It's Father's Day here in the US and I thought I'd give a quick shout out to Dads as well as revive a popular post from many years past. This post is the prime example of how dads doing their thing can bring both practical and entertaining results. Especially when it comes to children's fashion. 😉
First of all, a shout out to my own Dad who sat through multiple dance recitals over the years, drove miles and miles in a station wagon taking us on road trips where we weren't always cheerful, took us to visit elderly widows in our neighborhood, and taught me how to ski, play tennis, and cheer hard for our favorite sports teams. Here we are circa 1979. Love the hair and those plaid pants
Over the years, I've learned that it's a great thing that men and women don't always think alike. About 12 years ago when our kids were still pretty little, I had an event I really wanted to attend. Luckily for me it was right by my husband's office so he offered to take our little boys during his lunch break so I could go. When I returned to the car afterwards, I found my almost-4-yr-old wearing a new outfit:
Turns out he got so excited about having lunch with Dad he didn't want to tell him when he needed to get to the bathroom and had a little overflow issue. At first my husband wasn't sure what to do because I had neglected to bring along any back-up pants. (Doh.)
So he came up with this wardrobe option to get them through the rest of lunch, give me time to finish my thing, and get us back home again. I don't think I would have come-up with it in a thousand years. But it totally worked. A perfect solution.
Due to popular demand after sharing that experience, he agreed to write a helpful tutorial so that you too, can replicate this look, making upcycled children's clothing from plastic take-out bags. Think of the myriad of possibilities when this look would come in handy. Perhaps this tutorial will be useful enough to hit the big time. We await a call from Martha Stewart any day now. Let's give him a warm welcome:
Hi Amy’s blog friends. I’m flattered and grateful for all your positive comments about my solution for our boy’s accident at lunch one day. I was surprised by Amy and many of you writing that you wouldn’t have thought of it. So I will take Amy up on her invitation to write a tutorial how to do so. And thanks so much for all the nice comments and support you give Amy!
1. Get little boy into bathroom and clean him up while keeping 1-year-old from touching the urinal. After failing at the second part, wash his hands really well and never tell his mom that happened (until writing blog tutorial years later).
2. Contemplate putting 3-yr-old’s wet pants back on, but decline because that would be uncomfortable for him. Contemplate letting him go pants-free, but decline because of what his mom will say and for the sake of everyone else in the restaurant.
3. Never consider for one second what the other moms in the fast-food place might be thinking about your parenting abilities.
4. Look around bathroom for anything that could help. Attempt weaving a paper-towel lava lava or kilt. Fail.
5. Poke head out of bathroom and look around for other materials. Tell 3-yr-old to stay put while you carry 1-yr-old and grab take-out bag.
6. When 3-yr-old refuses to let you tie bag around his waist, poke holes in the bottom and rebrand it as cool “overalls” like workmen wear. Breathe sigh of relief when he accepts the idea.
7. Let boys continue to run around circular booth in fast-food joint until mom’s event ends.
8. Embrace any perceived judgment or derision from any of the other moms there.
9. Eagerly anticipate emailing your guy friends the photo of your son wearing a plastic bag as overalls.
10. When 3-yr-old demands to go visit your office, decline because the bag is a little bit see-through and his mom would be mortified.
11. Hold firm when he throws a tantrum and insists, “Put some black tape over my private part like on America’s Funniest Home Videos!”, even though that it is an impressive argument.
12. Present him with pride when his mom arrives to pick him up.
And there you have it in 12 easy steps.
Good job, Dad. I'm so glad you're my partner in this crazy adventure called parenthood. (Picture circa 2007. Man those kids are cute, but those years were tiring!) ❤
diane
this is classic. A real innovative idea! So funny. Three cheers for daddy!
Nedra
Oh, that is too funny. I never would have thought of doing that either. Hurray for Dad.
Everyday Quilter
That is too funny! I sure hope you do let him guest host your blog with his ideas! My husband definately doesn't do things the way I would - but ya gotta love em for trying!
Erin
Mad props to your hubby for that moment of genius. That photo is so funny!
cookie
how sweet. never would have come up with something like that.
madebymum
Wonderful. So funny and so practical.
Theresa
The message on the bag is hilarious! Who wants to sit in wet knickers! I'd be saying thank you too!
Amy
oh my gosh. laugh out loud! good job, Dad!
Donna
Hubby deserves an award! Quick thinking and oh so amusing!
Jackie
Hahaha!! I just love it!! I don't think that I would have ever thought of that either.
Tabatha
Bahahahaha! That's AWESOME! And the fact that the bag has "Thank You" printed on it is perfect, what a riot!<br /><br />You may have something there, perhaps you should trademark the idea!
Linda
What a creative solution!!! Your husband is a smart man!<br />Mine fixed his broken zipper once at work by closing his fly with duct tape! Creative, but very distracting!!!
Katie B.
