First, we went to breakfast at The Good Table, a Greek restaurant, in Cape Elizabeth. It was a long drive, but it was worth it. The second we walked through the door, we could smell the hot cinnamon rolls. They were huge cinnamon rolls!

Hayley’s enormous cinnamon roll

All of the meals that everyone ordered were huge too. I didn’t even finish my omelet, let alone the other half of the meal. We brought home some cinnamon rolls.

I ordered the “b (bacon) & cheese omelette.”

Breakfast at The Good Table

When we got home, Dad had to finish Hayley’s letter, so we all just hung out while Dad was busy. I got to work on my piggies in a blanket. That was my snack to make for Festibond. It was super easy, and from a can, but it turned out well in the end.

Finally, when Dad was done with his letters, we all got on his bed with our ipads, iphones, or printed letters. Skye read her letters first. They were so sweet, she must have spent a long time on each of them. I would give her a round of applause because she was keeping notes of us all year round just to write these letters. That is very meaningful to me. Dad went next, and his were very long, and some of the things he said made me cry. I could tell that he loved our mother very much and my sisters too. Next, mom read her letters and some made me cry too. I could definitely relate to her! After I read mine, Hayley read hers. Dad was very proud of her, and I think she deserved the praise. None of her letters made me cry, but being Hayley, all of her letters made me smile or laugh.

My sisters and I before the reading of letters

Dad’s letter made me cry

Hayley’s letter was very funny

My mom and I

This is me and my sister Skye

I read from my IPad

Hayley reads her letter to Dad

Next we had snacks, the snacks we had been preparing. By then, my pigs in a blanket were cold and we had to heat them up again. Skye made apple chips, which Hayley seemed to love. Hayley had made chocolate crinkles, that we all loved, and finally, my mom had made a vegetable platter or something. It had cheese on it, so I am not sure what I would call it. A lot of pictures were taken, and we all joked and laughed. It was family time, and I relished it. A few minutes into the snack time, we had a talent show. Dad did ballet and a moonwalk, which was fun for everyone. Mom and I had recently been to a ballet, and this was not what it was like! Next, Skye played guitar. She kept getting frustrated, but I thought she did really good. She was playing the Christmas song from ‘Alvis and the Chipmunks’. Then, I played ‘Hobgoblin Dance’ on my violin, which I thought I did well on, except I messed up while trying to pizzicato with the left hand. Finally, Hayley did her llama hand gesture thing. It is really cute.

Everyone in the family helped to make delicious snacks

I played my violin for the talent show

Later we played some charades. It made everyone laugh, because Dad kept picking words out of books and labels and such, and it was fun to link the word to what he read off of. His first word was tricky- it was ‘faster’. He got it out of my violin festival music book.

Hayley then decided to play ‘Huckle Buckle Beanstalk’. It is a game where everyone but one person goes into a different room. The one person hides a penny somewhere in the room, then the other people have to find it. I won! It was on the spice rack.

It was the best Festibond yet!

This year we decided on December 29 for our Festibond. We always start out the day going out to eat for breakfast. Brent suggested The Good Table Restaurant in Cape Elizabeth this time. We wanted a place with good food and a nice atmosphere in which we could sit and talk without distractions. It was fun to be entertained by the girls and their singing and jokes as we drove up to Cape Elizabeth. The food was alright, but not amazing. However, when we all tried Hayley’s cinnamon bun we agreed that it was very good; each of the girls ordered one to take home. I enjoyed sitting with Brent and the girls around the table, talking, laughing, and discussing ideas and plans for the future.

Breakfast at The Good Table

Brent ordered a "bloody caesar" to drink with his breakfast.

Jenna enjoyed her bacon & cheddar omelette.

One thing we added to Festibond this year was for each person to contribute something to our buffet of finger foods to snack on throughout the day. Skye loves apples and decided she’d like to make apple chips in which she soaked apple slices in cinnamon and apple juice, then baked them until they were crispy and dry. She wasn’t happy with the way they turned out, and decided next time she would use the mandolin so the slices would be even and cook uniformly. Nevertheless, I thought they were pretty good. Jenna made “pigs in a blanket”: mini cocktail wieners rolled up in crescent rolls. Very tasty! She loves Brie cheese with French baguette slices, so she added this to the menu as well. Hayley, our little baker, made chocolate crinkle cookies with chocolate toffee bits in them. She did great; they were delicious. Brent and I collectively put together a relish tray with raw vegetables, dip, pickles, olives and cheese. Hayley (who enjoys making her food look pretty) arranged a cracker plate to go with it. It was nice to watch the girls working independently and working together as well.

