Breakfast Fun

LA was out of school today.  With it being gloomy outside we knew it would be difficult to keep her entertained.  We have been trying to encourage positive peer relationships with our neighbors.  Last night, we invited 3 girls to breakfast at our house at 9:00.  LA made cute little door knob decorations and we got an RSVP.  

This morning LA got her first lesson in table setting and hostess etiquette.  It was a lot of work to set a table with 9 pieces for each child.  However when the girls walked in and saw the beautiful table setting LA was beaming with joy.  

After the girls were seated and eating their "formal" breakfast, Jon and I transitioned in the living room.  We overheard the sweetest conversations.  One of them said, "We get to drink out of this?"  (It was a cheap wine glass with orange juice.) The same child asked, "Where are the napkins?"  (She was shocked to realize she was getting to use cloth napkins.)   The older girls asked if LA gets to eat at the table every day.  LA said she eats dinner with her family every night at the kitchen table.  (What a testimony to hear my daughter say with confidence that her family eats together every night.)

The girls were reluctant to eat the muffins and make hot drinks from the teapot.  With much prompting, the girls chose from hot tea, hot apple cider or hot cocoa.  Of course they all chose the cocoa.  But again it was fun to watch them experiment with french vanilla creamer to make their cocoa smooth. 

I learned several things from this special breakfast:

• The best memories my child will have are not extravagent.  The can be impromptu and low budget.
• My daughter can learn new skills through special activities.  She knows how to set a proper table now and has learned to serving others.
• Peer relationships are so important for middle schoolers.  I need to make the most of each opportunity to support her in friendships.  (Rainy days and days off from school are great opportunities.)
• The things that my daughter complains about the most- having a set dinner time at the table where mom and dad are focused on her- are the same things that her peers' are longing for.

So, today's lesson was a success.  I know this will be a memory making day in her life as well as in the lives of her friends.  Isn't that what being a parent is all about?