Girls Day

Today I took Rio out on a much needed mother/daughter day. Every couple months Rio and I go on a shopping and lunch date. Usually I need to run some downtown errand, so bring her along and make a field trip out of it. Every time prior to today it has involved a busride, which I think is the highlight of the trip for her, but today we needed to make a few stops (and it was pourrrrring) so driving was in the cards.

The first time I did this with her was a year and a half ago. We did some Christmas shopping then I took her to Rebar. She was only 2 and a half yet she blew me away with her good behaviour while she quietly sipped her smoothie and steamed milk. It was the first time I felt like I had a real lunch date and was not just bringing my baby along.

Every outing she gets more and more patient and can pound the pavement a little farther. Today we were all over downtown with no outbursts or complaining, first running some errands then spending some of her birthday money. Until this birthday, every penny she has received as a gift has gone straight into her RESP, but this year with everything that has gone on and what a good girl she's been, we decided to let her spend a little bit of it. First stop was a very nice new baby store downtown called Hip Baby where she picked out a wooden dollhouse family. If only we could afford to shop there all the time, the loot was amazing! Next stop was our favourite restaurant Mo:Le. We sat at the first table we ever sat at with her, next to the wood stove, and she was thrilled to find out that the first time we took her there she was small enough to sit on top of the stove in her carseat (obviously it was not fired up!). Rio ate her favourite spelt pancakes and I ate the best sandwich I have ever eaten - avocado and crispy fried dulse with almond sauce. OMG, I just had to tell you about it because it was THAT good. Last stop was over to Build A Bear to get a stuffed Panda named Cinderella, dressed as a fairy princess dress. Oy.

What a great day! I dream of the day in a few years when the girls date involves ear piercing! Oh I just LOVE having a daughter!