My kid's got one up on you Dora the uh...whatever

Dorer the Explorer? Dora the Explora? Well whatever it is, that show works on my nerves. Why is it that every character sounds like they're yelling all the time? How does saying 'Swiper, no swiping' actually stop the fox? When I repeat instructions to my child, over and over, it doesn't work! And what is Boots' name when he has his boots off?! Feet? Toes? Ok, deep breath. Sorry, I've been holding that stuff in for a long time (and please don't get me started on the cow and backpack).

Don't ask...

When Declan was younger I was one of those parents who always said, "I'll raise him right, watching Transformers, G.I. Joe and He-Man, none of this crap they have on now." But then reality sinks in (along with my wife's Mjöllnir of subtle influence), and he ends up watching good quality, age appropriate shows such as Blue's Clues, Calliou and Kipper. I was happy for a while, then the Dora kick started, followed by a long lasting disdain for pink shirts and orange shorts.

Eventually I saw a light at the end of the tunnel...but then her blasted cousin shows up and rekindles the black flame of despair.

However...just the other day, my hopes were met with irrefutable evidence that there will be life A.D. (After Dora, for those that were wondering).

Declan was watching Dora and the little bowl cut demon was summoning her map from the bowels of backpack (who, just in the last episode, ate map through the top of its head, by the way). So map pops up and Declan's looking at the screen and Dora repeats ten times where they need to go and how they're going to get there. And just before my eyes started to bleed Declan turns to me and says, "Daddy. I don't want to watch Dora anymore."

Clutching the sofa as not to fall, I swallowed my heart and said, "Ok. why not, buddy?"

He then looks at the screen and shaking his head, he says, "Because Dora's stupid. She has a map and she knows where to go, so why doesn't she just go around all the bad stuff? She's so dumb."

I held my child and cried as the angels sang down from the heavens.

Sorry, readers.

I wish I could say that I had a good reason for not updating this since May...but I can't because I don't.

I will say that sometimes it feels like I have a monkey on my back.

I will keep up if you promise to read (and comment too!). Deal?

TV Time and Kids

I know there's a lot of back and forth on the subject of kids and TV. There has been for years. It happens in our house sometimes as I'm sure it does in yours as well.

Well today there was an article on Health.com about TV time and kids. Feel free to read it here. It discusses the effects TV has on young children and the potential adverse effect it has on them when they enter school.

The article focuses on a study done by the School of Psychoeducation at the University of Montreal, in Quebec. They've concluded the following:

Each additional hour of TV that toddlers watch per week translates into poorer classroom behavior, lower math scores, less physical activity, and more snacking at age 10

Apparently they conducted their study over a 7 year period on 1,300 kids and followed up with them in fourth grade to see how they were doing. The findings, they said were thus:

Each additional hour spent in front of the TV per week at age two-and-a-half corresponded to a 7% decrease in classroom engagement, a 6% decrease in overall math achievement, and a 10% increase in being bullied by peers.

They go on to discuss the actual detriment of TV itself and how the "overexposure" impacts children. Although researchers can't seem to agree on the physical effects, researchers are seeming to agree that TV is just bad.

However, the article, which I must say is very balanced and well done, does continue on to the other side of the fence, which was expressing criticism of the study. Their red flag, which is often my soapbox, was that the study omitted one major factor: what the kids were watching. The opposing Dr. said,

parents should distinguish between mind-numbing cartoons and educational programs such as Sesame Street. “Parents need to know that the best-quality shows have a curriculum,” he says. “They’re trying to teach your child something, anything from the letter k to skills like how to share or how to handle a conflict.”

Parents, it seems that the jury is still out. Once again the TV is caught in the middle; one side stating that TV is just bad bad bad and the other side saying that it doesn't matter.

My two cents: I think that both sides of the fence can agree on one thing: make sure that your children are watching stimulating, age appropriate programming. Don't let them sit in front of the TV all day watching inappropriate shows. Watch with them and work with them. The television, like any other source of media (newspaper and books included) can and should be monitored by the parents. Yes, I said parents. It is our responsibility to ensure that kids have a chance to be kids. They only have one shot at this wonderful thing called childhood. Don't ruin it for them.

Someone wanted a snack

Declan insisted on having a lemon for a snack this morning. My only stipulation: I get it on camera. One bite was all he had.

Soft Serve Syringe

The pre-k physical is scheduled for this afternoon. Mommy and I have been prepping him by repeating that fact that he'll have to get shots. In the past, he's taken them like a champ. I don't think a single shot has made him cry (the anticipation is worse for him than the actual sticking).

However this time he is a little worried. I told him he'll probably have to get a few shots. He understands that being around more kids means being around more germs, so he's ok with the potential three or more stickings.

I know he's been thinking about it a lot because this morning, while we were sitting on the couch, he started rubbing his arm. I asked him what the matter was and he looked at me and said, "I wish getting shots didn't hurt. Getting a shot should feel like eating ice cream."

Good Initiative, Bad Judgment

If you ask anyone, they'll probably be able to tell you about a half dozen words or phrases that they've heard which have stuck with them through their lives. Ask anyone who was or is in the military and they'll be able to tell you about three dozen, unfortunately, this being a blog about a father and son, I can't share most of them here.

