To Slumber or Not to Slumber

Unless you're one of my "facebook friends" you may have wondered if I fell off the face of the earth.
But I'm here....it just been one of those busy weeks in mommy-dom.

Between their new children's choir schedule beginning again, violin lesson, rec center classes, check up with their new dentist, Missionettes, Missionette slumber party and...oh yes, doing actual school work...we've had a pretty full plate this week.

Now, don't worry...I know all about the dangers of over-scheduling, so I am always mindful of not piling too much on our to-do lists and try to make room for plenty of down time...for ALL of us.
But this was just one of those weeks.

What about the sleepover, you ask?

Well...both girls were suppose to spend the night at the Missionettes sleepover, but my six year old kept fluctuating between being excited and just plain terrified.
Finally she decided to go...I got both girls packed and my husband and I took them to the church. But soon, my youngest was falling apart over the slightest thing...then she was fine...then she was in tears again saying she didn't think she could do this.

And looking around, my mother instinct told me she was right.
Although first graders were allowed to stay without a parent, I really didn't see any other first graders there. She was so tiny...trying to fit in with the "big girls".
Plus, I had a feeling everyone was going to stay up very very late.
She has a very sweet small group leader that was going to be watching out for her, but I knew that this just wasn't going to be her year. She was completely overwhelmed!

And really, if you're going to do your first slumber party, it helps if you're in a small group of friends and in an actual homey atmosphere. And as nice as this particular church is, it is also a vast building...with loud noise and a lot of strangers -not exactly conducive to feeling secure and cozy.

She felt such conflicting emotions, poor thing...so disappointed that she wasn't staying but yet knowing that she just wouldn't feel right. She was in tears all the way home...but finally cheered a bit when I whipped up some chocolate pudding and then cuddled with her watching Barbie's Island Princess.




I know she's my daughter, alright, when only chocolate and a musical can console her.

As for my oldest, as predicted, she had a wonderful time but didn't "slumber" too much. When I picked her up, the adults looked only a little worse for wear...but only because they each were brought St*rbucks upon awakening.

Probably quadruple espresso lattes...easy on the lattes. ;)