Day 1,054 - The Preschool Graduate

Guess what? I made it through Thursday without shedding a tear. No thanks to Darius Rucker. Seriously Hootie, why do you have to punish people like that? You drove me to the brink, man.

I know that people are legitimately shocked that I, the (self-proclaimed) manliest man who ever manned, would be driven to near tears by the King of the Blowfish. However, that's what preschool graduation can do to a man. That's right, Thursday marked Ellie's official Preschool Graduation.

If I'm being totally honest though, the emotions didn't begin on Thursday morning. I think things really got real for me on Wednesday as Ellie and I (and Ethan) were on our way to Little Lambs Preschool for the final time.

For the last ten months, three days a week, I've loaded Ellie up in the car and we've driven a mile south to the campus of Good Shepherd Church where Ellie's preschool is located. During that time, we've developed quite the little routine. One of the most important parts is our daily prayer. Ellie and I will both take turns praying together for her day. Then, when the time comes for her to barrel out of the car, I'll watch as she happily skips/runs in the doors to see her teachers and class.

On Wednesday though, it was not lost on me that I was experiencing these things for the final time with my little girl as a preschooler. Therefore, I made sure to make the moment count. First of all, I made sure that our morning prayer consisted of gratefulness to God for all Ellie had gotten to experience at Little Lambs throughout the school year. Then, we thanked God for her awesome teachers and friends. Finally, we made sure to praise and thank God for there even being an Ellie to pray these prayers with. Man, I'm getting a little misty-eyed just thinking about it.

When the time came to pick up Ellie, there was another reminder that things were changing. Instead of Ellie being quickly hustled out to the car in a timely and efficient manner, things moved a little slower. First of all, Ellie and her classmates were escorted out to their parents' cars one at a time. There was also a grand announcement, complete with applause, from other Little Lambs staff members as part of seeing the kids off.  I don't think that the joy I saw erupt across Ellie's face in that moment could ever be easily replicated. Then, for the final time, we pulled out of the Little Lambs parking lot and headed for home, being sure to take the long way.

Taking the long way has actually become a way of life for us after picking Ellie up from school. While we could take the direct route and get home faster, I love meandering through a random neighborhood while inevitably seeing a flock of geese along the way. Most importantly, it gives Ellie and I time to discuss her day in detail without the distractions of being at home. This tradition began during COVID as a chance for me to get a little extra time with my daughter before she would run inside and see Bethany. Even though Bethany has since gone back to work, Ellie hasn't stopped asking to take the long way home. I love the fact that our little detour has become such a special part of our day that she doesn't ever want to part with it even if it's a little silly.

Fast forward to Thursday and Ellie's formal preschool graduation. While we were back at the Good Shepherd campus, instead of heading downstairs to Little Lambs, all four of us (yes, Bethany and Ethan were along for the ride) headed into an auditorium for the ceremony. Well, I should rephrase that. Ellie took her place alongside her class in a back room so that she could make a formal entrance into her graduation ceremony. The rest of us took our seats inside the auditorium and patiently waited for the festivities to begin.

Once the graduating classes were marched in and their seats found, we were treating to a brief opening statement from the director of Little Lambs. Then, it was time for Hootie to make us cry (or die trying?). His weapon of choice was the song, "It Won't Be Like This For Long" running alongside a slideshow of the year at Little Lambs. If you haven't heard it, I'll include a hyperlink on the song title. I swear, each time a link of Ellie smiling or playing or doing anything popped up on that screen, it was all I could do to hold myself together. **sigh** Stupid Darius Rucker.

Once the slideshow mercifully ended, it was time for the kids to receive their diplomas. Ellie's class was the second of two to go. One-by-one, the kids took turns marching onto the stage to pose with their teachers, Ms. Anna and Ms. Molly, and receive an actual printed certificate certifying them as a graduate of Little Lambs preschool. Also important to note is that Ms. Molly announced what each student wanted to be when they grew up. While some of her friends wanted to be Batman, a scarecrow, a princess, or the Hulk, Ellie instead chose to pick the practical option of being a mom. Pretty sweet if I do say so myself.

After the ceremony ended, the only thing left to do was take a quick picture at the photo booth and head to the graduation picnic at the park. While Ellie was a little disappointed that the weather kept some of her friends away, she had an amazing time playing with her friends one final time. 

If I'm being honest, that last statement is somewhat sad in itself. Due to the way that school lines are drawn, there's no guarantee that Ellie will ever see some of her preschool friends again. Hearing her talk about that very truth is enough to break one's heart. However, Bethany and I have been certain to encourage her over and over that change is nothing to be scared of. Some of the best things that will ever happen to her in life will undoubtedly be a result of big changes.

That being said, I know that I find myself wishing that changes didn't have to happen so fast. In just three months, Ellie will be starting kindergarten and her days of being at home with me (and Ethan) will be over. It's honestly hard for me just thinking about it and I know it's something I'm going to have to get used to. That doesn't make it any easier though. However, change never is. It really never is.

I blame Darius Rucker.

 #DaddyWrite

Day 1,046 - 1,051 - Breaking, Entering, and Must Love Dogs

While it's easy for an adult to succumb to monotony, I never cease to be surprised when my kids struggle with that very concept. Who would thought that a four-year-old and a two-year-old would occasionally get tired of doing the same activities and eventually want a change of pace? Also, what I forget now and then is that said change of pace doesn't have to be anything big. Sometimes, it's as simple as playing in someone else's backyard with someone else's toys while petting someone else's dogs.

