Robots, pelicans, and good times were created.
Category: Tom
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Tom is a genius
Today got off to a rocky start. We had planned to go to IKEA and pick up a few pressing items, but Neko collapsed into a heap of tears and tantrums at the very mention. We thought she might just have low blood sugar, having been up for two hours with no breakfast (a recurring problem), so we made a last-ditch effort at the coffee shop with muffins.
Even after some breakfast, she still insisted she just wanted to stay home. And when we had a chance to think about it, we realized we should honor her request. It's been a long week for her, and although we've always been busy, she's used to spending much more of her day around the house. So I packed Ellery and Shep up for IKEA and Tom stayed home with Neko.
It was the best thing we could have done.
When I returned home, I was greeted with the conversion of the playgym into a full-blown pirate ship. They had crafted a pirate costume, periscope, anchor, television (which, clearly every pirate ship should have), beds for she and Shep, and a fully-functional pirate flag which went up and down. Even Captain Feathersword was taped to the side of the ship to take part.
Although Tom had a big hand in construction, he insists that most of the ideas were Neko's, and the two of them couldn't have been more delighted at the results.
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Orange and parrots
I know I’ve said it before, but I love the stuff that Tom brings to the parenting table. Like a 7:30am jam session with the little orange amp. When I’m squirreled away in the bedroom, knee deep in finances I get to hear pre-school improv. Excellent.Bonus photo of Neko and parrots, which, just so you know, we have agreed she may get a real one when she is 18. And thank goodness she has not solidified her grasp on the concept of time, since she will happily tell most strangers that Sally is a toy, but she will getting a real one when she is 18, as if that is just around the corner. I cross my fingers like a used car salesman, and hope this phase passes before she realizes the terms she has negotiated.
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Father’s Day
It's Father's Day.
I suppose the first thing I should note is that Tom let me go to the last day of my quilting class instead of being home for Father's Day. Of course, he wasn't here for the first part of Mother's Day, so I think we can agree that it's pretty much a wash.
It's always tough to figure out what to do for Father's Day. We're not much for big gifts on that day, but we like to do some sort of thoughtful token. And as the kids get older, I like to have them involved.
This year? We made jam. When the kids found out we were making a surprise for their dad, they dove right in. Neko and Shep cut every strawberry, and took turns squashing them. They supervised from a safe distance while it cooked, and all three kids happily volunteered to test out the results. Later, Neko drew a picture for the lid and wrote out each word while I spelled.
Making these gifts is getting more and more fun. The first few years it was just me who made an effort to tell Tom what a fabulous father he is, but now the kids are getting in on the act, too.
So it might just be a pint of jam, but it represents a world of love and appreciation for all the things Tom does as the dad around here. While I know I provide loads of good experiences for the kids, he teaches them in ways I never could. From robot voices to spinning vinyl, he seamlessly fills in the gaps, and helps to make our kids these whole, amazing people that they have become.
I'd be remiss to not mention my own father, who deserves just as many props on this day. Thank goodness he realizes I've got my hands full guiding my own kids through their first experiences with this holiday, and was happy with just a phone call. Hooray for dads who get it and understand.
Happy Father's Day to you both.
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Wendy turns 36 without crying
Having won the Most Amazing Dad Ever award yesterday, Tom decided today was about Most Amazing Husband Ever.
In the morning I unwrapped presents to happily discover a new toaster oven. Not romantic, but desperately needed. Then I also received this Playmobil ice cream truck. This might not seem particularly impressive unless you knew that Playmobil does not make an ice cream truck. Tom found a website where someone detailed how to modify the DHL truck into an ice cream truck.
But never one to settle for mediocrity, Tom utilized his circuit-bending knowledge to install a small recording/speaker system which allows the truck to play ice cream truck music at the touch of a button. Excellent!
A bit later I headed off for my day with the kids. Story hour in the morning, and then off to tumbling in the afternoon. I was chasing Shep around class when I turned around and came face-to-face with Tom. I soon found myself in a car by myself, on the way to a massage. Later, off to dinner with Tom and R&D.
Find an empty spot on the shelf. The trophy will be arriving shortly.
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Pre-birthday dinosaurs
Today, I went to Dayton to meet up with Chris. We’re desperately trying to wrap up some way overdue projects. We reserved today to finish one. Chris bargained back that if he wrapped it up early, we could go to IKEA and I could peek in on their house-shopping process.
By mid-morning we were sitting in the IKEA restaurant, calling Beth to let her know we’d posted their site, and eating a 99¢ breakfast.
Tom took the kids for the day, and his mom came over to lend a hand.
When I walked in the door at 5pm, I was ambushed by two kids who were bursting with so much excitement that they could hardly spit words out. “Mom! Card! Project! Birthday!” While I had been away, they had clearly been working on some things for my birthday tomorrow.
They couldn’t stand it, and with my permission, they busted out their birthday creations early. Barb had brought over her stamping supplies and helped each one of them make me a card. And then Tom, the Most Amazing Dad Ever, had coordinated a project where they made me dinosaur stuffed animals. Neko drew the outlines on a large piece of fleece, and then Tom and his mom frantically spent part of the day sewing them together. Shep helped with color selection. Neko drew on eyes.
And now I am the proud owner of a purple t-rex and a green stegosaurus (which, of course, Neko and Shep demanded back to sleep with tonight). It’s shaping up to be a top-notch birthday.
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Snowman
Today the temperature took an upswing, and suddenly Neko was ready to be outside. She and Tom built this snowman. As challenging as it’s been to be inside with our three stir-crazy ones, I was a little sad to see the snow melting. We don’t get that kind of snow around here that often. I’m crossing my fingers that when they’re a little older and ready for sledding we get socked with another one of these storms.
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Maple taxing scones
It’s tax day in our house. Tom is taking the kids for most of the day, so I can wallow in stacks of paperwork and decide that taxes are stupid.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the idea of taxes…public works, roads, school, etc. It’s just the doing the taxes that bothers me. I secretly think they actually already know exactly what you need to pay, they just like putting you through all the agony.
The taxes are my job. Mostly because I’m the only one who makes it to the end without crying. But Tom does know how to butter me up for the occasion.
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Dear Tom
While I appreciate your concern for the health of our children’s bottoms, I would like to ask that you kindly find a new spot for the diaper rash cream, preferably far away from my similarly packaged toothpaste. Although an unfortunate incident was avoided at the last moment, we may not be as lucky in the future.
Thank you for your time, and the P.F. Chang’s was delicious and well appreciated.
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DIY Kids
A week or so back, Tom took the kids while I got away for a few hours. That night, when I arrived home, there was a present waiting for me. Inspired by the book DIY Kids, Tom and Neko had made me this little stuffed creature. Neko did the design and cutting and Tom did the sewing.
This the good stuff of parenting.