Oh, my gosh. That is too funny! Pretty clever solution.
LynCC
R O F L I'm giggling so hard tears are going down my face. Men are hilarious. 🙂
Thimbleanna
Hahaha -- that's one VERY clever Dad -- you better keep him LOL!
Dawn
Ha! That's hilarious!! Men certainly think differently, don't they? 😉
Laura
My entire family is laughing about this. I wonder, do they come in adult sizes? We might need one if we keep looking at this!
Carol
Wonderful job! Brilliant initiative.<br />Carol xx
kendascrafts
That is so funny! Something like that would only come from the brain of a dad.
Lana
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT><br />You GO SUPER DAD!!!!
pinksuedeshoe
Bwahahhaha. I lvoe this.
Keep Stitchin'
Very unique idea! My DH would've done something like that,but I doubt I would've thought of it! Love it!
Lori Holt
OMGosh Amy...that is too funny!<br />After looking at the photo and reading what the deal-e-o was...I almost needed to make some for myself...lol!<br />xx<br />lori
Evelene S
Hilarious and clever your hubby!
Brooke
LOL! I got a BIG laugh out of this one. I'm always amazed at how resourceful my hubby can be when I'm not there to "run the show". This is a classic!
a little bit biased
That is hilarious! Great picture to capture the moment. He'll have great laughs about it when he gets older (well one of them will, at least).
Nanette Merrill and daughters
Oh my gosh I love that photo of you and your dad. He looks like a happinin kinda guy.
Donura
Thanks for bringing a laugh to my belly this morning. This is very very creative. I give him an A+ for ingenuity.
Kristyne
Well, I WOULD call that pee your pants funny ... but that'd be a bit too ironic!<br /><br />Thanks for the laugh. 😉
Laura-Lu
Oh my gosh, Amy, I forgot about this. I just showed our parents and the Bowens and we all laughed to tears. Great story. PS, Dad appreciates the shout out.
Sheila
This was a good idea! Sometime one much think outside the box. Thank you for sharing your story and picture : )
Helen L
I still have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard!!!! Your hubby deserves the biggest award for his creativity and also his writing style! 😀 I see someone artfully cropped out the face of your son! LOL! You go girl: you've got some amazing stories and an amazing hubby!! Hugs, H
Amy
I'm so glad it brought a smile. Thanks Helen! xo
Mary
Great story. Very clever hubby!
Karen Brewster
Genius!!
jantaber
It is so GREAT to start Monday morning with a huge laugh, and this gave me just that! Your husband has a wonderful sense of humor -- I'd say you two could write more funny stories together. Looking forward to the next one!
Gail L Piper
Wonderfully inventive, extremely practical, and hysterically funny!!! Thanks for posting that!
Cheryl
OMGosh! Just seeing this now! thanks for the Monday morning smile, Amy!
Sherri
This story is hilarious and heart warming at the same time. You and your hubby are a great team, both incredibly talented in your own ways.
Tanya Mace
Loved the story and tutorial. Thank you for sharing!
Christine
I once turned a target bag into a skirt for my little niece after she had the same type of accident. She was very proud of it. Thanks for the memory reminder.
Amy
Hah! That is awesome. Great minds think alike!
Deborah Konopka
A much needed laugh! Thanks
Bettyann Donahoo
I don’t think I have ever enjoyed or laughed as hard at your wonderful story about your husbands very creative solution to an accident with no back up clothes. Good for him. Oh I remember those days, and glad l can look back and see the humor and forget the tired.
Barbara Barnett
That is such a good story he must be a good Dad and husband and thats wonderful!! ❤️😊
Carol
That was funny I remember those old times .i remember getting married in 1980 and my Dad insisted on wearing a brown suit while the rest of the bridal party wore dark blue how awful 😂😂😂
Amy
Haha! That is classic.
Annie LaFarge
I think he is brilliant! Love the red-branding idea of cool overalls!🤣
Joan Sheppard
2022 - Still sound advise! Give the man a round of applause and a big hug!
Barb Barnett
Absolutely wonderful idea.
nesmith's at home
Great Dad story and your husband's added instructions, I enjoyed that very much. My Dad was in charge of brushing my hair on Sunday mornings getting ready for church. One Sunday morning he decided my bangs needed to be trimmed. Once completed they were an inch long. I think that was the first time I remember hearing my mother scream. I enjoy your newsletter and appreciate the free patterns. _kathy
Amy
Hah! That is a great story. lol
Joan
LOL. Treasure these moments. I lost my partner, quilt holder, color critic, child minder, dog walker and all around good guy and I can hear him saying "Hey good job with the trousers!" Extra treats for him for Father's Day.
Janet
Oh my goodness! I thoroughly enjoyed this well written chain of events from your husband. Not to mention his thinking on his feet. I laughed so hard. Really paints a picture of the event and multitasking. Thank you.