Dada-kid Dates

Sometimes with three children we feel like there is this constant battle for our attention. We are thankful for the one-on-one times we get with our children whether that might be with Samuel during nap time for his siblings, a run to the grocery store or library, or just the unexpected times when the siblings don't interrupt a special moment with Mamma or Dada. Recently, we as parents have been challenged to make more intentional moments with our kids where they fully have our undivided attention. These special times on "dates" with Dada are something we are excited about as a family tradition and no doubt the kids will eat it up as well.

Yesterday Jonathan took Samuel to the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum in Dayton. In the morning Jonathan told Samuel that he had a special surprise for him. Samuel was so excited to leave and begin his Dada date. He felt pretty special too that I let him take my camera for the occasion. Since Jonathan has become more of an avid photographer this furlough you can really see Samuel's interest in picture taking grow as well. He is very funny to watch when you let him have the camera. He tries to take these abstract shots or gets down on his hands and knees to capture something from a different angle just like his dad. It's really so very cute!

Samuel had a blast! Jonathan said he was ecstatic to see all the airplanes and he kept asking: "Dada, is that a good-guy airplane or a bad-guy airplane? Are these good-guy guns?" If Jonathan lingered to read a sign he was quickly encouraged by Samuel to hurry up and keep moving. Samuel & Dada both said that sitting in the cockpit was their favorite part. Samuel was treated to a space shuttle toy that came with a little astronaut guy. When he came in the house it was still unopened and he made sure to tell me that the astronaut was for Luca. It was all his idea and so sweet that he wanted to give it to Luca. Luca didn't quite appreciate the gesture as he chucked it across the room. Oh well. Here are some pictures from their afternoon of fun together.