tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37095362020799295622024-03-13T14:47:29.791-07:00My Directions as a DadHow life is always changing and learning from mistakes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-73771036808176018422012-06-23T04:39:00.002-07:002012-06-23T04:40:30.217-07:00BBQ Etiquette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddKEWBgvcxg/T-Wq2FqqiBI/AAAAAAAAAHY/_a87Wq0alag/s1600/warningr-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddKEWBgvcxg/T-Wq2FqqiBI/AAAAAAAAAHY/_a87Wq0alag/s200/warningr-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
My wife shared this with me. It is interesting how sometimes we interpret things.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A quick reminder of the BBQ Rules:</b></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">
We are entering the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your
memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity. When a man
volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:<br />
<br />
Routine... <br />
(1) The woman buys the food. <br />
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables and makes dessert. <br />
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the
necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging
beside the grill - drink in hand. <br />
(4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three meter exclusion zone where
the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take
place without the interference of the woman.<br />
<br />
Here comes the important part:<br />
<br />
(5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.<br />
<br />
More routine... <br />
(6) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery. <br />
(7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He
thanks her and asks if she will bring another drink while he flips the meat.<br />
<br />
Important again: <br />
(8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.<br />
<br />
More routine... <br />
(9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauce and
brings them to the table. <br />
(10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.<br />
<br />
And most important of all: <br />
(11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts. <br />
(12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed her 'night off,' and, upon seeing
her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-41618743895929295372012-06-06T08:26:00.004-07:002012-06-06T08:35:38.566-07:00Is is it a Vampire or a Werewolf Baby?<h2>
Baby Names</h2>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
Before my kids were born my wife and I thought long and hard on what to name them. Our list of baby names consisted of family names. We decided that they not only had to be strong but a name that would be remunerable and professional. After choosing a name we would check to make sure that it wasn't on the top ten so he would be unique. I remember going to school and when the teacher would call out Mike, Jason, Christy, or Heather she had to include there last name due to the chances of more than one kid would respond. Everyone wants to be different. My mother name is half George and Emily combined together Jeorily spelled with a J. My mother hated having to correct every one she met or having several nicknames but this did not stop her from naming her daughter Jenily. Which is half of Jennifer and Emily?</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">People are all trying to name their kids from something they know but not realizing how it may affect them. According to the</span><a class="wpGallery" href="http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html" target="_blank" title="SSA Popular Baby Names"> U.S. Social Security Administration</a> the top baby names from 2009-2011 have been names from Movies. In 2009 the most popular baby name for girls is <i>Isabella</i> and the most popular boy name is <i>Jacob</i>. Sound familiar?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfl80l13Ff0/T89xuM0L9iI/AAAAAAAAAHI/6Av3VIrkEvM/s1600/bella_jacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfl80l13Ff0/T89xuM0L9iI/AAAAAAAAAHI/6Av3VIrkEvM/s320/bella_jacob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Top 10 Baby Names for 2011</h2>
<table summary="Top 10 baby names for 2011"><thead>
<tr align="center" valign="bottom"><th bgcolor="#eeeeee" scope="col">Rank</th><th bgcolor="#99ccff" scope="col" width="42%">Male name</th><th bgcolor="pink" scope="col" width="42%">Female name</th></tr>
</thead><tbody>
<tr align="right"><td>1</td><td>Jacob</td><td>Sophia</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>2</td><td>Mason</td><td>Isabella</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>3</td><td>William</td><td>Emma</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>4</td><td>Jayden</td><td>Olivia</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>5</td><td>Noah</td><td>Ava</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>6</td><td>Michael</td><td>Emily</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>7</td><td>Ethan</td><td>Abigail</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>8</td><td>Alexander</td><td>Madison</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>9</td><td>Aiden</td><td>Mia</td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td>10</td><td>Daniel</td><td>Chloe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That’s right Vampires and Werewolf’s were the top names for 3 years from the movie Twilight. It seems that team Edward didn't make the top ten for boy names.<br />
This crave for naming children after movies and celebrities has gone on for years. Now with the new movie Hunger Games are we going to see names like:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EOqgi7Ahu1Q/T89w0BY8bZI/AAAAAAAAAHA/FYQ6sypdQlk/s1600/the-hunger-games-cast-tributes-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EOqgi7Ahu1Q/T89w0BY8bZI/AAAAAAAAAHA/FYQ6sypdQlk/s400/the-hunger-games-cast-tributes-image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hunger Games</h3>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-22727657000663385112012-06-05T07:13:00.001-07:002012-06-05T07:13:14.491-07:00Treasure Hunting with the Family (Geocaching)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXhswwAeRZ4/T84SDkFjs2I/AAAAAAAAAG0/cR_eZolecRg/s1600/compass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXhswwAeRZ4/T84SDkFjs2I/AAAAAAAAAG0/cR_eZolecRg/s1600/compass.png" /></a></div>
