Birthday Pops

My dear old dad celebrated 61 years yesterday. I wouldn't classify my dad as "hard to buy for", I would classify almost EVERY guy as pretty hard to buy for. I can think of a million things to get for my mom, MIL, Shannon and girlfriends, but when it comes to buying for a MAN, I must admit, it's quite tough. My dad isn't a reader, so books are out. He's not a "techie" kind of guy, so anything iTunes or computer related is out. He's not a fashion statement, so if you buy clothes, you have to stick to the basics--socks, underwear and t-shirts---boring. His hobbies are barbershop singing, fishing and messing with his chainsaws--all of which I know very little about. Birthdays and Father's Day are always tough for me because I want to get him something thoughtful, affordable and something I know he would like--is there such a gift out there? Humph? I believe I found the perfect gift for him this year. It just so happened that South Warren High School's theater group was running their musical the weekend of my dad's birthday. The performance was:

I told my mom that I really wanted to get him tickets for the show and all of our family to go together (sans kids). She told me to GO FOR IT but to check with Matt on all of the basketball games. We would HATE for the guys to miss any of the important games =). Friday night was out because UK was playing so that left Saturday night. We met at Cracker Barrel for dinner. Those of you that keep up with my sister know what she's going through but for those of you that don't, Shannon recently tore her ACL while skiing in Colorado. Her surgery was on Thursday in Nashville, and she has been couped up at home most of the weekend. Her nerve block started wearing off on Friday night, and she's been in quite a bit of pain since. Shannon has a very sensitive stomach especially when it comes to strong medicines like pain killers so she has to be incredibly careful when taking them and they usually make her feel nauseous. She and Paul were able to come out and eat with us last night but weren't able to go to the play with us =(.

I bought some mini cupcakes at Walmart that morning just to have something celebratory at the table (plus, I thought the kids may come and eat with us, but they simply weren't feeling it--so we left them behind with Pap Colvin). Shannon had given dad his birthday gift the night before which was AWESOME. She went to Sam's got him some Simply Caramel Milky Ways along with a pack of legal pads and gel pens. He loved it--easy to please, but it definitely requires some thought and Shannon hit the motherload of loot my dad likes. I decided to get him the 2011 Grammy nominees CD. My dad and I have always shared a passion for today's hottest hits. We love music, and I thought he would enjoy that. He told me this morning at church how much he has LOVED listening to it--yessssss! I also wanted to treat he and my mom to the play. It didn't begin until 7 p.m. in SWHS's super cool auditorium. We had such a fun evening hanging out and enjoying each other. It felt like WINTER when we left the show at 9:45--burrr. I am SO looking forward to more of that spring weather SOON!

I made an acrostic about the things I love about him.

L-oves orange Tic Tacs as much as me and usually gives me a package of them every Sunday at church.

I-s always willing to lend a hand and has kept Miles (solo) for me when I've needed a break and Meme wasn't available. That's a pretty big deal =). He also helped me coach my basketball team and is helping Shannon coach her softball team.

N-oisy =). Everyone who knows my dad knows he is loud. What can I say, our whole family is pretty loud--AND we like to talk A LOT. I think that's a good trait and one that has worn off in a good way with Karson. I receive notes that say Karson is proactive in class and is able to speak in front of her peers and even help assist them (and, most of her peers are 3d graders). I LOVE that she is confident and not shy about public speaking--we don't do SHY in our family =).

D-ependable. No need to ever ask dad to do something twice. He has a great memory and is someone you can count on. He recently went with the kids to an event at Plano called Donuts for Dads. Matt couldn't attend because he has to work so dad stepped up to the plate. I think it's cool that dad can fill these roles when necessary and is always willing to do so.

L-oopidy, loo if you've ever seen my dad's handwriting, you would think you were looking at a letter written by a Southern Belle in the deep south. It's very curly and (really) hard to read. I think this is funny considering he is covered in greasy gas and oil from chainsaws and filling out tickets with fluffy handwriting.

E-njoys his family. My dad is simply a wonderful dad, and we are thankful for him daily

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD/POPS! We sure had a great time celebrating with you last night.