"Oh, thank you Dad!"

We've been promising Ellie a big girl bed for weeks. Months, maybe. Poor girl - she's been really patient. First, we couldn't go to IKEA because we didn't have a Jeep. Then the weeks were so full that we couldn't get the Jeep up there. Yesterday, Rob and I switched cars so that I could take the Rabbit in for its 30,000 mile checkup. By late morning, Rob decided it was time to make good on our promise. The man who has billed over 200 hours for the last three months left his busy desk and drove 40 minutes north to IKEA, bought all the necessary bed parts, loaded them in the Jeep, and then drove 40 minutes back downtown to continue his workday. He had a work obligation last night, so he got back long after the kids were in bed and then unloaded the Jeep into his upstairs office/guest room. Today he called at 4:00 to announce that he was on his way home. What a treat! Talk about sacrificing for your kids, putting fatherhood first.

It was worth it. Ellie was so excited! She stuck by Rob all evening. She helped him take apart the crib in her room and reassemble it in Matt's room (the poor kid has slept in a pack and play his entire life). While I put Matt's bedding together and let him explore his new accommodations (he appears happy with the change in scenery), Ellie helped Rob put her bed together. She fetched tools and held screws and provided a running commentary of their work: "We have to put more screws in the holes. Where's the next hole, Daddy? Here's some screws, Mom, can you hold them for me?" When we couldn't find one of the parts, Ellie searched all around the room, "Where could it be? I had it!" When Rob came up with it, she said, "Oh, sorry guys." She held the drill and made sure the slats were appropriately placed.

Finally, the bed was finished, sheets and comforter and all. Ellie smoothed out the sheets. She climbed in, rolled her head to the side of the pillow, put her thumb in her mouth, and then declared: "This is a comfy bed. Thanks, Dad!" She kept repeating it over and over, "Oh, thank you Daddy!"

While I ran to Wendy's to get dinner (Ellie said, "Oh Wendy's! Mom, I want lemonade and fries" Yikes), Ellie helped Rob put up the valence in Matt's room. At last it was bedtime, and Ellie needed no prodding. I climbed in and read a few books with her, and then she told me, "I just want to stay in my bed all the time, Mom."

Thanks, Dad.