Dad’s and Donuts

A few times a year the elementary school our kids attend (past-tense for birthright boy) invites a parent to a before school program to read together.  They also invite athletes from Utah State University to the event.

Mom’s and Muffins was earlier this year, today was Dads and Donuts.  I didn’t attend last year’s Dads and Donuts, and the theme Moms and Muffins automatically excludes me from an invitation.  I was not sure what to expect.

I enjoy going to school activities.  Elementary school programs are a lot of fun.  As our youngest is finishing up 4th grade we will only have one more year to attend the activities at this school.

Another reading centered activity this school has held every year, on or around Dr. Seuss’ birthday, is called Oreo Night.  (Oreos, donuts, muffins – a theme developing ….).

Students and their families choose classrooms to visit and the teachers read excerpts from a book.  To liven up the experience, some of the teachers dress up to match the theme of the book they chose.  After visiting three classrooms, its time to select a free book for the students, and everyone gets a snack of Oreos and milk. It’s a lot of fun.

Back to today’s program: We arrived and went to the big gym where tables with donuts and drinks were arranged in the center of the floor – yep, motivation to attend!   Dads and students were scattered around the bleachers or on chairs and some were sitting on the floor, reading from a book the student chose from the free books supplied for the event. 

The USU athletes attending were basketball and football players, scattered around visiting with and reading to the kids.  The basketball players were receiving the most attention, probably because they don’t wear helmets when they play and face recognition is easier.  Aggie sports are a big deal in Cache Valley and the kids were having a great time getting pictures taken and asking for autographs, in between reading to students.

My daughter asked me last night if we might get an autograph from some of the athletes and I said we probably would. Today the only autograph she wanted was from Tai Wesley of the basketball team. She was too shy to go ask him herself, and definitely too shy to pose for a picture with him. I took her book to him and while he signed it she snapped this photo. Yes, out of focus, but I think it’s pretty neat.