After the toast, we got up and sang Froodage Lang Syne. Desi didn’t know the words, but she sure sang her little heart out. She’s so adorable. We hugged, said goodbye to the O’Keefes, and headed back home to watch the pre-countdown show. I was exhausted and really wanted to take a nap but knew if I went to sleep, I’d be done for. I stood and watched, thinking that would reduce my chances of falling asleep. Sophia and Desiree enjoyed the show, laughing at all the silly characters dancing in costume. At least, in my drowsy state, it seemed silly to me. Finally, it was time for the countdown, and I was so glad. I could almost feel the cool sheets brushing against my skin, ha.
Sophia gave me a G rated kiss on the cheek, and we all went to bed immediately after.
In the morning, I awoke rather early, refreshed and thankful for another year and excited about this next chapter of our lives. Tomorrow, Desiree begins school, and Sophia and I will have to figure out what to do with our time. But that is a thought for another day because I had plans for Desi and I was eager to get started. I went to her room and checked in on her like I used to do when she was a baby. And just like then, she was already wide awake and ready to get at it.
“Good morning, sweetie,” I said.
“Daddy, your breath stinks!”
“Oh yeah??”
I gave her more kisses as she tried to pull away from me. Eventually I got her giggling.
“What do you want for breakfast?”
“Pancakes!”
“Auntie Less used to love pancakes too! Are you gonna help me this time?”
She giggled some more and nodded, so we went downstairs. I opened the fridge to gather the ingredients only to find absolutely nothing. The thing was empty. Like, literally empty. No water, no milk, not even a half eaten plate of leftovers. I couldn’t remember the last time I made a grocery order, and that sight definitely confirmed it.
“I guess we’re gonna have to go get some pancakes then,” I said.
Honestly, that was a better idea, anyway. Going out to eat is always fun, and I want Desi to have as much fun as possible today. I called Less to see if she and the nibblings wanted to come with us, and we met at the steakhouse in Oasis Springs.
The host had a much better attitude this time and sat us in the party room on the balcony. Sophia and Less gabbed, and it warmed my heart so much to think about how their relationship started. Alessia was so mean to her for no reason other than being jealous. Maybe their shared experience softened her up, but whatever it is, I’m just glad she decided to let Sophia in. Desi and Arvin left to go play with her soccer ball; hopefully they went outside. I don’t need that host changing her mind about us. With half the table preoccupied, I asked Lex and Breanna what they looked forward at school. Lex wants to make friends, and Bre wants to play pranks.
I didn’t really like that answer, but you know what? Not my kid, not my problem. At least, I’m trying to be mindful of how I react because of my missteps yesterday. I want to be a good parent and seize all the teaching moments so my kid turns out to be the envy of all, heh. But, I also need to learn to choose my battles, and this one is definitely not it. Desi and Arvin came back just before the food came out, so I asked her the same question. Like Lex, she’s also looking forward to making friends and playing with Savannah.
After breakfast, we took the kids to the park in Yasmine’s neighborhood. I called her and said we were out there, and if she were comfortable, her girls can come play if they want. She appreciated the invite but declined, just like I thought she would. I thought the kids would enjoy playing in the jungle gym and monkey bars, but they just stood around and talked, so we let them. When it comes to my niece and nephews, Sophia usually leaves them to me. She rarely talks to them, but this time she opted to chat up Breanna and Arvin. At some point, she noticed Lex had been left out of all the conversations. His siblings seem to favor each other, and Less and Desi have the cutest relationship, so she went to go chat with Lex. I thought that was really sweet of her.
Less started texting someone, and I really wanted to know who it was but didn’t want to ask in front of the kids, so I left it alone. The afternoon began to get away from us, so I told Less we were going to head home. Apart from yoga, there was one thing I’d been wanting to do with Desi, and I wanted to at least start before school began. Someone had given her a bike for her birthday, and it was high time she learned to ride that thing.
She seemed excited at first, but once she sat on it and put the helmet on, everything changed.
“I don’t wanna do it,” she whined.
“Why not?” I asked. “It’s gonna be so much fun when you get the hang of it.”
“I’m scared!”
“It’s okay, Desi. You don’t have to pedal yet. Just kinda walk it with your feet so you can learn to keep your balance.”
“But what if I fall?”
“You won’t. Your feet will never leave the ground.”
“Okay.”
She walked the bike in circles in front of us, very slow and careful. She didn’t fall or trip or whatever she thought would happen, and when she had enough, she hopped off with a smile on her face. The situation reminded me so much of when she was learning to sit up. She was so concerned at first, but we kept at it. She stayed strong and pressed through. Eventually she did it, and she was so proud of herself. This will be just like that.
