SuperDad.

He was SuperDad today.  I was MediocreMom (as usual.)

We started off the day by taking the kids to a Memorial Day ceremony.  And when we came home, I got busy working while SuperDad took the kids to the mall (even though he hates the mall) in order to kill two birds with one stone...

1. Dead bird #1:  Let the kids spend the money they earned so they'd quit pestering us about it.

2. Dead bird #2: Find something for all of the picky kids to eat for lunch in one location.

And then he brought everyone home and patiently dealt with their fighting, complaining, pestering, whining and tattling while I kept hollering, "I'm so sick of all this fighting, complaining, pestering, whining and tattling!" without ever taking my eyes off of the computer.

And then, SuperDad tuned-up all the bikes, pumped up all the bike tires, adjusted the height on all the bike seats and loaded all the bikes in the pick-up truck to take us riding.

And he didn't lose his cool the entire 3 mile ride.

 

Not even when Annie had a melt-down and refused to pedal any further.

Me on the other hand?...I started lecturing them about how unappreciative they all are when they started whining about being thirsty and complaining that we never take them to Sonic for lime-aides anymore.

And then we headed home and SuperDad started dinner (fish tacos because he just caught a bunch of fish at the beach) and I went back to work.

And he never lost his cool the entire night, even amongst all the fighting, complaining, pestering, whining and tattling.  (Not even when they started whining about having to eat fish for dinner.)

I lost my cool though.

And then I cleaned the kitchen and he played basketball with Cole in between running a bath for the girls and washing their hair.

And I went back to work.

And then I decided I'd done enough work for one day and headed out to the street in front of our house to play Monkey in the Middle while the sun went down, alongside SuperDad, Coley, and a couple of wet-headed girlies in pajamas.

And felt like SuperMom for doing so.

Comments

[anne]

no doubt you have a super family filled with a bunch of super heros. :)
great day all around!

[Kathy Aylward]

He does take the superdad cake doesn't he. Sometimes that whinging, whining and complaining is bearable and other days it feels like someone is hitting you with a baseball bat over the head. Everybody goes through those days and it's nice to know you are not alone but it did help that one parent had his cool for the day. Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

[Lauren]

Sounds like a fun day! Isn't it great to have a SuperDad around! I love love love that close-up shot of Annie on her bike.

[MichelleG]

He is definitely a keeper! Those are some very lucky kids...and one very lucky woman...to have their own SuperDad!

[Jennifer]

So sweet. Those pictures are to die for.

[susan]

sounds like he's a keeper for sure. it's hard not to run out of patience something i have to work on all the time! super pictures! susan

[Melanie]

That Josh Downs is such a keeper:) It's okay that you fuss because we all do the same as moms. We just don't have that dad thing going for us. We just aren't the 'fun' parent most of the time.

It sounds like a good though minus the whining, complaining, fighting, etc.!

Pictures are still fuzzy but not when I click on them individually. Crazy:(

[Manon Keir]

Dear Karen, you make me feel so normal, I love it! You rock :)

[heather]

Do you ever do photoshoots of other families? You must get a million requests for this. I was just curious as i never see sessions posted.

[Kathryn]

sounds like a day in the life of me! That's refreshing to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. As usual, the photos are so gorgeous I could eat them.

[Cheryl Balara]

I love how you can have "one of those days," as most of us moms do, and still post cute pictures of your kids. Thanks for keeping it real.

[Kelli]

Mediocre Mom! I love it! Even after I drove downtown in the pouring rain, during rush hour to buy my kid sketch books and copic markers, she was not bowing down to me like I figured she would be. After a quick reminder of what I had just done for her, she told her brother that she "had the best mom ever" and I felt vindicated. Until I told her that her room needed a bit of tidying up before she went on the computer.
I'm sure a day will come when you are Super Mom and Josh is Downer Dad.

[jaymee]

goodness gracious I love you. I had the same day on Sunday - dereck was totally SuperDad and I was JustKillMeNowMom. Thanks for always telling it how it is Karen, so so refreshing. : )

[Dawn]

OMG!!! That shot of Annie is AMAZING!!! Please Please Please share some editing secrets!! Although it's clear that you definitely did not polish a turd :) Clearly you polished a gem :) Thanks for sharing!! The photos are stunning!!

[teresa b]

I feel your pain!! I'm trying to find balance with my teenagers! Just dropped them off at the movies and got a call from one of them wanting something more..feeling like it's just never enough! Hopefully it will be better after they've seen the movie!

[kat-in-texas]

I think Josh Downs and Lonnie Stilwell were twins separated at birth (and about 20 years). You and I definately came from the same gene pool....ha....but I think you're an awesome mom. Let's thank God for our priceless, patient husbands/SuperDads who love us unconditionally!!!

[Rebecca Brigham]

And you were a super mom for sure!

[Yvonne]

You are so funny! Love your blog! So nice to hear I'm not alone in the whining, pestering, bickering mode of life. :)Oh and could your pictures be any more amazing...seriously...how do you get every single one to be so amazing...I want to be you!

[Mallory]

Thank you for being so real and making it OK for us to be real, too. Your husband is a keeper! Does he ever return an empty container to the frig? or leave empty packaging on the counter?

[Sandy Brown]

Well, I just think you sound like a super family!! How lucky you all are!! tfs

[tanyawebster]

YOU my friend are far too hard on yourself.....because you are an AMAZING mom...one I truly admire and respect more than most....and you happen to be married to a super cool guy that is true......but I am willing to bet he thinks you are pretty damn amazing too Karen Russell ;) love you!

[Yvonne]

I love reading your blog! You are so dang cute, but I have a suspision you are to hard on yourself. Thanks for sharing.

[www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com]

Super dad to the rescue! I love when my husband is proactive like this!

www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

[Yolanda]

A momma and wife who is observant enough and introspective enough to deliver this story (with images, even!), is pretty super, indeed.

[Krista Lund]

i stalk all the time, but don't comment often. but just want to say LOVE you, LOVE your blog!