I truly treasure my times with just one of my children. It's a time to peel away all the busyness of our everyday lives and just focus on being together. Before the children started elementary school, I took each on a weekend trip away, just the two of us.
With Olivia starting middle school this year, we're keeping the tradition going. A couple of weekends ago, she and I set off for New York for some mother-daughter time. I treasured being with her, talking or not talking as much as we wanted, walking around the city, and entertaining ourselves with Olivia-focused activities. We even practiced our eye rolling, to be sure we have that mastered for the tween and teen years (although neither of us really needs much practice).
Our first stop was the Discovery Harry Potter exhibit (now closed). It was filled with lots of props, costumes, and information about the making of the movies, which might have been a bit much for the casual fan, but was great for my Potter-obsessed daughter.
We also went to see War Horse at Lincoln Center Theater. Olivia and I had both read the book, written for children, in preparation for the play. The movement of the horses was amazing; the puppeteers faded away after a while and the horses became real. Set during World War I, the story is a bleak one threaded with moments of redemption. Now Steven Spielberg is turning it into a movie, which should be interesting, although it may be too much of a war movie for Olivia to enjoy.
Other highlights included strolling through Central Park, dinner at Red Rooster Harlem, where Olivia asked for and received the recipe for the crust of our blueberry cobbler, a perfectly prepared brunch at Prune, and shopping in the East Village.
Mostly, though, just being together was the highlight. It is an interesting age, this middle school time. Olivia still has one foot in childhood, but is definitely carving out her own place in the world.
Mostly it is wonderful to see my sweet daughter become her own person, but it's also hard to let go of the little girl that I still see in her. I realize that she has the same mixed emotions about her own steps out of childhood. Maybe we'll get through it together.
Que bella mi nina!!...Is true Margy, is hard to let go of the little girl...she's still there!
Posted by: eva | September 26, 2011 at 11:52 AM
You are very lucky to be able to do this with each one of your children.
It reminds me of a week end trip alone with Christophe. We went to Hershey chocolate factory and Gettisburg where we bought lead soldiers I still have somewhere. Then we spent a night in a real cool hotel playing video games all evening and chatting, chatting, chatting.
It was so much fun and great bonding.
Posted by: Chantal | September 26, 2011 at 11:59 AM
What great pictures of Olivia! It looks like you had a fabulous time. Thanks for the idea, too, so long ago. I took Ariana on a pre-1st grade trip. Now she's clamoring for more, and Tobias is eagerly awaiting his....
Posted by: Andrea | September 26, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Soooooooo sweet!
What a bright idea!
Posted by: fatou | September 26, 2011 at 01:07 PM
How can she be in middle school? This does not seem possible! Loved the pictures of NY and of Olivia...
Posted by: Patti | September 26, 2011 at 05:23 PM
The photos are lovely, the essay is touching, and the mother-daughter relationship is a thing of beauty. Congratulations!
Posted by: TomO | September 26, 2011 at 09:43 PM
those pics of olivia bring a tear to my eye! you are such an amazing mom. she is so, so lucky to have you to walk with her through this transitional time in her young life. i'm taking notes, btw...and, yes, those one-on-one moments with each child are so precious. it's always my favorite to get away from the daily hustle bustle and just...listen.
Posted by: chronicles of momnia | October 04, 2011 at 11:25 AM