I really enjoyed talking with Hayley on the drive to Portland and hearing her perspectives and opinions about various subjects and issues. I am constantly impressed with her understanding and interpretation of complex concepts, and her memory is amazing. It is fun to debate with her; and she often challenges my own way of thinking. She is so much fun to hang out with!

My little Hayley and me

When we arrived at the children’s museum, Hayley chose to go down to the theater area which included a stage, costumes, puppet theater, and puppets. She was a little shy about putting on a puppet show by herself in front of strangers, but she quickly got over it and put on an enthusiastic performance. I then joined in with her, and we had a good time doing improv with various puppet characters.

Hayley's puppet show

One of Hayley’s favorite parts of the children’s museum is the pretend town. She concocted a story that connected working as a fire fighter, getting gasoline in a car, fishing on a lobster boat, shopping at a market, collecting eggs at a farm, and working as a veterinarian all together. I enjoyed playing with her and observing the way she combined her imagination with her understanding of reality.

Hayley the fire fighter

Hayley signed up for an activity which involved making homemade peppermint stick ice cream. She was fascinated by the process and eagerly answered questions that Jamie, the museum employee running the demonstration, asked the children in the group. The kids each took turns smashing the peppermint candies that were to go into the ice cream with a large mallet. During the few minutes it took for the ice cream to be ready to eat, they drew pictures of their favorite flavors.

Hayley vigorously crushes peppermint candies.

Hayley liked the ice cream she helped make.

We both enjoyed an exhibit that explores the science of motion. It offers opportunities to experiment with momentum, friction, and energy and to make and test hypotheses. I asked if she wanted to go to the tidepool touch tank to touch and observe marine creatures and learn about their adaptions. She declined, telling me that it wasn’t that awesome compared to the New England Aquarium to which have an annual membership.

Hayley spent a lot of time in an area dedicated to the process of sustainable forestry. She later told me this was her favorite part of our visit, especially climbing in the treehouse. I told her I didn’t think it looked that exciting, to which she smartly replied “You can’t say that because you never tried it.” She had a good point. :-)

We attended a final activity which involved learning about the science of snowflakes and included a memory game and making snowflakes out of paper. Hayey was proud of her snowflake with intricate cuts and designs.

Hayley enjoyed the snowflake activity.

Hayley's finished snowflake

Because Hayley loves to bake, we decided to end our date baking cookies from recipe that she has been wanting to try from a cookie magazine she had recently purchased. She put on the apron she ordered through her art class on which there is a picture she drew of me with a sheet of cookies and Brent with his iPad. I really enjoyed (as I always do) baking with Hayley. I loved seeing her figure out the ingredients and measurements, and watching her excitement with each step of the process. I could see why she chose this particular recipe because of the complexity of rolling out the dough, the ingredients (she LOVES white chocolate), and the artistic finish of decorating the cookies.

Hayley's tongue helps her concentration.

Hayley spreads melted chocolate on the cookies.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Hayley. She is always so happy, thoughtful, and appreciative. Her enthusiasm is always contagious!

Our cookies turned out pretty and delicious!

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.

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

First we went to the Palace Diner and I got a blueberry pancake. When I told Mom that chefs were better than cooks and said that Kyle was definitely a chef, she thought it was funny and put it on the blog she wrote about our date.

My blueberry pancakes at the Palace Diner

After that we went ice skating at the Family Ice Center in Falmouth. First Mom paid for it and then we got our skates. Size 13 was too small for me so I tried size 14. They were perfect, so we started skating. We tried the inside rink first. I was taking little steps at first, but Mom was doing great. She kept showing me how to skate and turn. It was pretty helpful to me, but I sometimes had to hold on to the railing and sometimes fell down. Mom would help me up though, and sometimes we would hold hands and slowly skate and talk about things like Festibond.

Mom and me

We then decided to skate on the outside rink. It wasn’t that slippery because the zamboni didn’t go on it much since they didn’t do hockey on the outside rink. So when me and Mom were holding hands, Mom said she would go ahead and meet me back around. It took her longer than she thought it would to catch back up to me. I was proud that I was going so fast. After a while people told us to get off the ice so the zamboni could smooth the ice and make it slick. I was afraid to go on the ice. Mom encouraged me to try skating on it, so I did. It turned out I was good and fast on it. Then I was even prouder. I didn’t want it to end.

