KASIA'S DAD

My husband is DOD today for getting our child to sleep. It's taking forever and this mama is TIRED.

Velocity October 31, 2009

I overheard a conversation between a dad and his two sons today at Green Lake. The boys were around 5 and 7 years old and all three were on bikes. After one of the boys says something about being far away and sad, Dad assures him this won't happen because he (the son) will be sticking closer this time. Dad then says "C'mon guys, let's get the velocity going!" What a great line. I wonder how it took them to get around Green Lake while maintaining the balance of sticking close and getting the velocity going. Oh the patience of fathers!!!

Three Generations at a Lake in June

One of the best sources of knowledge and teaching comes from the family. In these modern times, the American extended family seems to be more geographically extended. Our children miss out on so many of the subtle but important day to day interactions that occur with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. My niece Abby, fortunately, lives near a lot of her extended family. Her daddy, my brother, recently took her on a fishing trip with Grandpa Bill in WY. Grandpa Bill is an avid fisherman and will happily share his hobby with anyone who shows interest. He is a patient and thorough teacher and is so encouraging. How wonderful that Abby has not only a dad who takes her fishing but a grandfather as well. These three had a great weekend connecting with nature and more importantly, each other. This is the stuff of father and child memories.

The Happiness That Fathers Bring -- June 21, 2009

To all of the wonderful fathers, father figures, step fathers, fathers who are no longer with us and fathers to be, thank you. Our lives, hearts and minds are richer because of you.


Only a Dad
by Edgar A. Guest (1916)


Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

in cam's own words... june 20, 2009

i would do anything for my daughter. for true. not an exaggerated boast. she teaches me so much. i try to do my best for her in that realm. ultimately, i know that she will be amazing and do amazing. her golden light brings an energy to my life that no one can duplicate. together since she was a fresh newborn sleeping through the night upon my bony chest our bond has not slept. she is part of me. i am part of her. she is an individual i enjoy knowing…
i cherish past payton.
i cherish present payton.
i cherish future payton.

From our books Le Petit Prince + The Profit:
“Look up at the sky. Ask yourself, ‘Has the sheep eaten the flower or not?’ And you’ll see how everything changes… And no Grown-Up will ever understand how such a thing could be so important!
“Your children are not your children. They are of Life’s longing for itself.”

Three Plus a Dog June 14, 2009

This weekend my husband, baby and I went on a little weekend get away to a resort on the Hood Canal. We chose to take the Bremerton ferry back to Seattle to which we arrived 45 minutes early. To kill some time and entertain our almost 11 month, old we took a walk up to the near by Starbucks. Our daughter promptly alerted us to the doggie sitting outside by calling out "waaa waaa waaa". I took her outside to meet the doggie. The dog owner was a dad who was out with his three small and smallish children. He too had an 11 month old, strategically strapped into the stroller and a 4 and 6 year old. We had a nice little chat about our children. He highlighted to me that his oldest had just finished Kindergarten. I found that to be such a nice thing to say in front of his daughter to make her feel special. Being the oldest I'm sure she doesn't necessarily get all of the attention she deserves. He also handled a possible fight over whose turn it was to walk the dog with the perfect mixture of kindness and authority. I was so impressed by his method and how his children immediately listened to him and trusted his judgement. I admired this daddy not only for the courage to go out alone with three children and a dog but with the ease and kindness he displayed doing it.

Daddy Time June 11, 2009

One of the best ways we can teach our children and make them feel special is by simply spending time with them. David makes Aidan feel special every time he includes him in a project or chore, which he does often. He loves teaching him about nature, sports and animals. Aidan, of course, adores his father and soaks up everything he says and does. David takes equal enjoyment in watching the world unfold before his three year old's eyes. The relationship between father and child is truly magical. No amount of money or toys could ever nurture the soul of a child the way that David is nurturing his son by washing the car with him or showing him a parakeet for the first time. I can't decide who is more in awe, Aidan playing with the parakeet or David seeing his son experience something for the first time. Do we have a future zoo keeper duo in our midst?

FISHING BUDDIES June 8, 2009

Doesn't this photo say it all? Both boys are absolutely gleaming with joy and pride. Patrick is an avid outdoors-man who is enjoying every moment of sharing and teaching Noah about his favorite hobbies. Noah is obviously ecstatic to be hanging with daddy in the great outdoors and catching some fish as a side note. I've heard about the famous basement at Noah's house. It's unfinished, full of daddy's gear and a perfect canvas for a child's imagination, learning and play. Patrick has some, shall we say, mementos from past successful hunting trips. Noah can now identify the deer, goose and antelope when asked. The brain and curiosity of a 14 month old are astounding. How wonderful that Patrick is sharing his love for his hobbies and knowledge with his little guy. I have a feeling that they have many a fishing trip in their future.