The girls are ready to partake in the snack buffet.

My favorite part of Festibond is the reading of our letters to each other. We spend the weeks preceding Festibond writing personal letters to each member of the family. In the past we have had them printed out and even made booklets, but this year we decided to go digital which is much better for archiving. We all gathered together on the bed late in the morning; Skye started out this activity by reading her letters, hugging each person after reading her letter to them. We took turns reading our letters and hugging each other. The intense feelings of love and appreciation demonstrated in the heartfelt and thoughtful words written in each of the letters will always be with me. The smiles, laughter, and tears were genuine and meaningful. I love the way these letters strengthen our family bonds and bring us closer together.

Skye and I hug

The emotion was strong after Brent read his letter to Jenna.

Jenna and Hayley hug

My Sweetheart and me

Hayley and Skye

Brent gives Hayley a kiss

Hayley reads her letter to Brent.

I picked out a few excerpts to share from the letters:

Skye to Jenna:

As you are getting older, it’s cool to be able to talk to you about boys and stuff without it being weird, since we are both maturing. It’s been easier to talk to you since we have more adult and weird things to talk about. We can have more mature conversations and I can give you advice and tips on things.

Skye to Brent:

You help me through difficult times even if that difficult time is between us. We may go through hard times, but in the end, we understand each other and put the past behind us. This brings me to my next point. You’re a great listener. Plus, you are one of few people that can admit their mistakes. That’s a great characteristic to have, rather than believing something and not listening to reason. You have your own opinions, but you listen to others before deciding which is the best answer. You’re always right anyway.

Jenna to Hayley:

I like how you express your feelings. When you are happy, you show it. When you are sad, I know. And especially when you’re mad. You say your opinions. I know so much about you because of that. It feels like you are part of me. You are so predictable, it’s like we share the same brain.

Jenna to Kirsten:

You have a lot of good qualities. One is that you seem to think about what you say before you say it. Also, like Dad, you always seem to have a solution for everything. It is strange, but it does seem like that is true. I can tell you anything, because I know you will understand. I learned so much about you during lunch and the ride home (during our Festibond date), and I wish I could’ve been born in 1973 so I could’ve met you as a kid. That would be interesting.

Hayley to Skye:

You’re so smart. I’m very proud to have a sister that’s on the math team and in reading GT that probably knows more than anyone in her class! You’re super amazing are probably the smartest person in your school! Whenever I see your math homework, my mind starts boggling about how you can possibly do it.

Hayley to Kirsten:

I love that I can tell you anything like when I’m at school and something really exciting happens, I make a mental note to tell you as soon as I get home. I’m super glad I have somebody like you that I can share my thoughts with! And I’m glad you listen unlike a lot of people I know and that you always respond what you think about whatever it is I’m talking about. I love that I have a mom thats not all boring and has a good sence of humer! I really enjoy hanging out with you especially when you’re in the mood for a good joke which you almost always are and I really like that about you.

Brent to Skye:

You’ve always been highly social, and because of who you are people naturally want to be with you. You’re sweet and smart and “cool.” You also seem to choose your friends well, letting go of people who you determine are inconsistent with your values and the high goals you have set for yourself. That is another very important attribute you are cultivating well.

Brent to Jenna:

I love to talk to you about your hopes and fears and desires and annoyances. I love your humor and hugs and high-fives. You are often funny and silly and playful, but beneath all that is a thinker and a girl with genuine compassion. It’s funny that you fret over the slaughter of an innocent ant in the driveway, which subtly exposes your caring side.

Brent to Hayley:

I love that you love to talk, and I enjoy our conversations a lot. You think out loud, like I do, which is nice because I can get some idea of your thought process, which helps me to understand you and offer corrections where appropriate. It’s amazing to me the things you come up with, and the connections you make from one fact or phenomenon to another.

Jenna suggested during a recent “family night” that we include a talent show with Festibond. We all agreed it was a good idea. Brent treated us to a ballet performance. It was very entertaining. If software developing or hairdressing don’t work out, I think he has a good fallback. ;-) Skye recently began learning to play the guitar and prepared a song which she played and sang for us. I am impressed with how quickly she is picking it up and improving, and I love to see her so dedicated and so excited about it. Jenna learned a new violin piece and gave us a beautiful performance. I love the feeling and expression she puts into it. Hayley performed “Happy Llama, Sad Llama,” a silly song which includes funny hand gestures. She can do it amazingly fast; it was so cute and made us all laugh.

