he loved his book.

How We Know Dad Loves Us

It's harder to imagine a sweeter concept than LOVE in the family.

This Father's Day the kids and I worked to create a simple gift for their dad that expresses their gratitude not only for how great he is, but also to show that they KNOW he loves them.

I stumbled upon a fantastic little book early this month, and knew Mr. Dub needed to read it.  It's a sweetly illustrated story about terms of endearment from around the world.

Mr. Dub is not usually a man of many words, but when it comes to his kids, he has a long list of names he uses to let them know they are loved by HIM.  This list grew longer as our kids began to out-populate us.  The names he uses to refer to his kids are MANY.  We decided to compile them and give Dub his own insert in the back of the book.  Really, he deserves his very own book because of the number of way he affectionately refers to his kids, but this will do for now.  I interviewed each of the kids using the same list of questions and asked them to list all of the names their dad uses to refer to them.  Here's what we came up with:

One thing that makes my dad a good dad is: he likes to play with me.  He also likes to lay in bed at night and tell me stories.  The name that my dad calls me is Scooby.  He's really good at fishing.  Some other names that he calls me are Rooby, Roobasaurus, May-May, Little Pimple, Shoomanni and Wind in Your Pants.  My dad is happy when he has Diet Coke and watches American Pickers or The Hatfields and McCoys.

My dad's been my dad for my whole life.  He works as an aircraft engineer designing airplanes that the military guys fight with (like fighter jets).  One name that he calls me is Leeli.  I like the way he treats other people.  Some other names he has for me are Little Princess, Little Pimple, Lamb Chop, Sweetie, Leeli Pants, Leeber Two Thousand and Sweet-Love-Of-Mine.  We are alike because I am his daughter and I look like him.  I really love him.

 My dad calls me Rooney.  He also calls me Swedish Princess, Dodo, Daughter Two, Banshee Hen and Beautiful.  We're alike because he tells me we're both Swedish.  Things that make my dad happy are Kimball's, Dr. Quinn, diet coke and dance parties.  I know my dad loves me because no matter how many times I push him away, he always comes back for more affection.  He's a hard worker for the family and I love him.

 My dad has been my dad for seventeen years.  I like it when we go on car rides together.  One name that my dad calls me is "Ya-Ya."  His dance moves make me laugh.  I like that he's willing to admit when he's wrong.  His motto is "Happy Wife, Happy Life." He's good at fixing things in the house, and can fix just about anything.  Some other names he calls me are Mrs. Pants, Ya-Pants, Daughter #1 and Jenny Junior.  I know he loves me because he often tells me.  I wouldn't rather have any other dad.

 My favorite things to do with my dad are outdoors-y things like hiking, canoeing and cycling.  As for any special names my dad uses for me - [Enrique's] fine.  He's a really good fixer and is good at wood working.  His patience while working with wood is commendable.  He sometimes calls me Kenneth.  His laugh makes me laugh, and we're alike in that we both enjoy making people laugh.  One thing that sets us apart is his hairline.  I know Dad loves me because he always tries to stay in touch with me no matter how bad I am at reciprocating.

My dad always likes to do stuff with me.  My favorite thing to do with him is to play pool.  He's really good at doing chores, but not very good at staying up past 10:00 pm.  One name my dad calls me is Roofio.  Family Home Evening and John Wayne make him happy.  Other names he uses for me are Dufus and Doofy-o.  He and I are alike because we have the same patience level.  We're different because I like motorcycles.  I know he loves me because he tells me.  He's been my dad forever.  I love him.

This crew is loved by their dad and they know it.

Happy Father's Day to our own endearing Mr. Dub!

crazy good

It's already Thursday afternoon.

And the rain!

It has been constant.

But WOW is everything lush and verdant.

Because of the foliage, spotting the bus-waiter in his favorite tree in the morning is no simple task.

