FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND

I took the kids to the dollar store mid-week to purchase little gifts for Daddy. Olivia chose chapstick, Reece selected car air fresheners and Cierah went with slipper socks. We selected some wrapping paper and cards, and I let each child wrap their own gift. I asked them (okay, commanded them) not to tell Daddy our secret because it was to be a big surprise for him on Father's Day that we all snuck out and bought him gifts. I emphasized that it wouldn't be "nice" or "right" to spoil the surprise, believing I made my point clear as mud. Silly me.

As Carl tucked Reece in on Saturday night, Reece got a bit squirmy in the bed. He finally could not contain it any longer.

"There might be something under my bed for you."
(Reece immediately slapped a cupped hand over his flapping trap gaping mouth.)
As Carl tried to figure out what Reece had said, Reece tried to cover his mistake.
"No, there's not. I mean, there might be..."
Then it hit Carl.
"Let's not talk about that right now because you need to get some sleep. G'night!"

So the secret was out. But Carl, being the good husband and Daddy he is, didn't let on that he knew something was up. On Sunday morning, Reece came downstairs as we had our morning coffee and blurted, "Mommy, am I allowed to get that thing under my bed for Daddy now?" It's a good thing it was time, otherwise there would have been no more hiding the secret.

Carl enjoyed opening his surprises before we headed off to church, then to the salon so Carl could get his hair cut, and finally to Home Depot to rent a rototiller. Yes, one of my "gifts" to Carl for Father's Day was for him to till an area in our backyard to prep it for a flower garden and path. He tilled away in the 90º heat and sun (Ooooh, that's gonna leave a mark!.) But it's all good because I set up the sprinkler and encouraged him to play in it with the kids when he was done. Which he did. Which they loved. Nothin' says "Happy Father's Day" like a sweaty and grueling home improvement project followed by a childhood jaunt through the sprinkler.

Now, a lil' faux paux happened during the big till. Um, should one be concerned if an orange coated wire is split in half because it was laid too shallow by the previous owners? Should one be concerned if the purpose of said wire cannot be identified? I assure you, one is concerned. So far, all electrical, phone and cable are working here. I have visions of the neighbors' cable though......

Today then, we drove down to Joe Hubers in southern Indiana, near Louisville, KY. The location is amazing and I always feel like I'm experiencing some of God's best creation when there. After we ate a delicious "from scratch" meal, we took the kids out to the barnyard activity area that costs $2 per person to enter. We paid for the kids while we sat and watched from a nearby deck. Olivia and Reece launched balls from a giant slingshot into a pond, while Cierah chose to take a ride on the cow train (ten 50 gallon drums split lengthwise and made into carts painted in cow print). She passed by us several times during her ride, all bunkered down in the drum so that only eyes and a ponytail were visible.

Afterwards, the kids wanted to feed the ducks. Aggressive ducks who were decidedly hungry. Cierah screamed when one "bited" her. And Reece decided he didn't like being "chased" by ducks. Reece is our tiny shrimp boat and I'm sure many of those ducks were approaching him at eye level, so I can understand his reservations.

And on the way home, we saw perhaps the most beautiful creation of the day; an Albino whitetail deer. Sadly, we got a very close look from about 15 feet away. Normally, I would be ecstatic for such a closeup view of such an amazing creature. The deer, however, (a young Buck with velvet on its antlers) had jumped a fence along the highway and got its back hoof stuck in the fence wire. Carl and another guy were waiting for the Sheriff to arrive as they contemplated how to free the struggling creature. He was pulling soooo hard, I thought he might rip the leg off (seriously). As they considered various plans, he suddenly broke free and ran off. Yes, it was clear to me the leg was damaged; perhaps out of socket. I do hope he survives. I've never seen such a uniquely gorgeous deer. And sheesh, any other time I would have had my digital camera on hand. But alas, I've ordered a new one (Panasonic Lumix TZ3) and it has not yet arrived so I was pictureless today.

Toni