Ok, this update is long, so I hope you'll read it all...
Well, W sent a text to me around 12:30 letting me know that Indiana was 3 hours ahead for my calls while they are gone and asking if I wanted to pick up D earlier. I told her I would and as I was going to meet them, W told me they were still in the restaurant and asked if I could meet them there. She apologized and I told her she had nothing to apologize for and meeting at the restaurant was fine.
When I got there, D wanted to go into the water fountains and play, so I walked out to W's car to get D's things and then W offered to walk us to my car and then to the water fountain play area. While we were walking, D was holding our hands and asked us to swing her, so we did -- it was nice just like it used to be.
Anyway, W told D goodbye and we went to the restroom to change her into her suit. D was splashing around when I decided to take off my shoes and socks and roll up my slacks and join her. I thought, "she's only going to be 5 once" and joined in w/ the fountains. We had fun, but after 20+ minutes or so, D wanted to get out and get back dressed, so we did. We then spent 15 min. or so at the little playground in the mall then hit the Disney store.
This Disney store is closing, so they had wonderful sales on everything. I got a little Ariel toy set for D at +50% off and then picked up a Winnie the Pooh portriat for W. It was 70% off and she loves Pooh, so I spent the $15 on it for her. I'll give it to her sometime well down the road and act like I've had it for a while or something, but I know she'd have wanted it, especially at that price, so I couldn't resist.
While we were goofing around, W sent texts asking for directions to a nearby Lowe's and later another one asking if D was having fun. Her actions today showed that she wanted to communicate w/ me and have me involve her in our plans.
It is a small baby step, I know, but it is a step to be sure. Maybe Tomato was right when he said the weather changes may melt the "ice queen" a bit. Not getting too high, but definitely taking stock of the small things.
We stopped at Target and I bought a new US flag -- someone STOLE my old one! Who steals a US Flag off of someone's porch, anyway? I then stopped into Best Buy and got a steal on a boom box for my iPod so D and I can have "dance parties" at home.
We then went for a bike ride - D rode, I chased - when we got home and D was doing great until she wiped out and scraped her knee. Of course we were the farthest point from the house, but I had her sit on the bike and I steered it home. D cried off and on about her skinned knee and I just kept telling her how proud I was of how she rode today and that we'd get back at it tomorrow.
We got home and I doctored the knee - complete w/ SpongeBob band-aids - and hung out and watched movies. She called W and told her about her knee and W was a bit freaked out, so she asked to talk w/ me. I reassured her that D was fine and it was a normal beginner bike riding spill. W was crying and I asked if she was ok.
She then opened up and said she had a terrible week at work and her best friend Amanda had to put their dog down. She told me her boss - who I've nicknamed Cruella after the Dalmations villain, so you get the type of person we're dealing w/ here - took away her office and her American Lit classes. She said Cruella also banished her friend to another building, so W was very upset. W used the term "banished" for herself and her new office, so I know she's torn up about it.
I told her she was an excellent teacher, yone would love to have her and she didn't have to stay and take that crap. W's response was "but my friends are all here." I replied, "they'll be your friends regardless of where you work." W didn't reply.
It was interesting to have her open up to me tonight. Her perfect world at work is unravelling and that has thrown her off. Maybe this will help spark something else in her that will be a positive. Who knows? All I know is she's now further away from OM's office and that may end up helping things too.
So, tonight was good. I had small steps w/ W and she opened up and cried about work things w/ me. I was very supportive and encouraging. I asked her what I can do to help her and offered to assist her in any way that will make things easier on her.
I didn't do too much, but I showed I cared. She softened a bit. Maybe it is a one-time thing, or maybe it is a start. Either way, I'll not expect nice things tomorrow, so I'll be plesantly surprised if they do show up.
