Just when we hoping spring had firmly taken hold over winter, old man Frost came and blasted us with a wet, white blanket of snow. So, we bundled up the troops and made a snowman. Rachel did not last the duration but a neighbor friend built a snowman with Alexis.
For this date with Alexis, we went to Chuck E Cheese during spring break. The place was packed so Alexis had lots of friends. Except she doesn’t like boys in the tubes so when the boys came by, she stood still and waiting for them to pass. Naturally, the boys did not even notice her as they zoomed through the tubes. Alexis went to the flower shop and brought home a bouquet for Rachel. She hid the flowers behind her back to present her gift at the door.
Heather and Rachel stayed home and got dressed up. Heather was beautiful – hubba hubba.
On this date with Rachel, we went to the flower shop and then to the pet store. Rachel brought home a green Fuji Mum for Alexis. Meanwhile, back at the homestead, Heather and Alexis painted pictures of princesses with water colors.
Rachel kissing her favorite ivy plant
So we really don’t do anything on our dates – just play, talk, imagine, learn, etc. A gal named Amy gave Alexis this flower for free just because.
Finally the house is getting new lights in the kitchen. We wanted to move the chandelier 12″ plus add additional pendant lights to the island. Chop chop to the ceiling – what a project. It turned out great!
We took a trip to Ohio for Christmas. While visiting my father, the twins saw some woodworking. We all went to eat at Georges. The twins dressed up and went to a Victorian tea party with my mother and Heather.
As a father, I find a lot of joy taking my twins out on “Father Daughter” dates. The twins take turns having a special activity with just Dad. When Rachel goes out of a date with Dad first, Alexis stays home with mom doing something crafty. On the date, Rachel would buy something for Alexis as a gift. Then vica versa for the other’s turn. The dates are not typically to the same place for both girls, but always in the same week.
It’s important to love my daughters individually. We build memories and have lots of fun. I’ll sing silly songs, hold hands, and take them on small adventures. The twins talk about nothing important but always interesting. Maybe, if I show them genuine love as a father, they will be know how to be loved when that inevitable boy comes their way. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to model God’s love to my daughters.
What a wonderful time of year to celebrate all that God has done. Better still is to say thanks and to remember Christ’s birth along side of family. Indeed there is nothing more meaningful than worshiping God with one’s family through the holidays. We had a very simple Thanksgiving this year with just the immediate family. No big meal nor rushed schedule. Just playing with the twins, a little housework, and prayers of thanksgiving. Today we will put up the Christmas tree and do a little decorating. I’m sure the twins will enjoy the holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving
Merry Christmas
You know winter has arrived when the lakes get a layer of ice on the top. Yep, it’s true. The small lakes now have ice on top while the larger lakes have ice only on the shore lines. It won’t be long before I start getting my ice carving chisels ready for work.
Heather and I are liaisons for an Egyptian foreign exchange student. We have hosted in the past but the twins slowed things down. As liaisons, we “supervise” the host family kinda as an middleman between the host and the AFS organization at large.
Meemo, the Egyptian boy, spent a night at our house recently so I decided to give him some boy activities that he has not experience since he is from Cairo. First, I had him use my Stihl gas power leaf blower. That was fun. Then I used my tablesaw to repair a broken couch. Notice that I ran the tablesaw not Meemo. Nonetheless, he had never used a saw before so it was interesting. In fact, Meemo has never swung a hammer so even driving some springs into the couch frame was a new experience. We later watched a movie, slept the night, and had breakfast. The next day we learned how to shoot a .22 rifle. Meemo had difficulty using my narrow scope so I removed it. After a dozen shots he go the hang of shooting and hit his target every time. Good stuff and what a wonderful cultural experience.