I love watching kids be creative. Here’s my youngest, who is playing Pac Man on the iPad. She calls it the bubble game. Not sure where she got that — maybe from the dots on the screen.
I love the part when she gets eaten by a ghost and she think she wins.
How do you encourage your kids to be creative?
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As the readers here at EOT already know, my family and I recently relocated from San Diego to Kansas City. A new job and a more affordable and higher quality of life was the reason.
I am fortunate to work for a great company who has made it amazingly easy to adjust and set us up to find our new home. Right from the get-go, my wife and I have been able to make a separate trip to look for a house, and have been looking since we arrived a few weeks ago.
Armed with news that housing continues to slump throughout the country, we thought heck, it’s a buyers market so we’re going to find a house very quick.
Not so fast. Continue reading “Losing Out on Your Dream Home” »
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My youngest and oldest walk to the front door for the first day of school. My youngest missed her sister big time.
Last year at this time, my oldest daughter was headed to Kindergarten. It was a scary thing. Here she was, an innocent, shy, caring girl that was going to be throw in the wolf den that is the public school system. I only call it the wolf den because it’s the unknown. You’re dealing with kids from all types of backgrounds, demeanors, education level, mannerisms, etc. Public schools are one big ass bowl of jambalaya.
My wife and I went through all the emotions of being a first time “big school” parent (pre-school was a sort of a cake-walk compared to a school where she was on the bottom of the food chain — her school is k-8).
This year, the transition from Kindergarten to First Grade was a piece of cake. My daughter has a good chunk of her friends from last year in her class this year. Additionally, some friends that aren’t in her class, are in classes right next door. So basically, she’s with her crew and my wife and I will see the same moms and dads as we did last year. There’s a weird comfort in that, which I think has something to do with stability and familiarity. Continue reading “What a Difference a Year Makes” »
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My daughter started first grade today and in her class around about four boys that she had in her previous kindergarten class. One of them, who my daughter calls her boyfriend, said to his mom today, “I can’t sit next to her because she’s too pretty.” And, in the same sentence, said, “I can’t go over there because her daddy is there.”
Yea, that’s what I thought you little punk! (kidding Max, you’re a good kid).
Seriously though, I realize that this is innocent but there is going to come a time where she is going to have a boyfriend and I’m going to be a mad man. Continue reading “Friends that are Boys or Boy Friends?” »
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It’s all over the Internet. There are studies here and there and way over there about the Nielsen Power Moms (link opens PowerPoint) and influence of women in social media.
Those are just studies and research. Let me show you and prove to you why today’s dads are the real online power brokers. Back in May 2010, the Mom’s Rhapsody (below) — a parody of Queen’s classic Bohemian Rhapsody received a lot of play. As of this post, nearly 26,000 views on YouTube.
Continue reading “Moms’ Influence in Social Media? Can’t Touch Daddy Power” »
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In the Greater Boston area, schools are opening, which mean kids have to get up early, clear out the sleep from their eye, grab their back packs and go to that place where they are supposed to learn all the things they need to learn to be wikked smahht.
Not sure about you, but when I was growing up, my mother was the key-driver behind all the school stuff. I mean, yea, my father did homework with me from time to time, but whenever shit when down at school, mom was always there to deal with it in one way or another.
With two kids heading to school this fall — one in first grade and the other in pre-school — my educational experience got me thinking about how important it is for dads to be involved in their kids school work and experience.
Since this is a dads blog, I’m focusing on the dads, but you get my drift. Parents need to be involved, period. Continue reading “Dads Need to Be Involved in School Work” »
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Being a father of two young daughters, every day during the summer is a blessing because it takes you away from the daily musings of the office as well as the typical stuff us dads tend to worry about — beer, food, football, etc. Kidding…we really think having a good home life for our family; ensuring that the finances are in order (current and future); spending time with other family and friends; and, enjoying every minute of life.
The summer is tee’d up for parents, i.e. an open invitation to do whatever you want with the kids — day trips, vacations, pool time, beach fun, backyard grilling sessions, bike riding, etc. It’s the time of the year that you really get to enjoy your family because it’s an active time.
However, the fear that you has as a kid — the fear of summer ending and going back to school — is the same fear you have as a parent. You just don’t want the summer to end because it means that the mundane-life routine kicks back into high gear — school drop off and pick up, after school activities, homework, etc. Continue reading “The End of Summer Sucks” »
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The Wall Street Journal has an article today written by Jeff D. Opdyke about parenting, specifically the challenge he and his wife face when spending time equally with his kids. It’s a good read and I can totally get where he’s coming from.
We have two kids, a six-year-old and a three-year-old (nearly four) and spend time with each of them equally, as best we can. Since I’m working during the week, my wife does a great job in keeping the kids occupied and doing fun things during the summer months. She does painting, coloring, crafts, etc. We also take the kids to the movies, picnics, out to friends’ houses, etc. Basically, our kids do have full schedules between school, fun and activities.
Continue reading “Even Steven Time with the Kids” »
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Well, we did it.
The Arboretum in Overland Park, Kansas
The family and I have moved from what some consider America’s Finest City, San Diego, to middle America and Kansas City.
How did we end up deciding to move from beautiful and sunny Southern California to the geographical center of the United States? Well, the answer is complex but I’ll try and share with you some of the reasoning and the crux of it here. I’ll also post several times on what we’re experiencing in our new hometown and how everyone is doing with the big change.
First and foremost, we’re here because of a great opportunity that came my way. Just six months ago, I left my 10-year job at Intuit (maker of TurboTax) for a risky yet intriguing opportunity at Sony Online Entertainment. It was a move that really challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and, ultimately, led me to Kansas City and a new opportunity.
This Monday, I start as the first-ever Director of Social Media & Digital Content at Applebee’s. The world’s largest casual dining chain recognizes the importance of engaging with its customers and I am excited about the job. Be sure to check for more details over at Shamable.com as I get started.
There are other reasons why we left San Diego – my home for over 25 years of my life. Continue reading “Family Move Reinforces Strong Bonds” »
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How about no.
Here’s something those of us who used to be able to dunk can appreciate: the Detroit Pistons rookie Terrico White throws down a 180, through the legs tomahawk at about the 2:17 mark.
Continue reading ““Dad, Could You Dunk Like This?” [VIDEO]” »
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