daddy dates

I’ve been trying to take the kids out on “daddy dates” more lately. it started with taking one of them grocery shopping. it does us all good to get out of the house, and it’s fun doing activities with them. but groceries are a little mundane even if it is nice to have some individual time with them. so last month it was Lookouts games: one week I took Caleb by himself (while Alice stayed home to have a tea party with mama) and the next week it was Alice’s turn (while mama and Caleb had a “nature walk” through the neighborhood).

tonight I had an evening with both of them and I decided to go for a little hike down the Glen’s Falls trail. we all thoroughly enjoyed our time together, and we’d take turns pointing out things we would see: little flowers, rocks, sticks, boulders, bugs, leaves, trees, an empty bird egg, and one of the most beautiful birds I’ve ever seen. we came upon a very large fallen tree across the trail, and near it there was a small pool of water, and a Scarlet Tanager was bathing in it, so we all got a good look at him splashing around. and scarlet is quite right: he was the brightest red I’ve ever seen in a bird, and it was a little dim in the woods. anyway, I’m usually pretty quiet in general, but I try to point out all the beautiful stuff around us when I’m with the kids in such a setting. it’s cool to hear them take the cue and start pointing out stuff themselves.

once we got down to the “falls” it was a very small trickle, due to the generally dry weather of course. but there was a small pool at the bottom, and the kids took right to throwing rocks into the water, which they could have done for hours I’m sure. it was getting dark so we made our way very slowly back up, and the kids took turns being carried and/or refusing help altogether, depending on the mood of the moment. it’s safe to say we all had a great time, and it’s so cool to have such a place so close to home.

update: I’ve been writing songs lately so I was inspired to put down this song.