happy father's day

I think Kim had a great day! It included homemade cards, a SodaStream, the U.S. Open, a dish of 7-layer dip, and burgers on the grill. But if you ask him, I'm sure he'll say his favorite part was this: 

If you guessed that this was Lauren's idea, you are correct. She came to me a few days ago and said, 

"I know what we should make Dad for Father's Day!" 

"Yes?"

"A FUZZY CELL PHONE CASE." 

I must have given her a quizzical look, because she immediately launched into a how-to: "We could get some pompoms, the NEON kind, and glue them all over the case." I laughed, but I knew she was onto something. On an errand to the craft store I spotted the pompoms and brought them home to three very happy girls who quickly went to work. The results exceeded their expectations, though this photo suggests the prototype might need a little work.

Lauren is not dissuaded. Thanks in large part to the confidence and entrepreneurial spirit her father has instilled in her, she's announced a plan to trouble shoot and mass-produce her fuzzy phone cases in a new Etsy shop! The large crowd of people who gathered around Kim and laughed hysterically in the church lobby will be pleased to know that they, too, can have a fuzzy phone case of their own, 

unless . . . 

happy birthday, dear kim

This morning the girls awakened Kim with cheers of "Happy birthday!" and little hands bearing gifts. Together, they held three envelopes they had made out of wrapping paper, and tied carefully with bows.

The first was from Lauren. Inside was a picture she drew just for her daddy. "Thank you!" Kim said, surveying the long row of red dots and a large, red triangle. "What is it?"

"It's firetrucks driving to a volcano."

"I love it."

"You're welcome."

The next was from Ella. Inside were four quarters. They were all state quarters, which makes me think that Ella has learned one of the secrets of successful gift giving: giving exactly what you would like yourself. (It was, however, easier in this case since the quarters came from states she has already filled on her collector's map.)

And finally, a poem from Ella:

"Rosis are reb,

Vilits are blu,

And all I love

is you, you, YOU, YOU, YOU."

I gave him a new Titleist/ASU hat. Much needed, and quite well-liked. It looks nice on him. And Mom and Dad bought him his all-time favorite gift for any occasion: a dozen golf balls.

He's at the driving range now, but we're dropping off the girls at the sitter and going to dinner tonight. I love birthdays!

happy father's day

Kim purchased two fancy, new golf clubs for himself for Father's Day, but I think the cards the girls made him are even better.

The card Ella made at school is absolutely covered in glitter (picture hopefully coming soon) with multi-colored zig zags decorating both sides. As I admired every garish detail she explained, "I tried to make it as Mexican as I could."
"Really? Why would you do that?" I smiled.
"Because Daddy's Mexican."

The card she made at home shows the growing creativity that's been really fun to see in her drawings lately. On the front, she drew a Jetsons-inspired space vehicle, complete with bubble canopy, powered by rockets and suspended by a huge bunch of balloons. On the inside, it says, "I love you to Mrse -- anD Back."

The dictated content of Lauren's card included heartfelt appreciation: "Thank you for inviting me to go with you to your work house. I hope you had a great day at work with me, and another day when you go to work. I love you giving me some hugs and kisses. And thank you for letting me watch movies all the day. From, Lauren." When we finished she said, "Oh, and we can't forget thank you for making homemade bread!" I suggested she draw the bread, so she did -- a lovely, purple loaf.

Today after church we had a U.S. Open barbeque picnic in the living room, complete with Kim's favorite cheddarwurst, kettle chips and Dr. Pepper in his new, huge plastic cup big enough to fit an entire tray of ice.

Happy Father's Day. We love you, Kim. xoxo

happy birthday to daddy

He's 31 today! To celebrate, we went out for Mexican food and gave him his gifts. The girls made him cards (Ella's included a piece of gum taped on the front and Lauren's featured a very good drawing of "Mike" from Monsters Inc.) and we gave him some of his favorite golf balls emblazoned with the words "PRACTICE MAKES AWESOME." After a nice dinner we went home, built a cozy fire, and roasted marshmallows for dessert. It was a fun night.

Happy birthday, Kim!