Part of our resolutions with the New Year is that we can spend more quality one-on-one time with each of the children. Madeleine was able to go first - probably as oldest, but also because we had tickets to an amazing show which I wanted Bryson to take her to...okay, I wanted to go as well, but Bryson Sr. had promised Madeleine last year that he would take her to a show for her birthday. The promise only took 11 months to come about - but she didn't care, she finally was going with her Dad! Also, we have noticed that one of the only memories Madeleine has of Daddy/Daughter date was back when we lived in Florida and she turned 4. Bryson took her to Burger King for dinner, and let her play on the inside play area. She STILL talks about that day with great excitement and has expressed that she really wants to do another event like that. Well - luckily for her they don't have a lot of Burger King restaurants in NYC....instead there are incredible shows!
They went to see a Chinese New Year show at the Lincoln Center. We found out about the show when a friend of ours at the school came to sell tickets to the show during our International Dinner last November. She had a TV set up showing scenes from the production, and Madeleine was completely mesmerized. With studying about China and the culture of the country last year in 3rd grade - she really does have a new love and understanding about the people. We saw how excited she was with the "previews" and decided to go ahead and get the tickets.
{a late night - home at 11:30pm! I'll have to talk to her Daddy about that one! ;) }
Thankfully all worked out so that she and Daddy could go on their date - we actually had more snow on Friday, although it ended up being more of a dusting than a storm. Bryson has had some extra work this week, and has a big presentation on Monday....he had to work later than he had hoped, so they didn't quite get to go out to eat at a restaurant like we hoped...but Madeleine did get to eat dinner ordered in and enjoyed up on the 24th floor of his building with sweeping views of the city and over into Times Square before they went off to get the subway and head over to the show. Perhaps that was a better eating experience anyway!
Bryson Jr. of course wanted to go. He was a little sad that he didn't get his turn, but I told him we already had the date set for he and Daddy to go at the end of the month...how exciting that they get to start their hang-out time at the Dentist office with back to back appointments! He truly doesn't care what they do, however he has started to talk about different options, and asking Bryson Sr. what he might be able to do with his stomach still mending from the surgery/appendectomy. As we drove home from dropping Madeleine off at Bryson's (Sr.) work, Jacob fell asleep and Bryson Jr. said from the back seat....'So maybe this can be like Madeleine and Daddy's date, and then you and I can have a date at the house, right?' It was the sweetest request and melted my heart. Which was a great thing. This was a very hard week emotionally with that little boy. He DID NOT want to wake up any morning and go back to school. He was tired after the day and we had a few too many meltdowns - we both did. I had a moment one day where I realized I really needed to find ways to enjoy being a mom to this boy - because it was a down in the trench moment and I could not think of anything to be particularly happy about at the moment. So, I was thrilled to have our own one-on-one time together, that would be a much more positive experience than the previous week!
We enjoyed a little movie together once I got Jacob tucked back into bed (forget a transition going from a Parking Garage, walking over 3 buildings and bringing and elevator home!). We popped popcorn, snuggled under a blanket and enjoyed a little show together.
All in all.....2 very happy children that got to spend extra time with their parents. Moments of parenting where you get to have delightful and enjoyable moments with your children ---- priceless and very welcome! I'm looking forward to more of our Date Nights or Special Hang Outs throughout the year....and I know 3 children that are as well!
2 comments:
We do daddy dates every week, too. With Stephen's busy (though not nearly as crazy as Bryson's!!) schedule we found they are necessary for happy children!
So much fun to catch up with you guys. I cannot believe that Madeline is so old! She's a doll. We're glad Bryson is doing better too!
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