Fun Dad

We're all so glad when daddy comes home…it’s because he’s a big dose of fun after a day of mommy-monitoring. Me: Get your jobs done, make your bed, pick up your toys before I throw them in the trash (no lie – I’ll do it!), get off the computer before your eyes bug out, and no you can’t go straight from the computer to the TV, it’s really not okay to punch your sister in the nose just because she accidentally bumped into you, cookies are not a sufficient lunch, etc. etc. etc. These are the daily occurrences at our house. So when Jared walks in the door I say a big Hallelujah! It’s not like Jared bounds in like Tigger looking for a playmate or anything like that (it’s actually more like he saunters in and takes a quick glance at the state of the house to determine what kind of a day it’s been), but somehow moods are tempered and the dynamics change when he simply steps foot in the house.

Over the years I’ve come to realize that I am really good at making sure things get done, but maybe not so good at getting down on the floor, getting good & dirty, and playing with my kids. I even admit that sometimes my everything-should-be-perfect-and-run-so-smoothly attitude sucks the joy right out of family time. That’s why Jared is refreshing for me. I love that when I’m being a stick in the mud, he either ignores me or gives me the “loosen up” line, and he goes right on doing his thing and being "fun dad".

Last night during FHE, I was so ready for the girls to be in bed already and I was in one of THOSE moods (which oddly enough, happens frequently during FHE). When singing time came around, I held my breath in hopes that the girls wouldn’t choose any of those dreaded songs, when sure enough Brita wanted to sing Do As I’m Doing. Not that there’s anything wrong with that song, other than I’m lazy and exhausted and don’t like to use up any more energy that I really have to. As I was sitting on the couch (because someone had to hold Meg), I set aside that Type A personality for a bit and couldn’t help but laugh as Jared was running in a circle around the living room to “do as Leah was doing.” He took it so seriously and I swear I could see the competitive fire in his eyes as he engaged in a full-out effort to swiftly pass the girls during the ”if I do it fast” part of the song. By the time they sat down after their run I was enjoying a good belly laugh that only got better when Brita said she wanted everyone to do a silly dance. Jared’s not really a dancer – he claims to not get any utility out of it – but he put on quite the show and unlike me, he was determined to participate with arms flailing, shoulders shrugging, and all.

Little moments like that are why I appreciate and adore Jared. Those who know Jared know that he is a direct, to the point, no-fluff kind of guy. And for those very reasons, I think it's hilarious that he's the lone man here on the home front. And even though he doesn't really know how to interact with the girls in conversation sometimes, he's so good at bonding with them in other ways. He is always good for a hike, a game of chess, or a bike ride around the block. And if it weren't for Jared, I really don't know how much let-loose fun time we'd have around here. So in the spirit of loving my girls' dad, I'm attaching some of my favorite photos that capture his relationship with them the best.