Skye plays the guitar for our talent show.

Another part of our Festibond tradition is playing games together. This year we enjoyed a game of Charades, Guesstures, and “Huckle Buckle Beanstock,” a game Brent grew up playing and has become a family favorite for us. Hayley hid the penny a little too well, and we only ended up playing one round. Following our games we watched the first of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Skye’s choice.

The girls watching “Lord of the Rings”

Festibond has been such a wonderful and meaningful tradition for us. I treasure every part of it and love the way that it brings us closer together and enhances our appreciation for each other as well as for our family as a whole. We have discussed adding another Festibond in the springtime. As valuable and enjoyable as it has been for our family, I think it’s a great idea!

Kirsten at Grace

Normally Kirsten and I take each of the girls out on a date for Festibond, but we don’t go on one together. This year I proposed that she and I go on a Festibond date, too, to which enthusiastically she agreed.

Kirsten had wanted to see the film “Les Miserables,” which was fine with me. I knew she has liked the story for a long time, and would enjoy the movie.

Kirsten made reservations to one of our favorite Portland restaurants, Grace. The building is a gorgeous repurposed church, which is far more useful than teaching innocent children to fear an angry deity. I digress.

Last Friday Kirsten picked me up from work just before 17:00. She was able to meet a couple of my colleagues, Bill and Amy, which was nice. From there we drove a few blocks up the peninsula to Grace.

Grace has a dark, open, quiet atmosphere. The main area that used to be lined with pews is now a large, beautiful bar, and the front of the old church is now the kitchen. We were seated at a small table at the side, which was intimate and nice.

Our server, Brandie, was amazing. The way she described the menu items, and the care the chef made in selecting ingredients and preparing them into delectable dishes, made me want to order everything on the menu. She was funny, too. When I said that my appetizer was nearly orgasmic, she looked at Kirsten and suggested she might be off the hook, then.

Kirsten and I both ordered the Heated Affair cocktail, which was absolutely divine. The jalapeño hits initially with a nice hot bite, followed immediately by the sweetness of the strawberries and pineapple.

My appetizer was an amazing duck sausage in a pork casing, with a fresh pretzel and brown mustard.

Duck sausages and a pretzel

For my entree I ordered a hanger steak and green beans. It was cooked perfectly, and very delicious.

Hanger steak and green beans

It was nice to enjoy good food with Kirsten, which we don’t do enough, and to talk about the myriad things going on in our busy lives. We spend a lot of meaningful, quality time together, but it’s always nice to make it extra special, and going out for Festibond certainly does just that.

After dinner Kirsten dropped me back at my parking garage. Then, we both raced down to Saco to catch the movie. It was good, but really long. I liked the story, and thought the film makers did a fantastic job. The acting was exceptional, as was the scenery and makeup. Occasionally, I looked over to see Kirsten crying, and didn’t really get why. Then I realized the similarities between the story and what she is currently facing. The poor woman, Fontaine, died, leaving her daughter to be raised by someone else. The tears certainly made sense.

I’m glad Kirsten is healthy enough to go out with me and enjoy herself, if just a bit. I’ll take all I can get.

The girls and me

2012 was the sixth year we did “Festibond.” It’s the annual celebration in which our singular purpose is to strengthen the bonds that hold our family together and make it great. It’s a collection of traditions including dates, letters, hugs, snacks, games, and breakfast. In 2007, the first year we had Festibond, it was an alternative to Christmas, a holiday I find incredibly silly. It’s no longer a replacement holiday; Festibond is entirely its own thing, and Christmas is something other people do.

Saturday, December 29, was the day this year that worked best with all of our schedules. In the weeks prior, we drafted our letters to each other and planned and went on dates. I took Skye to a Portland Pirates hockey game, Jenna bowling, Hayley to a movie, and Kirsten and I, who don’t normally go out as part of Festibond, went to dinner and watched a movie.

For breakfast this year we went to The Good Table in Cape Elizabeth. The cinnamon rolls were delicious. The other food was good, but not great. It was nice to sit around a large table and enjoy the conversation and share some laughs. After breakfast, we drove home to continue our celebration.

