Father's Day

Let's be honest... Dads always get the short end of the stick when it comes to holidays. And what I mean is this: Father's Day is promoted approximately three days in advance. Mother's Day is promoted approximately three months in advance. There are banners for every spa in town advertising gift certificates. Flower shops are in overdrive and teachers (uh-hum, me included) are scrambling to get their students to make the perfect handmade gift from the heart.

Poor dads. Most of the time, kids are out of school already. No school handmade gift from the heart. It's more like - Here is a six pack of beer and a Snickers bar. Oh and maybe a card/maybe not because guys don't really want a sappy card anyway. To add insult to injury, Father's Day is smack dab in the middle of the summer when kids are a) either away at camp or b) moms are too busy pulling their hair out because the kids are home all day and forget to plan something.

When I was growing up, my sister and/or I were always at a camp and would miss Father's Day every single year. I'm not even kidding about this. Every year!

So, this year I'm doing it up! And I'm challenging you to do the same. Father's Day is Sunday and that means we might need to get a move on it. To kick off this sentimental weekend, I've created my own cheesy handmade gift... this blog post. I'm posting to all the world what I have learned from my dad and why I am thankful for these lessons. Honestly, these are some of the most important lessons that unfortunately (mom - I love you, but...) mom could not teach me.

Here we go, Dad:

 Lesson #1

 Precision is important. (Nothing was "eye-balled" here. Measuring tape required.)

My dad was a contractor. I could just stop here, because those of you who either have a contractor in your family or you know one, know what I'm talking about. And as annoying and as time consuming as it can be - precision matters. When my dad remodeled my house (new floors, turned a carport into a stunning dining room, built me a pantry, laundry room, and added a master bath) and built our family home, he made sure every detail was perfect. The floors are lined up perfectly, there is symmetry in every room, and every cut is even. As much as I just "wanted it done" and I'm sure Debs said a time or two, "Oh goodness Larry, just make the cut" I'm glad my dad took the time to DO IT RIGHT.


Lesson #2

  Get up early. (The early bird gets the bugs/lobsters.)

I am a morning person and I have my dad to blame thank. Growing up, I despised the fact that I had to wake up at 7am on a Saturday morning to cut the grass. Ugh, so not cool - ha! All of my other girlfriends were getting extra beauty rest and there I was sweating to death, praying that the cute boys in the neighborhood were not driving by as I was pushing the mower along the front lawn. We were never allowed to sleep in. Ever. And I am so thankful for that now. The thought of wasting the day drives me crazy. My dad used to say, "You can get 8 hours of sleep whether you wake up at 7:00 or 9:00, just depends on what time you go to bed. And honestly it's only the first 10 minutes after you wake up that are rough. But after that you are usually happy that you are up and making moves." Gosh, don't you hate when your parents are right!?


Lesson #3

Math matters. (Doughnuts do, too.)

I can't even tell you how lucky I am to have my dad around. Not only is he still healthy, but he is beyond helpful.  If you ever need a feel good moment, just stop by my classroom on any Wednesday and this is the picture you will see: Mr. Taylor bringing in custom doughnut orders for the kids who scored a 90% or higher on their weekly multiplication test, Mr. Taylor organizing every single child's weekly folder that needs to go home that afternoon, Mr. Taylor sitting with kids on the verge of tears helping them with Common Core Math that is blowing their minds, Mr. Taylor giving high-fives and "way-to-gos" to kids who have FINALLY mastered their multiplication facts after months of practicing and, for some, for the first time in their LIFE. He's helped tremendously in making an "I hate math" kid into an "I can't wait for math today" kid. And that's why he proves that math matters.


Lesson #4

Hawaii is ALWAYS a good idea. (Alohaaaaaa!)

For those of you who don't know, my dad convinced my mom to move to Hawaii with him after only a few short months of dating. My dad proposed to my mom in Hawaii. My dad married my mom in Hawaii. And after high school, my dad took us to Hawaii, twice. I honestly believe he had a lot to do with our family's obsession love for Hawaii. Kacey got engaged in Hawaii. I got married in Hawaii. There you have it - thanks to my dad, the three girls in his life have found love there, fell in love there, and declared their love there. See, my dad knows a way to a girl's heart and he obviously inspired our now husbands, too... just take her to Hawaii.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! Love - ELT jr.

*For my readers - Remember to make a big deal about this day for your dad or husband. Make a quick list of the things your dad has taught you. You may even think - WOW, my dad is more awesome than I let him know and I think I will make this Father's Day the BEST ONE YET!

I'd love to hear what lessons your dad has taught you! 

