Dad's Night

Last night Rachel took her dad to Dad's Night at her school. She was so excited! And I was so grateful that Andy was able to slip away from work - despite working 6 days a week and usually until 9 PM most nights this month... Andy and I actually went out on a date this past weekend (which doesn't happen very often, but we're working on that!), so Rachel was thrilled with the idea of going on a "date" with her daddy.

They basically shortened their school day to 90 minutes and let the dads enjoy it with the children. Rachel had a minor setback right at the beginning. She was supposed to lead the class in saying "The Pledge of Allegiance" and she flipped out. (I've been corrected... It was the fact that she had to go to the carpet while her dad stayed at the tables that upset her. Rachel wanted to stay with her dad.) I guess having 13 unfamiliar men in a room that is full of routine for her was a bit much. So, as she cried on her daddy's lap everyone went on with their morning routine. Andy was finally able to convince her to join her classmates at the carpet. Well, he pretty much gave her an ultimatum. He told her they would leave if she didn't join her class, so she did. Anyhow, the rest of the evening went just fine after her little episode...

They sang songs, had a snack, made a book together, went to chapel, and went to music. I'm sure I'm missing some other items, but this is what was reported to me. Rachel definitely enjoyed her evening with her daddy. Andy then picked Audrey up at a friend's house (I had a meeting last night) and took both of the girls out to ice cream. They ran into one of Rachel's classmates there (the other "shy girl" in her class) and enjoyed ice cream with them.

By the time I got home both of the girls were in bed. But of course when I went to check on Rachel she was still wide awake! She was so excited to tell me about her night with her dad. And she couldn't wait to show me the book they had made, which I was very impressed with. It's one of those things that we are going to have to save. :)

I love when the girls get to spend time with just Andy. I think it's priceless. They're alone with me all the time, but it seems like it doesn't happen too often for them to be alone with their daddy. And I know (from wonderful experiences myself) that the times a girl spends with her dad are sweet, tender, and memorable. I'm hoping next year we can get into the habit of Andy walking with Rachel to school. I think it would be a good 10-minute bonding time for the both of them. We'll see how it all works out next year, but in my head it seems like a fabulous plan...