Now, if anyone reading this wants to call the police to report trespassing or something of that ilk, please don't. I promise that I had full permission to break and enter. Is it breaking and entering if you use the person's garage code? Also, I should probably note that my permission came from the person house-sitting instead of the actual homeowners. Wow, there's just a ton of gray areas when you think about it that way, isn't there?

Actually, if I being completely honest, I'm 99% certain the homeowners knew about my presence and were good with it. I was actually going over there each day last week and today to exercise their two dogs while the house-sitter was at work. Also, the family that owns the house are actually good friends of ours. That being said, I feel like the original narrative of breaking and entering was just so much more interesting, don't you?

If I'm being totally honest here, my "service" was almost as much for me as it was them. First of all, I absolutely love playing with dogs so I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to play with a six-month-old Australian Shepherd. Her name is Lucy and she has unlimited energy. The second I let her out of her kennel, she sprints to the back door of the house, waiting for me to let her outside. Then, as soon as the door opens, she takes off sprinting back and forth across the yard until she's exerted enough nervous energy to be able to play a game of fetch. Although, the thing about playing fetch with a pup is that going and getting the ball is just part of the game. Once she brings it back, then it's time for tug-of-war until I can finally wrestle it away from her strong jaws and throw it again.

While I was spending about an hour and a half each day playing fetch with Lucy, the kids were entertaining themselves in other ways. The awesome thing about this backyard is that it is a virtual paradise for a young kid. Between the treehouse in one corner, the big swinging rope in another, the "nest" swing and soccer net in the middle of the yard, and the trampoline in another corner, there is no shortage of activities for a kid to do! 

While Ellie was only around on both Mondays and Friday, Ethan didn't hurt for things to do. He mostly cycled between three activities. Those activities included petting the other dog, Casey, sitting on a four-wheeler parked under the treehouse and pretending to drive, and jumping on the trampoline. That being said, what really warmed my heart was watching Ethan sprint across the backyard with Lucy running alongside him! I love that my kids are developing big hearts for animals and that they love being around them. Here's hoping those attitudes continue in their lives.

Run Ethan, run!

While we had a great time "breaking and entering" on a daily basis to play with dogs last week, all good things must come to an end. Today our friends returned home from their time away and with that our daily trips to their house end. After all, they might find it slightly uncomfortable if we continue using their garage door code to enter their house whenever we want even though they're home. I know that would make me uncomfortable. #DaddyWrite

Day 1,042 - Ellie Versus the Tilt-a-Whirl

In her relatively short life, Ellie hasn't encountered much that she is afraid of. I mean, she is afraid of Cruella de Vil in the original '101 Dalmatians' but who among us isn't at least a little bit unsettled by her? After all, as Roger Dearly eloquently composed, "If she doesn't scare you, No evil thing will." Outside of Cruella and the occasional out-of-control ride on her bike, Ellie really does know no fear. Never fear though as the events of our last daddy-daughter date may have finally taught her what it really means to fear something. Muhahaha. 

At this exact moment, Ellie decided she was afraid of Cruella.

Side note: I know that last sentence sounds ominous and threatening but it's really not meant to be.

For what seems like close to a year, Ellie has been begging to go to Powerplay Family Entertainment Center. Now, I think most of her interest in Powerplay stems from two sources. The first being that she knows Bethany and I went there on a date last year. Second, and more likely, I think she's just drawn to the bright neon paint scheme adorning the exterior of the old 'Best Buy' housing Powerplay. Regardless of the reason, last Saturday was the day that Ellie finally got to go to Powerplay.

The beautiful thing about going to a place like Powerplay at 10 o'clock in the morning is that you pretty much have the place to yourself. Therefore, there were no lines when it came to the attractions and it made it pretty easy to move around the building. The first thing that Ellie found herself drawn to upon our arrival was a kids' Ferris wheel. Despite the fact that she may have been a little tall for it, that didn't stop her from cramming inside a pod and going round and round. By the time her ride finished, Ellie already had an enormous smile on her face.

Over the next hour, we headed from one game to another. Duckpin bowling, air hockey, ski-ball, pinball, Dance Dance Revolution and Deal or No Deal; we tried them all. My personal favorite had to be the motorcycle racing game that we played together. Ellie sat on the physical bike and worked the gas while I steered the bike by pushing it towards the direction of the curve. Between the two of us, we finished third which seems pretty good considering Ellie never touched the brake!

After an hour or so, we were out of points on our card meaning that it was time to go home. While Ellie had definitely had a great time, there was something missing as far as she was concerned. That thing was a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl. Just so we're on the same page, this isn't a little kids' version of a Tilt-a-Whirl. This was the real deal, grown-up Tilt-a-Whirl like you would find at an amusement park. Her disappointment was so palpable that I couldn't take it anymore and finally added another $3.00 worth of points to our card for a ride.

We wandered onto the ride and took our seat as the only people on the ride. Then, the ride attendant made certain we were buckled in tight and proceeded to give us comprehensive safety instructions. Then, it was time to sit back and ride...for about 35 seconds. That's all it took for me to wave to the operator to stop the ride. The second the spinning started totally coincided with the instant that Ellie began screaming. While I thought we might be able to ride it out, I realized I was mistaken when she buried her face in my shoulder.

Ellie for her part wasn't permanently scarred from the incident. She will still admit that it was scarier than she would have liked. However, she has mentioned on multiple occasions that she would like to ride it again when she turns seven.  Don't ask me why seven is the age of note; it just is. No word yet on if she'll still be scared of Cruella de Vil at age seven. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. #DaddyWrite