Some time ago, I read on a blog I like about “love bombing” — described as “dedicating one-on-one time spoiling and lavishing your child with love, and, within reason, pandering to their every wish.” The idea stuck with me, and a couple of months ago I decided that come summer vacation I would give Petra — my middle child and the one undoubtedly most likely to benefit — a love bomb the likes of which she’d never seen.

This past Monday was the day, and shortly after lunch she and I packed up our overnight bags and drove to town for a night away. We checked in to our hotel first thing, and Petra quickly made herself at home.

After she’d gotten her fill of bouncing on the bed, we left to get started on the real fun. Our first stop, naturellement, was the toy store. Next we hit the bookstore, then made our way to the drop-in salon, where she got a trim (I think this was the only time I pushed my own will through). Her hair newly lovely, Petra declared that we should eat dinner at Subway and then go bowling. When she tired of wiping the lanes with me it was getting a little late, so we decided it was time to wind down some. We made our way to the supermarket where we stocked up on snacks and bought nail polish, a Smurf Yahtzee game, and a set of textile markers and some white t-shirts. Thus equipped for a night in, we headed back to our hotel room.

The next morning we were up before eight, as we had another full day ahead of us. After breakfast, we made a quick stop for bread before going to Nordanå to feed the birds and see what else there was to see. We were lucky with the weather, so we walked around for a bit enjoying the sunshine and the trees in bloom before stopping at the newly revamped playground for a while.

Petra hadn’t eaten much at breakfast, so mid-morning we decided a fika was in order. After refreshments at Stig’s, it was time for what Petra had probably been most looking forward to: Leos Lekland, the indoor playground. I had tried, gently, to dissuade her, thinking that it wouldn’t be much fun on her own, but she was determined. As it turned out she stayed for two hours, and wasn’t one bit bored. Most of the time I sat on a sofa and caught up with my book, but I did find time to play some air hockey and was an appreciative audience to lots of running and jumping and climbing.

It was past lunch-time when I finally could drag her away, and after burgers at Max (with ice cream for dessert, which we as near as never have!), we loaded ourselves up and made our way home. Since we got back, there’s been plenty of talk about “next time,” so I think we can put this one in the win column.