Things that the dad at our house says every day:

1. “Sit properly.”

2. “I want everything out of the car.”

3. “The next time I have to pick this up, I’m throwing it into the trash.”

4. “Elbows off the table.”

5. “Chew with your mouth closed.”

Things that the dad at our house does:

1. He helped coach our son A’s Odyssey of the Mind team this year.

2. He lets A use his tools, knowing that they’re not going to be put away.

3. Even when he’s tired, he’ll play a bored board game with the kids.

4. He’s been a Boy Scout leader or assistant leader for the past six years.

5. E-Grrrl was a Brownie this past year and he was the “Camp Dad.”

6. He has sewn ALL the kids’ Scout merit badges onto their uniforms.

7. He spent many hours making wooden frames for the school art teacher to stretch canvas on.

8. He and A made props for the Drama Club.

9. He battled Friday night traffic backups in Brussels to get A to youth group meetings in Waterloo.

10. He always gets in the pool with the kids, even when the water is cold.

11. He tucks the kids in at night, especially his little Grrrl who hates to go to sleep without being kissed and tucked.

12. He repairs stuffed animals and purchased a special curved needle for closing up tears.

13. He’s easily talked into buying junk at the grocery store.

14. He cleans the fish tank—and the litterbox.

15. He helped coach E-Grrrl’s softball and soccer teams.

16. He drives the kids everywhere.

17. He helps A with math, even when A insists he doesn’t need help with math.

18. When we’re hiking or walking in the city, he always carries everyone’s jackets and water bottles.

19. He likes pizza, hamburgers, and fries as much as the kids do.

20. He believes in seconds on dessert.

21. He can watch kid movies and not fall asleep or roll his eyes.

22. Like lots of dads, he makes pancakes on Sundays, but he also occasionally whips up French toast or eggs on request on school mornings, even when he’s rushed.

23. He teaches the kids to appreciate what I do for them.

24. He‘s not afraid to host other people’s kids or supervise them.

25. He’s nearly always willing to go the playground or on a bike ride or on a hike.

Happy Father’s Day, E! You’re the best.

June 17, 2007