Wanted: Dynamite Dads Contest

Cliff and his kids

(and the photo I sent with the essay)

I entered Cliff into a contest though www.todaysparent.com that was closed yesterday the 20th of February. It was posted in the December 2004 issue of Today's Parent magazine. I wanted to share my entry here with you all. I think Cliff should win! I would be so happy for him.

From the magazine:

If you've got a great dad in your life--whether he's your spouse, brother or good friend - we want to hear about him. The top 5 nominees will be photographed with their kids and featured in our June 2006 issue. Those nominees will also be entered into a draw (on April 20th, 2006) to win one Sony DVD Handcam camcorder valued at approximately $850.

So, this is what I sent into them:

Submitted by:
Cliff’s Wife
Catherine (Cathy) , 34
Canada

Nominee is:
Clifford (Cliff), 33
Dad to our 4 (soon to be 5) kids
Cameron, he is 6 (turns 7 August 3rd, 2006)
Claire, she is 4, turning 5 (February 24th 2006)
Carly, she is 3, turning 4 (August 19th, 2006)
Catie, 1 (turns 2 September 9th, 2006)
Baby Number 5 is due May 13th, 2006!

Stop the presses -- allow me introduce you to my husband Cliff, our Dynamite Dad! Cliff, who is best known as Daddy at our house, is father to our 4 children, Cameron, Claire, Carly and Catie. When baby number five arrives in May, our troops will total 5 children, all 6 and under. That alone should earn him a Medal for Father of the Year.

Cliff has two jobs, his paid position as a full-time Journeyman Electrician, and his unpaid job, father, chef, chief tickler, humourist and family treasure. Somehow he manages to support us all in his own magical and wonderful way.

When our dynamite daddy is home, be it morning, noon or the middle of the night, Cliff is the first one to pitch in. He is a pro at changing diapers, finding lost articles of clothing, reassuring a fitful child. He presides at the nightly bath ritual. He makes potty runs and gets up nights to sooth a sleepless child when they call out for their Daddy.

All that and he cooks too! He can whip up a batch of fabulous pancakes for breakfast—our Saturday morning favourite, make his famous guacamole, BBQ like a pro, makes bread in the bread machine, he even makes his own pasta, and his father-in-law raves over his beef jerky! He is a great cook. And if that weren’t enough, he does bathrooms too! All this is done without complaint.

Before Christmas during an unusual cold snap, including snow on the west coast, Cliff bundled us all off to the Christmas Tree farm to cut down the Christmas tree. So much better an experience for the kids in the snow. Why wait for the rain? That’s our Cliff.

In the evening when the kids are dressed in their jammies and are ready for bed, they fight for a place on his lap at night. They love their Daddy. And that shows on the faces of our children.

I asked the kids why their Daddy was the best; these are their responses:
Cameron: I like to watch and help Daddy with wires and tools
Claire: He likes doing puzzles with me and give me great big hugs
Carly: I love it when Daddy tucks me in at night
Catie: (Mommy has made this observation about Daddy and me) I love it when Daddy gives me a bath and then tickles me to make me laugh

The icing on the cake here is that really, if you could picture his heart you would see that it was made of pure gold. He has the biggest heart of anybody I know. It bursts with love for his family, and friends. I am so proud of my Husband Cliff. Contest or no contest, I publicly wish to express my love, gratitude and appreciation for Cliff the best dad around.

Cathy