Me on the outside pond at the Family Ice Center

The zamboni makes the ice slick

After that we met Daddy at Bard Coffee, and I had a nice warm white hot chocolate and snickerdoodle cookie. White chocolate is my favorite kind of chocolate.

I’m really looking forward to going ice skating again. It was a very fun date. I like the tradition we have of going on dates during Festibond.

I read my letter to mom, to dad, so he could type it

We always start Festibond by going out to breakfast

On year 2010 Festibond our family decided to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. At Cracker Barrel my dad taught me how to play a peg game. Now I’m pretty good at it. My sisters and I liked it, so mom got each of us one. I liked the pancakes there. I’m glad I ordered them. I knew I was going to have a great Festibond ahead of me. At Cracker Barrel my dad told Skye, Jenna and me we each get $100 from mom and $100 from dad. I thought it was a lot, and that they didn’t have to do that, but I didn’t worry too much because I know it was Festibond and they were being generous.

There was a blizzard on Festibond, so it was hard for dad or mom to drive us around. We were going pretty slow. I could barely see out the window it was snowing so hard. The trees were waving really hard, the ground was covered in snow and the sky was gray.

We went to L.L. Bean so daddy could get warmer clothes for snowboarding and Skye could look at the coats, because Skye’s coat is too thin and a button broke off and it was too big. The sleeves went over her hands.

Then we went to Staples to print the letters for Festibond. It took just a couple of minutes. I found an unstapler that had paper eyes to make it look like a monster. It wasn’t scary, but it was funny.

Assembling Festibond letter booklets

Then we went home to bond. I read and gave presents and letters first. I gave Jenna a scarf and two flowers to put in her hair. I gave Skye a book called “The Invisible Order.” I gave mom a sweater. Dad didn’t want anything, but I wanted to give him something.

I liked reading my letters to my family

I gave Skye a book

I really liked all the hugs

My favorite part in Jenna’s letter to me is when she said life without me would be like living in a dark alley without the wild energetic girl to cheer her up. I liked it because I’m cheering her up and being energetic, so it’s two things I like at the same time. I liked when Mom said in her letter that she liked to hear me sing “Tony Chestnut,” which made me feel good, because then I wouldn’t be so embarrassed because she liked it. I liked from Dad’s letter that I’m a fast learner, because it makes me feel special. I liked from Skye’s letter when she said that I have a clear and strong voice when I’m debating. It makes me know that even though I can’t say my r’s, my voice is still okay.

Jenna reads her letter to me

More hugging

After that we had snacks and played games. For snacks we had cheese and crackers, some triple-chocolate chunk cookies, lemon bread, and chocolate peanut butter bars. For games we played UNO and Pit. I didn’t win at all in Pit, but I still didn’t pout. I won a couple times at UNO, but I didn’t brag either.

The last thing we did was that Skye, Jenna and I went on dates with Mom and Dad. So Festibond is not ended until the last person goes on a date, basically.

I love Festibond

Hayley and me at the Family Ice Center in Falmouth

Hayley insisted that we start out our date eating breakfast at our favorite local restaurant, the Palace Diner. Kyle, the owner, is an excellent cook. He enthusiastically greets us by name every time we visit. Both Jenna and Hayley rave about his crepes. When he heard their compliments recently (“Mom, no offense, but he makes better crepes than you do”) he was kind enough to slip me his secret recipe. Then in her Festibond letter to me Hayley wrote “The crepes you tried to make from the Palace Diner didn’t taste the same, but they were still awesome.” She added later, “It would be cool if we could go back in time and you could get a job as a chef and you would probably get a lot of tips because you’re so good.” While we were at the Palace for our date yesterday, Hayley said “Remember how I said chefs are better than cooks? Kyle is DEFINITELY a chef!”

Hayley liked her Mickey Mouse blueberry pancakes.

Instead of giving a gift to each of the girls on Festibond this year, we decided to give them a set amount of money to purchase something for themselves during their dates with us. I took Hayley to Toys R Us where she found a zoo Playmobile set she really liked. They were sold out, so she’s patiently going to wait for more to come in.

I discovered a great place to ice skate: Family Ice Center in Falmouth. Hayley was eager to don her skates and tackle the ice rink. She was pretty unsteady at first, and took little tiny steps while holding onto the side or holding my hand. We decided to go to the outdoor rink; it had a lot more grooves, making the surface less slick and a bit easier for her to keep her balance. She loved it! After a while she was gliding along the ice more than she was stepping, and she was not using a railing or me to stay upright.

