Happy Birthday, Daddio! (The Large and Growly Bear)

Today is my Dad's birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDIO!!!

I thought I would share with you a funny story about my Dad and birthdays. I shared it last year on his birthday, but it is so good that I wanted to post it again in case you missed it!

When we were little, Dad always made up fun games for us to play. Most of them were imaginary games that my Dad dreamed up. One thing I remember is he would turn on Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride and "fly" me around the house in his arms. I would sit criss cross in his arms and he would swoop in and out of rooms with me. It was SO FUN!

Not only did Dad play fun games with us, but he also read to us. One of his favorite books to read to us was The Large and Growly Bear.

Source

In retrospect, I can't remember if it was actually his favorite book to read, or we just thought it was his favorite book to read because we liked it so much. Memories certainly get twisted around in your head as the years go by...

We all loved when Dad read The Large and Growly Bear. We loved it so much that for several years, we wrapped up the book and gave it to our Dad for every birthday, every Father's Day, and probably Christmas, too.

My dad always acted delighted and surprised. We were so little. It didn't dawn on us that wrapping up a book we owned... over and over again... was ridiculous. It's just what we did! Need a present for Dad? Wrap up The Large and Growly Bear!

Hopefully my brothers and I have made up for all that re-gifting we did when we were little!

Dad, I didn't get you The Large and Growly Bear this year, but if you are feeling nostalgic and are dying to read the book again, you can read the whole thing here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! I LOVE YOU!

Share a fun memory of your family with me!