Happy Father's Day - From My Kids To Their Dad

My kids are too young to actually write a note to their Dad for Father's Day but I write this from their perspective based on what I see in their eyes, their smiles and their joy.  My own two cents may be thrown in as well, as how can I not thank the guy who always seems to get the job of cleaning up various bodily fluids from two children!

• Thank you Dad, for always giving me 'one last kiss' before bed
• Thank you Dad, for being okay with your arm falling asleep as I take a nap on you when I am sick
• Thank you Dad, for putting together my Lego fire station again and again and again
• Thank you Dad, for letting me help with chores outside even though it takes you longer when I do
• Thank you Dad, for sharing your food with me, even if it means I end up eating your whole sandwich and you don't get any at all
• Thank you Dad, for your patience when I insist on doing up my own car seat buckle and it takes me awhile 
• Thank you Dad, for showing me how to do so many new things like using the hose sprayer, drinking from a 'big kid' water bottle, putting my clothes away and so much more
• Thank you Dad, for taking the time to do something special with us, one on one like going for pancakes or trips to Home Depot
• Thank you Dad, for learning to take out ponytails
• Thank you Dad, for taking care of us when we are sick, for doing the laundry at 2 AM so we get our favourite blankets back as soon as possible
• Thank you Dad, for all the hugs and snuggles
• Thank you Dad, for making us feel important and loved
• Thank you Dad, in advance, for the million other things you will do for us

It is a pleasure to watch my husband be a Father to my kids.  I feel very lucky that he not only loves his role as a Father but is an equal contributor to our parenting team.

Happy Father's Day Daddy-O (from the mouth of my two year old daughter)!

Macaroni Trophy Father's Day Craft

This Father's Day craft doesn't take a lot of expensive materials and produces a really fancy looking end results.  My kids had lots of fun making this macaroni trophy for a Father's Day gift for their Dad and we'll be making this craft at the momstown Oakville annual Father's Day picnic.

Father's Day Macaroni Trophy

What You Need:

-Heavy cardboard for the main part of the trophy and the stand (found in my recycle bin)
-Cardboard for the sides of the trophy (found in my recycle bin)
-dried macaroni and other pasta shapes
-white glue
-paint brushes
-gold spray paint
-construction paper
-markers

What You Do:

-Cut out a trophy shape from a piece of heavy duty cardboard.  I drew one in pencil (took a few tries) and then cut it out.  Cut a slit in the bottom (about 2 inches).  Cut a rectangular small piece of cardboard that you will insert into the slit at the base of the trophy so that it can stand up.
-From the thin pieces of cardboard (cereal box, cracker box, etc) cut out two 'C' shapes for the sides of the trophy.  Don't glue them on just quite yet.
-Squeeze some white glue on to the trophy and use a paint brush to spread it over all areas of the cardboard.

-Start adding your dried pasta in whatever pattern you'd like

-Once all the macaroni is on, leave it to dry for a few hours.  One caution is to not overload the trophy with too much pasta or it will be too heavy to keep standing up.
-Once the trophy is dry, glue on the sides of the trophy (the two 'C' shapes you cut out) and then spray paint the whole thing in gold.  You'll also have to spray paint the other small piece of cardboard that will be the base to help stand up the trophy.

-Once the spray paint is dry, cut out a shape to be used as the trophy plaque and write your Father's Day message (#1 Dad, World's Greatest Day, Happy Father's Day, etc) and use white glue to glue it on.
-Slide in the base piece in the slit at the bottom so that the trophy can stand up and you are done!

Top Local Father's Day Gift Ideas For Oakville Dads

Father's Day is just around the corner!  Wondering what the perfect gift might be for the Dad's in your life this year?  Oakville businesses have lots of Father's Day gift ideas to choose from and you can surely find something from one of these amazing local retailers.

My husband bouncing my now 4 year old son on the yoga ball to
calm him when he was just a few weeks old

Springridge Farms
Need a gift for a foodie Dad?  Springridge Farms has delicious sauces, marinades, relishes, tapinades and salsas made from Ontario produce.  So many options that are perfect for BBQ season!

Cameron Brewing Company
This Oakville brewery has a Father's Day BBQ and also a retail brewery store where you can buy some of their signature Cream Ale, Auburn Ale or Dark 266.

HAND & STONE Massage and Facial Spa
Treat Dad to an unforgettable, pampering and luxuriously relaxing spa treatment! Our signature Hot Stone and Relaxation massages truly offer therapeutic benefits.

Family Golf & Learning Centre
A gift certificate for baskets of golf balls and golf lessons are a perfect gift for Dad!

Lots of options for new clothes for Dad from Burrows Clothiers or Blazers for Men

Gears Bike Shop
From recreational to competitive cyclists, they've got tons of great gift ideas.  Mention this blog and receive 20% off a men's regular priced jersey!

The Green Bean
Located in the Towne Square in downtown Oakville, they've got lots of coffee beans to choose from for the Dad that savours and covets his morning coffee.

Cupid's Gourmet Bakery
Satisfy Dad's sweet tooth with some cupcakes or a pie (a favourite in our house is the S'Mores Pie)

Encore Cinemas - Buy Dad A Film Card!
Film Cards are reusable, rechargeable magnetic stripe cards which can be purchased and recharged online. Available in any amount (minimum $10 for initial purchase), these cards are redeemable at Encore Cinemas for both admission and concession bar. And once you’ve received your Encore Card, you can avoid the queues by topping it up with additional funds online or in person anytime.

The Wingery
Consistently awarded for having the best wings in town, The Wingery offers more than 20 different flavours of wings and complimentary side dishes like wedge fries, coleslaw and more.

Don't forget a card!  Here is an adorable hand made card that the kids can make to top off one of these perfect gift ideas.

Happy Father's Day!