April Fools’ Day or All Fools’ Day, although not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbours, or sending them on fool’s errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible. Traditionally, in some countries, the jokes only last until noon: like UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, someone who plays a trick after noon is called an “April Fool”.^[1] Elsewhere, such as in Ireland, France, and the USA, the jokes last all day.

Okay.  So, that is a little definition from Wikipedia.  Couldn’t really find much else on this day called “April Fools.”

I used to have lots of fun with my dad on this day.  It was our day.  I was a funny kid and I loved the idea of scaring people and then laughing and saying “April Fools”.  I never did the pranks that embarrassed people…that just didn’t sit well with me!

My dad and I would do all sorts of weird things.  His favorite was  “Oh NO there is a spider on your shoulder!”  And of course, since I was scared of spiders…I would totally freak out and try to brush it off only to find that nothing was there.  I fell for it every time.  I guess, not only was I scared of spiders…I was also kinda not too bright…cuz my dad was able to pull this one for years!

One year, I made my dad a cake.  His birthday was on April Fool’s Day.  I spent all afternoon with a shoe box and frosting trying to make the box look like a real cake. In my little 3rd grade mind the cake looked pretty good.  But, I have a feeling it looked like a shoe box with blue frosting on it.  I had cut holes in the box so I could put candles in it.  I thought I was being so sneaky!!  Anyway, my dad played along.  He took the knife and tried to cut into it…pretending to be shocked that it wasn’t a cake.  Then, I joyfully shouted out “APRIL FOOLS!!!!!”

Even when I had left home, I would call him up with some prank that would make him laugh.  April Fools was our holiday! My dad left the planet a few years ago and I think of him every April 1st wondering if he is hangin out with other pranksters having lots of fun…or maybe he has been busy setting up some funny pranks for us still living on this planet.

Who knows…the day ain’t over yet;)

Happy April Fools!

Have a prank filled day!