Five Awesome Surprises for Father’s Day

May 24, 2016November 20, 2016Amber 2 Comments

Father’s Day is coming up, so pull out all the stops to make your hubby feel special this year with these fun surprises. Your devoted hubby deserves to feel all of your love on his special day, and you can really knock his socks off with out-of-the-norm present ideas and shockers he’ll remember for years.

father's day gift ideas

For the Vino Guy

If your husband loves wine, plan a fun winery trip where you both can taste delicious pinot noir, cabernet, and winery-specific blends. Dress up for the day, and spend some long hours gazing at beautiful vineyards while sipping away. If you can’t attend the winery on Father’s Day, break the fun news to him about your plans by presenting him with a customized bottle of wine from Etching Expressions. Tie a hand-drawn coupon to the neck of the bottle: “Good for one trip to the winery of your choice”. It’s a two-part present that he will adore and never expect.

Take Part in His Favorite Hobby

Maybe you and your hubby don’t always have the same interest in hobbies, but Father’s Day is one day out of the year where all of his favorite things become all of your favorite things. Surprise him by purchasing a ticket to a game that you know he’d love to see, head to the golf course with him to whack away, or strap on that helmet and head into the batting cages. He’ll get to do the things he loves most with the person he loves most, and your thoughtfulness and selflessness will be a sentimental touch to an already wonderful day. Showing interest in what he loves is sure to make him feel cherished and validated.

Whisk Him Away

Take your husband on a surprise weekend trip and get away from the stresses of real life. Sometimes we let so many other things get in the way of quality time together, and a quick vacation could be just what the two of you need to reignite that spark in your relationship. If you can’t afford to be away for an entire weekend, or your budget makes traveling just a bit out of reach, why not plan a staycation at a local hotel? Order a room last-minute on Hoteltonight.com, head there early to fill the room with decadent snacks and any other things you think you’ll need, then wrap up a hotel key card and present it to him over dinner. Getting away from home can give the celebration an air of mystery and capture that excitement from the beginning of your relationship.

A Visit from His Family

If you and your husband live far from his parents, siblings, or any other close loved ones, he likely misses them a lot. If you have enough time to plan a reunion, get in contact with his family members and friends and see what you can do to orchestrate a visit from his favorite people. If you find it too difficult to get all of them to you, do the opposite and plan a visit for the two of you to go out and see them. Present your husband with the tickets and watch his face light up when he realizes your plans. Even if it’s not for a date until way in the future, anticipation is half the fun.

A Special Event

What’s your guy passionate about? Is he a musical savant that knows new songs before anyone else? Maybe he’s a sports buff that rattles off stats like he is the coach of his favorite team. Whatever he loves, try and find a special event in your area that reflects his passions. Check out VividSeats.com to find tickets for an upcoming concert or game that you know he’ll love to watch, and wait until the night of to surprise him with them. Drive the two of you to the venue and watch as he slowly understands what’s happening—the reveal is half the fun anyway.

hugs!

Amber

[Post sponsored by Purple Camel Media]

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We have a hero, and we call him Daddy

June 15, 2014Amber 6 Comments

Dear George,

You are among the ranks of a small group of men who are better known as Quadfathers. Going from being a Dad to a pair of fur babies to four children is no easy feat. You work tirelessly to provide for our family and to make our home a perfect place to live. I doubt you remember what it feels like to savor “me time” because it’s illusive here. Toddlers are a thankless lot who demand things like, “DADDY HOLD YOU!!!” and squabble mercilessly. Undoubtedly, being a Quadfather is the most difficult challenge of your life, but also the most rewarding.

A year ago, you were a professional formula mixer, baby burper, and infant soother. With the change of seasons, you are now a hero to four little people. You are the center of their universe and are held in the highest regard. Believe me, they are watching your every move. It’s apparent when I’m frantically searching for something and Harper correctly proclaims, “It’s right here.” You may not realize it, but that’s one of your signature phrases. I’ve heard you mutter it while looking for something many times over. It’s now a common phrase for little big man too. I know you are a powerful influence when the garage door creaks open and four little people exclaim, “DADDY!!!!” as they bull rush the gates to reach you. I promise, when I arrive home from work the welcoming committee is not half as excited as when Daddy returns.

As soon as the quads 5were mobile, you had a stunning welcoming committee,

Because of you, Mason knows it’s Jesus is on the crucifix in our entry way and Rylin distinguishes between an iguana and a gecko. Since I can’t carry a tune to save my life, you are to thank for Sydney’s sweet singing. Of course you aren’t the only one with influence around our house, four little people have quite the effect on you too. I know this when I catch you singing from their itunes playlist or reciting Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. You are beginning to see the world through new lenses and it’s beautiful. Even when the days seem eternal and thankless, I hope you never forget the way you family adores you, and the many reasons why.

