Dad's Day.

This happened just this morning and it proves that JD is a good dad, and very possibly a better parent than me.  So, read on:

After everyone enjoyed homemade pancakes to celebrate Father's Day, JD and Molly stayed at the kitchen table.  JD was finishing up his coffee and Molly was happily (and quietly) playing with Play-Doh, while I tidied the remnants of our sticky, maple syrup-ed breakfast.  I happened to drop an extra sticky fork that Molly had been using and of course syrup quickly spread across the counter, my fingers and everything I touched.  In irritation I whispered (or thought I whispered), "Oh shoot!"

Molly (and her super-sonic-superhero ears) quickly began to utter repeatedly, "Doot, man! Doot, man!"  Yes, over and over and over.

JD pipes in now with, "What is she saying?  Is she saying Dude-Man?"  (Dude-Man is an expression that has been part of a long running family joke, so old that I don't know when or how it started anymore.)  "Who taught her Dude-Man?"  At this point I can tell that JD is hyped Molly is so quick to pick-up his skateboarding, surfer-guy lingo, but yes I must break his heart.  I must tell the truth.

"She isn't saying, 'Dude-Man'.  She is saying, 'Shoot, man!'"  (Insert my sheepish look here.)

"Who did she learn that from?"  (Insert JD's look of shame-on-you mixed with caught-ya here.)

I, of course, did not dignify this question with an answer, besides we both know that any bad language our girls pick-up comes from their potty-mouthed mother.  So there you have it - JD is the better parent.  The parent who doesn't teach his daughters to curse inappropriately, but at least it was only shoot and not the f-bomb.  Right???  So for today, this lovely Father's Day, JD wins the award for "Best Parent" and I hang my head in shame.

All joking aside - Happy Father's Day to JD!  You are a great dad and husband.  The girls are so very lucky to have a dad that loves to play dress-up, ride bikes, read stories, build bird houses and tuck them in at night!  We are grateful for all that you do.  Enjoy your special day!