Daddy Date

One of my 2008 goals is to do more things with my wife and kids that will make memories and deepen our relationships. So this morning I took my three year old daughter Isabelle out for breakfast at the new waffle restaurant in town: Sweet Lou’s Waffle Bar. It was very sweet. I helped her pick out a dress and put a headband in her hair. Then she got to ride in Daddy’s car. She picked out the table, drank some orange juice and enjoyed strawberries, bananas, whipped cream and a scoop of ice cream. I ate the waffle, which was very good.

I got to tell her how pretty and sweet she is. She told me she likes playing with her dolls and telephones, “A pink phone with the big buttons!” A highlight of the morning was when a man walked by, looked at Izzy and said, “Hey there Toots!” Izzy had the most beautiful smile of bashfulness on her face when she turned and looked at me.

When we left the place I opened all the doors for her and then told her to remember that ‘if a boy doesn’t open the door for you – he’s not the man for you.’ After a few more dates I hope she’ll remember!

The Developing Computer Skills of My Kids

Tonight Stephanie took Isabelle and Andrew on a quick errand. While they were gone I sat done to read a book but my attention was quickly drawn to the computer screen. My four year old was sitting on the chair in front of the desk with his feet hanging a foot and a half from the ground, playing computer games on pbskids.org.

I was shocked as I watched him navigate the screen and follow the prompts he was given. Amazingly he knew how to manipulate the mouse to select and move things on the screen. He also knew how to identify and utilize the back arrow so that he could return to the main game option screen. These are skills he has developed almost completely on his own by watching Stephanie and I and trough trial and error. My three year old is close behind him, watching and learning from her older brother.

First Time Dropping the Kids Off at Preschool

It is a weird feeling to have to rely on your 4 and 3 year old children for guidance. Today is my day off so I was lucky enough to get a chance to drop the kids off at preschool today; usually Stephanie gets that privilege. I didn’t have any idea what the routine was but the kids did.

They showed me where to park, what door to enter, where their coats and backpacks go, where they wash their hands, and where they find their name tags. I was just along for the ride and cherishing ever moment of it. An especially touching moment was watching my kids play and interact with others kids from my hiding spot in the periphery of the room. I can’t believe how big they are getting!

Mr. Halloween is Scary

Stephanie told me that Isabelle is a little concerned about Halloween coming up. So I asked Izzy, “Are you excited for Halloween?” to which she replied, “No, he is scary!”

Izzy thinks Halloween is a scary man. Funny.

First Day of Preschool

Tonight I went and visited my kids preschool; it was the first of what I am sure will be many school open houses. Kind of a surreal feeling to have two kids in preschool.

They go twice a week, which is just enough time for them, and it also frees my wife up to work on her Tupperware business in a quiet home. Stephanie posted more about their first day of school here.

Both Jacob and Izzy seem to be adjusting well, though Isabelle needs a touch more redirecting sometimes. I am proud of the way they listen and play and befriend others in their class. They are good kids and I am fortunate to be their father.

Breakfast with Isabelle

My son Jacob spent last night with his grandparents, so for a special treat I took my daughter Isabelle to Perkins for breakfast this morning. We had a great time eating sausages and pancakes. It was touchingly sweet for me to hold her little hand as we walked across the parking lot and to watch her color and sip her chocolate milk.

Isabelle is a fireball in our house with a tremendously strong will. She is very smart and intuitively understands how to assert herself and stand her ground when she is passionate about something. She makes me laugh and fume inside all at once. There’s a saying that I’ve heard that rings deeply true with me: “Every guy wants a son but it the daughter that steals your heart.”

Vacation Highlight #2

Loved having extended, uninterrupted time to be with the kids. Working so far from home and so many hours each week wears on me sometimes. It was nice to wake up and know that I would be available to the kids each day. We did lots of fun things. A few highlights for me were…

1. Driving to South Bend and visiting the beautiful Notre Dame campus. Go Irish!
2. Taking Jacob and Izzy to watch Surf’s Up at the movie theater. (only 2 0f 5 stars though)
3. Walking around St. Joseph looking at all the painted cars and having ice cream.
4. Playing in the waves of Lake Michigan.
5. Jumping on the trampoline.
6. Going walleye fishing with Jake and catching some big ones.
7. Swimming and playing the pool.
8. Multiple wrestling matches in the bedroom. jujhj

You can see pictures of many of these events here.

