Today has been James' first Father's Day without his Dad with us. I didn't really know how he would be today. He didn't really know either. He thought he'd be ok because Father's Day was never a big thing in his family.
On Friday morning we headed out to Monday Morning cafe for the usual pre-school breakfast (instead of going to the school one). The kids always love having their breakfast there because they get so much and we quite like having the tasty food. This year James decided that we all would go which was nice to do together.
On Sunday we had planned to go around to Lara and Oli's place for Church in the morning but Alexander has been battling fevers since Friday night so we instead had a day at home. Alexander also woke a lot last night so it had been a long night.In the morning Eliza and Alexander were both awake and up but had forgotten that it was Father's Day (not the best start. James put them to bed last night so I didn't get to prep them about it being Father's Day today). They went off to play. Daniel had a slow morning and then had to get up to get ready for AFL. After he was dressed I whispered to him that it was Father's Day so he went and said Happy Father's Day to James. Then I did the same to Eliza and Alexander and they excitedly ran up to him to say Happy Father's Day.
Daniel and I headed off to AFL while James stayed home with the kids. Daniel's team won the game which he was quite excited about. Alexander and Eliza decided to make a big picture for Daddy.
When we got home it was time to give James his presents. He read his messages in our book and then openned each present - Chocolates from Daniel, vouchers from Eliza for a dessert cafe and a new BBQ cover from Alexander.
Eliza was giggling at her message to Daddy that said 'Happy Farters Day'
Vouchers from Eliza
Chocolate from Daniel
A new Weber bbq cover from Alexander Then he openned his gift from all of us - a book showing how Malcolm and him are similar and how his Dad is living on through James. James really liked this but it also made him a bit sad.
We watched church together and James also watched the car racing throughout the day. He also finished work on the back wall. It's so cool to see it finished! He has done such a wonderful job and it's so nice. I love that he did it with his Dad, my Dad, Daniel, Eliza and Alexander. It has been a real family affair to get it done, and a long one too - 2.5 years from when he started working on it. Now the pressure is onto me to think up plants to go in it. Eeek.
Then another part of his Father's Day was that Nooblette Cafe was reopenned with a dinner menu. Daniel was so keen to make the breakfast menu again but it was too tricky to do with having AFL and church at someone else's house. Instead I decided that they could make Daddy a 3 course dinner.
Eliza made the entree - Creamy corn and bacon chowder. She did a great job cutting the potatoes and the bacon, stirring the ingredients (even when her arm got tired). I was actually really proud of how she listening to the different steps. She also made and cut the toast. It was really tasty!
Next up, Daniel made the main - Spaghetti Bolognese. It wasn't the recipe that James normally makes but it was still yummy. It's a more simplified recipe for kids to follow. He used a grater for the first time, chopped the onion, and mixed the ingredients. He also used Boompa's trick to break the spaghetti in half before putting it in the water so that it is easier to eat (first go it all went everywhere but he worked out how to do it into the pot). I love that he even knew about it when I mentioned it to him.
Lastly, Alexander made an apple danish for dessert. Well, when I say made, he helped me put it in the oven and scooped out the ice cream. The poor little guy has been fighting fevers since Friday night. Today I thought he was all better but in the afternoon he went downhill and his fever returned. So I wanted a meal that he could help make without spreading his germs. This is where Sara Lee came in to help out. We bought an apple danish for him to put into the oven. I'm proud of Alexander being ok with that. He was quite excited to use the ice cream scoop when serving up, although he did need my help to squeeze it because it wasn't going to budge with just him doing it.
James also got to decide on his drink and he chose red wine (he'd had coke at lunch). It was a really lovely dinner sitting at the table, chatting about different things, talking about what Baptism is and when James and I got baptised. It was just really nice to sit together and chat without getting cranky about how the kids were sitting.James loved his meal (the kids weren't as keen of the different meals but oh well, today it wasn't about them). And I do enjoy cooking with the kids and helping them learn different skills, even though I do still find it a bit tricky to not just take control of the situation.
Then I cleaned up the kitchen and James was amazing and read with each of the kids and put them to bed.
Happy Father's Day James! Thank you for being such an amazing dad to our kiddies. Thank you for all that you have done for us. Thank you for all your hard work on the back wall. Thank you for loving our kids, for being patient with me and with them. Thank you for chatting with them today about God and about your journey.
And Happy Father's Day to my Dad. I didn't get to see him today and I was bad and didn't call him but I did message him and I hope that he knows how much I appreciate him and value him and all he does for us.We missed Malcolm today. My heart goes out to those who have lost their dad's and have been worried about James and Jenny for a lot of today but I also love that so many of his qualities live on in them both and they always will.
It has been a different day, things haven't gone to plan but it has still been a nice day together.
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