Calm & Courteous

Anabelle was invited to a friend's Build-A-Bear birthday party this weekend, so on Saturday I packed up the girls and hiked the 40 minutes to the Castleton Mall. Emilia was very well behaved. We don't go to the mall often, if ever. I very strongly dislike the mall. In fact, I think the last time I was at this mall in particular was 2 1/2 years ago, because I had to for work! Anyway, Emi was mesmerized by the hustle and bustle, people, stores, excitement, that she really didn't find the time to need much attention other than constant movement in the stroller.

Because the party was at the mall, myself and a lot of the other parents didn't feel comfortable just dropping off the kids. So we hung out and watched as they celebrated. Anabelle has been to tons of birthday parties this year, but this was one of the first times I've had a chance to watch first-hand how she interacted with her friends. I have to say, I was so proud and little surprised. 

Anabelle, who is the drama queen of our house, was the definition of calm and courteous. Neither traits, I have to say, she could have learned from me. She joined the party by saying hi to her friends, but staying in the background and not drawing too much attention to herself. When it was time to sit in a circle and socialize while waiting to fill the bears with stuffing, she never once showed too much anticipation or seemed anxious. She just waited very patiently for her turn, which happened to be second to last. But that was OK, and when she was done she waited for the last girl to finish up before she continued on to the next thing.

She didn't demand that she sit next to the birthday girl, or run to the front of the line when it was time to pick out hair bows for her new stuffed friend. She didn't insist on sitting next to the cake, or complain that she didn't like apple juice (the only thing they brought to drink). She was never loud and obnoxious. Instead, she always said please and thank you and made sure she was aware of everyone else around her. 

I thought maybe my observations were a little skewed. Of course they'd be, right? I'm the mom. But because it was such a long drive, getting late and nowhere to sit for this nine-month pregnant mom, Mike met me at the mall after work so I could head home and he could stay for the rest of the party with Ana. When we were all finally home and settled afterward, I asked Mike what he thought about the party. Without any prompt from me, he said he was really pleasantly surprised at how calm and courteous Anabelle was. My thoughts exactly!

 

Unfortunately I forgot my camera and was not so good at taking pictures with the iPhone. Sorry!