Although, there is a phrase which, as of late, I've been using more than most others: good initiative, bad judgment. It means the obvious: you did good wanting to do what you did, your intentions were sound, however what you did wasn't the best choice. And, you guessed it, I've been using it with the little mister more and more lately.

The latest incident is definitely blog worthy. I had sent Declan upstairs to get dressed while I finished doing whatever it was I was doing downstairs. When I was done, I still heard the rattling of him trying to close his dresser drawers, so I went up to see if I could assist. Walking into his room I saw him standing there with his pants on and socks (good job so far), but he was putting his shirt on over his pajama shirt (huh?).

"Wait, wait, wait!" I said, walking into his room. "You have to take off your pajama shirt."
"No," he said moving away from my assisting reach, "I want to wear it under my clothes."
"What? Why?" I smiled questioningly. I braced myself for the awesome power of cute.
"If I wear my pajamas under my clothes, then I won't need to put them on tonight. I can just take these off and go to bed." He made a 'bloop bloop' noise as he mimed taking off his shirt and pants.

After I explained to him that wearing his pajamas under his clothes all day would render them obsolete as sleeping attire, I helped him change his shirt. However glancing around his room, I took note of the scattered clothing. Looking back at him, I simply pointed to his pants and cocked my head to the side.

He rolled his eyes as he slowly lifted his pant leg: a brightly colored, fish laden, pajama-covered leg came into view.

Good initiative, bad judgment, little man.

A bit of winter reflection

As I sit here drinking my coffee and eating my whole wheat bagel with cream cheese, I'm looking out the kitchen window. I still see naked trees, piles of snow and the ground is covered in a bland, faded green. Visually, it still seems like winter is on its last legs, however I feel it is officially deceased and spring is upon us.

I've felt this way since last Thursday. I remember waking up and looking out the window. Everything was sunny, yet snow covered. But it was refreshing. It felt like spring. And with that feeling,all of the stir craziness, the cabin fever and the frosty stagnation just went away. It felt different. So the last week or so, I've been enjoying the days a lot more.

It's also given me a little bit of motivation for the upcoming months. Throughout the winter months, being home with Declan, I feel as thought we didn't do a lot. I won't sit here and say that it was a negative experience or that I have regrets, but I do feel that we could have done more through the winter (just take a look at the sparseness of the posts).

So what is coming? A trip to the science museum and the local natural history museum, a puppet theater, endless trips to the park, road trips and tons of spring and summer fun. I may even repost some of my ols favorites from the old family blog too.

I feel like we have to make these next two seasons count. After all this is his last summer before school starts. ;)

The Big O-5

Well, Declan is officially 5. And even though, due to the white flakes of doom, we had to postpone his playdate/birthday party, Declan is one happy camper. I must say this entire weekend, snow and all was one big birthday bash.

We woke him up on Friday morning and, after a few gifts, breakfast in bed and of course getting dressed, we did one thing that is not normal for the beginning of February...we went swimming (indoors, of course).

We had a great birthday weekend. Declan ended up getting everything from a Dinosaur Train tshirt to a camera, Legos to a new handmade quilt and Transformers to a new set of bongos. Oh and lest we forget the pop up book of creatures, the new super awesome (dentist approved) toothbrush and the Lincoln Logs. Declan even made his own cake for his own party....hey, if he wants to do it, we're not gonna stop him.

Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate this past weekend. You know who you are :)

And again, Happy Birthday, little bud. Way to be 5.

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

from the mouth of babes...

So I had a little chat with Declan this morning about how his daddy is a total slacker an my lack of blog updates, or 'blupdates' as I call them. I told him that because we haven't posted for a while we should think of something to tell everyone who reads our blog. This is what he said:

"Hello everyone. I love you. sometimes you are a little frustrating, but I love you. And the cool thing about it is that um, I get to tell you what we're doing at school at my house for school. We actually do lots of fun fun stuff like um learn about clocks, practice my numbers and letters and we do arts and craft time. We have lots of fun and we watch some TV, but somedays it's really fun. I love you all."

So to recap the last two months for those out of the loop: a little before Christmas we got rear ended pretty good in the xB (pics below). The car is still in the shop and we'll hopefully be having a welcome home party for the Thundertank next week.

As for Christmas it was awesome. My parents got me an early gift which was a butt-kicking waffle maker (results below). Declan got tons of cool stuff including a Mario Kart race track and a barrage of movies from his uncle.

Regarding karate, Declan just tested last week and earned his high orange belt. Snap-kickingly awesome, lil man (yet again, pics below).

So that's about it in a nut shell. I'll have other things to post soon and a few old ones which I never published, so keep checking back...

Thanks,
The Management.

And by the way, I need to go start negotiations because my laundry basket full of clothes is now home to the sword in the stone. I don't know if I'm worthy enough to pull it out.

This Orange Ain't Sunkist...

