Mother Daughter Afternoon

I just put a screaming hysterical Sunnylee to bed. I'm trying not to let the stressful bedtime negate our entire brilliant evening together. She was just overtired, spent, and ... cranky.

She's never been to the movie theater before and I've been ready to take her for some time now. Waiting on a fun Disney movie was taking too long so I took her tonight to see Pirates: Band of Misfits (or something along those lines). All the chocolate and popcorn in the world would get her through any mildly entertaining movie and I was right.

But first we went to the funnest park around in Vero called Pocahontas park. After texting daddy about a bully and he gave us the go ahead to "destroy him", I set out to encourage Sunny with a lesson we hadnt had to teach in awhile, which is this: put your hand up in a clear "stop" hand gesture and yell STOP! Followed by "I dont like that!" She whimpered 'no' to the girl bully (daddy stereotyped big time) and I figured it was a step in the right direction. But Sunny was bait after that so I had to tell the bully-girl to back off. Regardless, we had a great time.

Then we had Taco Bell!

Then we went to a book store while we waited for the movie to start. Sunny picked out a Hello Kitty book just like the Hello Kitty she has on her favorite shirt. Its a travel HK with haikus so I approved. Pics of HK all over the world doing worldly things.

The movie- she was stoked to give the guy her ticket, pick out popcorn and chocolate. Was mesmerized by the lobby. Her excitement ended there- we were late to the theater and the previews were already booming- she ran out! Did not like the scary aisle that led to the theater. I had to pick her up and she buried her face into my shoulder but I knew she'd like it eventually so I made this happen. Once we sat and she saw the big screen, started in on her chocolate, she settled. The loudness was what did it, I think. It is loud.

After that it was easy. She clapped her hands, laughed out loud, did a few fist pumps into the air... Was even yelling movie quotes. I enjoyed her enjoying her first movie.

I was stoked the entire evening alone with Sunny. After many many days of only studying and not having a minute of time to devote to one on one time with her, this was awesome. Nothing was hanging over my head (deadlines), no one needed to be nursed, it was nice. And we plan to do it weekly.