A Glimpse

So, I got a glimpse of my future today, and it was bright and wonderful!! I decided yesterday that Christa needed a haircut, preferably before school starts on Monday, so I scheduled an appointment for her today. (After a couple of failed bang-trimming attempts, I would not dare try to cut it myself!) One of my best friends who I have known since I was 11, who took me to Hawaii to babysit her kids years ago, who introduced me to my husband, hand-smocked dresses for all of my girls, who is like a motherly-sisterly-friendly figure in my life, and who, being every mother's dream, calls me every couple of weeks just to ask me, "when can I help you with the kids?" (cue angels singing complete with their white robes and halos) already had plans to come over and play with my kiddos for today. So I took the rare opportunity to have a little Mommy-daughter time with my oldest.
This is special because I have tried to schedule Mommy-daughter time with Christa before, and with the exception of one very successful and fun pedicure-date, she has always wanted to bring the babies along. I didn't give her a choice today, however. I simply said that she and I were going to get a haircut for her while the little girls napped. We went to my favorite hair salon where the sweet girl who cuts her hair trimmed her locks, added ringlets with the curling iron, and clipped the sides back. Christa always feels so special when she does this and just beams. Afterwards, we stopped by our favorite bakery for a treat. She picked a cupcake, I picked an eclair, and we just sat outside eating our treats and sipping Cherry Coke. It was a moment - one of many I don't want to forget. There was no fear of anyone running out into the road, no trying to figure out how to discreetly nurse anyone, no trying to change any diapers without the luxury of a changing table, and no cleaning up a huge mess at the end. It was different. It was nice.
I couldn't help but look ahead to what will hopefully be many bakery dates with all of my girls as they get older. I even had a fun image of sitting there with 3 or 4 teenagers, just enjoying each others' company over sugary deliciousness one day. It's the first time I've really ever thought about them being older and more independent. And while I'll miss these cute, sweet, cuddly days with them, if today is any indication of life a few years from now, I can't help but look to the future with great anticipation.

I love my girls!