<h2>
Ahoy, Me Hearties! </h2>
Over the weekend we decided as a family to explore Geocaching. It is a treasure hunt using GPS on your phone. At first I was skeptical but after seeing a video and finding the first treasure the game was on. We decided after stopping at a coffee shop on Sunday that we would see what was near and give it a chance. It was a little frustrated when the gps kept on giving out and learning how to read a map on a tiny phone. It would of been awesome if the iPad had gps but unfortunately that wasn't the case. We were able to get clues left by others and a size of capsule that we were looking for. after some searching in a parking lot we found it in a hole in a concrete post. This gave the family hope and excitement on how it all works. My wife thought it was a lot like survivor on how they hide immunity idols. I guess that some of the other hunts give you clues to other treasures getting harder as they go. It was a little difficult for the kids to follow being so young, but I think they just enjoyed the outdoors and how the adults were getting a kick out of it. The log books in the capsules that we found were almost full of recent visits. This proved that it is a success amongst family and pretty cheep. The only expense to get started was a app that was 10 dollars and a cell phone with gps. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-4VFeYZTTYs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
The website that can explain more is <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/">http://www.geocaching.com</a><br />
<br />
When looking at the website it looks like you can do Geochaching any where in the world. I think that we may try this out when camping or on our vacation this year to Hawaii. For those who want to experience the whole pirate treasure hunting you must first learn how to talk like a pirate. Here is a website that will help you learn the lingo. <a href="http://www.piratetreasurenow.com/pirate-phrases.htm">http://www.piratetreasurenow.com/pirate-phrases.htm </a><br />
Have fun and enjoy the booty. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-60382402977798785182012-06-04T07:20:00.003-07:002012-06-04T07:20:40.894-07:00Fathers Day<h2>
<b>What is the best father's day gift?</b> </h2>
This is a question I asked myself all my childhood when think what to get my father. Now being a father I think some of the best gifts that I received was the thought. My favorite was breakfast in bed and being able to just be lazy for one day with the kids. <br />
<ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="img" src="http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBo7m0vxDDy93wl&w=155&h=114&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffamilyfun.go.com%2Fassets%2Fcms%2Frecipes%2Fgrate-gift-for-dad-brownies-fathers-day-recipe-photo-80-FF0610TOTMA01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Awesome cupcake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<li><b>Make his job easier</b> —Anyone with kids knows
parenting is a full-time job too. Help him out with chores, cooking or
yard work to give him some extra free time with the kids the following
days. </li>
<li><b>Give him some Dad time</b> — Give him a gift certificate for something he loves doing with just you or his friends. Does he like golf, movies or <span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxthookspan" id="itxthook1w0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: darkgreen; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"></span><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxthookspan" id="itxthook1w1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: darkgreen; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"></span><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxthookspan" id="itxthook1w2" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: darkgreen; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"></span>going out to eat? Hire a sitter and have a night or afternoon of relaxation!</li>
<li><b>Family Picnic</b> — For a day he really remembers,
organize a perfect family picnic with all his favorite foods. Head to a
forest preserve or a park with benches for some time in nature with your
family. Bring baseballs, frisbees or bikes to use after the kids eat.</li>
<li><b>Make him a desert</b>-Find creative ways to make his favorite cup cakes, ice cream or just chocolate to make him feel special.</li>
<li></li>
</ul>
<h2>
<b>History of Fathers Day. </b></h2>
There are a range of events, which may have inspired the idea of Father's Day. One of these was the start of the Mother's Day tradition in the first decade of the 20th century. Another was a memorial service held in 1908 for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in December 1907.<br />
<br />
A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was an influential figure in the establishment of Father's Day. Her father raised six children by himself after the death of their mother. This was uncommon at that time, as many widowers placed their children in the care of others or quickly married again.<br />
<br />
Sonora was inspired by the work of Anna Jarvis, who had pushed for Mother's Day celebrations. Sonora felt that her father deserved recognition for what he had done. The first time Father's Day was held in June was in 1910. Father's Day was officially recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon.<br />
<br />
However it came about I am just glad that us men have a day to hang out with the family. <br />
<h2>
<b>When is Fathers Day? </b></h2>
Father's Day is generally celebrated on the third Sunday in June;
including US, UK, Canada, Chile, France, Japan and India. We then see
the nations of Uruguay and Dominican Republic celebrating Father's Day
in July, with Brazil, Samoa and Taiwan in the month of August.
Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji honoring Dad's on the
first Sunday in September each year with Latvia and Nepal following
later in the month. October is the month for Dad's to celebrate in
Luxembourg and Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden honoring him
on the second Sunday in November. Thailand and Bulgaria celebrate this
traditional day in December. <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-24773184947107892622012-06-03T18:27:00.000-07:002012-06-04T07:01:29.251-07:00How to maintain a Man Cards or obied by the Mens Room rulesUrban Dictionary describes the Man card as a requirements to be accepted as a respectable member of the male
community. Can and should be revoked by other respectable males for
doing non-respectable-male things. I think that us men need to start holding other fathers up to a higher standard maybe it should be a Father Card or a different type of Man Card. Some sites have been created helping men recognizing men and others who should be revoked basically calling them out.<br />
<br />
One of these sites is:<br />
<br />
<div id="logo">
<a href="http://officialmancard.com/"><img alt="OfficialManCard.com" src="http://officialmancard.com/omc/wp-content/themes/mancard2/images/officialmancard_logo.png" /></a>
</div>
This site has forms to fill out for those men not holding up the standards or being caught doing the men gender wrong. It is quite interesting to browse the sight and even fill out an application to receive your own man card.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4S6qVg0eGgU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Miller light has played to a Men's audience by calling out the use of man cards. I think this is great making men become aware in a joking matter to try to hold up to a better standard. Sometimes it takes jokes to help curve the over all stereo type of men. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imgsrv.kisw.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/201204/5601581.jpg?1338621700" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="105" src="http://imgsrv.kisw.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/201204/5601581.jpg?1338621700" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
99.9 KISW The Rock here in Seattle have also seen that men are a great market to look at by creating a whole radio station after men. One of the afternoon shows that all genders tend to turn to in the after noon is the Mens Room who not only have a great show but now a line of beer. There Mens Room rules are very similar to the Man Card rules in how a man should act. I enjoy hearing them interact with each other as they deal with being parents are marriage life as a man. It helps fill in the gap of a social group when at home with little ones. Being a man doesn't mean you can't be passionate but how you handle and express yourself. If interested in a list click on their sites and see the full list that will give you some laughs and incite on how we should act. <br />
<br />
<h1>
<a href="http://www.seattledads.org/" title="Home">Seattle<br />
Stay-At-Home Dads</a></h1>
Is another place for men who are at home at want to socialize with those that may be in the same boat. Unfortunately this club is too far for me and wish that there was one for cities not as big. In time I believe that these sites will start to pop up as us men start to become more apart of our children's life.<br />
<br />
<h2>
http://deadbeatdad.us/</h2>
Is a great site calling us men out who try not to stand up for there responsibilities. I think that this site has a lot of great information for those who are thinking of skipping out and those who are disturbed of others who do. It has information on laws and ways for men to pay.<br />
<br />
All of these examples is proving to the world that we are not like women and when men are stay at home Dad's we may raise kids different. It may not be wrong but just a different view.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-48743898348622878722012-06-02T08:16:00.003-07:002012-06-04T07:05:38.240-07:00Did Ken loose his Man Card to Barbie?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REePErrHzgA/T8oquTroR8I/AAAAAAAAAGg/l2-stIjoFHw/s1600/bob.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REePErrHzgA/T8oquTroR8I/AAAAAAAAAGg/l2-stIjoFHw/s200/bob.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">
Making it worth the Hassle for Dads. </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stay-at-home dads now have Web sites, support groups and an
annual convention. They are showing up
in "Mommy and Me" classes and PTA meetings. Many men restrooms now have diaper-changing
tables, and companies’ market souped-up strollers with brand names such as
"the Bob." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the day sometimes I click on the television other
than cartoons to just relax. It is
extremely hard as a dad to find shows that are for us. The networks fill their day time spots with soap
operas and talk shows that are full of women topics. It seems that lifetime television spreads
from there network to all networks giving us Dads a run for our money to find a
man show. Our only saving grace is on
demand television. For now my honey
list have filled the gap along with school work that seems to be never ending.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently read a blog of men tell stories of being
excluded from mothers' groups and hearing of police questioning fathers seen
hanging around the playground. Some have found close friends among stay-at-home
mothers, while others say they don't feel comfortable with such socialization
or fear their wives would disapprove. The key is to just roll with the punches because it only get easier. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jO8loJdoABk/T8osfo0nwxI/AAAAAAAAAGo/C5n8T1Wm6RY/s1600/ken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jO8loJdoABk/T8osfo0nwxI/AAAAAAAAAGo/C5n8T1Wm6RY/s200/ken.jpg" width="118" /></a>The other day my son and daughter were playing house. I was surprised to hear my son say “you go to
work and make the money and I will stay home and clean house.” My daughter grabbed her Barbie and placed it
in her toy car making a car noise waving goodbye. He then grabbed the fake vacuum and Ken to
clean the Barbie house. I thought to myself
is that how my kids portray us? This
would never have happened when I was a little kid. These moments make all of the difference when
thinking if I am impacting my children.
