More on that later....
We went to a birthday party this morning at the neatest playground I have ever seen!
It had cute little playhouses~the real nice wooden kind and a great wooden train that Katie spent loads of time on. 
It had lots of shade and a nice pavilion with a restroom and swings and slides. It was clean and safe and just really great. It's about 30-45 minutes away from here, but I plan to take Chris back some weekend.When we left the party, Gracie fell asleep on the way home. Katie did but not until we were pretty close to home, so instead of picking up Gracie's friend, "L," we went home for a little while to let Katie sleep some more. Thankfully, she did go back to sleep in her bed once we were home. After she finished her nap, we went to pick up "L." She & Gracie had fun decorating her room with leftover streamers from Katie's birthday party. When Chris got home, he took all 3 of the girls outside while I worked on dinner. He even got some yard work done while they played. After we ate dinner (make your own tacos by order of Gracie) we cleaned up then went to Marble Slab Creamery for dessert.
We came home and Katie got a bath then Gracie and "L" got to take a bath together. They had a blast! Then came the drama......
Earlier in the evening, "L" had said something to Gracie about them being roommates in college. I thought that was sweet and honestly, it was a little bittersweet. It was bittersweet because I was thinking in my head that the likelihood of that actually happening is pretty slim. Not because they're not good friends, but just because even in my sheltered little world, I know that things change, people move away, friends get in fights, friends go to different colleges, etc. But it was still a very sweet idea.
Well, after their bath the girls were playing. It had gotten kind of quiet so I went to check on them to see what they were doing. I noticed that Gracie had tears in her eyes and looked very sad & upset. I asked her what was wrong and it was obvious that she was going to really start crying. When I asked why she was crying, "L" said, "I don't know." Honestly, I thought they'd gotten in a fight. I gathered Gracie into my arms and she was crying so hard I couldn't understand what she was saying. Gracie had assured me that "L" hadn't said anything mean to her or hurt her feelings. I asked "L" about it and she tried to explain it to me.
Basically what happened is that "L" had given Gracie a little present.
It was a small piece of styrofoam that she had colored on and glued pieces of paper onto. She had given it to Gracie in case they didn't get to be college roommates....in case she moved away or something. I guess kind of like "something to remember me by." Apparently, this thought broke Gracie's heart! She was sobbing and sobbing! I noticed that while I was comforting Gracie, "L" had left the room. When I finally figured out the whole story, I called "L" back into the room. I talked about how they were best buddies now and not to worry about college right now. Well, I noticed that "L" had tears in her eyes, too at this point.I told Chris what had happened and he went to talk to Gracie too. She was still crying a little. I went into the other room and could still hear Gracie sniffling some. Before I knew it, Gracie came into the room really crying again and said that "L" wanted her mommy. Now, "L" is sobbing & sobbing! She wanted her mommy but didn't want to go home, just wanted her mommy!
I called Cindy (a.k.a. "L's" mommy) and we talked for a minute and then she talked to "L" for a minute. She talked to me again and we decided to give it about 20 more minutes and see if it got better. I don't think either of us really wanted to call it quits on the sleepover and she didn't really want to come over just to give "L" a pep talk for fear that it would set a precedent for future sleepovers. Cindy also thought it might have something to do with one of their little friends who is moving to American Samoa. (I have blogged about that family this past week.) Their little friend's dad spoke at church about it last night and she thought this might be bothering "L." I haven't told Gracie about her friend moving and I don't think she picked up on anything at church last night. They already live about an hour away and attend a different church, and I just think she doesn't really know what's going on. This situation could very well be on "L's" mind and heart and she may be afraid of she & Gracie being separated, too!
Chris & I both talked to them and I tried to be silly. We talked about them watching a video. Chris went outside and I didn't know what he was doing. In a minute he came back with the DVD system that goes in the car. He had both screens and said he would set it up inside the princess tent! WOW! What an idea and what a daddy! He got it all set up and "L" chose "The Tigger movie" and now they've been in there for over an hour...watching, eating & talking. Here is a picture of the sign "L" made for the outside of the tent.
Chris said, "How can they be this dramatic at 5 & 6 years old?" I said, "I don't know but it's only beginning!"
Oh, the drama of little girls. It breaks my heart & warms it at the same time that Gracie's heart was so broken over thinking that they might not be college roommates. I hated seeing "L" so upset, too! It's like they were bouncing off of each other. One would cry, the other would cry, one would cry harder, the other would cry harder!
Dear Lord,
Please be with these sweet girls and help their friendship to continue as long as you want it to! Help them to be encouragers for each other through this life and help them to keep each other strong for YOU!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
3 comments:
Even thinking about big change is hard!
(I hope no boys tried to come into that movie!)
Oh, JB, you know Daddy had to be silly and crawl in there!
Such sweet girls! Yes, the drama is real and it's here to stay! Just the other day Sweetpea had a friend over for a playdate and they were doing so well together but then at the very end of their time together the whole, "I'm not going to be your friend anymore" talk started (iniated by the friend) and Sweetpea was in tears by the time she (friend) left. I know she really didn't mean it, they say stuff like that mainly because someone else has said it to them but I couldn't help but me a little "put out" with her friend for instigating that whole thing! I was glad the playdate was ending so that the drama would end. Sweetpea was fine after she left. Turns out they got to be together again the next night for a little while and it was like nothing had happened! Go figure.
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