Playdate PDX

Well, the day didn't begin very promisingly. Somehow I lost the earpiece to my Smartphone, the one I use to talk to all of you when I'm driving (about the only free time I have these days) as I drove from work to synagogue. Checked the car, my coat pocket, my pants pockets, the street, the sanctuary, the room where the Oneg Shabbat was -- nothing. Very frustrating, because I'm extremely careful about knowing where my Smartphone and earpiece are at all times.

This morning I was preparing to head to the Verizon store to replace the earpiece when Rachel said sternly, "you need to have breakfast."

"I can't, Rachel," I said, firmly. "I have to go out."

"Well, you're going to be hungry," she said sadly.

And she was right. By the time I got home at 11, calmer (the earpiece cost less than I had dreaded it would), I was ready for a piece of homemade strawberry bread, bacon and tea. And I took Rachel on my lap as she was changing into her stockings and leotard and said, "thank you for caring that I'd be hungry. That meant a lot to me." She smiled.

***

When she got back from ballet class, I took her to meet my friend Sarah and her 4 1/2 year old son, Noah, at Playdate PDX, a great indoor playpark with an awesome play structure (complete with slides that are scary fast even for grownups) and really good food (my hot chocolate was excellent). Sarah and I were a bit dismayed when we arrived since the place seemed way too crowded and we were annoyed by all the big kids who kept crashing into our kids and the staff's uncaring, unconcerned response.

After 2 or so, things cleared out a bit and Sarah and I got to talk while we sent Noah and Rachel to play. They handled themselves really well, racing back to our table once in a while to check in, but otherwise they were on their own and seemed to like the independence. When it came for lunch, Rachel was a CHAMP. She ate a whole hot dog (minus the bun), apple slices dipped in caramel, and milk, with goldfish crackers for dessert (after I talked her out of a cupcake). I had only ordered hot chocolate because I figured I could eat whatever Rachel didn't want to finish. Result: No lunch for Mommy! Hard to believe I ever worried about Rachel's eating habits. She's still disdainful of vegetables (I made a point of noting that Noah likes peas and carrots) but otherwise she really seems willing to try new things.

Even Noah decided the place was too chaotic -- "this place is too crazy," he told me as he and Sarah prepared to leave. "I'm going to the liberry" -- but Rachel was up for more play, so we said goodbye. Rachel ran off to the play structure, then came back totally unexpectedly to give me a hug. "I'm giving you a hug to thank you for showing me where all the things are," she said, meaning the different entrances to the play structure. She is so considerate, she really bowls me over sometimes.