Something is very different at our house.
Is it cleaner? Not so much.
Did we get a new pet? Maybe. if you count the stink bug in the roly-poly house and the caterillar in the butterfly habitat. but that’s not really different, we always have a lot of unusual pets around here. (thanks nana nancy for the 100+ lady bugs!)
Did we replace our carpet with hardwood floors? i wish.
What’s different is that our shy little girl is suddenly a social butterfly! It’s a different that I am not quite comfortable with. but I’m getting there. Ava be-bops around the neighborhood and is making a lot of friends.
All of her playdates from birth until now have been very structured and planned. I know the parents and I know the kids. Now, Ava is always outside playing with someone. someone I don’t know. someone who’s parents I’ve never met! There’s a gladness and a sadness in my heart. I miss her. and I’m proud of her. She makes wise choices while with her friends, and always comes home to ask before going into someone’s house or their backyard. I am especially happy when her friends want to play at our house! I try to make them love it too, by offering fun activities and delicious snacks. She’s got one friend who only wants to play at his house. Ava has been gone at his house for up to 4 hours! Sometimes I try to make up excuses as to why she needs to come home. she’s not in any sports, dance class is over, we’ve already done our grocery shopping, there’s really no reason that she has to come home… “ava come home, annalise and I miss you.” somehow I don’t think that would fly with her.
We’ve entered a new chapter in parenting. and to be honest, i’m terrified.
