Frances Friday: Vacation Edition

There has been a lot of pressure on this week off.

Not just the insane list of things to-do that just built up over the months beforehand, which didn't get done. And not just the ever-present knowledge that I have only three weeks of vacation a year, and had better enjoy what I get.

If all goes according to plan, this will be my last week of solid alone-time with Frances. There is always the possibility that nothing will go according to plan, in which case I will have many years of solid alone-time with Frances in my future, but at the moment I'm not considering that. It's more likely that it will; and then at some point, Frances will have to share me. I will have to share me.

As I write this, I am watching Frances talk lovingly to a baby duck and putter around the kitchen making sure all of her toys feel appreciated. Tuesday we went to get her hair cut, and she was so good--sitting quietly, looking down when she was asked to look down--that afterwards I bought her some french fries as a special treat. The hairdresser too told her over and over again how cute she was--and it's true, you know.

Andrea: Are you cute? And smart? And strong? And fun?

Frances: *nods to them all* Beautiful, too.

Then we went to the scrapbook store and, after I asked her a few times not to run, she instead walked very briskly through all the aisles, giggling hysterically. She so charmed the sales staff that they gave her some free stickers. (There is no more sure way to win Frances's affections than to ply her with free stickers.)

Frances: (to the big duck) You are not scared. You are happy!

It's idyllic. It's not supposed to be. She's two-and-a-half and we are still waiting for that first temper tantrum and the terrible twos that follow. It'll catch up with us someday, but in the meantime, we are living in a golden age, with a sweet little girl who is almost always well-behaved and easy-going, who thrives on our attention, who doesn't demand much; and two parents who have more than enough to give.

Frances: The sun's going to bed. It's not waking up again.

I want a second child, but I know that what I have now is pretty damned good, and I want to appreciate it while it's here. I'm so glad we did wait for a few years to start trying again. I'm glad I can focus on my little girl and appreciate her for the wonderful person she is, without distraction.

Frances (in the voice of the baby duck): Where is my mommy? Oh! There she is! I'm so happy now! (big hugs for all)

Wednesday afternoon, after going to a local park and admiring the geese and swans and riding the chair swing, we came home and did an arts-and-crafts project with some flower foam shapes I had left over from my time as a Big Sister. Frances did amazingly well with the glue stick, scarily well, where-the-hell-is-my-baby well. She made a beautiful picture for her Daddy, and when he got home, I went to Michaels to return a scrapbook tool I got in the wrong size. (Long story.) While I was there, I saw a huge display of foam shaps of all different sizes and styles and colours, and I couldn't resist. I got a big bucket of Christmas ones so she can make her own cards this year; I got a few hallowe'en types for some fun crafts projects in October, and I got a few little bags of everyday kinds of shapes. When I got home she was playing with NB in the driveway, but when she saw what I brought her she could hardly wait to go inside and play with them. We did, and she made another lovely picture, peeling the backs of the self-sticking foam shapes all by herself and arranging them on a sheet of red construction paper.

Thursday we met up with Marla and Josephine at the local farm, and then came back here to play. Both girls were angels (considering their ages), and eavesdropping on their conversations was delightful. I am still not over Frances having conversations, especially with other people. I'm not sure that Josephine was equally thrilled, considering Frances has developed a bit of a bossy streak and could often be heard shouting, "Josephine! Come back here!" Among other things. But they shared their lettuce (for feeding the animals) and talked about their toys and said please and thank you with minimal prompting. How much better does it get?

Frances: Josephine, I will write you a story. Look, isn't it beautiful?

After they left, Frances asked to colour with the teal marker. In the two minutes it took me to read one email message, she'd covered her left arm.

Andrea: Are you a leopard, Frances?

Frances: *growl*

Today Frances is at the daycare so I can try to cram a week's worth of errands into eight hours. This week went by so fast, and I won't get another one until Christmas, which seems forever away. I miss my girl already.

It's harder to know that this might be the last week we have together, just the two of us.

Andrea: Can I have a hug?

Frances: You're welcome.

Posted by Andrea at September 8, 2006 8:09 AM under Frances Friday

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