parent/child dates

We try to have parent/child dates with each of our kids every so often. With five children ranging through a ten year span (oldest being 17, youngest being 6) I must admit that sometimes it is who is the loudest who gets heard.
Some times these parent/child dates are planned months in advance and take a lot of $$ (such as our trip to the Tucson Symphony or Gaslight theater), other times it is as simple as a trip to Burger King because they have a particular toy a certain child wants (we really don't eat out much at all so fast food is a special treat).
Molly and I went to see 17 Again last night at the cheap theaters. It was nice to spend time together. The movie has been out awhile (it's probably already out on video) but Molly really wanted to see it in the theater so we went to the only evening showing: ten p.m. It was quiet though and fun to be together.
Thursday night James took Reid to his middle school open house. Not exactly a parent/child 'date' but nice for some one on one time. I went with Austin to see DCI (drum corp international) in high definition at one of our local theaters. It was a fabulous show featuring competitive marching bands throughout the United States. It was nice to share one of his interests with him.
This morning James has taken Austin for a game of golfing. Austin hasn't been golfing since we went to Washington and my dad took him. I'm glad they can go together (and I'm glad not to go out in this heat).
In writing this it looks like Chase and Ryan are next to receive a parent/child date. They are pretty happy with a trip to Target alone with mom or a drive to Dairy Queen. Maybe today's the day - that sounds just about right on this hot, summer day.