'A Day for Dads' Recap

Bringing Up Bates "A Day for Dads"

• At the Paines’ house, Carson, Brooklyn, and Everly paint birdhouses for Chad for Father’s Day. One of Brooklyn’s favorite things about her dad is that he “helps coyotes not get me.”
• On Father’s Day, Erin and the kids pick fresh herbs from their garden. Erin marinades chicken, and Chad grills it. Chad grew up raising free-range chickens, so he and Erin buy organic, free-range chicken, even though it’s more expensive.
• “There’s so many qualities I love about Chad,” says Erin. “He is such a hands-on dad, so involved in every activity in our family, and I don’t think they could have a better dad.”
• “I couldn’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day than just sitting there with my children, the best gifts that I have, my wife, and just to know that I’m so blessed is so special to me,” says Chad.
• Meanwhile, the Balkas have a Father’s Day picnic. Josie gives Kelton a keychain that has two handprints. One is Willow’s, and the other says “Coming Soon.” Josie had found out that morning that she was pregnant.
• This time around, Josie and Kelton say they are “happy” shocked instead of “terrified” shocked. “We’ve been praying, we’ve been trying,” says Kelton. “This is awesome.”
• At the big house, Gil and Kelly and the unmarried kids also have a picnic. Kelly takes a picture of Katie, Ellie, Addee, and Callie. Both she and Gil are shocked that only four of their daughters are left at home. “And this one’s trying to leave!” shouts Katie.
• Kelly and the kids give Gil a basket of his favorite treats. “Try not to down it in a week or anything,” jokes Kelly. Per Bates family tradition, the kids share praises about Gil. Callie breaks down as she shares how great of a dad Gil is to her.
• “Y’all are the best kids,” says Gil. “I haven’t done too good as a dad, but I’ve sure enjoyed learning from all of y’all. Y’all have really blessed me.”
• Jackson has been training for ALERT boot camp, but since it has been postponed, he needs a way to stay in shape. Gil gets the boys together for a makeshift boot camp in the hot sun. Towards the end, Judson and Jeb pretend to run inside to “get drinks.” Instead, they fill up a bunch of water balloons and attack the others. Everyone agrees that it feels good.
• Kelly shares an update on her health. She has struggled with gastroesophageal reflux for years and has already had her gallbladder removed. The frequency of her reflux, especially after having 19 children, has created pre-cancer cells in her throat. She needs another scope, but she must first get over the coughing caused by a recent episode. “She’s just too young and beautiful to be suffering like this,” says Gil, who is eager to find a solution for his wife. 
• Later, Carlin and Evan inform Gil and Kelly that they have tested positive. “I pretty much have had all the symptoms, but nothing serious, like hospitalized,” says Carlin. Layla, who tested negative, had been staying with Evan’s family, but one of them came down with the illness. The doctors recommended that Layla come back home so she can nurse and hopefully get antibodies.
• “We were around y’all, and so we figured y’all should probably get tested, too,” says Carlin. “Everybody probably should.” Gil prays for the Stewarts before ending the phone call. After filming completed in August, several other Bates family members tested positive, as well.