Red Crosier June 7, 2009

Clarence "Red" Crosier was his name. I'm sure you can guess where the nickname "Red" came from. Some of his red hair has trickled down the family tree. Although I never met my grandfather, I am reminded of him by those few highlights of red in my daughter's mostly blond hair. My father never had the opportunity to meet him either. My dad was only 6 months old when Red was killed in WWII. William was born while Red was fighting for his country. Sadly, he never made it home to meet his baby boy. My father was never as much as held in the arms of his dad. I have always found that particular fact to be heartbreaking, especially now that I am a mother. My father has been heartbroken and haunted by the loss of his father his entire life. He has made a point to know everything he possibly can about his heroic father. I don't doubt that when my dad is thinking about what kind of man, father and human being he wants to be that he thinks about his father and the kind of man he was. Although Red was not physically present for my father, he was and is a powerful and positive force in my father's life.

Tractor Pull June 6, 2007

Another daddy in my neighborhood owns an ATV (all terrain vehicle). He often takes his kids for little ride around the neighborhood in the wagon he attaches to the back of the ATV. I know his kids just LOVE this. What kid wouldn't? They especially had fun cruising the streets when we got an obscene amount of snow last winter.

President Daddy June 4, 2009

I love that President Obama had his girls jungle gym/swing set built within viewing distance from the Oval office.

PLAY BALL! June 3, 2009

We moved to our current house a little over a year ago. All of our neighbors came over to greet us and welcome us to the neighborhood. We were surprised and delighted by this seemingly outdated and rare gesture. Our across the street neighbor brought us cookies and then told us that she lives alone with her 7 year old son. She also told us not to be surprised if we see a certain vehicle and man at her house on a regular basis. This man, she explained, is the father of her son. A year later, I completely understand why she felt the need to explain his presence. This daddy is there all of the time. I am amazed at the efforts he takes to be a part of his son's life. This time of year we see them playing catch nightly in the front yard. They wash the car together, mow the lawn and put up Christmas lights. Even though this father does not technically live with his son, he is more a part of his life than not. Most mornings he comes over to accompany his son to his school just two blocks up the street. From my point of view as the across-the-street neighbor, this father clearly puts his son first and deserves to be DOD. He's not a bad baseball coach either!

DAVID GOLDMAN - June 2, 2009

I so hope that this man gets his son back tomorrow and that justice prevails. It is absurd and frightening that this situation was ever allowed to happen and then continue for nearly five years. Please read the full story below and keep both David and his son Sean in your thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to this nine year old boy who was originally taken from his father when he was only four, who lost his mother in the last year and will now be moving back to a life which is now unfamiliar to him. I believe that this daddy loves his son fiercely and will dedicate every cell in his being to help him heal.

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation/20090602_ap_njmantravelstobraziltoreclaimcustodyofson.html

Please also see David's web site dedicated to getting his son back.

http://bringseanhome.org/

Tata Artur June 1, 2009

I, of course, could not go any further with this blog with out featuring my husband as DOD. Perhaps today it should be TOD for Tata of the day as Artur is Polish and tata is the Polish word for daddy.  I am so grateful that our daughter is growing up with such a loving, patient and involved daddy.  While I gripe at times about not getting a break from her, he wishes he had more time.  He goes to work everyday to make our time and life possible together.  He comes home from a long day of hard labor and doesn't think twice about placing his little girl at the top of his list.  Weekends are completely dedicated to family.  Artur teaches me a lot about patience, hard work, selflessness and accepting the full commitment of being a parent.   He has his own unique way of caring for and teaching her.  My favorite "daddy/Kasia" activity so far is the tour he gave her of the car.  I never would have thought to let our 10 month old daughter "drive" the car.  This tata did and she LOVED it.  See the photos below as proof.  Kasia is one lucky baby.  Really, who can say that they got to drive at 10 months old?!  

Green Lake Daddy - May 31, 2009

The inspiration for this blog and the first official "daddy of the day" is a dad I saw at Green Lake today.  He was alone pushing a toddler in a stroller and had a small infant in a carrier.   Undoubtedly he was giving mommy a much needed rest.  My first thought was "what a brave, wise and considerate man".  I literally considered running after him just to give him a pat on the back and let him know how much he was helping.   I did not run after him but wanted to salute him none the less.  Thank you Green Lake Daddy for being so brave and considerate!  You are one of many who make the lives of us mommies so much easier.