My wife loves how attached they have become calling her dad on accident.
I was the bad guy and feared since I did
all of the punishment but now when my daughter falls she prefers me.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-1372370511924410432012-06-01T10:42:00.000-07:002012-06-01T10:42:35.974-07:00Dad Taking on the Kitchen<!--[if !mso]>
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<h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKJIuRQjYYg/T8j-q8gKqbI/AAAAAAAAAF8/U-dAx6j5l3g/s1600/bbq.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DKJIuRQjYYg/T8j-q8gKqbI/AAAAAAAAAF8/U-dAx6j5l3g/s1600/bbq.jpeg" /></a></div>
Are we better Cooks?</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dads are starting to take over the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blogs such as <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://cookingfordads.blogspot.com/"><i><span style="color: blue;">Cooking</span></i><span style="color: blue;"> for <i>Dads</i>
by Rob Barrett</span></a> have given hopes for those who are starting to find their
talents in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
several recipes out there for fathers who just want to experiment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a great opportunity to teach your
children a talent that will help them survive and save money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<h1>
<cite><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></cite><cite><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Kids
Cooking with Dad</span></cite></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<cite><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition to being fun, your kitchen is also one of the most valuable
places for kids to learn in your house from the moment your baby can sit up.
Colors shapes and numbers are all there waiting to challenge your child each
step of the way. Babies will pass up their fancy toys every time for a chance
to match up pots and lids or stack plastic containers. Toddlers love to
"sort" silverware and fold napkins into triangles. Next time you need
60 marshmallows for Rice Krispie treats, have your preschooler count out 6
groups of 10 marshmallows each and teach fractions with sticks of butter.</span></cite></div>
<h1>
<cite><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Older
Kids helping Dad</span></cite></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<cite><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Older kids will learn basics of science when they knead dough and stir
sauces. And there is the all important lesson that cooking is accomplished with
all the senses. As dinner is brewing, talk about the smells, sounds, textures
and appearance of the food being transformed. Your children will then taste
with a new appreciation, especially if they've had a hand in making dinner.</span></cite></div>
<h1>
Warning Men Cooking!</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that not all of the time things work out in the
kitchen for us men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seem to make a
mess due to our lack of multitasking. I believe that in the kitchen we are
willing to take more risk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why
some of the top chefs are men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
father-in-law is always trying to add something to his meals that he
cooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years he has mastered
several meals with his own recipes not Betty Crocker’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just some of the benefits of having
us men in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-91791599499639515222012-05-31T19:43:00.001-07:002012-06-01T16:06:31.372-07:00Top 5 Dad Blogs<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtPmJiBI9iI/T8lKU--29DI/AAAAAAAAAGU/nt0aBG1mAvI/s1600/BlogsLego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtPmJiBI9iI/T8lKU--29DI/AAAAAAAAAGU/nt0aBG1mAvI/s320/BlogsLego.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
Here is some of my favorite Dad blogs that I have found. I believe that all of these men have some important lesson that all of Dads could take from them along with some laughter. Keep it up men. </h3>
<h3>
<a class="blog" href="http://www.pkmeco.com/familyblog/"><img class="favicon" src="http://www.blogs.com//images/favicons/favicon9169.png" style="cursor: move;" /> A Family Runs Through It </a></h3>
<h3>
<a class="blog" href="http://cynicaldad.com/"><img class="favicon" src="http://www.blogs.com//images/favicons/favicon9179.png" /> Cynical Dad </a></h3>
<h3>
<a class="blog" href="http://www.dadgonemad.com/"><img class="favicon" src="http://www.blogs.com//images/favicons/favicon75.png" /> Dad Gone Mad</a></h3>
<h3>
<a class="blog" href="http://frugaldad.com/"><img class="favicon" src="http://www.blogs.com//images/favicons/favicon9175.png" /> Frugal Dad </a></h3>
<h3>
<a class="blog" href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/"><img class="favicon" src="http://www.blogs.com//images/favicons/favicon8873.png" /> GeekDad</a></h3>
<h3>
There are many Dad blogs out there and I will continue to update my list. If you know of some others that I should follow please let me know.</h3>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-59114662805777310292012-05-31T12:44:00.002-07:002012-05-31T13:08:31.115-07:00Gun Safety in our Homes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgOCx87YNzw/T8fPgfIFU2I/AAAAAAAAAEs/M6vNa0ByoGs/s1600/P5290080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgOCx87YNzw/T8fPgfIFU2I/AAAAAAAAAEs/M6vNa0ByoGs/s200/P5290080.JPG" width="150" /></a>
