Due to covid stuff and long distance it has been nearly a year since we had seen SD but today she was dropped off by her mother for a month. I gave her the biggest hug when I saw her and she hugged me back so tight. And wow she has grown a foot! Like she's seriously so much taller than I remember.

We had a really nice albeit low-key day since it was scorching hot outside and the beaches were packed. She and my son played Minecraft and watched movies very happily for hours and made each other laugh so much. My son had bought of stuff for them to make different 'potions' (Gatorade mixed with candies and fruit juice, something they love to do together), I went out to buy dinner stuff and picked her up a very cute stuffed dragon I've had my eye on for awhile and she was so excited for it! She did a happy dance and instantly declared it was the cutest dragon plush ever and promptly named it Aurora. I wasn't feeling super well after going out (chronic illness stuff) and needed to lay down, she was super sweet and offered to make me soup. She helped her dad make dinner and we had a nice meal together, played a board game and sent the kids to bed.

I have to say that compared to basically her entire life (I've been with her dad since she was 1 year old, she is 9 now so I know her pretty well) she has been so much more helpful and easygoing than ever before. She has combined ADHD so she has always been a lot to handle, often defiant and little moody and requiring a lot of coaxing and patience. Maybe it's first-day euphoria, but she was incredibly obliging and sweet today. Just as chatty as ever though. ;) It was a very nice surprise. I found myself calling her 'honey' and 'baby' very naturally. I was worried the time and distance would have taken a toll on our bond, but things seem to have picked up where they left off.

Before she went to bed she came up to me and gave me another big hug and told me she loved me and it was so incredibly sweet. I was touched I'll admit it. Just very nice to hear. I'm looking forward to the rest of the month after such a great first day.