For two months now, we've had Declan enrolled in Tae Kwon Do. He absolutely loves it and, I must say, we've noticed a huge difference in him (for the good). The school structure is fantastic and his teacher does a wonderful job, not only teaching them karate, but also interacting with them and knowing/understanding that they are kids. It's a fun yet enriching time.

Enrolling him was a definite good move on our part and I strongly recommend karate to anyone out there who has considered it. Go do it. If you'd like detailed info regarding the school we go to, let me know.

This past Tuesday Declan had his first formal testing. Personally, I think he did fantastic, but don't take my word for it. See for yourself:

**ignore the double postings of the videos, there's a technical issue with blogger it seems...

mmm...Octolunch

It's been a little while since the last post. I am attributing this delay to the onset of Holiday Syndrome.

I just wanted to get back in the groove by posting little man's lunch for all to see. I've never seen an animal (or many animal byproducts for that matter) look so happy to be eaten!

Dad wins.

So a few days ago we ordered a Christmas gift for little man off of kids woot (which is a fantastic deal of the day site to watch by the way).

The tracking said that I'd get the package on Monday, the 28th, but alas, when I went to get the mail today there was a package waiting. And who should be with me? You guessed it.

I did tell him honestly that it was a Christmas gift for him and it would be a long wait until he can open it (I'm not sure why, but it seemed like a good idea at the time). The whole car ride home (all 2 minutes of it) he was looking at the box, curious as a kitten.

The plot will thicken soon, but let me preface by saying that we went to the bookstore this morning and he got a brand new Where's Waldo book (it's brand new to him, but the copyright is 1988...believe it, folks, we're getting older).

So we get home and I tell him that the package will stay in the car because my hands are 'full' and I can't carry it in right now (out of sight, out of mind).

We get inside and he turns to me and says, "Oh no. I left my Waldo book in the car!"

I tell him to go get it, but under no circumstances is he to look in that box (which I forgot to mention, the tape it coming off of the top and you can see inside a little).

So...I send him on his way. Then my Dadstincts kick in (which is completely different from my Dadstinks...). I grab the binoculars and my keys...then I head to the laundry room which gives me a clear view of the car and he can't see me very well.

He opens the door, climbs up and closes the door. Perfect for me. He grabs his book and turns back to leave. Good. Then he stops and looks at the house. Gears are turning. I see him lean toward the box. Not good. I lock my car and then push the panic button twice, causing my car to beep one single time. He heads back to the door. Good. He stops and stares at the house for a full ten seconds. Then he ducks down out of site. Not good. I push the panic button again allowing for two beeps this time. I see his little head pop up and his frustrated little hand hit the seat. He has given up.

He opens the door, hops out, closes the door and, with his head hung low, walks back to the house.

I win...and he has no clue that it was me.

Fly, boy! Fly!!

A child's imagination will never cease to amaze me. Innocence can create such determination when learning to fly. I hope it never goes away.

Have you ever seen a dried up glue stick?

well now you have...

Can you see the bunny?

Little Eagle Eye spotted this on the way to the car this morning......and I can't wait to start the nature series I have in mind...

The morning so far...

So it's still morning one and I can tell I'm gonna need to get a tightrope and a long stick because it's gonna be a balancing act. I need to find the time to work on the necessary things around the house (i.e. clean, laundry, make the appropriate lists, etc.) and I have a little voice saying "Daddy come look at this" while he's having his play time.

But more on the balancing act later. We said goodbye to a (blurry) Mommy as she left and as an added bonus, we found a roley-poley. Aside from that, on our first day (which is mostly a pajama day), we watched the morning Curious George with breakfast and also Sid the Science Kid. Then the TV went off and it was learning time.

We went over the upper and lower case letters and he did great. The typical confusion ensues regarding the lower case mix ups, g/q, b/d, r/f...no worries though, he's doing awesome. We also learned the words, 'the', 'be' and 'it'. Letter sounds were A+ too.

This afternoon there's a trip to the library and maybe a quick stop for groceries, but that'll all be after nap, so wish me luck and I'll check in soon.

The Inaugural Post

Two days. I've been told by some that my days of freedom are limited to just two days. Including today, that's how many 'working' days I have left until I'm a full time Dad.

Being a full time Dad is something I'm looking forward to, but let's not talk about the details just yet. Let's start with a heartfelt thank you. First and foremost, I need like to thank my wife. She is the most loving, kind and selfless person in the world. Because of her I am able to do this. Her patience and understanding is unparalleled.

The opportunities which led my wife and I to this point haven't been completely welcomed with open arms, but the outcome, I must say, is exciting. I, along with roughly 160,000 other men in the U.S., am truly a man of the house. I cook, I clean, I run errands and now, to add to my list, I watch our son from roughly 7 am to 6 pm.

Although he was in a very fine daycare program, my wife and I always wrestled with the fact that our son only spends four waking hours with us daily. The opportunities mentioned above coupled with the constant parental struggle of having an institution raise your kids until school age helped us make the decision to keep him at home.

No matter how you look at it though, this opportunity wouldn't be possible without the support of my wife. Because of this, I dedicate this blog, and the endless days of growth and nurturing to you, dear.

Thank you, honey. Truly.

-Husband