I had a good weekend with S5. We spent the day w/a friend and his 2 sons. Still did outdoors stuff, but since it was windy, we changed the agenda a bit, riding a small metro train and going to kids campus - a playground w/a minature cityscape where kids can ride their bicycles around little streets, etc...
Had some good talks with my buddy, mostly about stuff other than R - a change from before. Played the villian ("Ghost Pirate" - Arrrggh!) for the superhero kids.
Came back to my place in the late morning and started to rush to get S5 and I ready for church, arguing w/him about playing, hanging out with him, then I shifted mid-sitch and said "You know what, let's do just that - hang out first all day, then go to Mass this evening." S5 just beamed, enjoyed a bath, and we just hung out in our grubbies, playing, eating, watching a bit of a movie, then napping, and reading, before church. Church was nice - a less formal teen Mass. I reflected on Pope John Paul II's passing, and thought, gee if I can become half the man he was in terms of prayerfulness, well-roundedness, and focus on others, I'll be able to die a contented man.
S5 and I went out to eat afterward, then came back 'home' to pack up. S5 complimented my cooking, saying he liked it when I make supper, so I went to the grocery store later tonight to buy ingredients for latter meals together.
At dropoff, W was friendly and genuinely happy to see S5. She brightened when I said I'd be able to pay off ($1600) the c.card she wanted me to prioritize first, by Tues. I thought this was a control maneuver of hers initially, then she explained that she wanted to close out all of her accounts with this particular bank due to their many 'unfair' fees and open herself an account at the credit union I use. I'm chalking it up to an AOS from me to her by doing so. No expectations, just a hope that she appreciates it.
We're traveling separately to a conference in Nashville this Wed, w/ W taking S5. She had bought S5 a handheld computer learning system and when I shared how all 3 little boys were jostling for it on the weekend, she beemed. I really complimented her on this, and told her I appreciated it. She mentioned that she bought S5 and herself new swimsuits, and invited me up to their room in the hotel to maybe go swimming with him. I wonder if she's curious about my 'new' in-shape bod? I doubt she'd go swimming with us, but I will be sure do appreciate her being so much more inviting about letting me into her 'space' - ala the house or the hotel room.
I doubt she'd go swimming with us, but I will be sure do appreciate her being so much more inviting about letting me into her 'space' - ala the house or the hotel room.