I am Being Featured on CreditDonkey’s Best Dad Blogs 2017: Top Parenting Experts

This morning I was informed that my blog, Family Friendly Daddy Blog, was chosen as one of the Top 40 “Best Dad Blogs”, by CreditDonkey. It gives me great confirmation to know that my work as a daddy blogger stands out in the crowd, as it was noted:

“Family Friendly Daddy Blog is a site featuring reviews of everything from cars to toys, along with plenty of musings on parenting and the vegan lifestyle.”

As I scrolled down the list of fellow daddy bloggers on the list, I immediately realized that I personally know some of these guys, actually:

Back when I was the daddy blogger for Parents.com, General Motors flew me up to Detroit in October 2011 to promote their Traverse, I met HighTechDad.

Larry Mihalko during the Chevrolet Traverse Quality event during the Chevrolet Centennial media event Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan. (Photo by Jeffrey Sauger for Chevrolet)

But I especially hit it off with 8BitDad, Zach Rosenberg, while I was there. I remember him telling me that his own dad is a character actor, in Los Angeles. This whole time, 8BitDad and I have been following each other on Twitter. I hope I get to hang out with him again in person someday.

And I met Gay NYC Dad in October 2014 when I was invited by Toyota for their “Family Reunion” at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Pompano Beach, Florida; featuring the updated Sienna, Camry, and Yaris. I remember he and I had a fun conversation about how he grew up on a kosher diet, being Jewish, whereas I started about my journey of veganism when I switched to kosher (no pork, shellfish, or other bottom feeder animals) back on Thanksgiving 2008.

The fact that I made it to this list reminds me that while I may not be the most popular daddy blogger out there, I am good enough at what I do to make the cut; to be considered one of the most relevant.

It also shows me I’m doing a decent job on SEO (search engine optimization); meaning I’m able to create and maintain contain that is easy for people to find when they search a relatable topic on Google.

I am very grateful for all of my readers and supporters- and I especially thank CreditDonkey today for choosing me as part of their Top 40 daddy bloggers.

Dear Holly: I Have Cuddlebugs for Kids (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

5 months.

Dear Holly: I Have Cuddlebugs for Kids (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Holly,

We had just left the San Diego Zoo Safari Park when Grandma (Mommy’s Mommy) decided that after a morning in the California sun, frozen yogurt sounded like a good idea.

So we used the GPS on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander to find a glorious place called The Golden Spoon, a franchise which has apparently been in existence since 1983.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

I’ve learned that “pay by the ounce” frozen yogurt shops are indeed safe for me as a vegan, because they always have a sorbet option and fruit selections for my toppings.

We all were very pleased with our choices and it turned out that Grandma had made a good call in suggested we go out for frozen yogurt.

Dear Holly: I Have Cuddlebugs for Kids (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Your brother Jack wanted to eat outside so I took him out to the patio while you, Mommy, and Grandma remained on the sofa inside.

After Jack and I finished our treats, Jack wanted to come see what you were up to.

Fortunately, I took several pictures of what happened next, on both my phone and camera. It made me so proud and gracious as the dad of such precious children.

Dear Holly: I Have Cuddlebugs for Kids (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

I captured the moment, as your brother hugged you and held you close. The look on your face clearly revealed how fascinated you are by him. You are truly amazed by your brother. And similarly, he loves to engage you in being cuddled up together.

It’s official: I have cuddlebugs for kids.

And this isn’t something that only happens occasionally. Instead, he does this daily with you.

Dear Holly: I Have Cuddlebugs for Kids (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

But in that paramount moment, I felt required to send out an Instagram pretty much immediately, sharing, “Whole lot of love.”

It could have simply been a fun trip for frozen yogurt, but fortunately, I saw a heart-warming moment that I will never forget.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: I Have Cuddlebugs for Kids (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

5 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack,

While in San Diego two weeks ago for your Uncle Jake’s wedding, Grandma joined us in the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander for a drive to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park; the 3rd row seat was very useful. It was so nice having Grandma there to help with your baby sister.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) s3 s4 s5 s6

The 1,800 acre Safari Park was such a great speed for you. Even aside from the animals, it was such a beautiful place to be. And you didn’t mind doing so much walking, because it was it sort had a treehouse feel.

