Carrying The Sleeping Kids In From The Car

Good Guy Greg, Reddit.com

Knows his kids are pretending to sleep in the back seat.

Carries them inside anyway. 

   I saw this meme on Reddit and thought of my father when I was a kid, and now me as a father of three (NOT the weed bit,....that's just the meme, for better or for worse). Back when I was a little tike, I pulled the same trick on my father. It would be the end of a long drive at night, back from some family event. I was never able to sleep in the car, but was never "awake" by the time we rolled into the driveway. My father would always pick me up and take me up to my bed before my mother would help us get our pajamas on. There were four of us boys, and sometimes he would shuttle more than one of us in at the end of a trip. In that, my dad was a Good Guy Greg.

    Now that I'm a proud papa of three, my 4YO 'Lil Man is currently faking sleep when we pull into the driveway after an evening out. If the 'Lil Miss is looking tired, I'll carry her too. I feel like I have been passed the torch of fatherhood and I get a bit of the warm fuzzies when I think I get to do something for my children that my father did for his. We loved it and it endeared him to us is some small part. I feel that our little ones will remember that dad carried them in, even if they were just faking the sleep.

   When I think of the choice we make as parents to have children, I know we've chosen a life of sacrifice. We've accepted that our lives will change and giving will take up the better part of our lives from day one of NO SLEEP! The rewards are immeasurable, despite the hard times that go hand in hand with being a parent. I try to remember to be open to the fun and memorable experiences of being a father. My hope is that our little ones will pass on the traditions to their children one day.

J.

Keeping Up Holiday Traditions With Glade and Ziploc

   As the holiday's approach, The Wife and I expect it to smell like Christmas. What that means to each person can be a bit different, but I think we can all agree that typical smells of Christmas hover around pine, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, and so on. Amongst the many smells we bring into the home to make it feel a bit more festive, The Cheeky Daddy has partnered with the Niche Parent Network and has tried out some of Glade's Winter Collection. 

   This year's Glade(R) Winter Collection features four limited editions fragrances. Sparkling Spruce(tm) - Gather 'round - it's time! The crisp fragrance of fresh-cut pine is pure holiday magic at any age, evoking the wide-eyed wonder of a thousand twinkling lights. Apple Cinnamon Cheer(tm) - Brrrr! Wrap those snowy mittens around a mug of steaming cider, and let the fragrance of red apples and spice warm you from head to toe. Pure Vanilla Joy - Nothing says holidays like a fresh-baked batch of frosted cookies. Let the uplifting scent of pure, creamy vanilla keep you in the spirit all season long. Frosted Berry Kiss - Holiday magic is in the air! With ripe red berries and fresh green garlands, this festive fragrance captures the excitement of a kiss under the mistletoe. Though each of the fragrances were enticing, we were smitten by the Pure Vanilla Joy, which brought a base of goodness to our home. 

   I was also able to try out some of the Ziploc(R) brand Holiday Collection, which adds a festive touch to seasonal gift giving. The limited editions bags and containers can be filled with your favorite homemade treats for your holiday hostess or favorite teachers. At Kmart, SYWR Members get a $5 coupon to spend on groceries, health or beauty with a $15 or more purchase of select Glade(R) or Ziploc(R) Holiday collection products. In addition, over $12 of additional savings can be found on Kmart.com for Glade(R) and Ziploc(R) holiday collection products. The bags have added that little extra touch of the holidays for the treats we'll be giving out to friends and family. 

   I love how The Wife and I are able to continue traditions that are enhanced by some of the wonderful products available. I used some of the helpful product coupons available via the Kmart website. This makes the decision that much easier. Happy holidays from The Cheeky Daddy, and I hope you can create a wonderful experience as well!

J. 


The Details: THIS IS A SPONSORED POST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NICHE PARENT NETWORK. I AM A KMART SC JOHNSON BLOGGER, THOUGH ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Wooden Blocks - The Everytoy

 

 

"Paint from life, not a photograph. When you do, all the problems have been

solved FOR you. When you paint from life, YOU have to figure it all out."

