At Otto’s I ordered a mashed potato, bacon and scallion pizza, which was better than I remembered. I enjoyed talking with Dad about what I thought of homeschool and who I thought was going to win the hockey game.

I'm eating a mashed potato bacon scallion slice of pizza.

When we arrived at the civic center where the game was being held, Dad said that he would buy me a souvenir to remember our time together. There were many different items which had Portland Pirates’ logo on them. I don’t understand why anyone would buy the stuffed moose and cow bells that don’t have to do anything with the team. It would make more sense to buy stuffed Portland Pirates mascots. I got the last small t-shirt, which I changed into in the bathroom.

Dad and I at the hockey game.

This is the hockey stadium.

Some hockey players would break into fights when they were slammed into a wall or were pushed out of the way of an opposing hockey player. I thought it was unprofessional that hockey players fought because they were losing the game.

Break it up! Five for fighting!

When I asked my dad about this he told me that it was a strategy to scare the other team into playing badly. Dad answered all my questions in a way that I would understand. In the end the Portland Pirates beat the Worcester Sharks 4 to 2. I loved bonding with my dad. This date really brought us closer together.

During the drive to Portland we talked about Skye’s relationships with her sisters, Festibond, homeschool and what it’s like to be an adolescent girl. It was nice to get to know Skye better and have some exclusive time with her.

Otto’s was good, as usual. Skye ordered her favorite slice: mashed potato, bacon, and scallion. I got one of those and a pepperoni (the sauce is crazy delish). We continued our conversation from the drive, which was nice.

Beer and a couple slices at Otto's Pizza.

Skye and her mashed potato pie

After finishing our pizze we parked in the garage adjacent to the Civic Center. The first order of business was to buy Skye a t-shirt. She picked out a black one with the large logo on the front, which she wore during the game.

Brent and Skye at the Portland Pirates hockey game

Skye had read the rules of hockey and had an impressive understanding of the game. However, during the first fight she had a look of shock and disappointment. She exclaimed that it was unprofessional to start a fight with someone just because you’re losing a game. While she was right, of course, I tried to explain to her the intricacies of sports psychology and fighting in hockey. I think I mostly failed. She still doesn’t know why fighting is part of hockey. Neither do I.

Fight! Fight!

The Pirates won an impressive 4-2 victory. It was fun to watch a hockey game with my daughter, for which she was actually interested and knowledgable. It’s great when I find activities I can do with my girls that we both enjoy. I will be looking forward to attending many more hockey games with Skye.

First we went ice skating at the Portland Ice Arena. They only take cash but dad only had two dollars in cash so we had to find a ATM machine. It was hard finding a ATM machine. We had to walk a long way to find a ATM machine and it was cold. ‘Fun’ can not possibly be the correct word for finding a ATM machine. When we found a ATM machine we went back to the ice skating rink and rented some skates.

Once we got on our skates we went out onto the rink. I held my dad’s hand tightly so I wouldn’t fall. Daddy seemed to just be pulling me around the ice so I was just gliding around. I enjoyed ice skating a lot. I asked dad many questions about hockey, like where they put the net, if he played hockey as a kid, and if he ever saw his friends fall on the ice while they were playing.

Hayley and Dad at the Portland Ice Arena

Dad supported me while skating

Hayley at Portland Ice Arena

The skates weren’t very good, because in some parts they squeezed my feet and some parts they didn’t. I got a blister because of it. We decided next time we rent skates we’re just going to buy me good skates.

After the ice skating rink we went to On The Border. I ordered the Mexican Dinner, but the taco was too spicy. So dad ordered me the cheese quesadilla. I had a good time talking to dad about what I thought of homeschooling, how I would describe Jenna and Skye, and how much fun we had on our date. A free sundae comes with every kid meal, so I got the vanilla ice cream with caramel syrup, whipped cream and a cherry. It was good.

Hayley's beautiful smile

I ordered two meals!

Hayley's sundae

Dad carried me around in and out of the ice skating rink and On The Border because I had the blister. He’s very generous. I love going on the date with him.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the Portland Ice Arena we discovered that it’s a cash-only operation and I only had $2. We walked down the hill to a credit union with a drive-up-only ATM. So we walked a bit further and found an ATM that would dispense the cash we needed. It was a chilly walk that took time away from skating, but it was nice being together. I gave Hayley a piggy-back and shoulder ride much of the way, which she enjoyed.

Hayley and Brent

The guy in front of me to rent skates got the last pair of men’s hockey skates in my size, so I was given figure skates. I swallowed my pride and laced them up before lacing up Hayley’s skates.

Hayley and Portland Ice Arena

Hayley held my hand as we made countless left turns around the ice. It felt a bit like a NASCAR race. Hayley was uneasy on her skates, but I held her up each time she lost her balance. We talked about me playing hockey as a kid, how the lines are painted under the ice, how the hockey net is secured to the ice, and wondered how much advertisers pay for ad spots on the rink walls.

Holding hands for support

After about forty minutes Hayley asked to leave the ice. Her rental skates had rubbed the skin on her ankle bone raw. I helped her off the ice and out of her skates, then carried her to the car.

For lunch we ate at On The Border in South Portland, since Margaritas was closed. Hayley ordered a taco, which she realized after a few bites was too spicy, so I ordered her a cheese quesadilla. The margarita and guacamole were wicked delish.

Hayley and I played tic-tac-toe on her kid’s menu. Our conversation was deep and meaningful; we talked about her relationships with her sisters, how she likes homeschooling and what activities she might like to pursue in the next year. It was great to get to know my youngest daughter in a way that might not happen except for our exclusive time together.

Tic-tac-toe

Hayley ordered a sundae from Sarah, our waitress, which she enjoyed. Then we drove home.

Hayley's On The Border sundae

Festibond dates are a special time to be together and get to know each other in an intimate way that isn’t really possible during the rigors of daily living. Hayley and I had a great time on our date. We hugged, held hands, talked, laughed and told each other many ties how much we love each other. Hayley is an amazing person, and I’m proud to be her dad.

We bowled at Bayside Bowl for an hour. Jenna used the lane bumpers, but got good enough that she wasn’t using them much. She asked for lots of bowling tips, and I gladly gave her my best advice. One thing I love about Jenna is her dedication to perfection and perseverance. Many times she made her approach only to stop, reset and try again. She makes me very proud.

Brent's perfect bowling form

Jenna did very well at bowling

After two games Jenna was tired of bowling, even though we still had sixteen minutes left of the hour for which we’d paid. She sat and enjoyed her Shirley Temple while I bowled alone.

Jenna's Shirley Temple

While we bowled, Jenna and I shared many high-fives and hugs. It was great fun.

Jenna and Brent at Bayside Bowl

After bowling we enjoyed a meal at one of Jenna’s favorite restaurants, Texas Roadhouse. We both ordered steak. After a few bites, Jenna said she was full. We talked about her relationships with her sisters, homeschool, playing the violin, and many other topics. It was great to get to know her better, and to learn the things about her she wouldn’t otherwise share.

One of the fun aspects of Texas Roadhouse is that they offer free shelled peanuts, and let the guests throw the shells on the floor. Jenna is generally very clean and conscientious, so throwing anything on the floor isn’t really in her DNA. I encouraged her to give it a try, and after a protracted protest, she relented and flung a shell on the floor several feet away. Then she giggled. It was fun.

My strawberry margarita at Texas Roadhouse

When I had finished eating Jenna ordered a Big Ol’ Brownie, then proceeded to eat the entire thing. I guess we’d talked long enough for her to regain her appetite.

Jenna and her Big Ol' Brownie

On the way home Jenna sang me lots of songs, which was indescribably wonderful to hear. She has a gorgeous voice, and is very expressive with her singing.

I love Jenna very much. She’s a wonderful person with a fun personality and many admirable qualities. It was great to have a daddy-daughter date with her as part of our Festibond tradition.

Dad bowling

Jenna bowling

When I was renting bowling shoes, I checked my sneaker to see my shoe size, but there was no number. A long time ago I was at a birthday party at Vacationland Bowling with my friend Kaitlin. I faintly remember I got size 5 or 5 1/2. Somewhere around 5. So I decided to get size 5, and it fit almost like I was born to wear them. I’m going to get 5 1/2 next time.

Jenna and Brent at Bayside Bowl

After I borrowed a size 8 ball, Dad and I were ready to bowl. We both played two games with each other, both of which were full of high fives and hugs. Dad gave me lots of bowling tips. Even so, Dad won both games. By the time we finished, there were sixteen minutes left. Dad ordered me a Shirley Temple, which was surprisingly strong but very delicious. Dad got two drinks. Then he played two games by himself. He let me try a couple times without the bumpers, and on one roll I knocked nine pins without bumpers. Dad is fun to bowl with. He is probably so good because he took a bowling class in college.

Jenna bowled well

After Bayside Bowl Dad and I went to Texas Roadhouse, a restaurant supporting Texas. It has uncountable cowboy decorations lining the walls, and the main food is steak, and the most delicious rolls I’ve ever tried.

Jenna at Texas Roadhouse

I ordered a steak with cheese on it, and no side, with water, while Daddy ordered a steak with mushrooms and cheese, fries on the side, a caesar salad and two strawberry margaritas.

Jenna loves steak

Me and my Daddy talked to each other a lot. I felt like Dad was my age, and I could tell him anything. Dad even asked what me and my younger sister fight about. We had a magnifiques time (magnifiques means magnificent in French).

For dessert I ordered a Big Ol’ Brownie. My dad said I had to order it in an accent, which I was nervous to do, but I did anyway. The brownie was basically a circular brownie with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, drizzled with chocolate syrup. It was done very well.

