Happy Father's Day!

Today we celebrated Ben's first Father's Day as a daddy of two amazing children.  Even though Father's Day fell smack dab in the middle of Ben's pilot year of his EACBSA Atchafalaya Swampbase and he was super busy, we managed to get in some quality time with the best daddy on the planet.  Ben's Father's Day gifts were super fun to make this year with two little ones and judging from his reaction, Ben thoroughly enjoyed them.

One gift we made Ben didn't turn out exactly how I had envisioned, but it still got the point across.  We found a sweet Daddy poem, printed it out, and the kids stamped their hands and feet around the words, then mod podged it all to canvas.  I will post a pic of it below, but would like to share the poem we used for the project, written by Helen Bush.

"Walk with me daddy"

Walk alongside me, daddy

and hold my little hand.
I have so many things to learn

that I don't yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe

from dangers every day.

Show me how to do my best

at home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand

to guide them as they grow.

So walk alongside me, daddy

We have a long way to go.

The next gift we gave Ben was equally fun and challenging to make with a four, nearly 3 month old, and spoiled rotten mutt.  I bought the letters D, A, D from Hobby Lobby and took pics with Will holding the D, Will, Lily, and Lulu holding the A, and Lily holding the other D.  As anticipated Will's pics were quick and painless to take, while Lily's and Lulu's were not quite as easy.  Lily had been smiling the whole morning of the photo shoot, but as soon as I put the dress on that she was wearing for the picture, the smile turned upside down and she was not having it.  So, after a much needed break and little nap, I got her smiling again.  Then, as I started getting pics of her smiling the camera battery died, so I had to recharge it a few minutes, take a pic, recharge, take a pic, etc.  This process continued for about 30 minutes.  After finally getting a good photo of Lily, I had to take the pic of all three of the kiddos, which was equally as challenging.  I had to get Lily to smile, Lulu to actually look at the camera, and Will to stop asking, "When are we going to be done?"  It was priceless.  The process was definitely challenging, yet memorable at the same time, and the final product turned out great!

Finally, last but not least, Ben's final present was a big hit...more so for myself and Will then for Ben.  Over the past year, Will has really been into superheros and loves to play superhero with Ben.  We thought it extremely unfair that only Will had the actual costumes.  And, seeing that Will's favorite superhero up to this point has been Batman, it only seemed logical that Batman's sidekick, Robin or his arch nemesis The Joker, would be an appropriate costume choice for Ben.  So, after much deliberation, Will decided to get his daddy a Robin costume.  Need I say more?  Please enjoy the pics!

All joking aside, Ben in case I haven't told you lately, you are the best daddy in the world and everything good that has happened or will happen to our kids in their lifetime will inevitably be in part because of you.  So,  Happy Father's Day Darlin!  We love you more than you will ever know!

Trike a Thon

Along with many firsts Will has encountered at school this year, he participated in his first trike a thon in an effort to raise money for St. Jude.  The fun started a few days before the race when he had to make a decision about which of his many riding toys he was going to bring.  He for some reason wanted to bring his little tricycle, but thankfully took Ben's and my advice and took his big boy bike.  The day of the race came and true to form, Will was a little hesitant to ride with all of the parents watching.  However, as the trike a thon rolled along, he got the hang of it and started riding more quickly even making a few strategic passes which made his daddy proud :)  Once the ride was over he enjoyed a delicious snack of cheez its and water.  All in all it was a successful event.  Thanks to both sets of grandparents for sponsoring Will in the race!

Obviously a little apprehensive at the beginning of the ride.

Action Shot

Motivating cousins