Fathers Day Ponderings

A beautiful fathers day had me realize a few things and showed me just how wonderful my family is.

I woke up to presents of McVitees Digestive Biscuits, a Crunchie Bar, and an Aero Bar. All wonderful British chocolate bars which are very difficult to find in the US, however, the World Market in Sioux Falls has them, and my fabulous wife had surprised me with them.

My other big surprise was Sirius Satellite Radio. With a lot of long road trips for work these days, I will be taking full advantage, as well as enjoying all the Chelsea games on the radio (a bonus since we have no more TV) and of course, the unmistakable tones of Howard Stern in the morning.

When installing the radio in the car, I had Henry with me "helping." By helping, I mean he was stealing every cord, putting on the car's emergency lights and adjusting the air conditioning. We listened to a little Howard Stern together, although, I quickly realized that Howard uncensored was probably not suitable for a 23 month old (bad Daddy). I was particularly worried when an hour later at lunch he started saying a word that started with "f" and ended with "k". It was a great relief when I realized he just wanted me to pick up his fork.

Lesson learned, no uncensored radio on the way to daycare.

We did finally also cut off television today. With the digital revolution, we now have absolutely no TV, since you cannot pick up local channels with rabbit ears any longer, something the customer service rep at Midcontinent Communications made very clear to me in an attempt to keep my business.

Over the course of this last trial non-TV week, I have noticed, I do not really miss television. I really did not need to watch the Twins each night, or watch "John and Kate plus 8," (although I am curious about what their big announcement will be tomorrow). I am being more productive at home, and the kids are doing fine without television. Marisa and I also now talk more! Talk to my wife? Shocking I know!!

Finally, we had rain all day today until approximately 3pm. At 4pm, it was 80 degrees outside so we went to the pool. There were approximately 4 other people there, and they were all Dad's smiling having a good time with their little kids. Not only was it great to virtually have the pool to ourself (Henry actually got to sit on the big dinosaur that is usually full of pre-teen kids), but it was awesome to see other Dad's having as great a Fathers Day as I did.

There were a number of other highlights today, such as eating breakfast at Dennys (classy I know), a super fun Skype video call with my Mum, and wishing my own Dad and Grandfather a happy fathers day also.

Now sitting down with the kids in bed, I cannot help but reflect back on the day and see how lucky I am to have 2 amazing children, and a stunning wife who cared enough to make today as special as it was.

In re-reading this, I have realized this is a very sappy blog, not something that I meant to happen, but just this once, I am going to let the blog be sappy. I will be back to practical with the next one!