Girls' Day Out With Emma

On Saturday evening Emma declared that she and I hadn't been having enough quality "alone time" together and that we needed to have a "girls' day out." This sounded like an excellent idea until I remembered that I hate going out at this time of year when everyone on this crowded island comes out in droves to shop for things that no one really wants anyway. I also forgot that it takes Emma four times as long as a normal human being to do ordinary tasks (like brushing teeth and getting dressed). I think she takes so long because the inside of her brain must be such an interesting and distracting place to live. Sometimes when she is in the middle of putting on socks, she only gets halfway there before she has to stop and observe the scenario of a love story between a pengiun and a reindeer being played out in her head. Completely understandable.

So...instead of taking the train into the city and fighting the crowds, when Emma was FINALLY dressed and ready, we took a very exciting journey up to the local mini-Tesco where we had a lovely time picking out bread and soymilk and a few Christmas presents for Dad. On the way, we listened to the newest Carson family Christmas CD. Then we headed over to my favorite hang-out, Pugh's Garden Centre, where Emma chatted very briefly with Santa. As usual, when asked what she wanted for Christmas, she answered, "Just a few surprises." (She was quite certain he wasn't the real one. The real Santa, she said, is far too busy at this time of year to be sitting around at a garden centre.) Emma chose some Christmas ornaments for her teachers and generally enjoyed browsing and looking at all of the fabulous Christmas junk. Afterwards, instead of having a hot drink in the cafe, we decided to come home, bundle up and take a walk. I wasn't sure if Emma could hang with me walking, but she kept up as long as I held her hand...and she was a lovely walking companion. I learned all about what jobs she'd like to have if she were able to work at the North Pole for a day. (Caring for reindeer and baking cookies.) I also learned that a six-year-old finds it extremely funny if you try to shove her all the way into a post box... so I did it more than once.

So...all in all, although it may not have been a proper "Girls' Day Out," I think we had a nice time and Emma's emotional bank account has been topped up for now. We ended the day by reading the second chapter in our new bedtime story Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, so far an excellent read.

Sophie and her Dad had an attempt at some quality time today to. Unfortunately the father/daughter bike ride never really happened since Sophie is terrified of the bike for some reason. Both parties were extremely frustrated by the time it was all said and done. After Sophie had a much needed nap and George cooled off in his cave for a while, the two made up beautifully and also made peace with the bike.

Now it's back to the daily grind again tomorrow, but only for one week! Friday is the last day of school for Emma and Sophie, and we are all looking forward to the school holidays. School holidays are great. I am always glad to see them come and then just as happy to see them go! Have a nice week, everyone!