- Sam Wilson, Professor at University of Utah

 

   In looking for a quote about what children play with, I remembered my old art professor saying the above. It made sense at the time, but also applies to what I'm experiencing with my children today. When I watch them play iGames, and even Mario Kart on our old Nintendo 64, I don't see them acquiring any new skills. Sure, there's some hand eye coordination. Though isn't that like calling Twinkies "food"?

 

   Now I'm the first to enjoy new technology, but when my first child came along and she was starting to play with toys, I had to make my move. As a youngster, I was playing with blocks for YEARS. Even into the electronic baseball days, I loved to make castles, forts, tall towers, etc. I felt that would be a great gift for my 'Lil Miss. The Wife went along with it, but wasn't sure it would be all that popular. It was a hit, for years, and has been passed on to my 'Lil Man (pictured above). The Wife has declared it to be the single greatest indoor toy for the past 5 years. THAT'S sayin' something!

 

 

   The one's we got happened to be from Toys R Us. Then there's the one's with the letters on them here. Either way, I see how my daughter benefited from the creativity, motor skills building, etc. Now I'm watching my son do the same. He's building 2-3 new castles a day. Each one has a new foundation, a different design, and so on. It's fun to watch. It's also fun to participate. So remember to give you kids some hands on stuff to do, away from the artificial screens. They can use both, and get a lot out of both. Have fun.

 

J. 



Good and Bad Visits With Santa

(Photo Credit: Emily C., via Yahoo!)

"Oh please, there's only one fat guy who brings us presents, and his name ain't Santa." 

- Bart, The Simpsons

   I saw the pics of Bad Santa Photos over at Yahoo! and couldn't resist a little commentary. Take a peek at the link, as those are some FUNNY pics. I don't know if we as parents should be a little ashamed of the terror that we inflict on our little ones, but it's funny nonetheless. 

   We've been through some crying ourselves with our first two. This year, both 'Lil Miss and 'Lil Man were excited to see St. Nick. Our Wee Lass is too little to notice, so time will tell for her. We've all seen the reaction to any new figure that looks MASSIVELY out of the norm. Characters at Disneyland can have the same effect. How we deal with that as a parent is up to the parent AND the mood. Do you want to ease them into it with explanation? Or do you toss them in the deep end and start filming? Good times. 

   I remember a few visits with Santa before the magic left. Then I saw The Polar Express on opening night in the theatre. The magic was back, and I cried like a baby. I didn't realize how much I missed the magic of the season. The tradition of St. Nicholas and all that surrounded him. Share your stories, please? 

J. 

p.s. Here's a pic of The Cheeky Daddy, December of 1975

Tradition In A Sweet Movie Moment

"I had one when I was eight years old." - The old man, A Christmas Story.

   My brothers and I watched A Christmas Story every year since about '85 or so. Even into our marriages, it comes out for viewing if we're together or at home with our own crew. I dusted off our copy and watched it this morning with the kids. They usually last until the opening credits are done on any film, and then proceed to bug anyone they can. They ended up watching the whole thing!

   I can recite most of the film from memory, so I know what's coming at each scene. So it surprised me when I started to tear up at the end when The Old Man watches Ralphy open his BB gun gift. I watched the parents and their reactions to the gift and each other. As my 'Lil Man is getting older and I ponder what to get him for birthdays and Christmas, the scene seemed to hold more special meaning. While the score helped set the mood, the reaction The Old Man has to passing on a tradition to his son was what got me. Sure, the entire rest of the film he was a stereotypical dad from that time period, but it was a sweet moment. 

   For a movie, it hit the mark. I pondered a bit on that feeling and what I'd be passing onto my children. Tradition says they'll be getting an orange in their stocking, a Whitman's sampler in there as well, amongst other small treats. I have a football for the 'Lil Man and books for our voracious reading 'Lil Miss. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Keep the traditions alive!

J. 

Creating Memories Through Old Traditions

 

 



"Nothing I've ever done has given me more joys

and rewards than being a father to my children." - Bill Cosby

 

   While my father admitted to me that he had a hard time relating to us four small boys, he did try to do things along the way that showed he cared. One of my favorite memories was when he needed to shave off his full beard at one point in his life. To mark the occasion, he set up the camera and then took pictures with us boys, ALL of us making funny or though faces throughout the ENTIRE process. We went through lamb chops, fun-manchu, handle bars, full mustache, the Hitler, all until he was clean-shaven.