I heard something about wildfires out west... I can hardly believe there would be such a thing with all the moisture we've had this year.  I wish I could express-ship some where it's most needed.  Except for the chill, on days like this where I drive around and gasp with wonder at the beauty, 

I feel like maybe we might live on the very border of 

THE Garden of Eden.  Truly.

As soon as the last of my four students got on the bus this morning, I ran outside and hopped on the tractor to mow the lawn.  With all my safety gear, I'm a sight to behold.  The grass had grown so much since last week that our yard was looking like maybe we were going to rent animals and host a neighborhood safari.  The rain and I were nose to nose... it was dry when I started, but the skies were threatening.  Just when I was feeling good, wouldn't you know I ran out of gas.  A precious twenty minutes were spent racing to the gas station and back.  The last hour mowing involved a steady drizzle.  The lawn is now looking spiffy and enjoying a shower that is supposed to last another day.

Meanwhile I will admit to succumbing to a mid week break-down.  This time of year gets CRAZY.  Multiply crazy times a crazy-large family... organizing a crazy-fun Ward Father's Day weekend camp out and orchestrating a crazy-top-secret teacher thank you gift.  There's always more.  The list is crazy-long.  The scope of detail management I've been overseeing of late is crazy-intense.  

But with help from multiple villages, 
breakfast dessert

and a Dub (dibs) 

who knows just when to help me breathe 

it's all crazy-good.

Twenty-TWO?

twenty-TWO?

 It's Yonder's birthday!

Look how quickly 22 years go...

He STILL feels at home on a bike.

(altho' his dream bike has a fast motor and goes zero to fifty in a few seconds)

He was supposed to be born July 4th weekend, but couldn't wait one day longer.  He was our June 9th surprise and has been rocking our world for 22 years.

 Happy Birthday Big Boy!

I hope your birthday cake requires two fists.

XOXO

high on service

These three spent the day in Boston at the Special Olympics.  They served as volunteers in various capacities at the track and field events.

They came home cheerful and chatting about their experiences and the great athletes who competed.  There was no dessert tonight--they're on a service high.

Service allows us to practice doing what Jesus would do. It connects us to those we serve and gives us a kind of satisfaction that self-interest can never offer.

Ancestor Day

I love second grade.

I've said it before.

This time I want to point out that I'm really going to miss it.

I guess you could say this is my seventh time through: once for myself, and once for each of the six kids.

I'm a strong believer in parental involvement in the schools... do what you can where you're able.  Our kids have done well in school, but know that being involved comes with parental benefits too:

-I'm a better speller.

-Addition and subtraction are no problem.

-I enjoy a WIDE range of literature.

-Reading is my favorite subject.

 -Many creatures that I maybe did not care about (hello piranha and blob fish) are now like extended family.

My organizational skills are emerging.

I pride myself on getting along with others.

-

Morning Boy is closing out his second grade year with a project that has entailed researching an ancestor and the culture they came from.  With some help from the next generation (thanks Mom), he chose Malcom Douglas Scott and the country of Scotland.

Many hours of study and preparation went into this project; individually and as a class.

Today was Presentation Day.

Here is our wee bonny lad showing a picture of his Great-Great Grandfather Malcom on his mule.  Malcom Douglas Scott was a farmer. He made milk deliveries to residents in his town (Franklin, MA).

 There were lots of interesting facts about Scotland to discover, one of which was very exciting. We are direct descendants of a King of Scotland: John Baliol, king for a brief time circa 1292.  Morning boy wore his Grandfather's McLeod clan Scottish tartan tie.  The lad looked smart!

 He spoke about castles and the Loch Ness Monster. Salmon was the food he picked to share with the class.

 He wasn't thrilled to have to sing on stage and managed to hide behind a girl who covered him nicely.

He was all smiles when they finished.

I'm guessing there won't be many more days of wearing large colored labels on the forehead.  I'm cherishing the moment.

what happens when the camera is left unattended