On the pond outside the Family Ice Center

As our skate session was nearing the end, we were told to clear off the ice for the zamboni. I explained to Hayley what it was doing to the ice, and she wasn’t sure that she wanted to go back on after that. Once he’d finished, she decided to have a go, and she cautiously stepped onto the freshly resurfaced ice. She was amazed and delighted at how smooth it was and how she could move with less effort. She had no problem maneuvering around the slick new layer. We had such a great time together!

The zamboni resurfacing the ice

We stopped by Bard Coffee, one of our favorite hangouts, to meet Brent and warm up with tasty hot beverages. Hayley ordered a white hot chocolate and a snickerdoodle cookie. We all then went to the mall to check out remote control helicopters. Brent wanted to get one, but we also suspected Hayley would enjoy it. She was quite enthusiastic about it, and picked a blue one (her favorite color).

I had a wonderful day with my sweet, spunky little girl. I absolutely love our tradition of Festibond dates. I always enjoy our time together, and I love being a mom.

Walking to Starbucks

This morning our whole family walked to Starbucks in Saco to enjoy the beautiful weather, wonderful Starbucks concoctions, our books and each other. Along the way Kirsten and I demonstrated to Jenna the intricacies of sidewalk navigation and how to be a good and safe pedestrian. It was a glorious morning, and the sun was warming the air to an unseasonably warm temperature.

At Starbucks we ordered our drinks, found some comfortable chairs and began to read, play our iPod/iPhones and talk. It was wonderful. After a little while Hayley looked quite tired, so I offered to hold her on my lap as I read. She squirmed around a bit to get comfortable and dozed off to a restful sleep. Then she puked. All. Over. Me. Where in the hell did all that oatmeal come from, and how did two oatmeal packets turn into quarts of oatmeal vomit?

Photo: Kirsten Uhler

Dorothy, a frequent Starbucks customer and barista, kindly got me two clean wet washcloths so I could begin to remedy this embarrassing and completely disgustingly awful situation. When the worst of the vomit was off the chair and floor I went to the bathroom to clean myself. Kirsten had already rushed Hayley off to the women’s restroom so she could continue to purge the putrid oatmeal from her unusually gargantuan stomach.

After the chunks were off my shirt and shorts I walked home to get the car–alone, and soaking wet.

Hayley and I have now showered and life has returned to its usual blissful state. Hayley seems to be feeling well, but is carrying a bowl, just in case.

The Dyer Library here in Saco hosted a Harry Potter Extravaganza: a film premier party for the upcoming “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” Jenna was especially excited about it because she has been reading and enjoying the Harry Potter series. She just started the seventh and final book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

The Harry Potter Extravaganza was well done, and the girls had a good time. They had their fortunes told by Professor Trelawney, played games, colored Harry Potter pictures, and made wands. Hayley dressed as Hermione Granger, Jenna dressed up as Cho Chang, and Skye as Ron Weasley. The girls even convinced me to dress up as Professor McGonagall.

Cho, Ron, and Hermione

Professor Trelawney (in background) just told Jenna's fortune.

Coloring

Professor McGonagall, Professor Trelawney, and the head of the Slytherin house conducted a “sorting ceremony.” The kids each appeared in front of them, announced their character name, and were then sorted to the appropriate Hogwarts house. When Skye introduced herself, she said “Bloody hell, I’m Ron Weasley!” (in a British accent) Everyone laughed. She won two Cinemagic movie tickets for best costume, and decided she would bring Brent to see the upcoming Harry Potter film.

Skye being sorted into the Gryffindor house

Professor Trelawney, Professor McGonagall, and head of the Slytherin house conducting the sorting ceremony

Jenna as Cho Chang during the sorting ceremony

At one station the kids were instructed to estimate the number of jelly beans (“Bertie Bott’s Beans”) in three different jars. Hayley correctly guessed amount of beans (300) in the largest jar, and won the jar of beans. She’s quite the little math whiz! She was so excited. When she told Brent about it later, she said she “earned” the beans.

Hayley estimates the number of Bertie Bott's Beans in the jar.

Hayley and her prize

Skye enjoys the cauldron cakes, acid pops, licorice wands, and pumpkin juice.

We love the library, and usually go twice a week. The Dyer library does a great job with their programs. It’s nice that we can walk there, too. :-)