Those of us with
kids, or with nieces and nephews, or friends with kids know they grow up so
quickly.
Sometimes the
changes are subtle and sometimes they are so blatant, blink and you miss!
We copped one right
between the eyes on Wednesday night and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.
We went into London for
a few days of sightseeing. MissM had other ideas of a sleepover with her god
brother (don’t you love that term) and his girlfriend who have recently leased
an apartment in London after travelling Europe these past 12 months.
They've stayed with us on several occasions, in between touring Europe and we've loved their company. They help out with MissM's homework, and joined us on a few really memorable outings.
Looking for fairies with E in Furzey Gardens |
Always room for one more on the couch! |
Enjoying rare sunshine and a coffee |
Finally! Someone to actually play with me |
Furzey Gardens |
It’s a very special
relationship, one that would never have eventuated if not for their travels.
When we visit Sydney they are around but popping in and out, socialising with
friends rather than spending time with us, which is how it should be. The
relationship between all of us has evolved into something very special.
In fact, B is the only person, other than mum and G's parents who has stayed with us in ALL our homes - Dublin, Yokohama and now here. We've got lovely memories of all his visits.
Waiting for sushi at World Porters |
Just a few plates of sushi |
No better place than high up in B's arms for Chinese New Year Parade, Chinatown Yokohama |
They had said to
MissM that once they were settled in London she was very welcome to do
sleepovers. In theory it sounded fine – “yes of course you can have a sleepover
at their place when they are settled”
B popped over to
collect a few things and MissM and he had a private tête-à-tête about a sleep
over. She asked him all sorts of questions about their new place - how many bedrooms, where would she
sleep, how do they get there, what’s there to do, can she help cook, does she
need to bring anything.
All we heard when we
told her we were going into London for two nights to do some more sightseeing
was ‘can I please have a sleepover with B&E?’. She even went so far as to
suggest to G that ‘you need time alone with mummy as I’m always around’.
B&E met us at
the Science Museum and MissM ran into his arms saying ‘I can’t wait to sleep
over tonight’ and he replied ‘us too’.
I thought OMG, she’s
actually going on a grown up sleep over.
Now, this is not her
first sleep over! Think she was about a year old when she did her first one at
mums. She’s done lots of sleepovers, especially when we are in Sydney (we
hardly see her) with grandparents, cousins and friends. She’s started to do a
few here with school friends, which is delightful.
In fact, when we
were in Dublin I took ill and spent a week in hospital. MissM spent the time
with friends so that G could be with me so she’s no stranger to being without
us. She would have been 4 years old – very brave young lady.
So I knew it had
nothing to do with her having a sleep over. Heck, we welcome the time that
she’s invited to sleep over as it does give G and I time alone, even if it’s only
to sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast together.
It’s the fact that she’s
going to spend the night with a young couple because they want to have her
company and she wants theirs.
Mum and Dad had
friends Nikki and Horst (she was French, he was German) and I used to stay with
them as a young teenager for the weekend. Not sure why – guess I liked their
company and they liked mine – Nikki and I would sit and chat and I’d be all
grown up. In fact, she might have been the first person to offer me a cigarette
(ssssh don’t tell mum). Then they had a baby and I’d sleep over and help with
the bub. Mum and Dad and my brother would come for lunch or dinner, and I’d
stay overnight.
Funny the things we remember …………
My godson (technically
he’s someone else’s godson, but as the god mother to his middle sister, it’s just
as easy to call him my godson) and his sisters came to me as little people. I
was single and childless. We laughed and had such fun – we went to McDonalds
(oh naughty) and stayed up late watching movies (video’s in those days), went
to the park, did craft. We had a ball together.
Babysitting is so
different to a sleep over.
Babysitting is easy
cos the child’s in their own home, and you, the sitter sit, then go home when
the parents come back.
This sleep over was
different for so many reasons, tho G thinks I’m a complete nutter when I tried
to explain.
So now, this gorgeous
young man who I’ve known since they day he was born, looked after when sisters
were being born, who’s slept over at my place, who I’ve babysat, taken to
school, watched graduate University is now entertaining my daughter in much the
same way.
With B and his mum on his graduation day. He was allowed to invite 4 people to the Ceremony and I (still) feel so honored to have been included. |
The thing that this
sleep over represents is as much about the relationship between our families
continuing thru out kids despite their age difference, as it is about MissM being
old enough to go for a sleep over on her own.
I am still yet to
work out why THIS sleep over is any different to any other sleep over, other than
the people she stayed with – but it was. That feeling that I had on Wednesday
as we waved them goodbye was weird but one that I’m guessing we’ll have to get
used to very quickly.
I didn’t cry, but I
came close to it.
Wow, I think they are an awesome couple for having Miss M overnight, and it sounds like your families have a very special relationship. I do hope you enjoyed the time with G, you probably forgot what it's like to be alone together! I think this sleepover is infinitely preferable to having 16 small children sleepover at yours, like when they are in Girl Scouts... One step forward, my dear, one step at a time
ReplyDeleteI'm so touched the closeness of our two families was understood, Margarita. I was so caught up in the moment, I wasn't sure I was expressing myself clearly. OMG I'd never ever agree to 16 children sleeping over at once - unless there was some dire need!
ReplyDeleteG and I had a lovely night, tho sadly he didn't enjoy the theatre as much as I did.
It was nice to sleep in the next morning, and tour Westminster (next blog)
Thanks for stopping by and having a chat
x