Is teaching our kids gun safety the answer?</h2>
To me, teaching gun safety is like teaching water safety, stranger
safety, dating safety, playground safety, driving,
etc. You cannot control every circumstance of your child's life, but
you can help prepare them for those circumstances by deliberately
teaching them safety rules and your standards of behavior. This is part of
our job as parents. It isn't the school's job, and we can't expect teachers
to teach our kids these things. God trusted us we these kids and it is our responsibility to teach them and the tools to protect them. <br />
<br />
These recent tragedies that have happen here in Washington State have been disturbing to the public. The first reaction to the situations is to make more restrictions on guns and how they are obtained. I think that only the responsible gun owners will oblige by them and will not reach those who truly need the help. The instances of kids in grade schools getting shot or finding a gun in the glove-box are all due to ignorant people who are careless with their weapons. The accidents are due to people being ignorant and those who go on a killing spree have been reaching out prior. Our system does not need to be harder to obtain a gun but educating the public and officials to look for people that may be disturbed or reaching out.<br />
<br />
I applaud the Seattle Police Department on how quickly they were able to reach the killing spree suspect yesterday. With technology police officers were able to get the descriptions on their cellular devices. This help locate the suspect but when doing so he took his own life. With technology I believe that these instances are resolved faster. Now the solution is to stop these instances from happening. I believe this is like I mentioned earlier by educating our young ones. For the ones who are disturbed in almost every case they had a past record and were not treated to the full before being released back into the public.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-69961446775139791962012-05-31T10:49:00.001-07:002012-06-01T10:04:48.076-07:00Dad in Charge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GGq0Qr2yjtg/T8j1_QeQIrI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bcs86dR54PU/s1600/Olympus+Camera+2011+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GGq0Qr2yjtg/T8j1_QeQIrI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bcs86dR54PU/s320/Olympus+Camera+2011+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><h2> Dads at Home</h2>Historically, women have been the ones to stay home and raise children while fathers work. However, women’s increasing independence and power in the workforce means they’re now frequently out-earning their spouses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2009 nearly 40% of working <i>women earn more than their husbands</i>. In trying economic times, it especially makes sense for women to keep their jobs once they have babies while Dads leave the workforce to stay home with the kids.<br />
<h2> Reasons Dads Stay Home</h2>Dads become stay-at-home-dads for more than one reason. Some dads just love spending time with their kids and want to become the primary care giver. Other dads stay home because their kids require special attention or have disabilities. Also, <i>childcare costs</i> are higher than ever. To save money and gain time with their little ones, many fathers decide childcare isn’t worth it and become stay-home-dads. Sure, some dads face stereotypes from people who aren’t aware of how normal a dad staying at home really is. However, doing what’s best for their families trumps all for stay-at-home dads.<br />
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With the growth of telecommuting, many men are also able to work from home.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Gill_12-3"></sup> In this regard, he is contributing financially to the family while also acting as the primary caregiver of the family's children.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Gill_12-4"></sup> Differences in parent's schedules can also account for some of the stay-at-home dads. Sometimes the father works odd work shifts while the mother has a typical nine-to-five work schedule.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Gill_12-5"></sup><br />
<h2> History of a stay at home Dad </h2>In colonial American families, the family worked together as a unit and was self-sufficient.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Goode_0-0"> </sup>Because of the Industrial Revolution, large-scale production replaced home manufacturing; this shift, coupled with then-prevailing norms governing sex or gender roles, dictated that the father become the breadwinner and the mother the caregiver.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Skolnick_1-0"></sup> When affection-based marriages emerged in the 1830s, parents began devoting more attention to children and family relationships became more open.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Burgess_2-0"></sup> World War II found many women entering the workforce out of necessity; women reassured the caregiver position after the war, but, together with cultural shifts leading to the feminist movement and advances in birth control, their new-found sense of independence changed the traditional family structure. Some women opted to return to the care giver role. Others chose to pursue careers. When women chose to work outside of the home, alternative childcare became a necessity. If childcare options were too costly, unavailable, or undesirable, the stay-at-home dad became a viable option.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-77106245438901844582012-05-30T15:05:00.001-07:002012-06-01T10:22:09.542-07:00Dad’s way isn’t wrong<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uaXYqq71IUE/T8j5rjXrleI/AAAAAAAAAFo/tzJNZhoOfyE/s1600/P4260379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uaXYqq71IUE/T8j5rjXrleI/AAAAAAAAAFo/tzJNZhoOfyE/s200/P4260379.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Woman believe that they are the better parent. Is it because as a child they were playing with dolls dreaming of being a Mom while we were playing with trucks pretending to be construction workers. Moms seem to be better planned on events then Dad’s giving them the perspective of being the superior parent. The problem is that Dad’s way of unplanned events is just as important by giving kids other ways to tackling problems. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My wife insist on dressing the kids before going in public otherwise they may not match and leave the home with messed up hair. This is important in life to dress the part and be organized but most of the time life isn’t perfect and Dad’s imperfection gives children the ability to adapt to situation and handle problems. Dads and Moms are like Yin and Yang they both need each other to create peace. We are different creatures and can learn from each others strengths.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">At the park you will see Dad’s sitting back on the bench watching their children while mothers are in and on the playground with their children. Moms are showing that they are there to help while a father’s method is giving the child the ability to explore which helps develop their curiosity and independence. Too much of anything is damaging and this goes for the same with parenting finding the happy medium is very hard when talking about your offspring. Mothers are always going to be the child’s favorite when in need of comfort but when wanting to play Dad’s rule. Men and women have been trying to understand each other for years while men think that women are overbearing. Women think men are lazy and don’t care trusting too much in their little ones ability. My son’s first day in kindergarten I was happy for him talking it up. While my wife not only took the day off to walk him in but followed the bus to see him get off and make sure he didn’t need her. I think it is sweet but at the same time kids need the space to grow. I am constantly being reminded that they are more a part of her since she had to carry them. I think that men just show their emotions different.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the workplace men are more stable to raise their hand and ask for a raise then women would be. I believe this goes back to how Dad’s play with their children. At the park my daughter climbed up on some bars and hung upside down by her legs. I stood there and watched and encouraged her for taking such a risk. While I guarantee a mom would be there asking them to get down before they get hurt. I guess as a Dad I believe that I could catch her before she fell or be there to patch her up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TJDovpy6qY/T8j5txt1ksI/AAAAAAAAAFw/xXUz2MZ8S8I/s1600/P4260381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TJDovpy6qY/T8j5txt1ksI/AAAAAAAAAFw/xXUz2MZ8S8I/s200/P4260381.JPG" width="150" /></a>Us men do not believe in multitasking and seem to focus on one task at a time. It may be fixing a bicycle or watching a ball game while the wife she is surfing the net, replying to emails, making dinner, while watching one of her per-recorded shows. This to me seems way more stressful and causes unwanted breakdowns or overloads that are not needed. We men also believe in taking “me time” form the kids while moms have a harder time doing this always putting the time on the back burner which also can cause more stress. The solution to this is delegating some of the family workloads to the spouse. My wife doesn’t let me do laundry, grocery shopping or anything that she believes she can do better. Trusting that Dads can do it just as good just different is hard to accept and is why men are better at delegating work. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The last difference that I have noticed is how competition is handled. Mom’s want all of their children to have a fair chance while dads strive for competition. It would be nice if in life everything was fair but it isn’t. I think that I learned this lesson as a little boy in sports knowing that not everyone is a winner. This helps in keeping the drive in the work place not expecting to be recognized for my work or giving settle hints in the hopes for others to be mined readers but by asking and proving loudly why I should be promoted to a position. If turned down not to take it personal since not every time you win. This difference in method seems to work better in the work place and helps prepare oneself for the failures that due occur in life. You should also be cautious about doing this too much son not to sound ungrateful of your position.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So you can see Dad’s way isn’t always wrong it is just different. Dads are just as important in helping prepare a young one for life and good habits. Mom’s way is usually the more ethical way along with being safer then Dad’s but we just know how to have fun while doing it.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3709536202079929562.post-29436812594538919372012-05-30T10:06:00.000-07:002012-06-01T15:17:24.056-07:00Being a Dad doesn't mean you are giving up any Man Cards.<h2>
