We haven’t hosted many playdates at our house since C was born.  When it comes to girls, Two feels like enough company and Three’s usually a crowd.

But today a small miracle occurred.  We brought A’s friend M home with us after preschool, and it was a rousing success!

In fact, having M here actually made life easier for me.

At age 5, M. is confident, out-going, polite, and positive.  She genuinely LIKED C and included her in everything.  Her imaginative games brought a current of fresh air into the playroom, like we’d opened the window after a long, stuffy winter.

PARADE!

The three girls gathered eggs, swung on the swingset, played hide-and-seek, dressed up, got out the musical instruments, had a parade, and performed a play about a sick girl who was pregnant with twins.

The only dark spot in the afternoon came when the older two played Sleeping Beauty.

Ballet slippers ON

They laid C on the couch and bade her be the baby Aurora. Then, I was ordered to be the Wicked Witch and cast an evil spell on the infant.  At age 2 and 1/2, C did not want her Mommy to be a Wicked Witch or a Dragon or anything evil and scary.  Confusion and hysterical tears ensued and we needed 3 episodes of Max & Ruby, along with peanut butter and honey sandwiches, to calm down.

After M’s mom picked her up, C took a late nap.  Blissfully, A and I were free to read The Wizard of Oz and bake pumpkin muffins together.  These are the sweet afternoons of Stay-At-Home-Motherhood, which I so often resist and resent.

Not today.  I got to teach yoga class and hang out with my children?  What joy!  Savor it, savor it.

Tags:   playdate · preschooler · Sleeping Beauty1 Comment