Ms R, by her own choice, left the nest for a whole day today. Only for a brief moment did she question whether she really wanted to go and then that moment was gone. She was grabbed by a friend to be a partner and the Rainbows boarded the bus two-by-two. We waved at each other for the best part of half an hour while waiting for the late comers. Extremely annoying as I woke up at thirty minute intervals through the night in a panic about missing the coach and was wanting also to keep the good-byes as brief as possible in order that neither one of us would cry or change our minds. I felt a bit lost afterwards so we visited Nana who was thrilled to see us and gave us a Mars bar to go on our way with.
I wasn’t able to be there to collect her due to work but heard all about it at the end of my day. She had a great time, ate lots of sugary foods and dozed off on the way home. I was partly happy that she was visiting a place that she was familiar with and slightly concerned that she’d be bored by it but I think she enjoyed the novelty of being sheparded around in a large, uniformed group and getting to share a large picnic lunch. I’ve definately felt a shift lately in the amount she needs me and can feel her growing up. Having said that it’s a foregone conclusion that she’ll be wrapped around me when I wake up in the morning.
I thought Master R would be lonely but he didn’t seem bothered. He mentioned about going too but I don’t think he would have done if it had been an option. He looks forward to being old enough to join a similar group but isn’t in any rush. He still likes to exercise his independance while I watch.