Dads

Of all the things and the people in the world that I love, my father is one the most special. He's loved and taken care of my mother for many years. He provided for his family, even if it meant a two hour daily commute, and not seeing us as often as we'd like. Even if it meant not seeing us kids at all, because he worked the night shift, and had to leave before we got home from school, and went to bed before we woke up. Even if it meant living in a different state for a year or more, while we packed up the house and tried to sell it.

Through everything my mother was incredibly patient, even though she hated being apart from him for so long.

My dad brings my mom flowers and chocolates whenever he wants, just to let her know he still cares. (He also offers them as an apology for when he messes up sometimes...) And he frequently tells her, "Hey! I love you! Why haven't you kissed me yet today?"

My dad is sarcastic, and fun to joke around with. He loves word games, and science shows, and puns. He loves Jazz and listens to it in the garage while he works on wood projects, like the rolling island cabinets he built for the kitchen for my mom.

When I was little, he taught me the abc's. His version is quite a bit different than the usual abc's, though, and got me into trouble in kindergarten. It goes like this:

"AB C D ?"

"L M NO ..."

"O S M R, AB. C M P N D C?"

I this case, the letters are spoken as if they were words, and I think it sounds like little children speaking. The goldfish icon was free to use by Jellybeanadopts on Deviantart. I thank her for helping me to illustrate this cherished childhood memory. The translation to the poem is like so; 

"Abee see the goldfish?

"Elle, them no goldfish...."

"Oh yes them are, Abee. See them pee in the sea?"

So, my dad is pretty hilarious. My mom had to tell the teacher to ask me to say the other alphabet. Then I got it right.

My dad is the greatest. I think the only person who comes close is my husband. He is such a good daddy. He makes time every day to play with our little squirt, and any time I throw something new at him when it comes to the baby, he takes it in stride, trusts my instincts, and asks how he can help.

I decided yesterday it would be good to start teaching Lochlan some sign language to help  him communicate until he's more verbal. Captain Leo jumped right on board and started signing along with me. He even learned the ASL term for "Pirate". 

He also takes care of the baby when I need my tail time, or any time out of the house, for that matter. I've come home to him sitting in the nursery with Lochlan, reading him a story and feeding him a bottle. He was also totally amazing during the ren faire, when I needed to be there every weekend. It was hard on him, I know, but he was such a trooper and kept the baby happy, and pale (in other words, covered in sunblock and out of the dangerous rays).

No Doubt about it. I have the greatest men in my life. Period.