Grace earns a date, or a $10 monetary equivalent - her choice- as a reading reward. Once she can read through an entire age-appropriate book, lengthy poem, etc. independently and without missing a word, she gets her reward. We've eaten a lot of Panera thanks to literacy. In late January, she decided she wanted to save her rewards for the Sleeping Beauty Ballet, coming in March. Baby girl saved $40 in rewards- $30 for tickets, and more for dinner out- between then and now.
And the morning of the very highly anticipated event, I surprised her with a new dress, and a new necklace, and we were both just very, very blessed at the all-out girliness of the evening out. That deep purple dress looks fantastic with these flats, btw. But I digress.
Jim pressed me to take her to our favorite place, but I just couldn't bring a child there- though Grace is always a lady when we go out, every bit as much grown up as I am practically when it comes to manners, I knew the servers would so high brow my youthful dining companion.
So we went to the Olive Garden- she'd never been- and she was highly impressed with the "fanciness" of the dim lighting and the cloth napkins and the music. Oh, her little five-year-old soul was blessed, blessed. The child adores ambiance.
Then we had some time to spare, so she requested a Target run, where she used some allowance money to purchase a lovely new princess night gown, which gets worn every night and washed once a week. How's that for ladylike?
The ballet was so fun- we had great seats. She loved it. Think of Vivian in Pretty Woman, in that red dress seeing opera for the first time. There you go. That's her experience in a nutshell.
These are the things mothers dream about doing with their little girls, am I right?
12 comments:
That sounds like such fun and such sweet memories. You are such a good mom! As I was reading I started daydreaming about what my nights out with Chloe might be like. :)
Awe..what a fun evening!
You two looked smashing! What a fantastic night together. Way to go, Grace!
Being able to go to the Orchestra and various other cultural events is one of the great points about moving home while Daniel deploys. I have been wishing I could do that sort of thing for 5 years now. But, never have we lived in a place that has these opportunities.
-Andrea
That sounds like such a fun evening! I can't wait until my daughter is a little bit older and I can do something like this with her!
That is so sweet!
Boys and girls are so different. I know I'm stating the obvious. We look forward to Monster Truck Rally and you get to put on a pretty dress and go to the ballet.
What a special night. And good job reading Grace! And saving your money!
I'm actually fighting back tears right now, this was just too sweet Megan.
You are one hottie tottie MAMA, and Grace looked simply beautiful... all dressed up.
What a fun bonding night for the two of you.
Makes me sad not having a girl...maybe we'll try again with a fourth..NO promises.
BUT hey, you were right once you go from 2-3 it's like well, whatever...might as well have 12.
KIDDING.
Literacy is fun! :)
You are right! What a great night! You both looked beautiful:)
Olive Garden is a good choice. My little one and I frequent Panera ALOT, but Olive Garden closes in at a close second!
This is a great idea to use as a reward for reading!
You are so right! Sounds like you had a blast. And good for you for encouraging her to read.
how inspiring and wonderful! have the best time... i can't wait to do this kind of stuff w/ my tulip!!!! you both look FAB! Girl, you and purple must be bestfriends, you look awesome!
Having two girls I can completely relate to this post! I think there is something born in them for the ambiance.
That is so cool that you guys got to do that! YES these are the things we dream of with our daughters. Ya'll look fabulous! I remember getting free personal pan pizzas at PIzza Hut through a program at my school for blazing through books, lol.
Right you are. God is good.
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