Father's Day

Reminders all around me. Displays at the store, songs on the radio. Reminders everywhere.

Today is Father's Day. The day we celebrate Father's and what they mean to us. It's been 3 years since I celebrated Father's Day really. Sure, I buy Bud a card and I plan a gift and a meal but my heart isn't really in it. I want my father, my daddy. I want the person who made the skinned knees okay, who taught me to drive, who danced with me at my wedding, who cradled his first granddaughter with such love in his eyes, who wiped the tears away when I cried by his bedside at the hospital when he was sick. I don't want to wish anyone else a Happy Father's Day because my father isn't here and it isn't fair.

My parents divorced when I was three. My dad didn't have the best role model in a father but somehow he did it so well. He never said an unkind word ever about my mother after their divorce, he picked me up faithfully every weekend to spend time with him even when I am sure he was tired and would have rather rested, he paid child support even when he was on strike and had to borrow the money from my grandmother, he would bring lunch to me even after working night shift the night before because I forgot my lunch, he had a way of making you thing that everything was going to be okay, he always believed the best in me and told me I could do anything or be anyone.

For my birthday this year my mom had our old home movies converted and I got to see my daddy again. My daddy like I remembered him. Young and handsome and strong. I watched him hold a little me and watched a little me kiss him and I wanted to be there again in that moment. Content that everything in life was going to be okay because my daddy was there.

I miss you so much Dad and I love you. Please meet me in my dreams tonight and walk beside me and let me hear your voice again.

A visit from Grammy

Grammy came to visit us for the first week that the girls were out of school. I was so grateful to have her here since a. We didn't have childcare, b. I have been missing her so much and c. She is an awesome cook and gardener and she made my life so much easier while she was here.

The girls got a taste of what real work is when she put them to work in our yard each morning. We know have beautiful plants around the pool and a cute little side garden that she started. She also planted Morning Glory seeds that she brought from her garden in Pennsylvania. She always told me that I was her Morning Glory. A direct reference to how easy it was to get me up every morning-not!

How lucky we were to have here here with us. Love you Mom!

Maddie measuring for the funnel cakes we always make when Grammy is here

Mmmmm. Funnel Cakes

Eating them is the best part!!

Playing Monopoly around the table

One of my beautiful plants

Another beautiful plant

Grammy and the girls

Geocaching

Bud introduced the girls and I to a new hobby these past few weeks-geocaching. What is it you say?

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.

We went out on Father's Day afternoon even though it was very, very, very warm and searched for a geocache in the local park. Maddie found it after a short search in the woods. Geocaches very often are found in small boxes. Inside you will find a logbook to log your entry that you were there and also small treasures that other's have left behind. The idea is that you leave something and then take something. We brought a small plastic frog to leave and took a key with us. I had to admit to Bud that I really didn't think it would be that fun but it was!. It is also a great way to get the girls to follow directions. I am thankful that they have a Dad who believes in teaching them all sorts of useful life skills.

School's out for summer!!!!

Our last week of school was so hectic and busy. It began with Maddie's first ever soccer tournament. Her team (Spain) played their hearts out. We played two games on Saturday and a game on Sunday. We lost our first game and won our 2nd game on Saturday and then lost our game on Sunday. Thankfully the girls had a great time playing and were not too disappointed that we didn't make it to the finals. Maddie played almost every moment of the last two games. She was exhausted.

Mid-way through the week I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the 4th grade award ceremony. Abby received an award for all "A" honor roll and her surprise award was that she got a perfect score on her Reading standardized testing for the state. She was one of only two perfect scores in her school. So proud of my girl!!

Abby and the best 4th grade teacher in the entire world.

This was the girl's on the 1st day of school for the 2009-2010 year

This was the girl's on the last day of school for the 2009-2010 year. They grew so much and look so much older. Sob

Every year on the last day of school I pick the girls up and then take them for ice cream. Here we are at Brewster's for our annual ice cream cone.