Making the decision</h2>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGQmaH-EDf4/T8kC8_udULI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Al0boDqG9RM/s1600/mancard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGQmaH-EDf4/T8kC8_udULI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Al0boDqG9RM/s400/mancard1.jpg" width="400" /></a>I grew up in a family where my father worked and my mother
was a stay at home mom. I did not think
much of it sense all of the women in my family stayed at home. My wife was the opposite and is what I believe
is the next generation in our society.
This was not done overnight by any means but with a series of events
that would affect all of us as women started to make their place in the work
force. My parents did not insist on me
going to college since they didn’t. I
think that if they did it would be self-deprecated admitting that they did not
achieve what others did. I attempted to
go but without support and being ignorant of programs I failed forcing myself
to take up a career to survive. </div>
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For years I brought in the income paying for bills which
gave me the since of self-worth. I felt
that I was doing what all men were supposed to do. My wife’s career started to take off competing
with my salary and then soon passing me by.
At first it bothered me but soon found peace in asking why I would wish
her not to succeed. The economy
prevented me to find continuous work giving my field as a project manager a roller
coaster of a ride with abundant of people competing for what little jobs were
available. </div>
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As my family grew and my wife’s wages were more than mine we
agreed that I should help with the kids.
I started off with one day a week picking them up from a day care at a certain
time. I received a lot of grief from
co-workers like I was not a real man letting my wife tell me what to do. I did not feel this way and wanted to be
around my children. As time went on the
economy got worse and I was laid off.
When I picked up another job I was given grief about my schedule. In fact I was pulled aside and told to make
it in this profession I had to not have any restrictions on how long I could
work. My boss told me that I need to
choose or should find work elsewhere. The
daycare expense was not making it easy or the hours that I had to abide
by. My jobs where soon taken from me and
given to others who had more flexible hours.
Soon I was laid off again finding less chances of locating a position
that could accommodate me as a working father.
In fact some asked me if I was a single father since I was willing to
attend to my children when they were sick.
It seems that women even though they complain about it are given a free pass
that make it easier to be a parent.</div>
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I decided to take advantage of my unemployment and advance
my career by going back to college. This
experience as a stay at home dad has changed my life. I do not feel any less of a man but more in
touch with life itself. I have women
when grocery shopping who comes up to me and say how cute it is that my kids
are hanging out with their father. Some
ask if it is my day off. I just smile
and let them believe what they want.
Sometimes it is hard to be the man of the house when having to budget
with my wife’s income instead of mine. I
do believe I will go back to work but this time educated in an office situation
with regulated hours and hopefully about the same time my kids start to become
more independent. My biggest fear is how
my resume will look taking time off and starting a new career.</div>
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I believe that in the construction industries most men are
single, have baby’s mommas or stay at home trophy wives. I on the other hand have a wife who is equal
to me and believe that together we can make a bigger impact on how we live now
and in the future. For those dads who
are in the same boat my biggest advice is to stay strong. It takes more of a man to accept change and
pick your battles to fight. Those who criticized
me in the past are jealous and miserable stressing about what to do next with
the economy in the dumps. I believe that
my children and my financial future are more secure by being a father who
contributes not only by income but time spent.
Our children need a father figure who not only is strong and direct but
one who cares. I don’t believe that I gave
up any man cards or rights in doing this but have become a stronger man who
knows what to look for in life.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02717527548723572745noreply@blogger.com0