Croissants and coffee.

My son said something really sweet and sad when I put him to bed tonight, and I wanted to write it down before I forget.  He showed me a sign his Dad hung on his wall for him, and I told him that was nice of Daddy to do.  He then thanked me for being such a good Mommy.  That took me by surprise, and I told him thanks, but he didn't have to thank me for it - it's my job.  He then said "I'm so lucky to have a good Mommy and Daddy - unlike some kids."  He sounded genuinely bummed at the thought of others not having good parents, and it was a little sad.  I'm hoping this grateful attitude will remain at least until his teenage years, when he then goes temporarily insane and forgets how "lucky" he is.  I do have hope though, because if I could be the teenager I was (think: horns shooting out of the head, hormones raging off the charts, phone stuck to my ear -- now you're getting the idea) and I could eventually realize how lucky I was to have my parents, I think he'll do the same later as well.  *crossing fingers*

Aside from the deep, ponderous thoughts of my 5 1/2 year old, there hasn't been too much going on lately.  It's dreadfully hot, even for Texas in June, so the goal each day is to find something to do that's cool.  We go to the public pool at the high school about 3 or 4 times a week, and that helps a lot (not to mention, I'm getting a great tan!).  Otherwise, we've browsed the blustery A/C filled mall a few times, gone to the public library, seen a lot of movies, and even gone ice skating.  In case some of you didn't know, my house is old, therefore my A/C is old.  We're talking 20+ years old.  Aside from throwing down $4k to gut the system and replace everything brand new, we've done everything we can think of to help our situation - updated the unit outside, put in new/more insulation in the attic, etc.  Even so, it gets up to about 79 or 80 degrees in our house during the hottest part of the day, so even a trip to the grocery store is something fun to do, just to cool down more.  At least there, you can practically stick your whole head into the frozen section and breathe a sigh of relief.  

When we're not swimming, browsing, or sticking our heads in freezers, we're at home watching lots of Spongebob, playing board games, and taking silly pictures.  Here are a few from yesterday:

This one I told him to act scared.  Pretty good!!

"Rockin' out", as he likes to call it.

"Don't laugh Zach!"

"Don't do it!!  Awwww!  You're laughing!"

"Normal" Mommy.

Playing "lemonade stand".  It's too damn hot for a real one.

This would be his shit-eating grin.

As you can see, we find plenty of things to occupy the time, and we have a ball in the process.  I'm treasuring every one of these moments, because it won't be long before he doesn't want anything to do with me, and will be more interested in his friends.  Sigh.

The only other thing going on is this Saturday - Aaron and I are going on a date.  Oh yeah, baby, that's right!  An actual date!  My heart flutters at the thought.  We have noticed lately that we've fallen into the trap that a good marriage can set for you, where you start to get a little too comfortable and start forgetting to do the little things that kept you interested in the first place.  So, Aaron's solution was we ought to start dating again, and I 100% agree!  I am so looking forward to this, I might even go buy a new outfit for it.  And you know if I said something like that, it MUST mean I'm excited!

Guess I will go lie down, and call it a night.  My smooth jazz CD on iTunes has just come to an end, and my eyes are getting heavy.  Zach is snoring, as is my old-man dog, so I have to jump on their bandwagon.  I will update soon, and will let you know how my date went!  ;-)  Tee hee!

*PS - In case you were curious, the title of this blog is what I'm looking forward to in the morning.  That's all.

Father's Day

First, let me say I know I screwed myself when I said I'd do this every other day or so. I haven't heard the end of how late I am in posting a second blog, and to everyone who cares, I apologize. I promise this at least -- I will do my very best to get better about this!

Ok, now onto the subject at hand. Father's Day. What a glorious, under-appreciated holiday - unless you are a clothing store, car dealership, or home-improvement store. As with every other holiday in this country, Father's Day has become a commercialized excuse for "this year's biggest sale", and it makes my stomach flip. "Show Dad how much you care by coming to our place and throwing down hundreds ... wait! No! THOUSANDS of dollars on a new flat-screen plasma tv!" Gag.

But I like to take the time to think back on how lucky I am for the three fathers in my life, and really appreciate how good I've got it. My Dad, my husband, and my father-in-law raise the bar when it comes to Dads, and they all make me so proud. Thinking back on the 5.5 years Aaron has been a Dad, it's still awesome to see him with his boy even to this day. Granted, they already butt heads from time to time (and I've heard this will only get worse until Zach's in his 20's), but there is a strong bond there between them that warms my heart.

The early days

Zach looks up so much to Aaron, so I'm grateful that Aaron sets such a good example. Zach has always wanted to be "Daddy's little helper", and Aaron's patience and teaching have been something that would melt your heart. Zach still says that he wants to be just like Daddy when he grows up, except for the bald head. (That kid has quite the sense of humor for a 5-yr old.)

Getting older

Everyone has always said that Zach is a spitting image of Aaron, and to me, that's a compliment. He's funny, playful, sensitive, sweet, and full of love for Mommy, just like his Dad. Some girl will be lucky some day to snag Zach, and maybe she & I can sit around sharing stories about all the great things he does that mirror the great things his Dad did. To quote our son, Aaron's the best Daddy he ever had. Hats off to you Aaron, my love, my friend, my baby's Daddy.

They always say you pick someone to marry that is like your opposite-sex parent. Thankfully, in my case, that is very true. My Dad taught me what to expect from a guy not only by his words, but by his actions. He was always there for us girls, whether it be for fun or tragedy.

My Dad was always concerned about teaching us how to live on our own & not be dependent upon a man, but instead to enjoy being a team with a man. Not to rely on a man for everything we need, but that it was also ok to let someone be your knight-in-shining-armor. He taught me what to expect on a date not by lecturing me, but by our "date nights", where he would take me to dinner and a movie or comedy club, and show me how things should go on an evening out. He taught me & my sister how to throw a ball, change a flat, and to never hit your man. I remember him telling me to never hit a guy unless you were ready to get hit back. (That was good advice.) He told me & my sister that when we were on a date, we could call him at any hour to come get picked up should the guy turn out to be a groping a-hole. He told me all through high-school that the guys I thought were my friends were really in love with me, because until guys are 42, guys didn't know HOW to be friends with a woman. They always had alterior motives. I blew this off repeatedly, yet he never threw it in my face when I was venting on him about how so-and-so got drunk at a party and confessed their undying love to me & ruined our friendship. He's always been looking out for me, and I am so lucky.

I had an amazing example to live with growing up, which I fully believe helped me pick an amazing guy to end up having a kid with. Aaron won my Dad over early on, when he came to their house to change the brakes on my car - in the dead of summer, in 100+ degree heat, with nothing but a smile on his dirt-streaked face. These two men have made a monumental impact on my life, and without them, I'd be a different person.

Contrary to popular belief, fathers DO matter. Of course, there will always be a few in the crowd that aren't worth the dirt they walk on, but that doesn't discount the impact Dads have on their kids. This world has become a man-bashing, femi-nazi type environment, and to that I say "poo". Fathers play a huge role in a child's life, whether they are present or not, and they should be given more credit for that role. Maybe if men knew how appreciated they are as Dads, or how important they are, there would be less children out there visiting their Dads every other weekend. The best thing me and my women folk can do for our children is nurture the relationship we have with their father. Kids need their Dads - I know I did.

DAD'S RULE!