A HUGE cinnamon roll

Breakfast at The Good Table

The girls prepared the snacks they had planned. We had crackers and cheese and olives and raw vegetables and baked apples and cookies and pigs in blankets. It was a smorgasbord of delicious treats, and everybody participated and contributed, which made it extra special.

Pigs in blankets

Hayley arranged crackers on a plate

Hayley, Jenna, and Skye with the snacks they prepared

When the snacks were ready, we all piled onto my bed to read our letters to each other. I cannot adequately describe how nice it was to listen to each person read the heartfelt letters they had written. This year we went mostly electronic: Kirsten, Jenna, and I read from our iPads and Skye read her letters from her iPhone. Hayley, who could have read from her iPod Touch, elected to print the letters out on dead trees. In turn, each person read all of their letters. After each letter, which brought smiles, a few laughs, and occasionally tears, the person who wrote the letter, and the person to whom they read their letter, embraced. It was wonderful on many levels.

Jenna, Hayley, and Skye are ready to read their letters

Jenna and Hayley

Hayley and Kirsten

Me and Kirsten

Me and Hayley

The letters, as they always are, were replete with stories and memories and gratitude and kindness. It’s been a difficult year for us, and the letters reflected that. The emotions that filled the room as we expressed our love and appreciation for each other, and give each other many hugs, was palpable and deep. Reading letters to each other does exactly what we have always intended it to do, which is to strengthen our family bonds.

No paper here

Skye and me

Hayley and Skye

Jenna and Hayley

Hayley reads a letter she wrote

Kirsten and Skye

Jenna reads from her iPad

We didn’t exchange gifts this year. Hayley wanted to give us gifts, Jenna was ambivalent, and the rest of us did not want a gift exchange to detract from the objective of Festibond. We have exchanged gifts in past years, but our enthusiasm for it has waned, and doing away with the tradition was inevitable. It wasn’t missed by anybody.

When the letters had all been read, and hugs given and received, we moved to the kitchen where we grazed on snacks and played games. This year we played Charades, Guesstures, and Huckle Buckle Beanstalk. An addition to Festibond this year, which Jenna suggested, was a talent show. Skye played the guitar and sang, Jenna played us a violin piece she had prepared, and I did ballet dancing. You will never have the good fortune of watching that video.

Skye played guitar and sang for the talent show

Jenna played her violin for the talent show

The day ended with us piling into the living room to watch Lord of the Rings.

Festibond movie night

Festibond is always my favorite family activity of the year. It deepens the bonds that hold our family together, and is a lot of fun. It hasn’t changed much in the six years we’ve been doing it, although we tweak it where appropriate. It’s completely open. During one of our Family Night meetings in early December, we discuss what we liked from previous Festibonds, and what we would like to change. That’s how the talent show got added this year, and gift exchange eliminated.

It’s also a great writing exercise, as the girls write one blog post for each of the dates they go on, and another on the big day itself.

I’m already excited for Festibond 2013. Perhaps this will be the year we add a mid-year Festibond, as we’ve discussed for years. It’s not a terrible idea.

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Brentdanley.com – Festibond 2007
All posts from Festibond 2012

Brent enjoyed his “Heated Affair” margarita

On Friday night, the day before our family Festibond, Brent and I went out on our date. He suggested we eat at Grace Restaurant for dinner. I met him at work and rode with him to Grace. We were both immediately drawn to the “Heated Affair” on the drink menu. The description read: “house infused strawberry-jalapeno-pineapple tequila margarita.” Brent loves jalapenos, and margaritas are usually his mixed drink of choice. We both ordered one, and agreed that it was delicious. Our waitress, Brandie, was wonderful. Her personality was charismatic, and her description of the menu items was poetic and enticing. Brent said it made him want to order everything on the menu. My lamb with sweet potatoes and kale was absolutely delectable! I love the character and atmosphere of Grace, which was previously a church built in the 1850′s.

Brent takes a photo of his amazing dinner

My lamb special was fabulous!

After dinner we hurried down to the Saco Cinemagic theater to catch the 18:30 showing of “Les Miserables.” I was really looking forward to watching it; I know and love the story and music very well. I have seen the musical on Broadway and watched the 1998 version of the film. I was so captivated by the movie that it didn’t at all seem to be the entire 157 minutes long. There were many parts which touched me emotionally and caused me to cry, but one scene in particular with Fantine and Cosette hit especially close to home, and I was sobbing. Brent noticed and reached for my hand. I absolutely loved it, and I told Brent in the end that I thought it was excellent. Not only is the story moving; but the acting, singing, and makeup were incredible.

