Some days are just grand, and some days are great. Not for lotto-winning type reasons – just easy days, when things fall into place. We had one of those today. It started wonderfully – nobody cried during breakfast, and I didn’t shout. Winning by 8am.
On the way to school, Clara, who is six, told me that she was nervous about doing Show and Tell. I reminded her that only last week, I had been nervous about a presentation for work, and that she had eased my worries by getting me to run through it with her. So she went through her Show and Tell on the way to school, and like me, she felt better. And after school, she told me with a big smile “It went great mum, Show and Tell went great”. A good day.
After drop-off, the two smaller kids and I went for pancakes in our favourite coffee shop, then we went shopping for a dress for me, for a big night out tomorrow night. Returning to the car empty-handed, I turned to Emmie, who is four, and said “I think I should have tried that last dress we saw – would it be crazy to go all the way back? We probably need to go to the car first anyway, so I can get a dummy for Sam – I don’t think he’ll last … ”
“Let’s do it mum,” she said. “Don’t bother going back to the car – I’ll distract him if he doesn’t last while you’re trying it on”
“Wow, you are brilliant!” I told her.
“Mum, you know I love shopping with you” she said. I seriously don’t know if I can let this child start school in September – I need her more than they do.
When I tried on the dress, she said “Mum, it’s magnificent!” and Sam, who is two, followed that with “Mummy, you pwincess!” Sold.
After school, and the news of the successful Show and Tell, we went for coffee with some classmates and their mums. There we heard the very welcome news that Clara’s class won’t mix and merge next year, something we were worried about (especially a six-year-old who has issues with changing cars and sky-boxes and kitchen tables). A good day.
The sun shone more and more brightly as the day wore on, so we went to our favourite place – Cabinteely Park. Mostly because after an hour in the playground, we can go for coffee and ice-cream in the Japanese garden. Sitting in the sun, taking in the view, Emmie turned to me and said “It was a great day mum, wasn’t it”
She was right – it was. I wondered later, what made it great? Lots of little things, but two main factors I figured. Firstly, sleep. We’d had a rare night where everyone slept through, and everyone was therefore at super-human levels of fabulousness today.
And secondly it was sunny. We’re all better versions of ourselves when the sun shines, and most parents are better parents in the sun – I sure am.
So, on analysis, it seems my great day was the product of two factors over which I have no control whatsoever – sleep and sun. Well at least I’ve written it down now, so I’ll know I didn’t dream it.
I knew the brightness was going to be a factor, it makes such a difference. I’m overwhelmed by you and your daughter helping each other out with presentation nerves, it’s so lovely.
It was nice to be able to say to her “I know you’re nervous – I was too, and that’s fine” rather than dismissing her worries – I find it really stressful when people dismiss my worries (though I know they’re trying to help)
And yes, yay for brightness!
What a lovely day. We had a great day on Wednesday too, I think it’s a combination of weather, sleep credits and ice-cream.
Show us the gúna !
Sinead- Bumbles of Rice recently posted…Days Out: Titanic Belfast with small children
Yes – ice cream (and three coffee trips) definitely the third big factor in today’s success!
Guna in IPB now 🙂
I even felt happy just reading your post. Lovely. A great day stays with you for so long afterwards, and now you have written about it it will last even longer.
I do really really want to see that dress though.
tric recently posted…Unintentional Hero.
I find that when I have a lovely day, I want to write it down so that I remember – thank goodness for blogs eh!
Dress is in IPB now 🙂 (the pressure!)
A great day. That feeling of a full night’s sleep when you don’t usually get one – you feel like you could conquer the world! (And a new dress! What more could you ask for?!)
Maud recently posted…Part two of this saga that might have lots more parts yet
You really do. The difference is astounding. And for the main culprit too – he was in brilliant form all day. I’m sure that’s it forever now – he’ll just sleep every night 😉
Loved that post. I had a great day today too. Lots of productivity and lots of good food!! I’ll have to start cutting back on the latter though if I’m to fit into anything other than a tent…
Your children are adorable. Now have a wonderful celebration dinner knowing you ARE, really, a magnificent pwincess x
Emily recently posted…This Is Not For The Faint Hearted: Gloop
Ah early days – you need all that good food – you are literally eating for two 🙂
Aw, your kids just sound like the sweetest ever!
Aedín recently posted…Mini Week in Dinners
Oh they are Aedín, a whole 1% of the time at least 😉
That is lovely. Sleep and sunshine are two ingredients every one needs! Your kids are GORGEOUS!!!!! Have a wonderful bank holiday weekend. P.S. Would love to get a peep at your dress.
Wonderful Wagon recently posted…X-Box Wars
Thanks Gwen! The dress photo is in IPB 🙂 (and my four year old may have over-sold it)
What a wonderful day… I can’t believe your four year old helped you with that dress shopping… you will definitely have to postpone school is September or else consider home schooling… she is too great a commodity 😉 (I won;t even tell you what my 4yo does when I try to shop for myself!)
Naomi Lavelle recently posted…Fun Friday – Magnets Part 1… a favourite magnet game
Homeschooling – that’s a brilliant idea! Though it might get expensive if we venture outside the home as regularly as we do….