--Adventures w/ Daddy--
Our kids have come to know that "Daddy" and "Adventure" go hand-in-hand. They light right up when Daddy asks them if they're ready to go on an adventure...knowing that it may be a hike, a park visit, a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood, a drive to look at houses...heck, even boring-ol' errands are exciting with this guy. These pictures were taken at Kamiak Butte, on our way back from the farm when we decided to take the day to visit the places we normally would just drive by.
--Pancakes--
No one makes them like Daddy. He puts in secret amounts of banana and cinnamon...just TRY to get the recipe from him!
--Yard Play--
Daddy is the best adult to play outside with. He always comes out with a soccer ball, frisbee, or basketball hoop. Besides that, he gives the BEST underdogs...
--Reading with Daddy--
Jeff spoils these two with reading time before bedtime. If they can put on jams and brush teeth in five minutes, they each get a book. Cozy in the blue rocker, they read books...and listen to Dad yawn...and I do recall a time that the reading put DADDY to sleep before the kids. :) They always see him reading books, too, so if our kids grow to love books like we hope they do, we can give Daddy the credit for good modeling! :)
--Night Time Fears--
Gracie has learned to go straight to Jeff's side of the bed when she gets scared in the middle of the night. Daddy has the magic touch to help her be brave. He also stuffs the pillow pets in just the right spots between the bed and the wall to help Joshy not be afraid of "the crack." And if they forget, I'm writing it down for all of posterity: he's even spent a few nights on the kids' floor in a sleeping bag to help them be brave.
--Genetic Gifts--
The kids love to talk about what they "got" from Daddy. Gracie claims his curly hair and her love of the water...Joshy has the hazel eyes and love of sweets...and if you're around either of them and you hear them talk about numbers (counting and adding right now) you'll know they both got their love of numeration from their dad. He loves to talk numbers with them.
--His love for Mommy--
And perhaps the greatest gift that he gives our kids is his love for me. :) Gracie asked us what "divorce" meant last week and I was trying to explain it by asking her if she had any friends whose mom and dad lived in separate houses. Her eyes grew wide and Jeff jumped in, to ease her worrying mind: "But you NEVER have to worry about that happening with us. Your mommy and I love each other too much to ever let that happen."
Happy Fathers Day, Jeff! We all love you and are so blessed to call you ours! :)
Okay...as a PS to this post...I've been wanting to record this funny Joshy story, and I figured the end of this post would be as good a place as any... :) So now that I've honored Jeff, I'll embarrass him. But we have to remember this story FOREVER...
One day after church, Josh had to go to the bathroom, so I took him to the ladies' restroom. We take one of the three stalls, and Josh has to sit for awhile, so he starts chatting with me while he waits.
"Mommy, there's something behind my penis. Is it my 'bagina'?"
"No, honey. Those are your testicles," I whisper. Ladies in all surrounding stalls, toddler voice MUCH louder than necessary.
He points to his bum. "Is THIS my 'bagina'?"
"Nope. You are a boy and only girls have vaginas. Gracie has one, but you're a boy so you have a penis." She is probably the teacher of this new-found vocabulary word.
"Do YOU have a 'bagina'?" he asks.
"Yep." I whisper, hoping he'll match my volume.
"Does Daddy have a 'bagina'?"
"Daddy is a boy..."
Josh lifts his index finger with realization: "PENIS!"
"Right." He's starting to understand gender anatomy.
And in a very loud, dramatic voice, he continues: "Daddy has a HUGE, HUUUUUUGE penis!"
I crack up and utter something like, "Maybe soooo..."
"No, I know!" And now he finally whispers: "I peeked when he went potty."
The lady in the stall beside us: "Wow. You learn all sorts of things in the bathroom these days!"
I had to ask Jeff if he got some funny looks as ladies walked by him on the way out...I'm pretty sure I laughed so hard that I cried...
3 comments:
Omgosh I love this post. The bathroom story is so cute and I thought we were the only ones who had to position a Pillow Pet by the crack between bed and wall;) You guys are the best, your little family is so precious. hugs, L
What a wonderful tribute to a great dad! Loved every bit of this post...but I will say, the final story had me in tears from laughing out loud. Of course I read it to Keith, who was so disappointed he'd just seen Jeff and didn't know he could have razzed him about it on the golf course earlier in the day. :) We've had all sorts of interesting anatomy conversations/questions lately at our house with the new addition, I should really be blogging about them, too.
Bathroom story of the year for sure. So funny! Love the minds of children. Thanks for sharing, I needed that giggle.
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