I really enjoyed the time I spent with my sweetheart, Brent. I always do. It was nice to sit across from each other at dinner at talk, and to look at his gorgeous, smiling face. I loved sitting next to him in the movie theater, holding his hand, stealing looks and making occasional comments to each other. These are moments I cherish.

Me and Dad: pre-date photo

When we were driving to the restaurant, we had many conversations that ranged from the raindrops on the front window to school to talking about how you get from one conversation to another. When dad was driving, he went past the restaurant and when he noticed he did so, he went back and parked.

He parked across the parking lot from the restaurant and it was raining so we sprinted across the parking lot. When we got into the restaurant a waiter brought us to our table and we took our coats off and sat down. They didn’t have any more printed kids menus so the waiter just told me what there was. One of the things she said was enchilada. I didn’t know what it was so I asked and it sounded good so I got it. When I got it, it had a orange sauce on it and when I tried it, I didn’t really like the flavor and I thought was a little too hot. I told dad so and he tried it but he didn’t really think so but he let me get more without the sauce. He ordered Enchiladas de Pollo Mole Poblano which is wood oven roasted enchiladas with tender chicken breast and topped with rich Mole Poblano sauce (chocolate). He let me try it and I thought it was goood! I got two enchiladas but I only ate one and then we went to our movie.

When we got to the theater dad got the tickets and then we went to the concession stand where I got a small popcorn, a water, and snow caps and dad got a small popcorn and a soda. We went into the theater and saw a cool commercial with cave people. The movie we watched was “Rise of the Guardians”. I liked the movie a lot. Especially the funny parts. One of my favorite parts was when Santa showed Jack Frost the toy making place and Jack Frost said “I thought the elves made the toys,” when he saw the Yetis building them and Santa says “we just let them believe that” and one of the elves was wrapped in Christmas light while the other turned them on and then the one wrapped up started vibrating and Santa told the elves “keep up the good work.” Another one of my favorite parts is when the guardians are all in the sleigh and Santa says “buckle up,” and The Easter Bunny says “where are the bloody seat belts?!” and Santa responds “that was just expression!”

I enjoyed my popcorn and Sno-Caps

I love my dad and I had an awesome date!

I found a big chunk of cake in my shake.

First we drove to Sillys which is where we were going eat. When we got there mom had some trouble finding a place to park but soon she did. Then we went in, chose a place to sit, and sat there. The waitress came and asked what we we’d like to drink for starters and we both chose water. The waitress then left us to look at the menus. I decided to get the black forest cake shake and the chicken with red beans and brown rice. Mom decided to get the chocolate mint shake with graham crackers and the Sly Guy wrap. We were sitting by the window so mom noticed that she parked in fifteen minute parking but I didn’t see any ticket. When the waitress came she took our orders and later she came back with our milkshakes. Mom didn’t taste any mint in hers but I loved mine. We started talking about cars being towed, why they get towed and about paying tickets. Our food came and my chicken was a little chewy but I still liked it and mom liked her wrap. Then we finished our lunch, we put them in boxes, and went to the children’s museum.

We enjoyed our lunch at Silly’s.

When we got to the children’s museum we went to the front desk and payed, then hung up our coats and went downstairs for the play. The play we were watching was a Seussified Christmas Carol. I think they did a very good job and they all had these crazy colorful wigs.

When the play was over we went to what we thought was the veterinarian place but they changed it and it was now a invention making place. Mom just walked there but I climbed the fake tree, went through the little tunnel, through a teeny tiny room, and down a rock wall/tunnel. There was a very complex claw with different parts you had to control to pick up fake food and put it in the basket. Then we went to the fake lobster boat and I got all these lobsters, crabs, oysters, and clams back to the fake store. We got some fake money out of a fake ATM and then got a fake shopping basket. I then pretended to get seafood and other items to make mom dinner. I went to the fake cash register and checked out. Then me and mom put the items back and went to the fake barn where we fed fake hay to the fake cow with a little conveyor belt. I pumped water into the fake cows bucket and then milked the fake cow.

I love my mom!

The play was funny.

It was fun playing with the complex claw in the invention exhibit.

A little girl checked me out at the fake market.

