A conversation with my lil’ one a couple of weeks ago (after picking her up from preschool):
Summer: “Mommy, did you bring me a surprise?”
Peg: “a surprise?”
Summer: “yeah, like Daddy.”
Peg: *tsk* and *roll eyes*
Peg: “your surprise is ME picking you up…*pause*…SURPRISE!”
Summer: 
HAHAHAHAHA!
Aric gives Summer surprises everyday when he picks her up from school. Treats from the vending machine at his work. He did it with Ashlyn, now he does it with Summer. I jokingly *tsk* because he makes me look bad….but in all seriousness, I think it’s really awesome.
Ashlyn and Summer adore their dad…and why shouldn’t they?! Aric’s like the coolest, funnest, most loving dad around. Aric has a great relationship with his kids. I love the ties that bind them, and even find myself envious of what they share. Aric loves hanging out with the girls - playing games/toys with them, reading them books, watching TV, playing Wii, or computer games together, making them breakfast, packing Ashlyn’s lunches, driving them to school, shopping with them, and playing jokes on them…and when he’s not with them, he’s always thinking of them. On any given day, the girls will get something in the mail (toys, games, books, magazine subscriptions, or free stuff Aric finds online). Just the other day, Ashlyn and Summer both got letters from Santa in the mail (another thing Aric found online). You should have seen the look on Ashlyn’s face when she read the personalized letter…sheer awe and excitement. So cool. 
When Aric and I got married, I got the sense that he wasn’t much of a “kid” person. Like, he doesn’t really engage with children, nor does it come naturally…but with his own, he’s naturally a great father and friend. He’s also good with teaching and discipline. Usually his quiet words of displeasure weighs far more than my banshee-like rants.
I have been meaning to write this post years ago…especially around the time we were training Ashlyn to sleep in her own big-girl-bed, in her own room. Aric slept on Ashlyn’s floor for a little over 6 months….SIX MONTHS! Man, if that’s not love-sacrifice-good dad-bad back, I don’t know what is! 
…and that’s the man of our house. We totally love him!
December 5th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
OMG you post made me cry! (ok ok..i might be PMSing a little too)..but..man, aric is an awesome dad….the girls are so lucky!
December 5th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
yah, same with bett… i’m all pmsing these past few days - thus feeling all emotional. haha.
yay aric! what a great brother-in-law I have!!!!
he’s the best.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
aw, so sweet! you guys are lucky, indeed
December 5th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
You lucky girl! Miss ya!
December 5th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
thanks peg, what a great post!
December 6th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
awww what a sweet post! you ladies are lucky indeed. and I love the convo with Summer, so funny!
December 15th, 2007 at 12:51 am
how sweet!i love the picture of them working together.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Dude, I’m tearing up. Reminds me of watching E.T. 25 years ago. I was ballin’ when the little alien couldn’t go home. Where’s my tissue?
Aric, you my hero dude. I love being a dad and I try to do everything with little Ryder but I’m just gonna walk in your shadow big daddy! Keep it up. Next time I see you guys, I want a “surprise” too. And don’t give me no “tsk” and an eye-roll!!!