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One of the things that really sets apart the San Diego Safari Park from a typical zoo is that in addition to its wondrous exhibits, there is also ride that took us through the free-range of “Africa” where we saw giraffes, antelopes, and rhinos in what appeared to be their natural habit.

Conveniently, the climate and landscape of San Pasqual Valley of San Diego appears to be similar to Africa’s. In fact, several times during the ride, I had to remind myself we were in southern California, not Africa.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) s11 s12

Mommy and I had agreed to give you a $20 allowance to spend on souvenirs during our entire trip. We suggested you save it for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, knowing they’d surely have an impressive collection of stuffed animals for you to consider.

We did see a giant life-size tiger, but it was a little out of your prize range, at $1000. But truly, you fell in love with the last remaining Fennec Fox.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) s14 s15

I think you and I both considered the actual Fennec Foxes to be our favorite animal at the Safari Park.

You asked for help naming her. I suggested Fifi, and you accepted.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack: The Beach Bonfire Family Reunion (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

I’m so glad our family got to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. What an adventure!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

5 years, 10 months.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack,

Mommy and I couldn’t take our Kindergartner son to San Diego without taking him to Legoland, could we?

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Grandma helped us out by staying in our hotel room with your baby sister, while Mommy and I spent half the day with you, at what had to be for you the boy equivalent of Disney Land.

Seriously, I could see that it was a nearly 6 year-old boy’s dream come true. Undeniably, Mommy and I loved it too!

We started out by going a ride that took us through the Lego versions of popular traditional fairy tales. It’s so cool to see everything made out of Legos.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) l9
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I didn’t realize there would be so many rides there, but that’s mainly what we did. We went on a roller coaster, a train ride, a boat ride, a laser tag ride, and a Lego version of the tea cup ride at Disney Land.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) l12 l13 l14

Mommy and I also let you play a carnival game, as you always love try to win a prize. Granted, we only let you play the games where “everyone wins a prize.” You were very proud of the dragon you won.

You were mesmerized by the miniature version of the world. They even had a Lego layout of all the Star Wars movie.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) l18 l19 l20 l21

I loved the giant Chewbacca, as well.

We finished up our visit to Legoland with the build-a-boat exhibit. You and I built a Lego boat, then got to race it down the chute alongside other kids’ Lego boats.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) l23

I am confident that our trip to Legoland will be something you never forget.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Mommy let you buy a $4 Pixel set to work on during the drive back to our hotel. It was funny because Mommy and I sat up front together, while you worked intensively in your own work station in the 3rd row seat in the very back of the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander we drove.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Needless to say, you finished the Lego set by the time we made it back to your sister and Grandma.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Our Trip to Legoland (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

5 months.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Holly,

Earlier this week, we got back from our annual California vacation. Normally we go to Sacramento where Mommy is from, but this time was special, as Mommy’s youngest brother got married in San Diego.

While I have many upcoming stories and adventures to tell you and your brother about our trip, I want to start by showing you these pictures of your cousins and aunts holding you.

As we drove to each new stop on our trip throughout San Diego in the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, we caught up with a new bunch of Mommy’s family members who were eager to see “Little Holly.”

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

There is nothing like holding a precious little baby.

And with Mommy having 9 siblings, 8 of whom we saw while on our vacation with their families, there was always someone who needed a turn of being able to hold you.

For me, it was an honor to be able to share you each person who held you. I loved seeing the look on each of their faces when they saw you. It was rewarding for me to be able to see how much they valued you being there.

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

I suppose our family vacation in San Diego set a record for being the least amount of time I’ve ever held you in a week. Even though it was a bit of a culture shock, not constantly holding you and playing with you for hours at a time, I still got to see family be able to appreciate you.

Everyone loves to hold you. You’re so smiley and happy.

Not to mention, everyone is surprised by how long you are and how fair your skin is.

You are a very special little girl and you have many people in your life who love you very, very much.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Everyone Loves to Hold You (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)