The Annual Father's Day Program

Chores, chores, wonderful chores.  Who gets to take out the garbage?  Daddy gets to help…tying up the bags, holding the bag while a little one pours and playing escort to the dumpster.  Through thick and trash, a smile almost always does flash.  Thanks for your assistance in keeping the Bushman home a trash-free environment.   

You’re given …  “The best garbage bag holder award!”

Happy Father's Day - tomorrow. I'm posting this today because I thought if anyone needs a quick Father's Day idea, you still have a bit of time. 

Our Favorite "Month of June" Tradition: The Annual Father's Day Program. 

This started in 1997 when our oldest child was only 4 years old. She wore a pink and black dress. I remember that day well - she and my 2 year old son danced together, they sang, we had presents and dessert. Our six month old sat there. It was very limited in scope...but it was the start of 15 years of Father's Day programs that have involved laughter, crying, yelling, stomping off, fun, embarrassing moments, cooperation, sharing, treats, hysteria, dancing, singing, performing, jokes, poems, and AMAZING MEMORIES!!!

Each year Dad gets an invitation to his personal Father's Day program so he knows when to be ready. This is usually delivered by the youngest child. Sometimes they will call him on the phone to tell him about it. Every year I put a new child in charge of gathering the numbers that will be performed or shared. A different child is the Emcee for the night. There always seems to be some arguing about who gets to do that job. Each child prepared 2-3 numbers. This can range from playing an instrument, to singing, telling a joke, reading a Father's Day poem or story, performing a talent, creating a skit, really....anything that is appropriate! Their numbers can include another person or a group of people. We arrange the numbers in a good order, create a program and we're ready to go. We always have a grand finale - a game show, a video one of the kids created, an awards ceremony, a fun skit, a name that "Write-Downable"...something to highlight Dad and his accomplishments. We top it off with musical presents and dessert. 

Mom even gets in on it - coming up with some off the wall, corny songs or demonstrations. That is where some of the most embarrassing moments come into play!

Here are a few pics from year's past...

2011:

2010:

2009:

2008:

No pictures for this year...I don't know why. However, according to the program, we had a root beer taste test, and a question and answer game at the end, along with the usual numbers. 

2007:

2006:

2005:

2004:

2003:

2002:

And that's where the photos stop. Everything else is pre-digital! Someday, I'll get those in a digital format so they can be utilized. Until then, they stay in the bucket which mean, no photos. We've had a good time over the years. The kids wrote a Kids Radio program one year which was just hilarious! We had a family Mad Lib about Dad another year. We created a farm animal skit one of the very first years with paper plate masks, we've watched home videos of previous Father's Day programs, and Father's Day surveys. It's been 15 awesome years of Father's Day Fun! 

Now, we can't spill the beans and tell you about our plans for the program tomorrow. You'll just have to check back and see what we did. 

Start your own Father's Day Program tradition. Dad will LOVE it and it will bring forever memories (Like Mom dressing up in the black Spiderman Suit with the black bushy wig pictured above - pretending to be the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Thankfully, the kids didn't get a picture of that. Secretly, I wish they had!! OR the time that I sang "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home" like Marilyn Monroe with a feather boa. I'll let you use your imagination. There's video of that one. Most embarrassing: Sam's Mom watching that video years later. I died laughing!!!!!!!)

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!