Today is a day to honour all dads everywhere for a job well done.  A dad is something more than a mere sperm donor.  A Dad is someone who takes the time day in, and day out to spend time with their children, to really care what is happening in their lives, to make time for the little quality moments, and to help out their beloved wife from time to time.

I see my wonderful husband everyday making such an effort.  I must admit that I probably don’t tell him as often as I should what a great father he is.  However, he does know it I am sure since both my girls are Daddy’s girls and always call for their “Dada”. Yes, I am chop liver.

So, for the countless soccer games, T-ball games, diaper changes, temper tantrum diffusing episodes, time-out sessions, cleaning up the kitchen, doing arts & crafts, and playing cars or dolls —– THANKYOU.  For without you, where would us mom’s be?

Below is a poem which I thought fitting to honour Dads everywhere.  We love you!!!!

What Makes a Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad
Author Unknown

Treat your husband or father to a special day.  Either a day of golf, sleeping in, Sunday Brunch, or just a hug.  They deserve it.

I am finding that four years old is really the new “terrible two”.  My daughter has turned into a kid that loves to “talk back”, say “no”, “I don’t want to” and “I am not going to”.  Where did that sweet timid girl go?

Today we were at the water park.  She decided that she didn’t want to stay anymore.  Without saying anything, she walked off.  I thought she was going to the other play structure where the older kids were.  NOPE!  She kept walking down a long, long field. 

Natara!  Natara!, I shout……nothing.

NATARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ……  She looks back at me in spite and then turns around and keeps on walking. 

I ran off, with my little 20 month old in sight, and grabbed Natara.  I ask, “Where are you going?”.

“I am going home” she replies.

“And how do you intend to get there if I am not ready to leave and you don’t have mommy to drive you?” I ask.

“With a stranger”, she replies.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach as I realize that everything I have taught her is for nothing.  “WHAT???????”. 

I grabbed her by the arm as she is fighting with me “I don’t want to play.  I want to go home!!!!”.  I dragged her back to that picnic blanket and told her to sit there until we were ready to go.

I ofcourse proceeded to have the “don’t go with strangers talk” once again.  I just couldn’t believe my little girl would say something so awful.  And then to my despair, my little one took a nice #2 load in her “swimming diapers” which have the absorbancy of tissue paper.  All in all, a really fun day.

Guard your kids close, because they can disappear in the blink of an eye.

Recently I have noticed that my oldest daughter Natara is really interested in “growing things”.  She learns all about growing flowers and vegetables in daycare.  Also, last year, my neighbours always had an abundance of fresh produce from their back yards and I was running to the market for fresh vegetables for supper.  I thought, wow…that would be nice.

This year I decided it was time to start a garden.  My oldest daughter Natara was thrilled to see all the worms as we dug up the dirt.  She is also very fascinated that if you water seeds, they grow into plants.  Two weeks ago we started our garden complete with lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, beans, peas, squash, peppers, basil, and pumpkins.  Natara and I are very excited to see how things grow.  Lastnight we notice that our beans and peas are starting to sprout.  It is very fufilling to see something you started from seed, growing into something you can potentially eat.

I am so happy I started this project with my daughter.  Not only is it great bonding time for the two of us, it is a great learning experience for her, as well as a sense of responsibility having something to care for.

If you have the time, the energy, the room and the interest, you should definitely start a garden.

Life is like a garden, so DIG it!!!!!…….author unknown.