Dad's Day & The First Day of Summer Rolled Into One

I woke initially around 5:30 and then again around 6:30am, but fell right back asleep. I got up for keeps at 7am. It was a sunny start to Father’s Day and the first official day of summer. The last I had seen, it was expected to be sunny, hot and humid for the next several days. Summer’s right on queue. I prepped a pot of coffee then started my exercise regimen. I was out the door with Ykraps before 7:15am. It was in the mid 60’s – a lovely morning indeed. I was happy to see next to no digging around my newest sprinkler head. A raccoon went berserk there Friday morning digging for something. I gather he smelt the human scent and mistook it for meat. Inside I poured myself a cup of coffee and then spent some time playing on the internet. I must’ve played around for a good hour. I prepped and left for a run at 8:30am. I ran just three miles running along Trabue and down Hague, a typical Sunday run. Mindy and the kids still weren’t up when I returned. I was only a little surprised. I took care of a few minor chores. Soon, Mindy and the kids were up. Mindy wasted little time starting breakfast after verifying that I had already completed my run. While she cooked I filled the humming bird feeder and mounted the new Tiki torches to the deck. By the time I headed back inside, Mindy & the kids had Father’s Day cards and a gift waiting for me. I opened the card and gift from the kids first. They each thanked me for something special that I’ve done for them. That was cute! Bella thanked me for flying her to bed, and Jacob thanked me for giving him some IPA. J kidding! They gifted me a pair of new Crocs, too. Cool! I opened Mindy’s card next. Inside was a gift card to Golf Galaxy worth more than enough to cover the putter I wanted and probably enough to get that new driver I’ve been eyeing too. Geesh! Thanks Princess! I made out. Breakfast was ready in short order. Mindy made maple sausage links and French toast. She poured mimosas for the two of us. The kids had straight OJ but also served in wine glasses. Breakfast was delicious. I had two mimosas. After clean-up I suggested that all of us do a family bike ride. We left just after 11am, and we ended up heading to the local park. Curious about the rumors surrounding some guy living in the woods of the park, I promptly parked my bike and walked back through the woods looking for any signs of camping/living in the woods. Nothing but some scattered trash. I know some teenagers hang out back there but nothing looked unusual. Jacob’s chain came off of his bike during our ride. I had to do a field repair, just like when I was a kid. No problem. I got it back on easily, but advised that he should take it slow until we got back home where I could tighten the chain properly. We took a different route home. Mindy spotted an old family friend, Steve Gallentine (sp) out mowing his yard. We stopped and chatted briefly. We headed home after short visit. Jimaken was already waiting at our house for the kids. He planned to take Jacob and Bella swimming for a couple of hours. While I worked on Jacob’s bike chain, the kids gave their daddy his Father’s Day gift. They left for the pool just as I was finishing up the bike repair. Mindy started our Father’s Day meal prep as soon as the kids departed. I asked if she needed me to do anything before heading out to mow the lawn. I lowered the blade a ½” before mowing. The lawn was a bit drier than it’s been all spring and not completely over grown. After all, I cut it only 66 hours prior. The mowing went a bit easier than the past few. And as soon as I finished with our yard, I started on David and Becky’s. They were out of town all week and I told Dave I’d take care of it. Given that their lawn is flat, I cut 99% of it with my tractor. It was easy save for the three or four trees I had to carve around. To finish, I wacked and edged. I edged David’s yard, too – something they don’t typically do. That was tough sledding! After finishing up both lawns I gave the tractor a long over due bath. It was still covered in dirt after the grade change project in mid-spring. I got it spit shined in a jiffy. Just as I was putting it away in the shed it occurred to me that the grand kids might want tractor rides. So, instead of putting it away, I got out the trailer, hooked it up and parked it in the mid-backyard. Before heading in I blew both of our walks and drives clear of any grass clippings. Just as I was finishing up my chores, all the girls and grand kids showed up in Courtney’s minivan. After a quick hug, I headed in for a much needed shower. I was feeling hot and slightly over heated. By the time I was out of the shower, dad was over. It wasn’t quite 4pm. Mindy didn’t plan to grill until 5:30pm or so. I played with all the kids in the yard. Soon Tommy and Wally arrived, as did good friend Tom Clark. We’ve only had all the girls and all the grand kids over one other time. That was Xmas eve. Being able to play outside made the gathering a bit more manageable. I gave the kids tractor rides around the immediate area. It was fun. Mindy asked me to get the grill going around 5:00pm. I grilled ten NY strips and eight hot dogs. Meanwhile, Mindy prepared green bean casserole, baked potatoes, and lots of finger food. A couple of the girls didn’t want to eat, and Kaileigh had to leave even before we ate dinner to make it to yet another Father’s Day celebration. Courtney, Lindsey, Ashley and Olivia left soon after dinner. Rocky & Landon stayed behind for a sleep over. Landon cried like he always does. I had to take him from Lindsey. I knew he’d be smiling in short order. It took a few minutes longer for him to calm but once he did he was happy-go-lucky. He and I spent a lot of time on the kiddie tree swing. Almost everybody left by 7:30pm. But Dad stuck around later than anyone else. He didn’t leave until 8:30pm or so. Mindy invited him over for Monday leftovers (steak). He loosely accepted. Dad walked Ykraps before departing. Thanks Dad! Mindy got the kids (Rocky, Landon, Jacob, and Bella) bathed and ready for bed before 9pm. We allowed Landon, Rocky, and Jacob to share the guest bed. Landon cried and pleaded to sleep with Rocky, something he does every night at home. It made no sense to fight it. Landon cried at lights out for less than a minute. Ten minutes later, Jacob asked to be tucked into his own bed. All the kids were out by 9:30pm. We weren’t far behind. We sat and reflected on our day before retiring to bed around 10pm.