Even before we had kids, my husband and I agreed that water and sun vacations were our preference. Both of us are swimmers, he was a college water polo player, and we love spending time at the beach and in the water. Therefore, when our son (also our firstborn) was old enough to let us know that he hated the water, we were shocked. What was this going to do to our beach vacations?

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So Father’s Day is fast approaching (June 15^th 2008), and it’s a bit of an understatement to say that it’s a Herculean task to come up the right ingredients for an enjoyable Father’s Day, let alone a perfect one. Mothers are easy to make happy. Well … Expensive, but easy to plan for. Fathers, on the other hand, are cranky, and it’s hard to make judgment calls about what they like, or not. Brunches are sissy, unless accompanied/planned by Mom with kids in tow. Add spas and shopping to the sissy list, and what you have left is … What? Here’s a reference list for you to chew on.

New York Father’s Day Restaurants: This is a list of restaurants in New York which are offering specials on the menu for Father’s Day.

This historied Tribeca/Downtown lounge is advisable if you’re a Mom with kids, planning Father’s Day brunch for the entire family. Enjoy the special Father’s Day brunch while the kids watch complimentary movies in the grand screening room. The buffet includes omelets and waffles made to order, oysters on the half shell, jumbo shrimp cocktail, quiche selection, fresh salads, antipasti, breads and pastries, cheese and seasonal fruits, and homemade desserts.And the cocktails at the Church Lounge are quite well known among serious drinkers.

Beacon – Midtown West restaurant is offering dads & guests a special 16-oz. Black Angus, dry aged natural Niman Ranch sirloin steak with a bottomless Brooklyn Lager. Dinner a la carte or $58 prix-fixe.

Creama Restaurante – Chelsea Mexican eatery offering brunch prix-fixe with a complimentary treat for fathers at the end of the meal.

Tribeca Grill – Robert De Niro’s landmark downtown restaurant offers brunch and dinner a la carte menus featuring spring seasonal offerings.

Restaurants with Father’s Day specials include davidburke & donatella, Fig & Olive, Havana Central and Lunetta.

Father’s Day Weekend Getaway Package: So let’s say you don’t think just a power lunch or brunch or dinner is enough. You want something a bit more expansive, covering the entire weekend. There’s no shortage of getaways in the Adirondack Mountains, but Father’s Day specials? This is where the 1000 Acres Ranch Resort, in Stony Creek, NY, about 3 and ½ hours’ drive from Manhattan, comes in. Photo courtesy & copyrights 1000 Acres Ranch Resort.

It’s a scenic dude ranch which sits along the banks of the Hudson River, with everything from horseback riding to a 9-hole golf course and fishing, kayaking, indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, night-time cocktail parties and ball games. Kids have a whole bunch of games, activities and entertainment under supervision from the resort staff. They’re offering a Father’s Day package deal which includes a 10% discount for Dad with 3 days/2 nights of lodging, three meals daily, horseback riding, pony rides for children six and under and full use of Ranch facilities.

If Dad is the kind of guy who enjoys fishing and the outdoors, then this is the perfect way to get him to relax on the weekend, with the additional bonus that the entire family gets to have a fun time.

Other events being held in NYC for Father’s Day include the 67th “Father of the Year” Awards being held on June 11^th at the Marriott New York Marquis hotel, free , fun things including a concert, sing-along and Lullwater cruise at Prospect Park, and a 3 hour Father’s Day schooner match race starting at Chelsea Piers from SailNYC.com.

This is a post written by Lois from the Home Exchange blog. A family is seeking to a home near Cedar Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills because the mother needs treatment for leukemia for a two month period. Lois has asked us to spread the word in the blogosphere and try to help the family.

“This is a special appeal to anyone, Home Base Holidays members, members or agents from other home exchange clubs, or anyone who lives near Cedars Sinai Hospital, Beverly Hills, who might be able to either do a non-simultaneous exchange or offer accommodation close to the hospital, to please get in touch. Here’s the story behind this appeal and I hope that through spreading the word as widely as possible, we can draw on the resources of the whole home exchange community and find someone able to offer help:

Dear Lois,

I am writing because I was just diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia a week ago and I’m 25 weeks pregnant with a girl. (We already have a 3 year old boy, Daxton, so we’re very excited). The best treatment I can get in the area is at Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills, but that is about an hour’s drive away without traffic and can be 2 or more hours….plus I have to go there every couple of days for treatment.

I thought I might find someone who lives close to Cedars who would be willing to let us use their home for a couple of months during my treatment, but haven’t had any luck so far. I just wanted to see if you know of any members in the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, West LA, Brentwood, or any of the surrounding areas close to Cedars Sinai Hospital? Or if you know anyone personally or have any ideas for me. I realize you may not know how to help me, but I thought it was worth the inquiry.

Thanks so much and I hope you are well. By the way – my Leukemia is treatable and curable, I just need to get the baby out first and then I can start treatment! I also may have a surgery next week to remove my spleen.

Best,

Leslie”

If you can help, please contact me or Lois and we will put you in touch with Leslie.

Thanks,

Pat Jenkins