This date with Rachel was sweet and simple. We went to Culvers and then to McHenry Community College. At the college, I met Paul Bayer, Communications Specialist, who described the audio/visual departments of the school. Rachel and I walked the halls looking at strange paintings from the students. A couple of photography students wanted to take our picture looking on into the photo lab. Rachel enjoyed the tour and concluded by watching a few boys playing catch with their “whistle football.”

Rachel and I went to Colonial Cafe for dessert. We ordered some ice cream and shared from the same dish. Rachel wanted me to sit right next to her in the booth and hold hands. We had a non-stop conversations and played lots of tic-tac-toe and dot games with the provided kiddy placemat.

For this date we went shopping at the Springhill Mall. It was very nice as Alexis played on the mall playground. She wanted to make friends with someone but was too shy. So she ended up shadowing another girl the whole time – the other girl seemed to like Alexis and allowed her to tag along. We bought Heather a scarf as a gift.

For this date with Alexis, we went to Bath and Body Works in Crystal Lake. Heather had a coupon with which I purchased her Christmas gift. Then the associate gave me another coupon and helped me get a free stuffed animal for Alexis. Alexis picked a soft lamb and decided to give it to Rachel instead of keeping it for herself. Now that was the warmest feeling of love that I felt all day.

We stopped by Chuck E Cheese’s before going home – we did not spend any money.

For this date with Rachel, we went for a walk in the woods at Veteran Acres Park. Rachel is doing very well in her stamina as we walked almost the entire perimeter of the park. We were afraid that the wolves might attack us so we laid a string of cheese over a branch. Now the wolves are our friends. The squirrels will get a snack if the wolves don’t get the cheese first.

Alexis went first on this date with the twins. The family made squirrel toys to place in the woods on a walk at Veteran Acres Park. It was a beautiful weekend with fall colors and sunshine. Alexis enjoyed running down the hills at the park.

Both dates today were scavenger hunts. Rachel was first and then Alexis. Here’s what we hunted for on our dates.
Rachel:

• Lily Pad
• Red Berries
• Mounds Bar – this one was not found even after visiting several stores
• Gorilla Glue – I needed this for some chores
• Neemo clown fish

Alexis:

• Sand
• Rose
• Moss
• Mastic – glue for the tile back splash in the kitchen
• Turtle

When Rachel was home with Heather they had “special time.” Heather typed in a letter while Rachel said the words. Here is the letter.

Dear Mom,

Right now we are having special time. I love you very much and it is very special for me to be able to spend time with you without Alexis being here. It is also very special for you to go out on a date with your daddy. When we spend time together, I feel happy.

I want. I hope that Lexi and daddy come home soon. If they do, i would spend more time with them. I want to play with my sister when she gets home from her date. With daddy. And then i want to for dinner i will sit at the table and eat green beans, chicken, and spaghetti. Red sauce on the spaghetti.

Love Rachel

Off to the flower shop – again – for this date with Rachel. It was the cutest scenario that Rachel was wearing a purple dress with daisies. I asked her to pick out some flowers to take home. She found some daisies in a pot. Perfectly coordinating with her dress.

For this date, Alexis and I went to Sternes Woods, a forest preserve, early in the morning. We pretended that a bear lived in a dark cave somewhere in the forest. The path looks like the entrance to a cave. We rushed through the trail so the bear would not get us – and because the mosquitoes WERE getting us.

For Alexis’s Daughter Date with Daddy, we went to the downtown ice cream shop. Alexis picked the Blue Moon flavor. We ate the ice cream as we walked down Main St. and sat on a bench. Alexis wanted to sit in the shaded outdoor restaurant nearby so we used her charm to secure a table with her ice cream cone and all. This date was back to back with Rachel’s but after dinner.