Father's Day and Birthday Gifts

For Father's Day this year, I created a reusable grocery bag with pictures of the girls on it as a gift for Ethan.  I'd figured I would give just the one gift from all three of us Rowe gals, since Ethan is not a fan of receiving stuff for the sake of receiving stuff.

However, the girls happened to accompany Auntie Shannon as she ran some errands on the day before Father's Day, and at one of the stores they visited, there was a craft center where kids could create a Father's Day fish.

Yes, that's right, a fish.  A construction paper fish attached by string to a wooden pole.  Because that's what every father wants, right?  Especially Ethan, who does not go fishing and who does not care for ornamental pieces of ANYTHING cluttering up the house.

So, on Father's Day, Ethan opened this gift from Madeleine and managed a half-hearted, feigned enthusiasm:

Where, oh where will Ethan put this delightful piece of art?  The possibilities are endless!

Ethan then turned to Julia's gift, and in the middle of unwrapping the paper, because wise to what was inside.

ETHAN: Wait.  Another fish?
JULIA: (sheepishly) Sorry, Daddy.

Behold, Ethan's SECOND paper fish attached to a wooden stick:

Just what he always wanted!!

At any rate, the girls decided to go about Ethan's birthday differently, each making their own individual, unguided craft that speaks more to Ethan's interests.  (Or, at least Julia kept Ethan's interests in mind.)

Madeleine was so delighted with her two-sided picture for Daddy that she even wrapped it herself. 

Side 1:

"To Dad"

Not only did Madeleine draw Christmas trees, but she even wrapped this picture in Christmas wrapping paper, because she knows that Ethan LOVES all things Christmas.

Side 2:

"Love Madeleine"

MADELEINE: Mama?  I didn't feel like drawing PEOPLE holding the jump rope, so I decided to draw GHOSTS instead.


Julia made a whole book for Ethan, with drawings based on the fantasy series he has been reading her at bedtime:

THE BELGARIAD CAST OF CHARACTORS
Julia Rowe


Among the various charactors Julia decided to bring to life through art were:

Ce'Nedra, the Dryad, who also happens to marry the protagonist and become queen.

Polgara, the wise old sorceress, and Garion, the main character, who is apparently suffering from some sort of swollen hand disorder.

Errand, the little peasant boy who turns out to be a God, and Belgarath, the wise old sorceror (who really does utter the words "Garion next time don't say 'push!' in the book.  But not in a creepy context.)


And...

Durnik, the man who is resurrected from the dead and becomes a sorceror in his own rite, and who is apparently wearing a very soggy diaper under his trousers.


The back of the book is the sweetest part of all:

"I love you!  Love, Julia"


Needless to say, Ethan was touched by these much more personal gifts and appreciated them greatly over decorated, pre-cut fish.  Way to go, girls!  You actually managed to make the world's grumpiest gift recipient a little bit happy!