What My Kids Would Say on Mother’s Day

I am sure many blogger will be taking the opportunity today to publicly brag up the special women in their lives. I am no different. Sometimes I wonder what my kids would say if they could fully comprehend and articulate all that Stephanie does for them. I’d bet they would say something like this:

My mom is the best because….
- she always gets up at night to help us when we’re sick
- she takes us garage sailing and buys us Toy Story and Clifford toys
- she sits in the driveway while we ride our bikes outside
- she takes us to Taco John’s for potatoes and cheese
- she brings us to the park and the play land
- she takes the time to listen to us
- she prays with us when we are scared
- she is more patient than Daddy
- she reads us books over and over again
- she makes us lunch and dinner almost everyday
- she shows us how to blow bubbles, and write letters, and color pictures, and get ourselves dressed, and how to sing the ABC’s when we wash our hands
- she brings us to church so we can hear about Jesus
- she works outside our house at night so we can have some extra money
- she cares about how we look when we leave the house
- she loves Daddy and keeps him happy
- she gets my bottle and feeds me every night, keeps my diaper clean and dry, does amazing/ disgusting things with Q-tips, lugs me around all day (from Andrew)
- she buys us treats like donuts or slushies when we run errands
- she is full of laughter and fun
- she doesn’t run the house like a dictator and is more concerned with happiness than cleanliness
- she holds me when I am hurting and kisses my bruises
- she reads her Bible and prays to Jesus for strength and guidance
- she wants to celebrate us and create memories we can have forever
- she never gives up on our family, no matter what Daddy does
- she watches movies with us
- she lets us cuddle with her in her bed
- she sings to us and dances with us
- she helps us cut out shapes in play dough
- she tries to be the best mommy that she can be

Mommy, you do so much for everyone in our family. Without you we would be a major disaster. We love you so much and we appreciate all that you are. You are the glue that holds it all in place. And we are blessed to have you in our lives. Never question the positive impact you are having on our futures. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day. With love and adoration,

Jacob, Isabelle, and Drew (with a little help from Daddy)

*All of the themes expressed by my kids are things I could say ‘Thank You’ to my own mother for as well. Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

Evening Rundown

Stephanie was in Owatonna tonight doing a Tupperware party and her mom graciously offered to watch Andrew so it was just Jacob, Isabelle and I tonight. Here’s rundown of the night with Dad.

4 pm – Jog to the park
4:45 pm – Move on to the next park
5:30 pm – Head off to the Monticello Community Center to go swimming
6:30 pm – Dry off by playing in the MCC play land
7:00 pm – Hang out at the ‘coffee station’ (Caribou Coffee)
7:30 pm – Wander the toy isles of Target eating some bread samples we found in the bakery area (Jacob is all about the animals and Izzy is all about dress up and Barbie)
8:00 pm – Eat hot dogs, chips and salsa, and apple juice for dinner
8:45 pm – Read a couple books, brush teeth, pray, sing, hugs and kisses, sleep

I wonder if I will ever stop marveling at how beautiful and precious my kids are?

It was pretty special to watch Jacob put his own Velcro shoes on tonight, though it was sad for two reasons: 1) I promised myself my kids would never wear Velcro shoes, 2) It is another milestone of independence for a kid who increasingly needs less help from his daddy. Yes, I know he needs me in many other ways, but those small tasks like getting on shoes, brushing teeth, using eating utensils, etc. are activities that I subconsciously cherish.

The Central Questions My Kids Are Asking

(picture stolen from Stephanie’s blog)

Stephanie has been working hard with Isabelle over the last week to get her potty trained and we are experiencing some good results. Jacob didn’t get the toilet thing until he was 3. Isabelle is less than 2.5, but I hear girls usually catch on faster and Izzy is very girly. So girly in fact that the last two times her Nana has given her money she has picked out and purchased dress up shoes and the princess dress she is wearing above. Izzy loves to play in her mommy’s make-up and she is constantly using the phrase “That is so cute.” It is especially adorable (and, I think, very revealing about the feminine soul) how Isabelle will ask me, “Am I a princess?”. Which of course she is!

Jacob, on the other hand, is all boy. He wants to play outside, ride his bike, and wrestle. With his gift money he bought a toy shark and a toy T-Rex. Jacob loves to imagine his animals doing battle. The constant question Jacob asks is not like Isabelle’s “Daddy am I beautiful?” Jacob seeks my pleasure in himself, he wanted to impress me and show me he can do things. He is constantly asking, “Daddy are you proud of me?” Which of course I am!

All of my kids are so different (I can only imagine what Andrew will be like as he grows older) but I believe that there are some fundamental things that they are seeking from their mother and me. And my job as a parent is to meet those essential emotional needs. With God’s grace I am doing my best.

PS- The thought that I only have one more kid in diapers is very exciting.