leave it to me to be scrambling to pick up something last minute for Jordan on his special day. the best part is that he is truly a minimalist. his idea of celebrating him (birthday, father's day, anniversary) is best planned as something we all do together as a family. we had a conversation about what we were going to do on Sunday and his words:
church.. pool.. steak.
easy enough! but I don't want to be empty handed! over memorial day weekend Jordan got himself a new grill (the old one was pushed over and demolished in a rain storm a couple months ago), so I thought some reasonably priced grill tools would be perfect! he is also really into craft beer these days. he got his first growler when we were in Arkansas a couple summers ago and is hooked! so, a stainless steal growler would be perfect for keeping his beer chilled:)
Jordan is BIG on his cologne. I've shared his (and my) love for the diesel brand fuel for life, but he forgot it one time while we were on a trip and he picked up this one and it really smells great! and for the price tag, he bought two for what one usually costs him.. and leaves a bottle in his locker at the fire station. AND- as always. dollar shave club. I say it every single time. we are believers and LOVE this stuff. I added the new daily face cleanser and moisturizer to his most recent box as a little surprise for him to try out. its a buck. one dollar. we are on the $9 plan and have the shave butter shipped every other box.
I even added in a blade handle for myself because these razors are THAT LEGIT.
Father's Day at the fire station has officially become somewhat of a tradition. Two of the last three daddy holiday's have been celebrated at the fire station (Jordan's first and now third Father's Day).
We actually don't mind this one single bit. Gives us a reason to hype up the special trip to see the fire trucks and blow the engine horns. Jolie and Parker call every single ambulance and fire truck they see "Daddy's truck" and make the "whee-eww, whee-eww" sound as it passes by.
Probably the cutest thing I ever heard.
We arr so very proud of this guy and what he means to us. I swear I wouldn't survive raising these girls alone - and they absolutely adore him.
While would have loved to be celebrating him with a couple of steaks on the grill + beer (for him..) + a sunny afternoon by the pool - a trip to see daddy makes for just as an amazing day.
Plus- I brought Jordan's favorite cake (butterscotch bundt cake + salted caramel icing). When there is cake in hand, the guys always appreciate our visit.
This is my new favorite picture to date.
Jordan is on the rescue squad for Station 6, and the girls hoot and holler over the 'rescuuuuue' when we visit.
The last time we visited, Jordan pulled out the water hose and got it all set up for the girls to spray, and they caught a run. This time he wasn't going to let that happen (well, he was going to try).
They LOVE playing in the water, and the entire way home they talked back and forth about the fire station visit and about the water and the 'rescuuuuuue' and that they got to blow the engine horn!
Not to mention the chocolate chip cookies and the 'balloons' made out of medical gloves they kicked around the fire station kitchen while the guys made lunch.
I cannot help but be so grateful for our little family of 4 and soon to be 5. The way he loves our daughters is absolutely everything and I cant wait for this wee baby girl to arrive for her to be able to feel the love of her daddy first hand. He is so very invested in this family - it beams from his sweet soul and I couldn't be more grateful for his leadership over this house.
Father's Day this year was relatively simple for me. Jordan basically told me what he wished for. He has made the comment on more than one occasion that he wishes for a 'dad bag'. The Rockstar Dad in our house plays Mr. Mom often, and with that comes the carrying of toddler things (snacks, Barbies, sippy cups, books, extra panties..in case, you know..) and soon it will be the all too familiar, but so far away, baby things, too! He wishes so badly not to have to carry the purple paisley print diaper bag that now remains home when Lily is toted around as my work bag.
Dad's special day is literally right around the corner, so I came up with a few additional + last minute ideas that might come of good use! I was browsing and Jordan walked up behind me and started spouting off how much he liked the Yeti Rambler.. and that bluetooth speaker would be nice..and I always need a money clip.
I've mentioned the Dollar Shave Club more than once when talking about gift guides for my man here on the blog, but I cant help but to mention it again. If you aren't a believer in how amazing it actually is.. let me assist. I, myself, actually sneak use of his razors on occasion because, yes they are that good. When I was updating this last month's box online I noticed they have hair products! After browsing the options, I decided that Jordan would make great use of the hair cream.. he is a very low maintenance kind of guy when it comes to his hair, so the low hold of the cream would be just perfect. I went ahead and added it to next month's box just so he can try it out.
What else..
Jordan is always a huge fan of sports tickets- and this time of year his favs are a couple of seats at Globe Life Park to watch our Texas Rangers hit a few balls, so that would be a great option, too! iTunes. You can never go wrong with a gift card. Jordan has more app purchases than anyone else I know. AND not to forget, a goodie bag of his favorite sweets + candy. This guy has a major sweet tooth, and does well to keep it in check. I have come to ignore the request texts that come through while I'm at the grocery for KitKat Minis and ice cream. BUT, on a day to celebrate him, the perfect Father to our sweet girls - he deserves a splurge, don't you think?
Happy (almost) Father's Day! What are you gifting this year??
Let's talk about how amazing my weekends are.. I mean.. when you have two crazy fun bebes in your life- how can it not be fun?