Jenna and her Big Ol' Brownie

On the way home I sung Dad some songs I memorized. I love singing. And I loved our date. And most of all, I love Dad.

I got dressed and everything. I wore a pink skirt with a belt, white tights, a white collared button down shirt tucked in, leather boots, a ponytail and a rose clip in my hair.

I brought my lyrics book just in case I wanted to sing in the car. But I still suggested I wouldn’t need it, because I would be talking to Dad on the way to the Cinemagic movie theater.

When we got to Cinemagic, we bought our ticket and a medium popcorn. I liked the part at the end when Samantha hugged her father. I never understood why the movie is called “Little Fockers.”

Watching Little Fockers

Then Daddy and I drove (well, actually I didn’t drive–I rode) to Sea Dog Brewing Company. Sea Dog Brewing Company is a restaurant in South Portland, Maine. When we got in Dad asked me if I wanted to sit at the bar. Of course I replied with a “No.” We sat at one of the quiet tables. I ordered milk and enjoyed talking to Dad while waiting for the waitress to come back. When she did, I asked her for mac & cheese.  Later, when I saw what I ordered, there was purple lettuce and I think cucumber on the side.  Now I didn’t order sides, so I asked Dad why it was there.  Turns out it was decoration.  No wonder the lettuce was purple!  I ordered seconds of mac & cheese and a peanut butter and banana milkshake.  I couldn’t finish, so I gave the milkshake to Dad.

Say cheese to mac-n-cheese

My dad is handsome

Yum!

Daddy enjoyed the milkshake

Me and Daddy love each other

Daddy and I took a peppermint on the way out, and sang my favorite songs on the way home.  Our date together was so fun, and I look forward to the next date with Dad.

After the movie we went to Margarita’s for dinner. I had a kid’s taco, and Dad got Margarita’s Famous Taster. My taco was wicked delish! Dad asked if I was going to order fried ice cream, but I didn’t know what that was. I tried it. It was crispy on the outside and just like plain vanilla ice cream on the inside, with honey on top. It was pretty good except it had too much honey. I’m not going to get honey next time.

I like the Festibond tradition of going on dates. I like spending alone time with my parents. I enjoyed my date with Daddy. We talked about a lot of interesting things like photography. For example, when the waitress took a picture of Dad and me, we talked about how the lights in the restaurant make the background look red in the picture.

Hayley enjoys to color

Hayley has been studying Mexico at school so I suggested we go to Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant in Portland. Hayley ordered a taco from the kid’s menu. We had a nice conversation about what she does on recess, what she likes about Festibond and what she wants to be when she grows up. I think the choice between lawyer and stocker should be pretty simple when she discovers the pay difference.

A delicious taco

I ate some pie and it was delicious

I suggested to Hayley that she order fried ice cream. She agreed, and ordered some with a honey topping. It was more of a curiousity, I think. She seemed to enjoy it, but said it had too much honey.

Mexican fried ice cream

Hayley is a super sweet girl and is always fun to be with. She’s sweet, generous and always thoughtful. I enjoyed spending an afternoon alone with her.

I love my little Hayley

We sat in the middle of a mostly empty theater and shared a medium popcorn while we watched “Little “Fockers.” It was mostly dumb, but Jenna seemed to enjoy it and told me several times how much she enjoyed being on a date with me.

Little Fockers

After the movie we drove to South Portland to have dinner at Sea Dog Brewing Company. When I suggested we go to her favorite restaurant, Applebees, she said it’s not her date, it’s our date, and politely declined. Jenna, predictably, ordered macaroni and cheese and then ordered it again when the first bowl was empty. She so enjoyed the “Elvis” shake she got from Silly’s on her date with Kirsten that we asked our waitress, Molly, to make her a peanut butter and banana milkshake. She was stuffed by the time we left.

Macaroni and cheese, please

Our conversation at dinner and in the car was very nice. Jenna told me she had calculated the date she can remove her starter earrings and wear her new hoop earrings to be February 14, the date of her Valentine’s party at school. The starter earrings must stay in, she was instructed, for six weeks. Furthermore, she reported, she got her earrings in the afternoon so wouldn’t be able to change them out until the afternoon–after school. She was elated when I told her it would be okay if she switched to the hoop earrings on the 13th. I like being a problem solver.

Fixated on fixing her hair

We talked about school, friends, her writing club, sisters and other topics while we ate.

Daughter and Daddy

On the drive home I found “The Sound of Music” soundtrack on my iPhone’s Rhapsody app and we sang her favorite songs together. It was pure bliss. As soon as she was in bed I ordered her the CD, which arrived today.

The Sound of Music on Rhapsody

My date with Jenna was a lot of fun. Our close relationship was strengthened further as we talked, hugged, held hands, laughed and sang together.