Daddy Date

This Christmas one of our favorite gifts was our family gift to ourselves: a ping pong table. It was quickly evident that Dana was superior to the other 4 of us at table tennis (especially with his new paddle - you'd be surprised, but it really does make a difference). After winning quite a few games, Dana issued a challenge to the rest of us...if anyone could beat him, he'd take him/her out to dinner at the restaurant of our choice. The game was ON!!!

We'd each get close at times (turns out Dana was letting us) only to be thwarted in the end. I thought he'd take it easy on the kids and let them win one, but no way, this challenge was for real. I guess the extra incentive my thrifty husband needed to come out on top was provided by our money meetings showing funds to be a little low after Christmas...amazing what a motivator money (or the lack thereof) can be.

For awhile, our family was all things ping pong - we watched videos of professionals on you tube; we played at least a dozen games a day; Dana looked up the official rules, strategies, and techniques online; we started a tournament within our church small group; Dana sought out players better to teach him some new tricks. Sarah is just learning to play. Ethan enjoys it, but gets quickly frustrated - we need to work on perseverance with that boy. Nedra enjoys the game, but just wants to play for fun...although it's fun to see improvement. Hannah's got some natural table tennis talent as well as the gumption to go with it. It became apparent that Hannah was taking the challenge most seriously. She and Dana played every chance they got. Upstairs we could hear the squeals of delight and the groans of defeat as she'd make progress only to be narrowly upset in the end. Dana would giggle with pride and amazement as he'd relate to me how good a player Hannah was.

Alas, the day came...Thursday, January 21st. Hannah was victorious!! And not just by a little bit - the score was 21-10! She was ecstatic!! Hannah whooped her way upstairs to make the announcement, but we already knew from the cries of anticipation and victory that had been radiating throughout the house. Dana was a gracious loser, impressed by the ability of his prodigy :o) It only took Hannah a little while to decide she wanted to go to............Arby's?!!

Mommy quickly took matters into her own hands and encouraged Hannah to dream big - how about Olive Garden, Mexican Village, Red Lobster? No, wait, The Neighbors! A locally owned Italian restaurant with wonderful food and a fabulous atmosphere that would not be lost on Hannah. That was it! The date was set. Reservations were made.

The Neighbors is a place that calls for your very best. Hannah got all dressed up. We curled her hair and put just a hint of blush on her cheeks. She even got to wear some sparkly dangling earrings (which are strictly off limits for her right now at age 9). Daddy donned a tie for this special event. This was a big deal! Mommy was even jealous!

Hannah and Dana had a wonderful time on their date. It was a very special evening. They shared the chicken fettuccine alfredo and creme brulee (the joke was to call it "creamy bruleee") for dessert. They even dined next to Christian music star, Phil Keaggy, who happened to be in Mankato for a concert that night.




What a great date! Hannah and Dana continue to be avid table tennis opponents. This week, they are going to pop in on a group of people that play at Dana's school on Friday afternoons. Too bad the dinner thing is only a one-time deal. Watch out, Dana! I'm next.....