For several months I've had very little alone time with Skylar. What with the transition to kindergarten, the funks that Kim and I were in until late October, and the fact that she has had less occasion to go out at night, it seems like I'm always on the outside of the family unit looking in. This past week has been different, however. I took Skylar to the B'sghetti Bash Sunday. Tuesday Kim went to see The Machinist, returning right before Bean's bedtime. And today I picked up the tired one at 3pm and brought her home so she could have dinner and do her homework before her mother arrived and we went to pick out a Christmas tree. Even better, I drove Skylar home in Old Red Tuesday and today. It felt good. Also, though I may be projecting a bit, it does seem to me that Skylar has been easier on Kim this week. Sometimes they need a break from each other's psychic intensity.
When I'm home alone with Skylar in the afternoon, things are usually relaxed. I put on some music while I make dinner and do other household chores and she makes art or plays with her toys. I really treasure those times. It always amazes me how comfortable Bean is spacing out to tunes. Whether I'm playing Sonic Youth or the Elvis Presley, she gets in a groove and stays there. If I shut the music off, she starts making demands. But as long as the room stays flooded with sound, she acts her most independent. Today's rotation included selections from The Byrds' Never Before, "Like A Rolling Stone," and most of Wilco's A.M.. I was in heaven. And Skylar made beautiful art. I need more moments like that. We all do.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}