Doesn't he look distinguished?
For my 40th last year, Scott threw me an amazing surprise birthday party and got me a super-fancy camera. For his birthday, I’m getting him the Gift of Packing and Painting! His two favorite activities!
He is a lucky, lucky man.
Actually for his birthday I am taking him for an overnight stay here. And we will be eating dinner here. It will be fantastic.
But those will have to wait for a couple of weeks. Because there’s packing to do, mister! Get to work!
I asked Henry what he loves about his Dad, and he came up with a list. Here it is. I heartily agree with them all. And then some!
Forty things I love about Daddy. By Henry.
1. All his love.
2. He takes me to get a snack after school.
3. He gives me an allowance.
4. He buys me Legos.
5. When he calls me “Buddy bear” or “Hank.”
6. And how bushy is that beard? …not so bushy.
7. The man is strong and a good wrestler.
8. He plays soccer with me.
9. He reads to me a lot.
10. He cuddles.
11. He makes me the best macaroni.
12. He draws funny comics with me.
13. He takes me to the movies.
14. My daddy is very, very kind.
15. I also think he is funny…
16. …and he’s cool.
17. I love how he makes all the funny creations when we’re playing with Legos.
18. His movies are good and detailed.
19. He’s always happy to see me.
20. I like the way he wakes me up.
21. I like the way his glasses make him look funny.
22. He thinks that I’m very kind and good.
23. He tells me that he loves me.
24. He plays me Indiana Jones.
25. I love that I know that he knows that I love him.
26. He tells me stories.
27. He trusts me.
28. He tucks me in at bedtime.
29. He’s the friendliest man I’ve ever met.
30. I like that he can work from home, so we can hang out.
31. I like that he is my Daddy.
32. He sets up the best birthday parties.
33. He helps me find Lego pieces.
34. He’s always proud of me when I say something smart.
35. When we get into fights he always gives me a true apology.
36. He always solves the problem, whenever there is one.
37. He helps me when I’m scared.
38. He lets me do things that are very fun.
39. He always goes camping with me.
40. My Daddy is the best.
Happy birthday, sweetie. You are, indeed, the best. I can’t wait to see you turn into a grizzled old man. It’s happening more quickly than I could have dreamed!
Aaaah shucks, what a list!
Happy birthday Scott - May you have lists like that every year from here on in, at least until Henry is a teenager and decides to pretend you no longer exist...
Posted by: Edwina | May 19, 2010 at 08:10 AM
Dear Lord. Print that baby out and frame it.
Adorable. Happy birthday, Scott!
(And Alice -- the Ritz? Ooh la la! You know, my 43rd birthday is coming up in July ...)
Posted by: Karen/Chookooloonks | May 19, 2010 at 08:20 AM
Happy Birthday, Scott.
Now keep packing!
Posted by: Alison C | May 19, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Happy birthday Scott!
Also, I'm totally stealing the list idea for Jon's upcoming birthday. :-)
Posted by: Boston Mamas | May 19, 2010 at 08:29 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!
As a black-hearted childless unmarried spinster, I can definitely say that my heart (and ovaries) ached a little bit reading that :)
HAPPY MOVING to all of you!
Posted by: Leslie | May 19, 2010 at 08:29 AM
Happy Birthday Scott! That is just about the sweetest list ever.
Posted by: Melinda | May 19, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Happy birthday, Scott. Save that list to re-read when Henry is a teenager.
Posted by: MJ | May 19, 2010 at 08:44 AM
Awww, love this! Happy birthday, Scott!
(Alice, that last line made me spit out my water. When will I learn not to drink things while reading things online?!)
Posted by: HouseofJules | May 19, 2010 at 08:52 AM
Now I'm all verklempt! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: liz | May 19, 2010 at 08:57 AM
This made me cry. Nick read it over my shoulder and we both said, "Awwwwww!"
Happy birthday, Scott!
Posted by: Sarah Brown | May 19, 2010 at 09:01 AM
Love the salt and pepper. LOVE. Happy birthday, Scott!
Posted by: Tracy | May 19, 2010 at 09:23 AM
That is the sweetest list ever! What is it about Dads and boys and legos? :) Happy Birthday!
Best,
Tina
Posted by: Tina | May 19, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Happy birthday Scott! A man is nothing without a salt & pepper beard. I also likes how he gives Henry TRUE apologies, instead of the fake ones he obviously gets from Alice.
Posted by: Bertha | May 19, 2010 at 09:34 AM
Happy Birthday, Scott! What a sweet list!
Posted by: FreeRange Pamela | May 19, 2010 at 09:36 AM
Happy Birthday Scott! I too am loving the salt and pepper. I must show my husband these pictures so he can rest assured that one CAN age wonderfully and gracefully and handsomely.
Not that I knew you before, you know, for some comparison. Or now...
Whew! Anyway. Diggin' the hair.
Enjoy that packing and painting! :)
Posted by: mp | May 19, 2010 at 09:41 AM
Happy Birthday! Forty! Forty's great! I can even say it out loud now. Fuh..for..ffforrrty. See? Because for a while there, it was like how Fonzi couldn't say he was wrong.
Posted by: Marla | May 19, 2010 at 10:17 AM
That list is priceless.
Happy Birthday, you're a lucky daddy.
ALice: what a sweet surprise for your husband to see that list. So sweet.
You caught what life's all about right there.
Posted by: Alexandra | May 19, 2010 at 10:19 AM
That's a great list. I love #6.
Posted by: Nichole | May 19, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Maybe, as a special little birthday treat, Alice, you can play him some Indiana Jones, if you know what I'm sayin'...
Also, it seems to me that a little packing, a little purging and a little painting are perfect for a guy turning forty. New beginnings, and all. Sounds just about right.
Happy Birthday to you, Scott!
