Happy Father's Day! (We Like Our Family)

Today was a very good Father's Day.  This is our first "normal" Father's Day since 2010.  You know, one which actually has Matt present, and we're in our own home, and me and the boys are able to make a breakfast in bed for the Main Man of the House. 

The boys have been with my parents this last week.  Matt and I have been to ourselves for half the time, then for 4 days I volunteered to go to our church's Girls Camp.  So therefore Matt was to himself.  

As we've spent time together today I've noticed how much Matt has been enjoying playing with the boys.  I've asked him, "Did you miss us?" 

"Um, yeah!  I thought being by myself might be cool, but I really like having you all here," he said. 

It's been a really good day.  I got up at 7, started on breakfast, and by the time 8am came around all the boys were up.  We took Matt breakfast, but quickly realized we needed to go back to the table.  (Note to self: buy a food tray!)  

Matt's gift was a large tool box.  It was a bit of a weird shape to wrap, so the boys stood to cover it.  And the "little humans wall" was so stinkin' cute!  The boys LOVE giving gifts, and were so happy to give it to Matt.  

Church is from 11 to 2.  I taught the womens' group, the Relief Society, and the lesson went well.  Matt got to know more members of the church--which helps so much for his calling as Sunday School President.  The boys had an amazing time at Primary.  The drew pictures and cards for Matt.  

Once home we basically had quesadillas and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.  (Must grocery shop tomorrow!) 

Matt sent me up stairs for a nap.  I have been so EXHAUSTED from the Girls Camp.  

This afternoon/evening has been a lot of wrestling, playing, eating popcorn, and eating homemade chocolate cake.  And now we're reading books.  

I like our family a lot. 

Matt likes our family a lot, too.  

(Also, it seems as though the boys will always opt to wear undies only.  Only a child once, I guess!)

Surprise! Father's Day in January!

With Matt leaving next month,  we've been thinking a lot of all he'll miss this year.  Like all the boys' birthdays, Easter, Isaac starting 1st grade, Eli starting pre-K, and possibly Thanksgiving... Just to name a few.  

But what struck me was Father's Day.  This will be the 3rd Father's Day in a row me and the boys haven't been with Matt on "his day".  Darn, I had to do something!  After a month of pondering it, I decided to commit to surprising Matt with a Father's Day--and it all worked out! 

Saturday night Matt and I put the kids to bed.  We do an Insanity video together, and then pass-out in bed.  But my cough acts up, so I say, "I'll just sleep on the couch tonight."   He mumbles and continues to sleep, I go in overdrive.  

I make a large batch of his favorite chocolate chip muffins (which happen to be the spinach whole wheat ones),

I set up a Mt. Dew tower,

and I transcribe questions I asked the boys onto cute survey forms.  

It's 1:30am.  I can't find his present from the boys.  I look EVERYWHERE.  I finally decide to sneak into the bedroom and look under the bed.  

Matt wakes up, in a daze.  

I'm like, "Oh, hi."

He's like, "Why are you on the ground."

I'm like, "Well... my cough... you see?  Needed to get on the ground for it to stop... ??" 

He's like, "Okay.  I need to pee."

Wow, I dodged a bullet.  I go back to trying to find the present.  And I don't find it, so I go to bed hoping to find it in the morning. 

At 6:30am I wake up to Titus running down the hall.  I jump out of bed, steer Titus to the playroom, and get to work on the bacon.  Goodness, so much bacon.  

Everything is together, I get the two other boys up, and we head to Matt with goodies in hand.  

"Happy Father's Day to You," wakes Matt up, in a really confused state.  But he starts to get what's going on, and is really surprised and happy.  Even if it is 6:50am in the morning.     

After having a good fill, we head to the kitchen, and see all the other goodies! 

And I found the boys' present, and able to give it to him!  He's our "Hulk Man Guy," for sure! 

Isaac's own LEGO gun creation.  It even has movable parts. 

Yup, Eli loves bacon.  So much.  

Titus followed Isaac's lead, and headed for the LEGOs.  He made his own gun.  

The rest of the day was really great.  Lots of good family time, and lots of good food.

Matt thought it was really good day, too.  He said it really felt like Father's Day.  Yes!
I had let both sides of our families know that I was doing this, so the whole day he was getting Father's Day messages.  Awesome.

Matt's a great dad, and he deserved a proper celebration.