by Gary Maclean

Created on: June 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 01, 2011

I can remember each and every little special moment I had with any one of my kids. From the instant I stood there and watched my daughter turn from a gray, blue pallor to a fresh pink and white glow with her first breath of fresh air to the instant I said good-bye to my son just the other day on the telephone when he called just to talk. Every single instant is a treasure, every word is a gold nugget, and every "I Love You" is a diamond in my crown.

What helps me remember is my collection of things my kids made me throughout their coming of age; coupon books, cards, remote holders, wooden ducks, wooden puzzles, gavels, they are all there. I keep them all because they are such a big part of my life. I do not take the little things my kids do or say or have done or said lightly. All of it shapes me and helps directs my life.

Toddlers are special in their innocence and their desire to make Mommy and Daddy happy. That's all they want is for everyone to be happy. They do whatever they can to make that happen. Their little surprises they make at school or at home are a part of their effort. Generally Mom has to help a little bit when it comes to Father's Day but the end result is evidence true of a gift from the heart of your toddler. Some of my favorites have been;

10) CANDY BOWL: I love candy and nuts and all sorts of little treats like that. My kids have always known that. On year my daughter made me a poster board bowl and filled it with the things she knew I liked best. The bowl is easy enough to make, it ends up looking something like a box but as long as it stays together and holds the contents Dad will love it. Decorate the outsides with anything the toddler cares to cut out of brightly colored paper. Long after the contents are gone Dad will remember it.

9) PHOTO PUZZLE: Blow a photo of the toddler up to at least 8 X 10, larger if possible, then have the toddler cut the shapes out of the picture. Let the toddler cut anything he or she wants to. Try to guide them into keeping the puzzle fixable. That is, make sure it can be put back together again. Don't cut pieces so small they will get lost easily. Also don't make every piece shaped like the next one. Have the toddler cut animals and shapes that can be recognized and can be put back together again. The prize when Dad finishes his puzzle is the toddler looking up at him. Believe me, that is a treasure.

8) PHOTO MAGNET: I have lost my photo magnets of both of my children but I did have them for many, many

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