After we left The Melting Pot, we drove to the Days Inn hotel I had reserved. We checked in and got settled in our room. It was so fun and relaxing. Faith wanted to watch a cartoon that was on TV so I took a long, relaxing bath and then joined her. After the show was over we stayed up talking until (gasp) past 12:30 am! I used this time to talk about lots of growing up issues. It was a time of teaching, growing, and answering questions. Such a sweet time of fellowship that just doesn’t happen very often, just one-on-one at home with all the other children vying for attention.
The next day we slept in, ate a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, packed up and spent the day at the mall. (We have our children save whatever money they find or are given so that they can spend it on their Mommy and Me outing. This way they can buy something nice rather than spend it on candy and junk here and there.) The first thing Faith did was go into the Children’s Place and pick out gifts for all of her siblings. I thought that was so sweet. She chose ties for the boys and jewelry for the girls. Then she was ready to look for things for herself.
See her T-Shirt? She chose it especially for our day! I love the thoughtfulness she shows! For lunch she wanted to eat Auntie Anne’s Jalapeno Pretzels and boy I didn’t complain. She said she remembers when she was younger that I would buy one and let her have a bite. They are one of my favorite things! After lunch we went back to shopping. Faith picked out a gold necklace with a cross pendant for herself. When she had money left over she asked to go to Barnes and Noble to buy a book. This girl of mine loves to read!
Since she had been such a cheap lunch date I treated her to cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory. She absolutely loves cheesecake and had only ever dreamed of tasting it at The Cheesecake Factory. She chose one with Butterfingers, caramel, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. She almost finished the whole thing but gave up in time for me to have a few bites! 🙂
We ended our time with a 3D movie. I’m not sure why I feel the need to get a photo with the glasses every time, but I guess now it’s tradition!
The things we chose to do were what sounded like fun to Faith. Food, movies, and books are some of her favorite things. Her choices of things to do had not changed that much from two years before on her first Mommy & Me Day. I’m curious to see if she’ll want to do things differently next time. Now it’s time to begin planning Joy’s day! What a fun job I have! 🙂
I’m linked with Gratituesday, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Time Warp Wife, Modest Mondays, Monday’s Musings, Mama Moments, Miscellany Monday, Mom’s Monday Mingle and Making Your Home Sing Monday.
This is such a great idea! I’ll need to tuck it away for when Cora is a little older. I think she would love this!!!! Way to fill the love tank of your girls!
Looks like an amazing day… Amazing memories built!
Oh what a lovely, lovely tradition! This is something that will continue to bless you both down the road as she gets older. You will be able to keep her heart by spending that one on one time with her.
I remember when I turned 14 and we moved to a new town and my mom and I were struggling in our relationship. I would not open up and talk to her about very many things and spent most of my time in my room.
Every Sunday after church my mom insisted that she and I go out to lunch and go for a ride. I resisted but had to go anyway.
These times turned into my most favorite days! As I “warmed up” to our time together, I opened up to her and we became the best of friends. I looked forward to my time with her and every Sunday we had a blast as we laughed and explored our new community. Such precious memories!
Thanks so much for linking up to the “Making Your Home Sing Monday” linky party today! 🙂