An Open Letter to my Sister

Dear Sis,

Let's just start off by saying that I am STOKED for the arrival of your daughter/my NIECE!!!! You are going to be an incredible mother and Tim will be an exceptional father. And of course Adam and I will spoil her rotten. Visions of Ryan Surf Camp, shopping sprees, and living room dance parties are running through my head! I cannot wait to snuggle her for endless hours and laugh as the tickle monster Uncle Dunkle shows no mercy. She will have a fountain top ponytail at any point in time during her visit with Aunt Ellise. My heart melts when I think of her in garnet and gold and I can't wait until she presses her sweet, little hands together and bows her head to pray with us - eeeeeeek!

Now, down to the nitty gritty. I need you to listen very carefully to your big sis (like I've always bossed you to do) and read this letter with an open mind. I know this pregnancy has been quite the emotional roller coaster (weeeeeeeeeee), but I have to share my advice before the craziness of operation-baby-girl-takeover ensues.

As a teacher, you know I might just know a thing or two about a thing or two. I might not know a lot about parenting and I can assure you I know nothing about babies, but I know fifth graders. And I know that if certain things don't start happening early, by the time they reach me in fifth grade, it's really hard to mold them into who you and God want them to be. Everyone tells me: "Time flies!" and " They grow up too fast!" or "How is my child in 5th grade already?"

And so, since you will be saying these same words in 10 (lightning fast) years, I want you to be as best prepared as you can. This is not short and sweet, but long and strong.

Bossy Big Sis Advice:

Tip Demand #1: Read

Every. Single. Day. No Excuses. Read with her. Read to her. Buy books. And lots of them. Take her to the library. Let her see you reading, even if it's Glamour Magazine. Or the comic section of the paper. Whatever. Just read. Let her see your excitement for learning new things. Make story time the best time of the day. Get into character. Act silly. Let her see the joy that reading gives you. She will want to do the same because she wants to be just like her mommy. Show her that reading is important. Why? Because it IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SUBJECT IN SCHOOL. I promise you this. The most frustrated/struggling students are the students who have trouble reading and/or "hate" reading. They hate reading because they don't have a role model who loves it. Be my niece's reading role model.

Tip Demand #2: Have dinner or lunch or breakfast or a snack together.

Sit and talk.  Please don't let her eat in her room while watching TV and Instagraming her BFF who is totes magotes dating a hotty totty. Teach her manners, which I know you will. Yes ma'am. Please. Napkin in lap. Drink on the table, not on the floor... you have no idea what I've seen. The parents who know what's going on know because they ask. They talk. They listen. They put down their phones.  Parents who are nose deep in their own social media drama will produce their own little apples that continue to fall from their unmanageable tree. Either she hears your voice or that of Hollywood. And Hollywood is telling her to wear a hot pink zebra push up bra under a white shirt and show up at school. Yes, this happened.

Tip Demand #3. Let her take risks.

It builds confidence. Kids are starving for confidence. And I mean starrrrrving for it. (Sidenote - Have you shaken a 12-year-old's hand lately? Seriously, seek one out and do it. Like, go to a park one day and just randomly start introducing yourself or something. Most of them are Limp-ma-gimp! We don't need to crush knuckles, but give me a good shake and look me in the eye. I'll never forget Mrs. Blythe telling mom what she did with the two boys when meeting someone new. She would ask her children what color eyes a person had after meeting them for the first time. I love this. Eye contact. Stand up straight. A firm handshake.)  Allow her to fail and encourage her to keep going when she does. Let her try out for teams. Let her be the worst on the team if it makes her happy. She will learn and she will get better. Or she will lead herself to other areas where she will thrive. Let her do things that will end in failure and disappointment. Because failing builds perseverance and perseverance builds character and character builds confidence. Be confident that this will make her more confident.

Tip Demand #4. I saved the hardest for last...

Warning: I will be guilty of this one.

She will be pretty, but she won't be the prettiest. She will be hardworking, but she won't be the best at everything all the time. I say this because I've had kids at my fifth grade door thinking they can do no wrong, whine when they don't get their way, and pout when I tell them... wait for it - no they aren't the best (gasssppp). If I tell my sweet niece that she is the prettiest/best, then what will she work for? Will she be humble? Will she get lazy?

Highlighting her strengths and the strengths of others, will teach her to be well rounded. I see it every month: I announce the student of the month or highest grades on a test, etc. There are students who clap and congratulate their classmates and then there are those who shoot me the "I'm spoiled and my mommy tells me I'm the best when I'm really not" face.

I know you really don't need this because you will be a great parent. But, if it ever gets hard and you need a quick reminder as to why you are being the "mean" parent or the annoying 20 questions parent, just glance at this little love note. Her teachers will thank you.

I love you! xo Big Sis

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