Anna, by nature, is a high maintenance little girl. Not that she is difficult (anymore!), but her personality just somehow seems to take over. Once she gets going, she seems to run the show. I love that about her. However, my heart lately had been longing for some uninterrupted time with my more laid back little lady who somehow seems to get less of me than her sister. When an opportunity came up for Abigail and I to go on a mother/daughter retreat, I didn't blink twice. We signed up and anxiously waited for Nov. 14th to arrive!
After the initial disappointment of not getting to ride down to Grapeland, TX with some friends, she and I both got very excited about riding with just each other. We mostly listened to Caddie Woodlawn, a must read by the way, and chatted here and there about how excited we were to be spending this time together.
As we drove, I remembered that just a few weeks before, David had been out of town for several nights. In an attempt to be more fun, I copied my friend Ami and let each girl stay up late and sleep with me one night. The night before Abigail's turn, I asked her what was her favorite day ever and her answer was, "Tomorrow, because I get to hang out with only you all night." Wow. I had had no idea how much it meant to her. As I thought about that, I also thought about how much a weekend like this would mean to any little girl. To know that her mom set aside that time, just for her. I think it was something Abigail (and I!) will always remember.
We played by the lake...
We sat by the campfire...
We shot a 22...
(We even hit our targets!)
We climbed a rock wall (Abigail made it all the way to the top!)
We went horseback riding...
We did a little archery...
We made yummy candied apples...well I did, anyway.
Abigail was afraid they would be "too sweet".
We stayed up late with friends.
We went on the infamous "giant swing" which I talked Abigail into letting them swing us as high as it would go. Oops. Once they let us go I heard, "I do not like this. I think I am going to throw up!" I, of course, felt terrible. The lady in charge happened to stop by to take pictures and felt so bad for Abigail that she said she could have a free light up necklace from the General Store. The tears quickly dried up. Very quickly, actually!We had sessions in the chapel where we learned songs, saw funny puppets, and learned Bible lessons.
We loved spending time with some sweet friends, and making a couple new ones as well. It was especially fun, for me, to see everyone (moms included!) all giddy & giggly as we stayed up late chatting that first night.
All too soon, it was time to head home. As we drove and finished listening to Caddie Woodlawn, we decided that something was missing. As much fun as we had (and we had A LOT!) we decided that next year, we'll invite Anna!