I Love Daddy
It’s not what I expected to see when I got home from work today. Normally I come in the house and the kids come running to the door screaming, “Daddy!!!” as they smother me with hugs. I love that about coming home from work. In fact, it’s my favourite part of any given week. Today was a little different for a number of reasons though.
Today, before any running hugs could occur, my 4 year old son excitedly instructed my wife to get the picture for Daddy. I’d seen this one play out before and it usually meant that he had coloured a picture for me and couldn’t wait for me to see it. I love his colourings by the way and I am always appreciative to receive them. Today’s was a different picture though and one that struck a new nerve that I hadn’t used before.
The picture shown above is his very first time writing the word “love” without asking for help. When he showed it to me, he said, “I made this for you Daddy, because I love you so much”. I managed to maintain my composure in front of him but inside I was a raging ball of mushy goop. Not just because of the sentiment but also because of how great he did in spelling out the words. I’m so proud of my little man and his determination in wanting to learn how to spell. I’m a very lucky Daddy.
My daughter, now 7, will sometimes draw pictures for me. Sometimes they are us as a family, sometimes they are of something indiscernible (cats in houses in other houses or something). Sometimes she will accompany her picture with text. My 5 year old son will spend HOURS on a picture for me. Often I can’t tell what it is. Point being, it’s that expression of love that we as parents get. Being able to appreciate it is something we can give back to them.
My son is the same way with pictures. He wants it to be so perfect, even though I would love anything he takes the time to make for me.
Ack! That gets you right in the heart, doesn’t it?
My 2.5 year old just started telling us voluntarily “I nuuuh(love) you, Mummy/Daddy”. It’s so hard to maintain composure when they do that, isn’t it? I catch my breath every time.
I froze for a minute and maybe squeezed him a little too tight, but that’s alright ;D
My daughter is all about the colouring and writing. Most of her pieces of art aren’t legible but she sure can write Love, Mommy, Daddy, and her brother’s name.
Her pictures she draws on the other hand are quite spectacular. Very detailed and every aspect is there. When she draws me, she draws everything to a tee. Hair, eyes, clothing I’m wearing and what I am doing. There isn’t a moment in her day she isn’t wanting to draw, colour or all the in between.
I love the little letters. I get mine as post it notes throughout the house so everywhere I go I have something to read. Her reasoning, I always tell them they should be reading lots and lots, so she gives me something to read everywhere I go too!
That’s awesome! I can’t wait for the kids to get a little older so we can start doing fun things like that for each other.
Awww! Those are treasures! JR and I got a card from Adelaide last night with personalized notes and illustrations and they still make us melt. I hope they never stop coming!
One thing as Lucas gets older is a nightly notebook. I do one with Cosette. Most nights I find the book on my pillow with a message, a joke or riddle, a question, and I write back and leave it on her pillow for when she wakes up. It is an ongoing conversation we never speak of. It is SO fun and helpful on so many levels!
I love the idea of the notebook! Luke is still learning to read and write but I think it would be fun to have something like that. I guess in the interim, we could draw pictures for each. He has so much pride in his eyes when he does a picture for us, it’s great!