This Is What Father's Day Is All About

Kids need daddies for the love...

(goofballs!)

(hammin' it for the cam)

A helping hand...

And to encourage them to take those next steps in growing up.

Kids needs dads for a lot of things, and I don't think ours could ask for a better dad. Dan is patient with them and firm when he needs to be. He gets down on the playroom floor to wrestle, in the lake to administer on-the-spot swimming lessons, and even does a pretty mean jig when it's time for the Inouye family free-for-all dance competition. He's there to answer all manner of questions from "Where is heaven?" to "Why are boogies green?" And he still finds time to work a full-time-and-a-half job, do volunteer work and spend time with his lovely wife (did I say that out loud?) :-) I love to see all of the ways our kids look up to him and have adopted some of his qualities. I think that will serve them well as they grow up into manhood. We celebrated our dads and Dan this weekend with a cookout and movie at home with friends. The boys got Dan a gift certificate to Game Stop video gaming store--every daddy needs  a way to unwind.

As you can see from the photos, Jacob has begun potty training himself--I take no credit for this, he came to me and asked to use the potty. I think this follows the trend of wanting to do everything Micah does. So far, it's hit or miss, but I am glad he is getting the concept. We also took the side off of the crib and put up a safety rail so J could get used to the idea of a real bed. He has done well the past two nights, going right to sleep with a minimum of fuss.

Jacob is practicing for the free-for-all dance competition...

Jacob shows off his jumping skills...