A Young Woman and Her Clothes

"It burns! It burns us! It freezes! Nasty elves twisted it. Take it off us!"
- Gollum, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

   The above pictured jeans are what we sent our 'Lil Miss to school in today. The quote from Gollum is how she reacted to having to wear pants, and what's worse,....jeans. I've never seen a girl so averse to dawning the denim. To be sure, she's a sun dress girl. However, when the colder months require, she's happy to wear leggings. The current problem is how badly she abuses them during recess. The latest round of "ponies" has ruined the last of her good leg gins, hence the jeans. Her reaction was SO bad, she was invited to attend school in her underwear. She wore the jeans, but with bitterness in her soul. 

   I have a niece who was anti-dress. She plays the cello and told me recently that her choice was, in part, due to the fact that she could NOT wear a dress to play it. Smart move. The questions becomes, do we allow fashion freedom, at what age, and how far? Or do we as parents enforce some form of dress code that includes the clothes they don't like as if it were some kind of vegetable? 

   Considering my 'Lil Miss is currently only a 7YO, I'm dreading the years to come, and that's just clothing!!! I'm not even close to thinking about boys 'n stuff. One day at a time Cheeky Daddy, one day at a time. 

J. 

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. 



Evenings In The Front Yard With My Kids

“...dusk is the time when men whisper of matters about which
they remain silent in the full light of the sun.” ― Simon Raven

   There's something about the fading light of the day that captivates me. I get locked into sunsets for their changing color. I love the hues that the waining light casts on my neighborhood. I enjoy the lights that flicker on my 'Lil Miss's scooter as she rides by. Until the last of the light has gone, and it is simply too dark for the children to be safe, I hang on to each ray until the end. 

   Sure, I'm a sucker for it. Blame it on the art degree. Or blame it on the fact that it's just that gorgeous. I feel more inspired at that time, more thoughtful and contemplative. Include a short walk in that, and were talking about idea time. My children play until the street lights turn on. A lot of us did that growing up with little to no supervision. Though we approach things a bit differently these days, I feel grateful that I get to hear my children yell, "Awe, dad!!! The street light's not on yet!" 

   I'm happy they're getting exercise, playing with neighborhood kids, learning to ride bikes and scooters. Don't get me wrong, they can fling an angry bird just as good as the next kid. We have, however, tried to find the balance. If I can find some peace in that fading light as well,...then bonus. 

J. 

Children's Toys - Landmines for Parents

"Man is the only kind of varmint sets his own trap, baits it, then steps in it." - John Steinbeck

   We buy the landmines that take out a foot every other day. Then we curse the child that left it out. I saw a post that said, "Stepping on Legos is painful but these little guys are at a whole different level." The image that accompanied it is here. I felt compelled to answer with the top 5 offending toys in our home that cause podiatry pain.

The Cheeky Daddy's Top 5 Foot Offenders

1. Toy Train Parts - The sign says stop, yet we do not heed its message. It's our own fault really.



2. The Wooden Block - Many a parent has fallen by the wayside to the childhood punji stick. A moment of silence for our fallen comrades.

3. The Plastic Themed Character - No lie, my 3YO nearly passed out from the pain from falling onto one of these. I won't say which Marvel character was to blame, but let's say it was a mighty and thunderous cry that followed.

4. The Die Cast Car - Matchbox and Hot Wheels have a lot to answer for. Die Cast metal might as well be Kryptonite to us mothers and fathers, for they bring even the biggest of our kind down.

5. The Toy Soldier - Soldier to soldier, this has to be the first our current time. Using modern combat techniques, our children have taken the plastic toy soldier and put them to use in the theatre of unconventional urban home warfare. Battle has never been the same since.





And so the battle rages on. With no winners, and no.....well, there's certainly some losers. Which side will you be on?

J.

Creative Resumes

“Creativity takes courage. ” - Henri Matisse

   Dunno if any of you saw the recent buzz about the MBA who put his resume on the chocolate bar. It was originally posted on Reddit. It was then picked up and posted on ABC News, filling in the gaps. It was fun to see someone thinking creatively, but also taking a chance. This guy showed some courage in leaving the standard resume format. That being said, it certainly depends on the industry you're going for. I mean, I don't see a person labeling the four chambers of a replica heart with their accomplishments and handing it in to a potential employer with the note "I'll give this job my heart and soul." 

   For most professional jobs, the standard resume applies. However, I was once an artist by trade, and I put out a resume that was,....less than standard. It was a stab a being creative, different, and outside the box. I cringe at it now, but at the time I was a revolutionary. Oh, and my boss told me that while there were about a dozen resumes in one pile, mine was all by itself in another, just before I was hired. 

For your viewing pleasure:

Have any of you ever stepped out of your comfort zone in the same way? 

J. 

Oreo Pops

Oreos: First you twist it, then,...ohhhh, you broke it. 

   So The Wife is currently cranking out these amazing Oreo pops. She sells them by the dozen over at her Etsy Shop. She's gotten good at themes, holidays, special occasions, etc. She's also created the double-dipped caramel/white chocolate ones (top right). They are the best. Simply divine. 

