Homestead Longings

Daddy Day

I am actually a little excited about today. We are attending a company picnic with dh today, and then we get to go as a family to a "hail and farewell" dinner tonight. We don't usually get to do much with dh during the day or involving his work, so this is kind of like a little special treat.

I am hoping for a nice relaxing weekend before my mother-in-law shows up next week with her two younger boys. I don't mind my mother-in-law or anything, it is just that with the kids running around the house will definitely be noisier while they are here.

I have slowly been working on getting the kids used to some more chores. I know that I am going to need a bit more help while dh is deployed and I definitely don't want to wait til the last minute to start working on it. DS has worked up to wiping off tables and counters and sorting laundry on occasion in addition to his other chores. DD (2) loves getting to help me check and pick things from the garden in the mornings, and she likes to feed the animals in the morning also. Now if we can just finish the potty-training, hehe.

I am still trying to think up creative ideas to keep us connected as a family while dh is gone. He agreed a while ago to let me video tape him reading some stories to the kids so they can play it back later. Yesterday, I asked him if he would take them up to the toy store some time and help them each pick out a special stuffed animal to sleep with while he is gone that would be "just from daddy". We also agreed that when they do that, I will take a picture of each of them with daddy and their new whatever to put in a frame in their room. Of course, we will send pictures, art and letters and such to him. I am trying to think of more things for the kids though. I am not always very good at being creative like this, so ideas are always welcome.

Anyways, guess I should get ready to go.

Untitled Comment

09:41, Friday, June 27, 2008 .. Posted by tractorchick72

What a wonderful way for the kids to still have their daddy home in a way while he is deployed! We should have hubby home for a year before the next deployment (other than a month or two here and there for training). In fact he just got home from a 4 month deployment and will be taking leave starting tomorrow!! YAY!

Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless,
Tricia

Will he have access to a computer while there?

10:54, Friday, June 27, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Be sure to send him a computer camera- and have one on your computer. That way you can talk to each other and see one another more frequently.

My MIL made tapes for my kids. She would read a story, tapping on a glass with a spoon when it was time to turn the pages. Then she sent the book as well as the tape to the kids, and they could "read along" with Grandma. (This was back before video cameras were common.)

Have the kids pick out little gifts for Daddy to send in care packages... maybe even take a picture of the kids with the gifts, and send the pictures along as well. Maybe pictures of them baking cookies (a great homeschool activity!) and then send him the cookies they baked just for him.

My DH hasn't been in the military since before we met- but even when he has to go on a short trip without us, I put family pictures in an envelope and tuck it into his suitcase.


Good Luck!
~Tammy~ (Becky's Mom)

Untitled Comment

10:26, Saturday, July 5, 2008 .. Posted by yearning4yellowstone

Hi, here are a few things that our family has done when my husband has to deploy.

When my husband had to leave last time, we made a big teddy bear for our daughter (3yo) out of his old BDU shirts (I don't know about you, but we have so many old uniforms, we don't know what to do with them all...lol). I sewed all of his old unit and rank patches on along with his name and flag that he wore while in Iraq. The day before he flew, he gave it to her so that she could get a hug from him whenever she needed one. Several times I found her in her room cuddling with that bear

Something that we plan on doing for his next deployment is getting her a "Hug-a-Hero" doll. They are from www.daddydolls.com and it includes the picture of daddy and a voice recording.

Another thing I did when my husband was in Iraq was to make a scrapbook for him of everything he missed while he was gone. Every month I would send him another few pages of what happened the previous month.Our daughter was born about a month after he left and so he got to see her grow and experience the world, even though he couldn't be there in person.

I also sent him monthly care packages with absolutely goofy items inside (dollar stores and the party aisle at Target and Walmart are awesome for this). They gave a little comic relief for both he and I. I plan to do this again when he deploys next and I'm sure my daughter will get a big kick from picking out items for daddy.

Something he did for me was to take with him something that I had taken with me when I deployed (it was a little Spongebob stuffed toy that could fit in a pocket). He would take pictures of it everywhere he went so that our family could see some of the neighborhoods, etc that he saw.

I hope these ideas help. I wish your family love and safety. You will be in my prayers. Have a wonderful day!

Jenna