You model how to be a strong husband and father.

You have fun with them.

You appreciate their personalities.

You share your love of learning.

You show them how to explore.

You rock them (this is one of the most common requests for the moment).

You contribute to all of our family’s needs, great and small.

You enjoy time for rest and relaxation with our children.

Happy Father’s Day!

xoxo,

Amber

Father’s Day Festivities

June 18, 2013Amber 3 Comments

It was indeed George’s first official Father’s Day this year, which was special. However, we also spent time recognizing our own fathers who have since become “Grandaddy” and “Grandpa”. George’s father aka Grandaddy joined us for brunch. Since he helps us care for the babies on a weekly basis, he has become a keen observer of their individuality. In fact, so keen he noticed immediately that something was “off” with Rylin. Without us uttering a single word, he knew that she woke entirely too early that morning. He also noticed when George attempted to feed Sydney a bite of food that was too big for her. He constantly surprises me the way he knows our babies so well. When we first brought our tiny newborns home he could hardly differentiate between Harper and Mason, but now we couldn’t confuse him if we tried.

The Quadfather and Grandaddy managed to hold all the babies for a group photo opp. I was so busy trying to capture still babies, I didn’t notice Grandaddy blinked. Ooops!

Grandaddy was manly enough to join the babies in our new Tinkerbell Playhut.

Later in the afternoon, my family joined us for lunch and the babies’ first dip in a baby pool. Nisey and Aunt CiCi helped me grease the babies in Water Babies and dress them in swim suits. Then it was splash time. To my astonishment, Harper took to the water like a fish! At first we just helped him wade in the water, which was a blast. Then, he dropped to his knees and crawled in the shallow water. I gasped several times when he dunked his face or lost balance, but Harper never flinched. He LOVED splashing and soaking in the crisp water. The girls were only content if an adult helped them stand and walk or if they could latch onto the sides of the pool. At one point Rylin lost her balance and got a bit too deep in the water for her taste. I had to bail her out for greener pastures in the swing. Mason never attempted to crawl in the water, but found great joy in bouncing on the side of the pool. He bounced so much his swim trunks sagged down exposing his swim diaper. Grandpa seemed to enjoy watching the quadlings splash as well as snuggle time with soppy babies.

: Harper

Mason

Check out Mason’s swim diaper on the right…droopy drawers!

Swinging is even better when Aunt CiCi pushes.

I was so proud of Harper enjoying the water even though it was unfamilar to him.

I was so proud of Harper enjoying the water even though it was unfamiliar to him.

How did you honor your father this year?

Hugs!

Amber

The Quadfather

June 16, 2013August 16, 2015Amber 12 Comments

Dear George,

Last year you made it clear that you did not want to be honored on Father’s Day because you weren’t yet a father. Watching you prepare for our babies, I vehemently disagreed, but also understood your perspective. I’ve heard men don’t feel truly bonded to their babies until they hold them for the first time because that is when it becomes real. Unlike typical parents who hold their babies immediately after delivery, we had to wait nearly a week. Instead, we were only able to gaze at them through isolettes and touch them through port holes. Even though you couldn’t hold the babies immediately, you sprung into action and became “The Quadfather” the moment the babies were delivered. Without hesitation, you rushed to the NICU to be with them and advocate for their best interests. You were forced to make decisions for the babies on your own as I recovered. In fact, you had the task of matching our chosen names to the babies by checking their weights. I never once worried about your abilities because I knew you were fully capable.

These shirts were a surprise from me to you for D-Day. I love how you still wear it with pride.

These shirts were a surprise from me to you on D-Day. I love how you still wear it with pride. You joined the ranks of a few lucky enough to be called “Quadfathers”.

It was excruciating seeing the babies only through isolesttes in the early days, but they were worth the wait. Our first snuggles were momentous.

We’ve been on quite a journey together, but there’s no one I’d rather have by my side than you. Each day I wake up to four tiny people jabbering or fussing, I am grateful that you are right beside me. Few fathers can spoon feed four babies simultaneously, build a quad table and diaper chute, or make formula by the gallon. You can, because we are a team. Happy 1st Father’s Day!

Rylin was the first born and first baby you laid eyes upon.

When you held Harper for the first time I could see the love in your eyes. If you didn’t feel bonded on delivery day, you certainly were by this very moment.

I was terrified to hold our two pound Sydney for the first time, but you didn’t hesitate to wrap her in your arms.

Mason was the first baby we were able to hold. He opened his eyes and looked deeply into yours.

Whether you know it or not, you are the babies’ hero already. When you arrive home from work, they race to the gates to see you. Whenever possible they follow you and watch your every move. They know you are their Daddy.

xoxo,

Amber