father's day: rain check.

Father's Day chez Carefoot has been a bit of a washout. Scott has been quite ill for the past week and was not up to our usual festivities (swimming and barbecue over at Nana and Bumpa's house). Instead we played it low key with a promise to reschedule once he feels better. But being sick didn't stop him from pushing the kids on the swings this afternoon. I took the opportunity to get out my camera to take some photos. This is one of my favourite Max pics to date!

Truth be told, I find Father's Day quite challenging. Sure, it's a celebration of dads. But it's a celebration of the "ideal" dad, not the relationships full of strife, the baggage, the disappointment. I have many father figures in my life that I look up to and I am grateful for having them in my life, with not a matching strand of DNA to be found. I think there is always the hope that the relationship that causes the most hurt and sadness will magically be repaired, washing away the lifetime of let downs. Of course, this is not to be. I suppose there is always next year.

The thing that heals that rift in my heart, is seeing my children, and how much they love their dad. Scott is a terrific dad to Max and Cameron, and it is my belief that they will grow up enjoying Father's Day and celebrating it full throttle. We'll try again next weekend - hopefully Scott will be feeling better by then! Happy Father's Day Scott!

Father's Day: Photo Essay.

Father's Day started out early with waffles and bacon for breakfast for Max and his Grandad. Max also had an apple, blue berries, 2 Nutrigrain bars, 2 pieces of peanut butter toast and milk. The kid can eat, that's for sure. If you're wondering where Scott is, he was still asleep at this point (sleeping in was part of his Father's Day present). Cameron got caught feeding herself a bottle (I'm laughing at her because she has always pretended that she didn't know how, but her daycare teachers told me otherwise).

We were heading out to Nana and Bumpa's for dinner, and as usual, taking a long time to get ourselves together. Max was ready to rock and roll, but did a pretty good job of keeping his cool.
Once we got to Nana and Bumpa's, Max got his exercise by doing laps around the backyard. Man that kid can run.

Scott was on Max-watching duty. He somehow managed to also look very relaxed and handsome while doing it. Ladies, it's hard to find handy and handsome - Scott can't hammer a nail to save his soul, but he sure looks good.

I got Cameron in her bathing suit, thinking we'd get her in the pool for a dip. Max hates the pool (something we are hoping to work on this summer), but I had high hopes for Cameron.

Nana put Cameron in her floaty tub and got her used to the pool (which felt like bath water) by pushing her around for a bit and singing to her.

Cameron looks a little skeptical about the whole thing. Little does she know she is going to get in that water, whether she likes it or not!

Grandad got in to cheer Cameron on, blowing bubbles and being the big kid that he is. She seemed to get a kick out of it. I think he was just looking for a reason to get back in the pool!

Bumpa also got in, but we didn't catch him on film. He did have a great afternoon though and enjoyed having everyone over on such a beautiful day.

Grandma was the photographer today, so we didn't get nearly enough pictures of her, but here is one of her and the Fickle Feline herself. All we are missing is Cameron for a 3 generation shot!

Scott cooked up steaks for dinner. He can be seen here consulting with Bumpa about...who knows what? He takes his steak prep very seriously.

Bumpa, Scott, and Grandad enjoying some "beverages" and catching some rays while the steaks are grilling.

While Scott was hard at work, I made a salad. That plate of veggies is for Max, who has turned into a veggie lover.

Cameron helped me get the salad dressing out of the refrigerator. I think she was also looking for her bottle, which was nowhere to be found (much to her chagrin).

In case you needed photographic evidence that Max eats veggies. He finished every last one on his plate (and that doesn't include all the ones he scarfed while I was making the salad).

Not only was it Father's Day, but it was also Grandad's Birthday! So, of course we had to have ice cream cake.

After dinner, Max was pooped, we decided to head home before he and Cameron expired.

But, we were a little late, and as you can see, Max passed out in the car. A sign of a good time had by all for sure.