Of course.. our wild and crazy weekends are always screwy when the teething bully returns..but fails to produce any teeth (grrrr..) or the attempts to stretch the girls' feedings to four hours instead of three causes them to be awake at all hours of the night.. nearly bringing their mom to tears.. all while dad is at the fire station. I confess to nearly be at my breaking point around 3 am when I had yet to be asleep longer than a half hour 15 minutes and had my fingers hovering speed dial number one- about to call Jordan to come home when finally there was quiet.
For an hour.
This was Sunday night.. and of course Monday they were exhausted..and their morning nap was a whopping one hour before leaving for Jolie's PT appointment and on to a full-jam-packed day of errands before meeting the Massey's for a late celebratory Father's Day dinner. Needless to say.. rough. Understatement?
But.. while the end of my weekend was rough around the edges.. the rest was fabu- per the usual.
Thursday it was just me and the girls for the evening while Dad was at work and I hear the ding-dong of the doorbell to a sweet surprise from my www (world wide web) friend and fellow mommy, Darcy. She sent the girls probably the coolest gift on the planet- Indestructibles.
"...the books built for the way babies read. They are 100 percent baby-proof, chew-proof, rip-proof, and drool-proof. Printed on a unique nontoxic, paperlike material that holds up to anything babies can throw at it—gumming, spilling, dragging across the floor— Indestructibles are the little books that could. They’re indestructible. And if they get dirty, just throw them in the washing machine or dishwasher.."
Seriously. While the book is now crinkled to the nth degree.. it is perfectly intact and the girls haven't put it down. Thanks Darcy and Emmy! Have I told you how much I love snail mail?
Friday we spent the morning with Brittany of B Faith Photography for the girls' 6 month photo shoot. Hoping to have some great ones back soon to share the sweetness with all of you.. actually praying for just one decent one of the four of us. Parker was off her normal cheesy-grinned game, and Jo was in her own world not interested in the camera or smiling. (start of said teething bully's arrival..)
Of course, the moment the pictures are over this girl is hammin' it up for a quick picture with mom. lame- but consolation? I adore this picture of my mini and me.
Friday night was the perfect night for grilling with some of our favorites.
Parker and Jarrett have this special bond..
..well, both my children adore him. They can relate to his baldness..
If you ask me, this one is frameable for his office..
Good times with my sweet bestest.. we had the best evening, just us four..er.. 6!
The boys smokin' cigars and chatting it up about the possibilities of the blank canvas of a backyard that we have. Jarrett has big plans for this yard. He wants to buy the plants. Jordan is game..
In between bevi refills and chips full of Jalapeno Popper Dip.. I checked on the girls here and there. Miss Jolie needs a pillow, I suppose.
Diva.
(I did remove her from the make-shift pillow out the the bumper position.. just for the record.)
Saturday was full of birthday fun for Landon's 2nd birthday. Such a sweet party.. and Parker & Jolie's first official party to attend! This time last year those little bitties were snug in my belly..around 13 weeks gestation..
Now.. playing with the big kids.. or trying, at least.
I don't think Jolie can hang with the big kids just yet.
While sister continued on with her 2 1/2 hour nap, me and the Parks had some silly momma-daughter time.
Sunday was Jordan first Father's Day and I was sad to realize he would actually be at the fire station. BUT! The girls hadn't been to the station to visit daddy in a couple months, so we made sure to make the trip to see him on his special day.
He is such an amazing daddy to these two littles. I am so blessed to call him my husband and for Parker and Jolie to call him Dad.
Laundry? Check. Yard work? Check. Handy man? Check. Poop Wrangler? Double check- literally. Not to mention that his days off are spent caring for our sweet little girls and I am so thankful for him.
Besides.. no one can fill the bath tub with the most perfect lukewarm water like he can. Period.
My how the girls have grown since the first time they came to visit.
Time for some fun on the engine- Driver Jolie Polie (just like her daddy.. and Poppa!)
The helmet fits over the bows, right??
Parker is a pro.. duh!
Practicing pumping the water.. like daddy does when there is a fire. These fire deptartment onesies were given to us as a gift and the girls finally fit into them.. I surprised Jordan when we arrived- he loved it!
This is one for Daddy's locker. I had an IG friend take notice that the 6 on the engine is perfect for their 6 months of age.. good eye!
While there are no pictures of Monday and our crazy errand running and crabby babies.. this little one was caught rummaging around in the towers of laundry before bed. Happy girl. Love this sweet face.
and.. for a bonus day- dad is at home with these girls today while I'm stuck at work. BOO. His highlight?
Laundry. #neverending
Please excuse the random throwing abouts of my personal lacies. He already posted this picture for all of instagram to see.. so, I suppose I don't mind the sharing of it with you all either:)
And for a guaranteed smile across your face.. watch this video. Jordan sent it to me this morning while he was changing the sheets (yes, ladies and gentlemen, he really does the laundry.) I love getting pictures and videos of my girls while I'm away.
Keep in mind that Parker has yet to really laugh out loud so much. Her new thing is 'screetching' when she's excited..
See if you can catch it..
I hope Father's Day was wonderful for all you amazing daddy's out there. I know these three ladies have been blessed beyond measure for this Gent in our life. Love you more than anything, Jordan Massey!
