Dino, Dino's maker, and the Tri-State Muralist

What a Father's Day! An in-bed serenade from the rb-3 followed by a group-hug; a basket containing an assortment of gifts chosen by my eldest and his mother, including: a bag of chocolate chip cookies, a vanilla-scented candle, dental hygiene instruments (for those of you who don't remember--Emilio's abuelo is a dentist); a book I wanted (The Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer); and an Ada-themed documentary DVD: Death of the Old West. Later in the day, Emilio gave me Dino (see image at left), the amazing, peace-loving, tye-dyed T-Rex on a string, painted by the artist on Dad's shoulders.

After dressing and attending to my own dental hygiene, I went to the hospital to take Dad (who was accompanying Mom and her two new knees) a passel of meaning-laden gifts: the morning paper (so that his hopes--in the Rangers--will always be born anew); a box of Krispy Kremes (so that he will always have something to share with his son; I promptly ate one--helping this wish come true), Hot Mexican Cheeto Knockoffs (so that his interest in Latino culture will remain strong), Spicy Cheese Nips (so that his life will remain spicy), coffee-flavored candy (so that he will always have coffee breath), peaches (so that he will always feel virtuous--fresh fruit being a healthy snack), and last of all, a customized t-shirt (so that wherever he goes, people will know that he is a Tri-State Muralist).

But the best gift from me and for me were tickets to see Toy Story 3 with Emilio. Thumbs Way Up from all three of us for this one. Afterwards, we dropped Dad off at the hospital, looked in on Mom, and then Emi and I joined the rest of the rb clan for a swim at Aunt Carolyn's pool before we headed back to Oklahoma.

Thumbs Way Up for my fifth Dad Day as a dad!