonding time...

This was one of those good parenting days.

I had wondered what this day might be like, with her sister not here to play with her and entertain.
My 8 year old is staying (for the very first time- without me, that is!) with her grandma for a few nights for some special bonding time together.
Meanwhile, my five year old and I have had our own bonding time- and I have to say, it was wonderful.

In fact, we had our first official day of home school Kindergarten here at home- just the two of us. I wanted to take advantage of being able to focus all my attention on her, and let her first day as a Kindergartener be extra special.
She was so excited about it, and her enthusiasm was contagious!

She helped me make the finishing touches on a big classroom type calendar I made- with apples we traced and cut out for each day of the week.
You would not believe how excited she was over this calendar. It completely made my morning just to see the joy on her face over this one, simple thing.

We sat together in the little spare room-turned classroom while she did a couple simple pages in each of her workbooks...we sang songs together....went outside for some fresh air...she read to me from her beginner book (she's just now learning to sound out words and it's very exciting for her- and me!) and I read a book of her choosing to her.

It was one of those idealistic mornings- truly! I had so much fun spending this quality learning time with her...and I think she enjoyed having Mommy all to herself.

It wasn't just the official Kindergarten morning that went so well...

Later, we went to get a couple things at the store and I bought her some new sidewalk chalk that was on sale. It doesn't take that much for my little one to be thrilled. At five, the smallest of gifts is call for jubilation.

Afterward, my child continued to be wonderful. Yes, she did. She played a computer learning game while I washed up the dishes and started dinner and then after her daddy came home, he went outside with her to play with the chalk.



After dinner, since she didn't have her sister here to play with her, I sat with her for just a bit and played with the doll house.

And right before bedtime, her daddy and I were treated to a one-girl puppet\doll show. Our tickets cost $4 in imaginary, invisible money, but it was well worth it, believe me!

When we all took turns talking to her sister and grandma on the phone, it turns out that they, too, had some incredible quality time together. I can't wait to hear more about it!

I am so very thankful that my oldest had this precious time with her grandmother...as you all know, her grandmother is 80, so this is truly precious time they have shared.
And meanwhile, I am so blessed to have had this sweet first day of Kindergarten alone with my youngest.
Each of these opportunities are so rare- and to be treasured.

As every parent will attest to (and every home schooling parent, in particular) not all days are such complete perfection.
Some are both grand and horrible all at the same time. Or even a few have just plain hair-pulling moments from start to finish, whether you home school or not.
I know I have had my share.

But when we can have a day such as this come our way once in awhile, golden and satisfying, it makes parenting completely and totally worth every soiled diaper and ear-shattering tantrum we had to endure.

And when they are all too soon grown and moved away, I just have a feeling that the ones that will remain crystal clear in our memories will be these rare and golden times.
And what they will be remembering, too.