Keeping it Even Steven

Ever since the kids were little I have tried not to be equal with them all the time. If my son needs something at the store, I don't necessarily get something for my daughter and vice versa. I don't want them comparing each other's birthday and Christmas presents, and I want them to judge things based their value to them, not on its value compared to something else. So far, so good.

They learned early and often that everyone gets what they need, but not always at the same time. Nevertheless, when I took my son on a special mother-son date night to the MN Orchestra and out for sushi I decided I needed to do something in-kind for my dear daughter.

Luckily, Girl Scouts is having their 100 year party at the Mall of America this weekend, and local troops have rented a bus to go. The timing was convenient, and we decided to have a mother-daughter time at the MOA.

Compared to the time at the orchestra, this MOA event is turning out to be an expensive, tiring, hassle that I am pretty sure wouldn't complaining about if I wasn't comparing it to another, completely different night out. Even Steven is a difficult task-master.

Because the bus trip falls on the beginning of daylight savings time, we will essentially be meeting the bus at 5:15 a.m. For my little one who hates to have her sleep interrupted, this is not an auspicious beginning. Decisions have not been made on when said bus will return, and since the trip is on Sunday, I am already worrying about Monday morning.

I am sure I will have a good time, if for no other reason than my daughter is delightful company and since I don't have to drive we can rest together on the bus. But I have learned to take my own advice, judge each experience in light of itself and, for Heaven's sake, don't compare a relaxing evening out to a day long shop-till-you-drop adventure!