This date was a double date where I took both Alexis and Rachel on a wagon ride. We rode to Walkup Woods Park (aka “The Yellow Park” or “Woodlands Park”). The ride started at 7am as the girls snuggled into their blankets, squeezed their growing bodies into the two person wagon, and went for a peaceful ride coffee in hand of their chauffeur.

It was Alexis’s turn to go first on this date so originally I was intending to take Alexis one morning and Rachel the next. However, Rachel was so disturbed by not being first that she took the trouble to arrange a double date. I wonder how she’s going to take it when I tell her that Alexis is still first on the next date. A double date is not considered a “turn” in the “who goes first” rotation. Ah, the life of a child.

This date was in Woodstock, IL. We started by going to the local restaurant for dinner. Alexis ordered the Jumbo Hotdog. Then off to mini-golf. Alexis took her first Go-Kart ride with me. It was a thrill. Then we played a game of mini-golf. To top off the evening, we went to a jazz concert in the square.

We went to Woodfield Mall for this evening’s date. We had great conversation about the upcoming school year, being separated from Alexis for classes, and making new friends. I recounted how adding new friends was a wonderful journey. Then I described my friends from Ohio, college, seminary (meeting Heather), and Wisconsin. Upon entering we raced up the escalator and down the elevator. Rachel posed with all her bling. We found a delightful train which Rachel chased all the way through the mall to the station where we boarded. Rachel made a new friend at the playground. We ate yummy ice cream and kissed in the parking lot be the sunset – that was no longer visible. Good times.

Rachel wanted to go to Veteran Acre’s new splash pad for her date with Dad. The splash pad just opened along with the new pavilian and playgrounds. One playground targets younger children and has a sand pit nearby. The other playground is designed for older kids with whirly bars and has swings nearby. Rachel loved the splash pad and ran through it with her play clothes on instead of a swimsuit. The splash pad is closed (water is turned off) from 11:30-12:30 and 3:30-4:30 daily. The water is off if the temperatures are below 72 degrees.

We went home to change before heading to Dairy Queen for dilly bars. Then a quick trip to the adjacent pet store, Birds and Beasts.

Summer is here as is a new park in Crystal Lake. Three Oaks Recreation Area is open with a splash pad, boat rental, sand beach, concessions, and trails made from a rock quarry. It’s very nice so Alexis wanted to go for a boat ride on one of their paddle boats. We chose one of the blue sparkly boats for our date cruise. It’s $6 an hour for residents, $10 otherwise. Alexis’s legs were barely long enough to pump if she sat at the end of her seat. We circled the islands and peered down at the sea weed in the crystal clear water. It was a wonderful date with my lovely daughter.

We went exploring with Alexis at Sterns Woods. Instead of walking the paths, we ventured to distant hills and yonder valleys through the woods on small deer paths. Alexis climbed steep slopes and stirred up animals.

We had yet another date at Barnes and Nobles where Rachel read several books. The ladies sitting next to us were so impressed with Rachel’s reading that they stopped to listen. It was “Rachel’s Reading Time” at Barnes and Nobles. Of course, we purchased a steamer from the coffee shop.

Rachel and I went to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. It took four hours and included dinner at Jimmy John’s. We had a great time exploring, looking at different stores, and talking. The mall was super crowded and we had difficulty finding a parking spot. Rachel played in the Children’s PlayCourt. I enjoyed visiting the salt water tanks at Rainforest Cafe.

This date was a nice trip to the park and then Dairy Queen. We stopped by Veteran’s Acres and walked around the frozen lake – the snow was all melted but the ice was still thick except around the edges. Alexis stood on the ice by the dock. We saw a herd of deer, eight in total. They allowed us to get within forty feet of them. Then we visited the pet shop and had a swirl ice cream cone at Dairy Queen.

Following her sister, Alexis went to Barnes and Nobles for some Daddy reading time. Alexis read three books after enjoying a “Gingerbread” steamer.