1000 Awesome Things About Being A Parent (pt 2)

No excuse is needed to tie on a blanket and fly around the house. A Captain America mask is perfectly acceptable breakfast table attire.
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It is a story that has lasted and will continue to last generations. Every 15 years we will get a new trilogy and a new group of kids will soak up the struggle of the good and evil. I love that my kids are Star Wars fans.
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There's nothing that quite beats the feeling of hearing "I want to be just like you when I grow up, Daddy!"
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Trying to come up with an appropriate accent for a horse, cow, pig, and salmon is always a fun way to spend a Tuesday night.
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This will get me down on the carpet every single time. We build skyscrapers, cars, cities, and act out adventures and storeis.
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When carved our pumpkins last month, we had a random Time Warp dance party in the kitchen for no reason whatsoever. At our Nanny's birthday, the kids DEMANDED she wear the Birthday Moose Hat. Kids force you to let loose and toss your cares and just enjoy every moment.
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Oh sure, our generation of parents takes a little bit of heat for not keeping score on the U6 soccer field, but it's still awesome watching a 5 year old brag about beating their parents at Go Fish!
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Is it wrong that I audibly sigh every time I hit the kids' section? The cute play on words, faux toughness, and cartoony characters and motifs are the fountain of youth.
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Go on a vacation and then come home to the biggest, bestest, coziest hug in the world.
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The sweetest sound in the world, really. And kids are sooo good at it. The smallest thing will set them off, and it's really a lesson for all of us to learn to laugh more, and easier.
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When your kid completes any challenge, it's awesome. I almost wanted to give a standing ovation from the stands when I first saw my son put his face in the water and kick for 20 feet.
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The themes of childhood obsession are pretty consistent: prehistoric creatures, outer space, bizarre animals. Watching my kids recite the habits of Cottontop Tamarinds after an episode of Diego, or wanting to go and see the Vampire Squid at the aquarium after watching The Octonauts is pretty cool.
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The suspension of belief that children have is inspiring. They are willing to buy any trick you're selling, and it comes from such an authentic, honest place.
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A dominating "daddy! stop! daddy! stop!" attack that quickly turns into "again!" the moment you do actually stop. So you start up again and the whole scene is repeated.
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Ice cream is hard, and tough to scoop in your bowl. But if you wait a few minutes and then stir it up, you can turn it into a sticky, almost soft-serve consistency that makes it easier to eat. Just one of the great ninja tips father can pass on to son.
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After dinner is the most chaotic time of our day. Urging kids to finish vegetables, them begging for dessert. Then it's the din of bath, and teeth brushing. Of course they're still wound up and it takes another eternity before they finally fall asleep - but once they do? I could stare at that image, and bask in that silence forever.
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Whether it's a jump off a diving board, hitting a ball without a tee, or spinning around 5 times without falling down, when your kids accomplish something and want to share, you can't help but share in the glow of their pride.
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Even if it's on an app, gathering up on the couch and tossing out silly character voices in a book is the best.
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It's free entertainment. Take the kids to the toy store and let them loose for 30 minutes. Be careful of random light saber fights.
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Because your kid is the best damned 3rd tree from the left that was ever to stand on stage.
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We get so stuck in our grown up routines that kids give us a chance to hit ctl alt del and reinvigorate our imagination.
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Kids make you feel needed. Whether it's reaching the top shelf of the pantry, trying to tie shoe laces, or potty training we have to be there for our kids and it feels great.
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Is there any other time of the year that is better to just sit back and watch your kids? I love it.
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Sure, I've seen Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 14 times this month, but I still love hearing them laugh when cheeseburgers fly from the sky. Besides, it's always an excuse to share a big bowl of popcorn.
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