Time with my dad

  My dad is a boss.  It's not that it has taken me this long to realize it, but this trip he was here it was really exaggerated.  He came in town last week and helped me out for the long weekend because Mike was away on his annual men's trip.  He left today and it's a bummer!  We did a bunch while he was here and I will highlight what makes him 61 years YOUNG.

He raced Hannah in the 50 free.  On the first 25, I thought she had it!

It's only a matter of time before she wins, but he still can brag that he beat her by a second, maybe 2.  

I really hope this plays for you!!

   Saturday, we took the kids to a new park in East San Jose to bike.  I am reminded why we hardly do this, but my dad doesn't mind loading up the bikes.  The whining when going up hill, however, we could all do without!

    We were trying to convince them to turn around here, but Hannah had the grand idea of going up the hill to ride down it first.

    And then she chickened out and my dad had to show her how it was done.  ON HER BIKE!  lol.  It was quite rocky and I was pretty sure someone was going to wipe out or wipe me out as I tried to stop them.

  I ended up taking the kids home while my dad started his ride that he wanted to do.  Riding up Mt. Hamilton and back to our house.  It ended up being 60 miles and some serious climbing.  The kids were so confused/impressed with him riding up a mountain.  Questions of "Why is he going to do that, mom?" were asked over and over all the way home.  Haha.

  Later that night he got schooled at Mario Kart by them.

Ava loved hanging out with Gung Gung.  I know she was cracking him up the whole time he was here.

  Not sure if you noticed her hair, but he did it for her.  I thought it was going to take scissors to get the hair tie out, but thankfully few strands were sacrificed.  Brought back memories of my childhood.  This and the way he dressed her when he took care of them when I was in the classroom.  LOL!

  And then, alongside, the cleaning and cooking and help with morning routine he does, he also takes them to the park every day and sometimes twice.  It is the best!!  I tagged along yesterday.  What is that hanging off his bike?  He's carrying Ava's strider so she can ride the bumpy bumps.  This trip Joel has mastered them and now Ava can do some too.  All 4 doing the same activity--this is mind-boggling!

    This was directly after she pushed him back and screamed, "By MYSELF!"  We were cracking up.  Feisty little thing.

  Ava got the hang of it and so my dad was off enjoying the BMX park on his own.

  I've never thought of my dad as old, but this trip I couldn't help but think that most 61 year olds are not racing the 50 free, riding their granddaughter's bike down rocky hills, nor riding up mountains or at BMX parks, putting ponytails in, etc.  Having him in town is such a treat!

Happy tuesday!