A Day for Girls

"Mama and Maddie are going out for a bit," I told Benjamin.  "And you are staying home for a boy day."  He whimpered.  The enticement of grilled cheese sandwiches and an "I Spy" card game with Daddy at home did nothing to quell his fear of the two nurturing females leaving home at the same time. 

We slipped on shoes and I buttoned my coat and zipped Maddie's.  I peeled Benjamin Barnacle off my legs and with a kiss to his head, we were off.  This promised day had been anticipated for weeks, a rare time for just us girls.  Days with boys are full of life and noise and Lego building and I forget how calming a quiet lunch and conversation can be. 

We did a bit of birthday shopping for Brian whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow.  We walked aisles and made choices at a pace I am not accustomed to.  My girl is a slow, deliberate one, and I seem to always be rushing from one activity to another.  But not today. 

Lunch was more of the same.  No rush, no hurry.    Deliberate nibbling of sandwiches and giggling in tall chairs by the window.  Ordering cookies larger than our hands and eating every crumb.  And then (because we just couldn't bear the thought of going home yet) stopping by our favorite store to window shop. 

But soon, we began to miss the clamor and the silliness.  We missed the crumbs on faces and the scattered toys.  Soon home called because home is our favorite place to be.

Amidst the chatter over dinner (with over-sized bites and regular-sized chairs), I realized we had been having such a lovely day, I hadn't taken any pictures.  Memories last longer anyway.