   I usually help with the first part, in preparing the cookies, sticks, etc. She does all the fancy decorating. What we've found is that it's been a wonderful outlet for her creatively. As a creative myself, it's fun to watch. The residual effect is that we spend a lot of time together after the kids are down making these. We talk, joke, listen to music, and the like. At times it feels like we don't have children for a few hours and we're the pre-children us again. We catch up on hopes and dreams. We discuss fears and goals. It's really been nice. 

   We've also dabbled in furniture restoration, with the same social side effect. I think it's important to note that finding similar hobbies or side projects can result in strengthening relationships, even if you don't mean to. So wife's give it a try, and maybe don't tell him the possible side effects. Husbands, give it a try and be glad of the side effects. 

J. 

Rock Climbing - A Family Affair?

 

"Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it." — Unknown

   One of the best parts of my teen years was my love for rock climbing. It started one summer at scout camp, and then blossomed when my father indulged as he was interested too. We hit Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and others. It was such a blast and I have such great memories of it. I didn't climb as much once my little ones came along. Time and safety became deterrents. But these next pics prove that I've tried to bring it back by including my family. 

   The Wife has expressed a desire to try it out and I KNOW my children would love to give it a go. Luckily my father has plenty of gear to spare a bit for us if we get serious. In the mean time, the best place to get started is a climbing gym. Average price is $10 per day per person. If a movie is that much for 2 hours, and Disneyland is $100 for the day, I'll take an indoor climbing gym as an alternative any day. Most gyms will rent you shoes and a harness too, as well as show you some pointers. There will be classes, specials and such. All you have to do it google "rock climbing gym" around your area and you'll find one. I have one within 3 miles and never knew it for the past 2 years!

   So look one up, pay a visit, and give it a try. I think this is an activity that my family will enjoy doing together. See you at the top!

J. 

Pumpkin Chili - A Rainy Day Dish

 

 

"Are you crazy! You fed a baby chili?!" - Mr. Mom

 

   The Wife and I are always looking for quick, easy, yummy, and relatively healthy meals to cook at home. The Wife found this recipe and we've fallen in love with. It's especially tasty during the colder months. We've tried minor variations to see how we can improve or change it to our liking, but with the original recipe, one can never go wrong. It's got so many flavors, colors, and textures that I'll take it any day of the week. It re-heats well and can either add to you children's favorites, or be used as punishment if they don't eat their own dinner (your choice parents!).

 

 

The Cheeky Daddy presents - Pumpkin Chili

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped peppers
Pkg of lean ground turkey/beef
1 can lite coconut
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can sweet corn
1 can pure pumpkin
1-2 can strained kidney beans

Heat 1 tbs oil, sauté onions and peppers
Add meat and cook until no longer pink. Drain excess oil.
Add canned goods, stir in well
Add 2+ tbs of chili powder
Add 2+ tbs curry powder
Add optional pumpkin spice
1 tsp ground pepper
Dash of salt
Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Serve in bowls and add cheese and dollop of sour cream if desired.

 

Enjoy and let me know if any of you get around to trying it out.

 

J.


Flight of the Conchords

   "You know when I'm down to just my socks that it's business time." 

Business Time, Flight of the Conchords

   My brother introduced me to the Flight of the Conchords guys a while ago. I laughed my butt off. Once you've checked this one out, take a look at some of the others related to them. They're hoot, and did a show on HBO.


J. 

Saying Goodbye to Grandparents

"A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart." - Author Unknown

   It saddens me to say goodbye to my grandfather today. Words help to describe emotion that I feel towards a man I've known for 37 years. I will miss his bright voice, excited to see or hear from all his family. I will miss the way he held my arm, just above the elbow as he spoke to me face to face. I will miss how he always, without fail, asked how my "sweetheart" and our little ones were doing. 

   This is a man I've modeled my life after. From serving his country during WWII, to loving his wife and two daughters for a lifetime. His career of "if you have a great product and excellent customer service" lasted into his eighties has served me well. He had a great sense of humor, LOVED Louis L'Amour books, and told me he always kept a few coins in his pocket, because he "like to have a little something jingling in his pocket." He was always a gentleman, kept a large tin of pure silver dollars tucked away in his closet for a "rainy day", and forgave me for writing my name in his freshly poured sidewalk when I was young.

   My last conversation with him was about three weeks ago. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with him. He asked how my sweetheart was, and how the children were doing. He asked about my successes at work and how were liking our neighborhood. He told me how much he missed his sweet bride, and longed to be with her. He told me three times how glad he was that I called, told me he loved me, and that we'd talk again soon. It was the best conversation to remember him by.

   He loved his sweetheart SO much, that he passed on within 5 months of her, on Valentine's Day. He wanted to be with her so much, yet marveled at her funeral that his life and marriage resulted in 2 children, 12 grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren. He was so very proud of each of them, that we all felt loved. I could go on forever....

We love you grandma and grandpa. I'm honored to be your grandson. 

J.