This weekend marked a whole year since my dear Father in law passed away. Understandably my husband and his siblings wanted to spend some time together with their mum, and so for us that meant a day with out daddy! As I sent him on his way Friday night, my heart felt so incredibly sad and I shed a few tears for all that we had lost last February. Whilst I longed to be with them all, with him to just be there in love and support, I knew that this is what they wanted and needed, and so to take my mind off of thinking about sad things (and thus being utterly useless to him and my kids), I set about making the day for us happy and fun!
Like every good day, we started with a plan. A plan to have fun and to do things a little bit differently. Ethan suggested we have a party…”A love bug party” Megan piped in with. And there it was, or master plan. Everything we did from then on geared us up for a fun evening at our party of love!
I took them out for breakfast and let them choose whatever they wanted. Big breakfasts and Hot chocolates were their requests, and why not? Today was all about the fun factor…they tackled them rather well as apparently they were starving??
With fuel in our bodies we wandered around town raiding the shops of their craft sections, treats and valentines things for our little party. It felt exciting and we were certainly on a mission and glad to be about our business. We grabbed chocolate, mini sausages, and crafty things (with extra glitter), and with the sun finally shining, there just felt to be a bit of a buzz in the air amongst us, It was a moment where I was glad to be doing something so random and spontaneous with my children, and it was great.
We treked home, and as Glitter filled the air, paint splattered their clothes and pom poms and pipe cleaners lined the floor the afternoon saw us making a big mess with all of our crafty things to produce some fantastic “love bugs” and decorations, and then whilst they dried we snuggled and watched “Pipi Longstocking” whilst snacking on some cheeky crisps. They loved it, and in that moment again I felt so blessed. I love to share with my children the things I loved as a child, and I love how into it they get knowing that. I loved to see the pride in their faces at their crafty creations, and I loved how grateful they were to be having a random “love bug party”, to make the most of our day with out daddy here.
Before we knew it the movie ended and the clock was approaching dinner time. I moved the furniture, set out a party tea (with extra sweeties and treats), Ethan brought down his disco light and CD player, and we had the best time together. We thoroughly enjoyed every morsel, danced and laughed with glow sticks and ultimately let go and had a carefree hour of fun! They wound up in a bubble bath with said glow sticks (a disco bath), before hopping into bed all clean, giddy and exhausted! I breathed a sigh of relief – we survived!
Friday was hard, and Saturday certainly wasn’t an ordinary day either. I just feel like for years to come early February will always feel a little sad, and then maybe more reflective, as we remember who and what we lost in 2016. I know the kids feel it too, in their own way, and I know they miss their Grandpa by how they talk and remember him. It was hard for me to think of not being with their daddy at this time to support him, and because of that we all needed to have some fun. A party day was certainly the answer (thanks E) and really lifted our spirits.
Doing this with the kids was so out of the ordinary and random, but we created a day and moments that filled life with joy and excitement, and we made it a day we will each remember for a very long time.
It feels good to say yes to my kids ideas once in a while, and it feels good to be working side by side with them to formulate them into big plans. I loved being silly, being carefree, being busy and on a mission. I loved those moments in the day they cheered that it was the best one ever, and I loved the feeling as I watched them climbing into bed that night of it just being a fantastic day. I had done my best without daddy at a difficult time, and boy did we have fun.
It looks like you had a lovely day. I am sorry it is a difficult time for you and isn’t it amazing how working together to create the most of the ordinary with the children really can make the most of it xx
Laura @ Little Ladies Big World recently posted…One Photo And The Reality Of Growing Up {The Ordinary Moments #5}
Sounds like you had a really fun day and hope it helped you not to feel too sad xx
Sounds like you had a really fun day and hope it helped you not feel too sad xx
It sounds like a lovely day – that party tea looks amazing! I hope your husband, his mum and siblings had a good time together too x