Posted by: Sheila | May 19, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Happy Birthday!
I love it when my husband calls me Hank, too.
Posted by: Beth | May 19, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Happy Birthday. I like how Legos make it into three of the items on the list!
Posted by: Nutmeg | May 19, 2010 at 11:37 AM
That Henry is a good kid. Happy birthday to Scott!
By the way, your tweets about packing recklessly and not double-triple-super-duper wrapping every fragile item made me laugh out loud. I am married to Anal Retentive Man - stuff like packing for a move brings out the crazy in him. I love that you did it your way AND taunted Scott with it!
Posted by: Missy | May 19, 2010 at 11:41 AM
awwwwww Happy Birthday, Scott! Don't let her work you too hard on your special day. ;)
Posted by: Amigurumigirl | May 19, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Happy Birthday, Scott!
And is Henry turning 40 too? Because that kid talks like it. He is so smart!
Posted by: Andrea | May 19, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Best birthday present ever, that list. Lucky lucky man. And you and Henry too.
Posted by: kate | May 19, 2010 at 12:48 PM
Happy Birthday Scott!
And sweet jesus that list almost makes me want kids, which is a feat, I tell you. A feat.
Posted by: jennifer in sf | May 19, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Omg. This is priceless. And frame-worthy. And potentially that which could be employed to remind dear Henry that his Dad is actually an okay kind of guy (for those surly/angst-filled teen years to come, of course). I especially adored #25: "I love that I know that he knows that I love him." Only the child of a brilliant writer could think such a thought.
Of all those he listed (in my mind anyway), that is the "keeper comment." The one you'll pull from the depths so many years from now to show him he has a sensitive side--and to convey what a wonderful gift that is.
Oh, please say, "Happy Birthday!" to Mr. Salt & Pepper (looks fab, by the way--so distinguished)! ;-)
Posted by: Melindawentzel | May 19, 2010 at 01:13 PM
That is the best list ever! Happy birthday to Scott. Have a good night you 2!
Posted by: Dani | May 19, 2010 at 01:25 PM
Happy Birthday to Scott!
And Alice, that list? Best! Thing! Ever! "The man is strong." "Not too bushy." Awesome!
Posted by: edj | May 19, 2010 at 01:47 PM
My sweetie turns 40 in three days. On his 30th, he helped me move out of my single girl apartment and I didn't remember it was his birthday until I'd yelled at him because moving furniture is hard. We're fairly settled in our current place, but I'm thinking his fortieth should be at least as special.
Seriously, though, I'm taking him camping. And I'll even carry some of our stuff.
Happy birthday to Scott!
Posted by: Nora | May 19, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Yee-gads, that photo of Scott and a young Henry is SEXY! Happy Birthday, Scott! *wink, wink* Hope you two have a fabulous overnight stay and dinner, you BOTH deserve it!
Posted by: Positivelyaccentuating.blogspot.com | May 19, 2010 at 02:16 PM
Happy Birthday Scott.
# 25 made me melt a little bit.
Posted by: Catizhere | May 19, 2010 at 02:21 PM
#7 is my favorite. "The Man". :)
Posted by: Kelly | May 19, 2010 at 02:27 PM
Aw, great list by Henry! Love this: 21. I like the way his glasses make him look funny.
Happy Birthday Scott!!
Posted by: kaylen | May 19, 2010 at 03:30 PM
Happy Birthday, Scott.
I can't believe that Star Wars didn't feature in that list at all!
Posted by: kelli | May 19, 2010 at 04:46 PM
Happy Birthday, Scott!
I love the multiple Lego-related items on Henry's list. And the true apology.
Posted by: Alyce | May 19, 2010 at 04:47 PM
You have one attractive husband there. Henry didn't mention that in his list.
Posted by: Amy | May 19, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Happy Birthday Scott! You can always turn packing into a drinking game.
Posted by: Cindy | May 19, 2010 at 09:33 PM
Happy Birthday Scott!
OMG AJFKSJKGJDK THAT LIST IS ADORABLE.
Posted by: Renee | May 19, 2010 at 10:50 PM
BEST. LIST. EVER.
Posted by: Kristin | May 20, 2010 at 12:18 AM
What a handsome husband! Good job!
Posted by: Kellynkayperez | May 20, 2010 at 12:22 AM
Also, you all have the most amazing eyes EVER!
Posted by: Positivelyaccentuating.blogspot.com | May 20, 2010 at 07:56 AM
Happy, happy birthday, Scott! You three are one good-lookin' fam.
Posted by: Kate@And Then I Was a Mom | May 20, 2010 at 10:23 AM
That was so great. Henry is awesome, as are his mom and dad. And someone please tell me why men are allowed to get better looking as they age, and women....not so much? Beautiful family.
I'll also be stealing this idea for my husband's bday too.
Posted by: Lara | May 20, 2010 at 11:04 AM
I just bawled at my desk. Thanks a lot Henry.
Posted by: misstraceynolan | May 20, 2010 at 11:42 AM
oh, that list! that's a keeper.
Posted by: sierra | May 20, 2010 at 07:43 PM
Please frame that. THAT should be his gift, you know, ALONG WITH all the painting and packing.
Happy Birthday, Scott!
Posted by: kristi | May 20, 2010 at 08:22 PM
Oh my word, seriously, Alice. He is some kind of drop-dead gorgeous hunk. With the two of you for 'rents, no wonder Henry is so beautiful!
So sweet, all of it. Happy Birthday to Scott and good luck to all with the move!
Posted by: Laura | May 20, 2010 at 10:26 PM
The List is wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with The Internets! Happy b-day to your hubbie-
Posted by: Karen | May 20, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Great list for a great dad. Happy Birthday, Scott.
Posted by: Jan | May 21, 2010 at 07:58 AM