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One of our regular play dates is at a local church.  I always look forward to it.  There’s coffee for the mothers, a snack and craft for the kids, and ride on toys to race around the smooth tile floor of the basement.  I was doing childcare with the kids while the mothers discussed some things that needed to be ironed out.  I love watching all the kids.  I have two favorite things to do w/them.  The first is read to them. Those little faces all upturned, and their expressions slack-jawed with interest and absorption.  The second is to feed them.  I love all those greedy little hands raised up for more snacks.  My favorite is always the little kid who sits at the table the longest:  eating, eating, and eating.

While there, Buttercup ran up to a group of older boys who were playing tag.  She shouted out full throttle, “Let’s play hide and go seek!”  She loves to play hide and go seek.  How many hours have we spent with me walking around in circles calling her name while she prominently hides underneath a blanket in the middle of the room? 

The little boys did not want to play hide and go seek.  There was a ring leader to the group, and he yelled out, “We don’t want to play with you!”  Oh, my heart in my chest stopped, and I swiftly turned to look at her face.  How would she handle it?  I was expecting a stormy tearful event, but she just looked so quiet and still.

During the few seconds it took for me to feel my heart slowly start beating again, an adorable little girl that Buttercup is friends with stepped in and took her hand.  “Come on, let’s go!”  She and Buttercup ran away from those boys to go play together.  I could have kissed that little girl.  The sweetness, the happiness was back in Buttercup’s face, and it was her and her friend against the boys.  How often have my girlfriends brought me through tough challenges?  Well, Buttercup’s buddy is my new personal heroine.  I told my husband the story, and he said that the next time he saw Buttercup’s friend, he was going to give her chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate :)   Luckily for me, Buttercup and her friend are going to the same preschool in the fall.  Joy of joys.  I feel better knowing that she’ll have a friend on her side.

Story time at the library was a blast.  Buttercup was right out there shaking it up.  It actually looked like a good thing in a lot of ways.  However, if I’d known they did exercises at this thing I’d have worn more appropriate clothing.  What a riot I must have looked like…The library has a whole floor devoted to children’s books, play, and activities.  It’s the perfect atmostphere for Buttercup to make friends and play and those long winter months approaching.  Gotta gear up for cabin fever!

Today, we went to the mother’s club meeting.  It went really well except I didn’t really get to sit in on the meeting continuously.  You see, usually the set up is that the kids stay in the big play area with a couple of the moms while the rest of us go into the meeting.  Well, you know.  Buttercup, I could hear her through the door calling me.  I’ve never been able or wanted to let her “cry it out,” especially in social situations.  So, I went in there and sat with her instead for short periods.  We had a good time, although it was a little chaotic with all the kids reigning havoc.  On the bright side, I did get to participate in the meeting for about three 10 minute periods while she played.  I think this is the perfect way to ease her into being without me.  I’m really happy we found a gentle way to do this.  She’s very adaptive, and I know it’ll take a little time, but she’s such a confident little person - we’ll move through this phase pretty easily. 

It’s just awesome to be around other women who are going through it with me.  They understand for the most part, and lately, there are so few people in my immediate life who actually dig where I’m at.  It’s an enormous relief, and everyone there has such different methods with their children:  it helps to be in an environment where there isn’t just one “right way.”  Still little gossip, still pretty low-key:  here’s hoping it stays that way!

We did another 1.3 mile walk today with the other play-date moms.  Now, for those of you who are in shape, please do not read this post or comment on my lack of physical fortitude.  I don’t know why I’m so out of shape, considering I chase a toddler all day, but I am.

The walk was gorgeous.  The fall has broken in, and I’m ready to get strengthened up before the winter comes and all I want to do is lie in front of the fireplace with a book.  For now, I’m mommy-on-the-move.

The walks downtown have been so good, too.  The storefronts are all freshly painted from the summer months, and two of our favorite local toy stores are open in full-swing.  One of them, as I discovered in the middle of a toddler meltdown, gives animals crackers out when customers leave.  Those animal crackers saved the day.  Buttercup has been behaving well in her stroller, despite the fact that she really is a baby on a mission lately.  Some of the other mom’s have jogging strollers, and I am very jealous ;)

On another note, I think I found a school of ballet I might be able to bribe into taking us for their “Mommy and Me” class.  Oh, boy - I’ve wanted to do ballet since I was a little girl.  Here’s my shot :)

I had left Buttercup home with Daddy when I went to the meeting.  Today was his day off.  I wanted to have a chance to kind of do the meet and greet without chasing Buttercup around.  Well, by the time I came home, Daddy, who said he had a slight sore throat, was practically dead.  I couldn’t believe it.  He had a plethora of health issues, and he needed me to take care of him.  It always surprises me when he gets sick, like it doesn’t happen, but of course it does.

When he’s sick, I’m limited in what I can do to help him because of darling Buttercup.  I have to balance her and him and keeping her away from Daddy on his day off is not exactly easy.  So, I loaded him up on vitamins and ibuprofen, gave him Chamomile tea with honey for his throat, and put him to bed.  Poor guy, then, I took Buttercup out so he could sleep.  I’m just hoping Buttercup and I don’t get it.  It’s nasty, whatever it is…