A mighty first this one. M's school offers a 2-night-3-day camp at a YMCA facility somewhere in the boonies (I am kidding, it's a popular spot) for all fifth graders.
Manya has always been an independent kid - I mean her first day at play school or preschool or Kindergarten has never ever been one with distraught - she has been happy and well adjusted from day 1 and is mostly not weary of strange places or people - and having already had her sleepover in October last year, I knew she was more than ready.
Earlier this year in May, she had come from school with all the forms etc - super excited and with a strict instruction that I should not volunteer. Honestly, I was not even sure if I wanted to - but once she was so clear she didn't want me to - the decision was made. It was an easy one - putting myself in her shoes - I wouldn't want my parents on a trip with friends :). Ofcourse I did tease her and gave her some good natured grief on what she was planning to do in my absence :).
Fast forward to Monday last week and the day had come. But let's rewind to the weekend - oh my god - I just about held it together - not from sadness but madness - the kid has actually gone on me when it comes to packing overpacking. I did not know that that was a trait genetically bequeathed :). Fyi, my mom's an overpacker too. Anyways, she was packing two towels, two swim suits, 4 pairs of shorts, 3 pairs of joggers, eight pairs of tops, two pairs of pjs and the list goes on (the list of toileteries alone was mind boggling: face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss - wtf flosses on camp? - face moisturiser for day, face moisturiser for night, body moisturizer, sunscreen for face, sunscreen for body, etc etc etc). I asked her if she had plans beyond the camp because the rest of the school was going only for two nights. I learnt another fact, it is easy to cut down other's stuff than your own - so we went to war and finally reached a somewhat mutually happy packing list.
This was also a mighty first for me. Vish's business trip coincided with the camp dates so I was home alone for two nights for the first time in 11 years!! Has to be a record of sorts. While I knew I'd miss my girl, I also chose to make the most of it. The first day straight after dropping her, I filled my gas tank up and drove to two remote outlet malls that I had always been wanting to go but never did - I drove 160 miles that day! Came home at 8 and slept soon after. The morning felt so weird - so quite, so long - that's the day I relearned that a day has 24 hours. I made myself a hearty breakfast and got to work (side note: I work on the district pta council board and there's always so much to do :). I had to edit web pages, create content, plan a program - all of that I accomplished on one single day. Heck, I even had time to update both my blogs :). I exercised and crashed early - no point messing with beauty sleep. The next morning I was kinda done being on my own :) I was missing the warm morning snuggles and cuddles, the incessant conversations - just her voice! Night 2 over and Day 3 had begun and it was time to bring her home - after a lovely brunch with my mommy friends, picked Manya up in the afternoon.
And after the first hugs and kisses and the first two hours of non-stop story telling I realized maybe I was too quick to feel so desolate in the morning :D :P - no I am kidding - but as we started winding down for the night one thing was for certain I had missed having this kitten in the house - alas there will be more days than less when she'll be on her own and all that I would ever want would be that she is happy and safe :).
As for Manya's side of the story, she had a blast, as expected - she says she was a little homesick at mealtimes and bedtimes. I knew bedtimes were going to be a challenge - apparently she hardly slept. At meal times she said "it was weird to not see you or hear your voice at all the whole day and then when I would sit down to eat with so many people I'd miss you". She was very quick to add that the rest of the times it was pure fun and she did not miss us one wee bit :);
)
