A day to remember...

It's not often enough that I get a date with my daughter, let alone a of couple days.  So, that's what I decided to do.  Two days at the cabin with just the two of us.  I think it's important to spend time with your children one on one, uninterrupted.  Kids are always battling for their parents attention, talking over one another, and generally the more persistent one wins out.  I'm sure it's entirely unintentional on the parents part, possibly irritation or laziness, but nevertheless, it happens.

One rule.  Her choice!  That goes for food, activities, anything.  As a girl after her daddy's own heart, her first choice for our full day was skiing.  I can say this, patience is a virtue.  It's not the easiest thing in the world to teach an almost 4 year old how to ski, although, pizza (wedge) and french fries (parallel) seems to work pretty well.  It was, however, an amazing bonding time.

A quick lunch and it was down to the lake with our sleds.  It amazes me how much time kids can play in the snow.  Generally, I assume, completely oblivious to the frigid wind, numbing fingers and green eleven coming out of the nose.  Pulling her up the hill and sending her back down, time after time, her laughter was contagious.  We were the only two out and even if we weren't, we were the only two that mattered to each other at that moment.

Back to the cabin, log on the fire and on goes the Blu-ray.  She loves the series on Planet Earth and picked a disc on Yellowstone and Grand Teton before we left.  For those about to turn up your nose at the thought of a documentary, I suggest you watch one on a Blu-ray, you'll be blown away.  I really love to see her learn and ask questions about the outdoors.

Sitting on the couch, unprovoked, she moved her blanket, climbed over to my side and gave me the biggest bear hug I believe I've ever had from my daughter.  She gave me a kiss and whispered in my ear, "I love you so much daddy."

Sitting here in complete quiet, a pint of SRB, Chunder Stout at my side, it's so simple.  They don't want much, today didn't cost a dime.

  "Don't look at your children as a paper awaiting your pen, but a book awaiting your study."

- Unknown

Cheers