I don't know if there's a thread about this already, and I'm too lazy to really look so I'm starting one about the absolute joy of being a father. I'm sure many of the members here who are fathers can relate. I'm just going to make a thread for people to share some of the fun times that come with being a parent to a little human being. I'll start off with a couple of my own observations and experiences...

For those of you "in the know" in regards to my personal life, I am in the midst of a divorce. The one good thing that came of my relationship with the putative ex Mrs. Sixpack is the very adorable son I have. I get joint custody and I really enjoy my time with him. He's seven years old, and so much fun to be around.

Just a few minutes ago I made him a grilled cheese sandwich. He said, "Aren't you gonna' make one for yourself dad? They're really good, you're like a master chef". He said it totally seriously, too

I laughed so hard I almost cried, and I almost cried because he's so sweet. I make him macaroni & cheese from a box and he says "You make the very best mac & cheese dad!" I make him toast, toast, and he tells me it's the best and that I'm the best cook in the world. It's so wonderful to be thought so highly of by such a sweet and innocent child.

Don't get me wrong, I think I do allright in the kitchen. But most of the things I make for me and for other adults is really a bit too complex for his young palet, so I end up making him the most bland food, which he seems to like well enough.

I remember on his sixth birthday I made him a pancake shaped like the number six, and put a candle on it for his breakfast. He loved it. I love to do special things like that for him from time to time.

Yesterday, I had to give him a haircut. We actually had a good time while I did it. We were joking around and he was giggling and laughing and it was just a wonderful time. After the haircut, I dropped him into the shower so he could wash all the hair off of himself. I asked him when he was finishing up in the shower if he'd washed every part of himself, and he said "I even washed my shiny hiney", I asked, "is it all squeaky clean?" and he said "Yes". I was drying him off a few minutes later and he farted really loudly and I said, "that must be your squeaky clean hiney squeaking". He laughed so hard I thought he was gonna' pass out.

There days when I'm acutely aware of how quickly he is growing up, and then I try to etch the memories as deeply into my mind as I can. The way he looks, the way it feels to hold him, the sound of his voice, the way he smells, and the things he says.

All in all, Fatherhood is about the greatest thing going. What does everyone else here think about it?