Next we went upstairs for a little worm activity where we fed a sock puppet worm fake food and the got to hold real worms and learned they eat the leaves on the ground in the fall and poop out soil or dirt. The worm I held moved a lot and it tickled when it did. I thought it was really cute. When that was over mom went to look at a touch tank while I found a little fake restaurant with one table and I told her to come to it because I promised her I’d make her dinner when we were at the fake store so I served her breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Then I climbed up another fake tree and gave a little girl some wood to pass down a shoot. I went back down and me and mom went to a room with animal puppets and a turtle tank and stuff where I made her a little puppet show and we did some activities in there. Then we went back downstairs and we did some activities with balls like racing two balls on two ramps and adjusting a ramp for a ball to go down and land in one out of three buckets. After this we went home.

The worm tickled my hand.

I made a track to get the balls into the bucket.

I had an awesome date with my mom and I love her a lot!

My mom and I first had gone to a ballet near Portland. It was called, ‘The Magic Toy Shop’. My mom and I were very impressed by the dancers’ striking flexibility and expressions. The ballet was very funny too. You could tell the diversity of the children’s personalities, the parents, and the toys.

Mom and I about to watch “The Magic Toy Shop”

The Can Can Dolls didn’t want to be separated.

My mom and I discussed why ballets are so great. The ballerinas tell a story without talking, and that is what makes it good because they exaggerate their expressions/actions, so you understand the story. It makes the scene more moving.

After the ballet, we went to a pizza place called Ricetta’s. The pizza was very hard to eat, since my toppings kept falling off. But I had a great time, nevertheless. I just love spending time with mom. In fact, I would be satisfied if we went on a date trying to find a needle in the Saco dump.

The turtle cheesecake was fabulous!

My mom and I had some great discussions. Kirsten told me a story about her two car crashes. I thought her life must’ve been very scary. I wish I could spend time with my mom more, because she is great to hang out with. I’m glad she shares my love of the arts: ballet, music, etc.

Looking forward to next Festibond!

Brent and Jenna at Bayside Bowl

Anyway, we played two rounds. I bowled with bumpers to avoid a gutter ball but my Dad, of course, still won both rounds. At least I got the first strike. Well, my Dad is good at just about everything I guess. We had fun spending time together, and each time I went, he high fived me no matter how many pins I knocked down. That’s my Dad! He would be proud of me if I knocked one pin down. “You didn’t hit the bumper!” he’d say. I thought that was very nice of him, and I think he is a great guy. Brent got me a root beer, and he made a big deal about it because that was a once in a century thing to drink soda. I felt very very odd drinking it.

Then we went to ‘The Merry Table’. It was a crepery, and we had to walk three or so blocks in the freezing cold. But that’s okay… it wasn’t that cold. I refused to talk English until we got in, and I received many laughs from my Dad.

Jenna loves The Merry Table

Jambon et Fromage Crêpe

We both ordered a savory crepe, although he was more ambitious and ordered the Mexican crepe. It was unfortunately filled with seafood. We talked about many interesting things, but mostly we just ate our crepes, which is why I prefer to avoid dinner dates. It’s because you don’t and can’t talk very much, which misses the whole point. After the savory crepe we went ahead and ordered a dessert crepe, going with simple fruit, sugar, etc. I had a great time posing for pictures and joking with my Dad.

I’m definitely looking forward to next Festibond.

Mom picked me up from school when walkers and picker-upers were called so that we could be there early. The movie we were going to watch had just appeared in theaters and we were sure there would be a long line. When we got to the Grand Bistro Cinemagic, the line for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” consisted of two people. Mom and I sat for thirty minutes before they would let us into Auditorium 5, where the movie was playing. Only six people were there, including us. Throughout some of the movie, Mom would ask me questions about who was who. The ending was a disappointment because it was only halfway through the story. As soon as I saw the ending, I told Mom that I couldn’t wait to watch the sequel.

After the movie, Mom and I headed to Sea Dog Brewing Company. I ordered the Classic Reuben and Mom ordered the Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli. We discussed my friends, her childhood, and more.

Mom and me

On the way home, Mom and I had a singing contest. The objection was more of who was the weirdest singest rather than the best. I still think I won. :) She sang “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice and I sang “My Humps” by The Black Eyed Peas.

I think the date part of Festibond is one of the best parts. I had an amazing time with Mom and I definitely think we should spend more time together.