 

   While I only carry a goatee style beard, I do have some fun when I'm in need of a trim. The above pic is my last round with the kids. They think the process is fun, and the pics are funnier. When all is done, they look at me with curious eyes and ask, "When are you going to grow your beard back?" Our Wee Lass can't figure it out at all. The Wife always averts eye contact, claiming she can't be seen kissing a 13 year old boy.

 

   Work on your traditions you might be able to share and pass on to your children. While we only did the shaving pics with my old man a few times, it's one of my clearest and best memories with him. Have fun!

 

J.

 

...and for your reference...



Treats - Passing On Confectionery Traditions

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” - Charles M. Schulz  

 

   It's not secret that The Cheeky Daddy loves chocolate. Some years ago, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Terry's Chocolate Orange. I normally do NOT like fruit with my chocolate, and I prefer milk over dark. I loved the amount of chocolate you get with each orange, and I adore the way you are encouraged to "whack it" on the table before opening to loose each piece from one another. I LOVE the summary given at Candy Critique.

 

   At this time in my life, I seek opportunities to pass on my habits, music choices, and favorite movie lines to my children. While at a local store, I saw a row of Terry's Chocolate Oranges on the shelf and asked my 'Lil Man if he wanted to give one a try. He loves citrus, and won't say no to chocolate, so we got one. I broke him into the world of proper orange smacking technique. He LOVED it! The whole experience of choosing, smacking, opening, and eating, was a super fun experience to have and pass on to my little one.

 

They can be bought at:

Wal-Mart, Cost Plus World Market, Amazon,...and so on.

You can even "Like" them at Facebook here.

I'm really enjoying passing on traditions, favorites and the like. It helps to build a bond with my children, and share more than the oxygen in our living room.

What are your favorite confectionery treats to share with others?

J. 

BBQ Weekend - The All-American Tradition

"Men like to barbecue. Men will cook if danger is involved." - Rita Rudner

   This weekend saw me at the barbecue, working my magic on the grill. As summer slowly approaches, it felt like a good start to the spring season. I've recently moved into the "intermediate" classification, after spending many years in the "novice" category. I used to sear the outside of my food, while leaving the inside an uncooked mess. These days, I'm able to find the delicate balance of heat, spice, and timing. This particular weekend (pictured) found me standing over my little piece of perfection. Dinner for 14 and everything went to plan. It was a simple set of hot dogs and burgers, but we've done chicken, fish, steaks, skewers, corn, potatoes, etc. I've toasted buns on the upper rack and made use of all the real estate offered. While my kids were playing with cousins, I was having a "All-American Tradition" moment. I was in the barbegroove and carried a smile the whole time. We had all the stuff that made it a great dinner. Everyone's got their own tradition, here's was ours for this weekend:

- Hot dogs, and hamburgers (cheese as requested)
- Lawry's seasoning and Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce
- Farmer's market corn on the cob, cantaloupe, salad
- Baked Lay's barbecue potato chips
- A & W Root Beer (in a frosty mug if possible)
- Brownies (with as many corners as possible, like the Edge Brownie Pan)

Fill in the gaps as you see fit, but get those kids outside, fire up the grill, and have a great time!

J.

Star Wars

Photo by Microkosmic

     "These aren't the kids you're looking for."

     We've all been impacted by Star Wars. We all know how to imitate Darth Vader. We've all dreamed about owning a fully functional light saber. We've all waved our hands in front of a store's automatic door wishing that it truly was "the force" that opened it.
     Now, my daughter is up for any kind of play. She does prefer it to be of a princess persuasion (and NOT Princess Leia). However, my son is displaying typical boy attributes and I'm getting excited about the possibilities. I'm not saying that I'm a super Star Wars geek, though I nearly cried when my Boba Fett helmet was stolen from my work desk years ago (...sniff). Still, I'm excited to share the galaxy far, far away with my own offspring. I hope that we can replay the "your not my father!" scenes with feeling.
     I'm a fan of family, history, genealogy, roots, tradition and so on. Landmark movies like Star Wars (Indiana Jones, Back To The Future, etc.) will be a part of our family's traditions. It was fun for me and my father. I hope it's as much for me and my son. (.....No....I...am your father......)

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

J.