Father’s Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. As dads go, our family is top notch.  I grew up with a dad who was hard on us, expected us to do the right thing simply because it was the right thing.  He Taught us to work hard.  And play hard.  He taught us the value of respect and the value of family.  I appreciate most of these lessons more now than I did when I was growing up. 

Jim’s dad raised him in much the same way.  Respect, honesty, hard work and doing what is right.  They were different as men, but the same in values.  

And my kid’s dad.  My forever best everything.  He has tried to put the same values and respect into our kids.  He raised them to be honest and helpful, with a touch of safety and rule following.  I often joke that Jim is my exact opposite.  And for the most part, that is true, but the things he adds to our family are the exact things we need here, and I am forever grateful for that. 

Jim is a lover of teaching kids to do things.  He is patient and allows them to make mistakes.  (mostly patient).  I have sometimes cringed as he allowed the kids to use power tools, help him with projects I never would have imagined they were "ready" to tackle, and answered their questions honesty, sometimes leading to them having more information than what was probably needed.  I love the way he is confident that he can teach them and jumps to it.  Which is part of why I love these pictures that Andrew sent of him helping Wrenley fish.  

Which brings me to the next father on my list, my son-in-law, Andrew.  He is a good dad to his kids, puts up with all the girl drama from my daughter, and keeps them all well supplied with all the things they "need."  He is also a great friend to Jim, which in my eyes is awesome.  I tease Madison a lot about her dad "stealing" her husband, and about being a fishing widow.  In all honesty, I appreciate Andrew, who is always ready to help with anything we need, drags Jim out fishing, keeps our mower going, and has rescued all of us more times than I care to admit.  I am happy he is part of our family, and happy that my grandkids have such good dad!'

Might have to rat these boys out a little though, as I was out working in the yard on Saturday morning and came in to find Jim and Andrew scheming away.  Madison had to work - so Andrew decided to take the girls camping at the county lake.  He then asked if Jim could "help him out by coming over there with firewood and a few other supplies."  I reminded Jim that they had already used this excuse before, and that they might have to get more creative!  In all honesty, I think it is awesome how they cook up fishing plans, take the girls, (and would take anyone else who wanted to spend hours fishing), and then they hang out, with their mutual lists of things they are working on catching.  Jim wasn't home when I got home from work.  He was still out fishing.  When he got home, he was excited about a second trip for Father's Day!  Never enough fishing.  

 

When the kids showed up for Sunday lunch, Evie was all excited to tell us how she had lost her first tooth.  My first thought was - FINALLY!  She had been wiggling that tooth for months!  My second thought was NOOO!  She isn't old enough for this!  I know how this works - they start school. lose teeth, get busy with friends, learn to drive, and the next thing you know, you are moving them to college.  IT IS TOO FAST!!  Time really is a thief.  I cannot believe she is already here.  She should still be the little baby with the rolls and sweet little giggles.  SLOW DOWN!  

Cameron came down for lunch, and it was really nice to see him - and I think he had fun getting "dunked" by the girls.  We were having fun in the pool, when Jim came to ask if I would mind watching the girls because Madison had to work, and he and Andrew wanted to go to fish at the spillway.  I told him I didn't mind at all, but that I was hoping that Andrew might help him put the blades back on the mower first.  I have never seen a mower get repaired so quickly!  Mower fixed, they were loaded and out the door.  Cameron hung out for a while with us, and then decided to go meet up with the boys for some fishing.  Madison left for work.

Wrenley decided she needed to do her makeup.  Isn't she beautiful? 

Outside time needed!  We played with baby chickens, which Evie has decided she will protect to keep us from having them for dinner! 

We took some pony rides.  Coco was much more interested in munching clover than he was in giving rides.  The girls were fine with that - they kind of freak out when he moves!  Evie is getting so long, she almost touches the ground on his back!  He is a really good little pony - very gentle with the kids and fairly forgiving of Maude who was up under his space.  

We played on the swing set.  Wrenley exhibits zero fear. 

Quincy was coloring on the sidewalks with chalk with the girls, and then was showing them how she used to climb to the top of the swing set and jump off.  Then Wrenley decided to try it!  Quincy said "see mom, this is why I will never have kids, because I can't keep them safe!"  At least she acknowledged there are problems!  :)  

Cameron gave his official clipboard to Evie.  She had fun using it as a reason to boss people around! 

Preston called and talked to us for a while.  Sunny sent me some pictures from their weekend.  I know they are doing good stuff, but I miss them.  I can't wait to see them soon!

Harper, Saige and Quincy helped me with the girls.  We had lots of fun, and they were getting pretty tired when Andrew texted to tell me they were on their way home.  I let the girls brush the pony a bit more, we put the goats back in (we let them out to graze a bit), and we went inside and had snacks.  No Jim or Andrew.  We did a few more things, no boys.  I finally texted them, and got no response.  An hour went boy.  I was sort of starting to worry, but not panic - when in they came.  They said they finished fishing, and headed home, but then decided to drop a line in the creek below our house with the 4 worms they had left.  They started catching crawdads.  So in they come oblivious to my worry, with a bucket full of crawdads.  I told Evie it was like when we were in Louisiana, and we would be fixing them for next weekend for dinner.  She was horrified!  Andrew took the girls home, and Jim and I spent the next 2 hours cleaning out the old hot tub "fish pond" so that Jim could keep his new pets in there!  I had been meaning to do that any way!  We caught and counted the fist - even after I accidentally froze their tank last winter, there were still 16 goldfish!  Now they have some new friends, and the tank is clean so I can see them all - everyone is happy!  

It was a good Father's Day and a good weekend!  I hope the girls slept well - I know I did!  :)