Celebrating Daddy

We enjoyed the perfect Father's Day, despite fitting quite a bit in!  I had a 'plan', but having not been to these places before, it was a bit risky.  Luckily, it all worked out- even better than expected- and we all had a fantastic day together.  Of course it helps when the weather cooperates!

We all went to the early service and then home quick to change and pack up.  Our first stop was for lunch in East Lyme.

Next stop was to a 'family-friendly' driving range in Madison.

Three lefties and one righty.

They had a putting practice area that was perfect for the little guys.

Once they lost interest in golf, there was a playscape to keep them entertained.

After a couple buckets of balls, we headed just a few minutes down the road to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.  It was perfect!  Easy parking, clean bath houses, and a lovely beach for the kiddos!  Unless you need big waves, I totally recommend it.

#1 Dad--provider, protector, comforter, leader, guide, priest, husband, father, son, brother, businessman, entrepreneur, friend, counselor, and all-around great guy!

It's not a day at the beach until the sand war breaks out.

Once home and clean, we ordered Chinese food and ate it out on the back deck.  Then it was time for cards and presents.

So thankful for such a devoted, hands-on dad.  It's quality and quantity time for him!  The kids are so blessed to have his presence, discipline, wisdom, and training.  He works and fights hard for our family and I couldn't ask for a better partner in raising this 6-pack.

Week 24

Monday, June 9th

Finally I got to do a bike ride with Dad.  It was sort of an early Father's Day outing.  He's been wanting me to check out his 'spot', where he and Christina have logged hundreds of miles.  It was great riding weather and a beautiful bike path along the Rhode Island coast.  The sea air was intoxicating!

We logged about 19 miles.  Afterwards, he took me to a lovely Italian bistro on Federal Hill for a yummy pasta bowl.

I love that my Dad is so adventurous.  Most of my childhood memories with him involve some sort of adventure, whether it was riding on his lap in the car and being the one to steer (a decade before my 16th birthday!), or him taking us out in a snowstorm to go 'blow donuts' in the school parking lot, countless cross-country road trips (sometimes tenting along the way), or even an impromptu night trip to the beach to build a fire in the sand and swim in the dark!  And his adventurous side has not wained.  He's 62 years old and he will still call me huffin' and puffin' and sniffling to tell me that he just sled down his hill in the snow and made it all the way to the telephone poll.  His most recent email to me was to let me know he is currently at 500 biked miles so far this year, on track for his 1,000 mile goal.

He was a wonderful, hands-on, present father growing up and somehow he's always been exactly what I've needed in a Dad, even to this day!  He's learned to change and adapt as I've grown and moved on, but still prioritizes the relationship.  He seeks me out and he's quick to ask how I am and cares about the details of my life, no matter how mundane.

Tuesday, June 10th
All the kids have bike helmets.  We'll see how long they keep track of them!

Wednesday, June 11th
Dress rehearsal #1 of 2 for the upcoming recital (i.e. 6 hrs at the high school).  I'm going to post all of recital separately, but here's one for now.  Trevor sustained a pretty bad clunk to the head about 20 minutes before he was needed on stage.  He'd spent hours entertaining the girls from his jazz class until he and a piano leg met.  Another iota of force and we would have been off to the E.R. for stitches.

Thursday, June 12th
My little garden no-helper.  She's super-cute and wants to be all up in whatever I'm doing and thinks that she is very big and very capable.

Off to dress rehearsal #2 of 2 (another 6 hrs at the high school).  Madison's ballet costume was an actual halloween pirate costume, so Rocco got to try out the pieces not used in recital.

Friday, June 13th
A couple thousand roses came from Ecuador via FedEx.  They are sold every year at recital as a fundraiser.  I clipped an inch off every stem and put them in buckets of water.  So pretty!!!

Saturday, June 14th
Busy day.  Last day of soccer AND recital!!! **noteworthy: also LAST DAY OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE SUMMER!**

Soccer was a morning jamboree with four 15 minute games, local mascots, free give-aways, etc.

That's Nathanael playing in goal.

Sunday, June 15th

Father's Day will also post separately.  Here's a preview: