parenting

Leave a comment Posted on May 13, 2015May 13, 2015 car reviews, parenting

Pensacola Road Tripping In A 2015 Toyota Sienna

If you’re a regular reader of Family Friendly Daddy Blog, you’ve probably noticed in the past several posts there has been a presence of a 2015 Toyota Sienna.

That’s because for my family’s recent mini road trip from Spring Hill, TN (the Nashville area) to Pensacola, FL we had the privilege of being able to test drive it. In essence, we modeled it; showing what it would look like for a family of 3 to take a 7 hour road trip (one way) in the Sienna. (We were in the vehicle for nearly 20 hours total, including the trip back, and driving once we got there.)

Here’s my newest video I made for the occasion, equipped with our own theme song I wrote and performed:

So today, I want to share my thoughts on taking a road trip in a 2015 Toyota Sienna.

My wife and I both agreed that the thing we appreciated most about the vehicle is how “road trip friendly” it is. For example, the 2 captain’s chairs directly behind the driver and front passenger’s seat are literally recliners.

That makes watching the large DVD/Blu-ray screen (equipped with headphones) that much more enjoyable for the passengers. It creates such a comfortable and entertaining environment for everyone; including the driver, who can keep the sound to the movie in the back of the vehicle.

In addition to the Sienna having a great capacity to be both comfortable and entertaining, we also noticed how spacious it is.

The paradox is that while it truly seems to be a large vehicle, it doesn’t drive that way. I had zero issues with visibility. The turning radius on the Sienna alone was amazing! I ended up having to do my share of U-turns while driving in an unfamiliar city, so I would know…

We also definitely appreciated the power sliding doors and back door. I was able to open them remotely for my wife and son before we even got the vehicle.

I will close by giving you another opportunity to check out my other blog posts involving the 2015 Toyota Sienna. It would be an understatement that we had a great family road trip, as you will read about when you click these links above each picture- and please don’t forget you can also watch the original video I made for these underneath each link:

Dear Jack: Our Homemade Jack-Man Commercial For The Toyota Sienna

Dear Jack: The Treasure Chest You Found Buried in Pensacola

Dear Jack: 2015 Toyota Sienna Walk-Around/Silly String Fight

Dear Jack: The RV That Exploded In Casino Beach Parking Lot/Highway 98 Bay Bridge Crash

Vegan Friendly Review of Pensacola, FL

Sesame Street: Elmo The Musical Vol. 2 Learn and Imagine- Family Friendly Review

1 Comment Posted on May 11, 2015May 11, 2015 funny, parenting, People, Storytelling

Dear Jack: The Treasure Chest You Found Buried in Pensacola

4 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

Leading up to our recent mini road trip to Pensacola, you announced to me, “Daddy, when we go to the beach, we need to dig in the sand because maybe there is a buried treasure chest… and dinosaur bones too!”

So thanks to a quick trip to Dollar Tree and Party Central, I was able to obtain the treasure chest (a lunch box), plastic coins and jewelry, and some dinosaur bone puzzles; all for less than 10 bucks.

Mommy packed them up in our beach bag, and from there I loaded them up on the back of the 2015 Toyota Sienna we drove for the trip.

When we arrived at Casino Beach during one of our trips there, you and Mommy immediately began playing in the sand. I snuck over, just about 50 feet away from you, and dug 2 holes: one for the treasure chest and one for the dinosaur bones.

Right as I finished, you ran over to me in excitement. I explained to you that I thought I had just found a good place where someone might have buried some treasure.

Of course, from there, the magic began…

Here’s my video I made, capturing the whole event:

You were mesmerized by your finding for the rest of the weekend; proudly wearing your jewelry in the van and during lunch at the restaurant.

I could actually see this becoming a new tradition for us each time we go to the beach. I’m even imagining you getting old enough to figure out that it’s really just me hiding the treasures but where I would simply hide gifts that you want anyway.

And it’s all because in your own 4 and a half year-old creativity, your faith led you to believe that there truly would be hidden treasure there at the beach with Mommy and me.

Yes, the hidden treasure is definitely there if you’re looking for it.

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on May 9, 2015 new house, parenting, People, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Mother’s Day 2015/Adirondack Chairs

4 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

This year for Mother’s Day, Mommy decided she wanted a new ceramic cup for her coffee she makes each morning, some Adirondack chairs for our porch, and quality time as a family.

So that’s exactly what we made happen this weekend.

We started off with your next-to-the-last soccer game of the season…

Then we had a fun lunch at Whole Foods, where they were having a special promotion in which 100% of the proceeds went to benefit the victims of Nepal; since their recent earthquake.

Mommy and I really enjoyed our vegan hot dogs the workers grilled for us!

After your nap back at the house, you and I practiced our shooting into the lot across their street where they are building one of the last houses of our immediate neighborhood.

Then, we all just hung out on the front porch. Mommy and I enjoyed the new Adirondack chairs, while you were perfectly content to play in your newly purchased (with your birthday money from last November) sand box.

So it sounds like Mommy got just what she wanted for Mother’s Day this year.

Not to mention, you and I made this little video for her…

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on May 7, 2015 parenting, People

Interactive Mother’s Day Quote Finder By ProFlowers.com

As Mother’s Day is just a few days away, I thought it might be helpful for me to share this “Interactive Quote Finder” for just the occasion.

It helps to add a thoughtful note to handmade gifts for mom.

This quote finder features 80 famous quotes with helpful filters, like funny or inspiring, as well as who is sending/receiving, like “from son” or “to sister”.

Here’s the link: ProFlowers.com Mother’sDay Quote Finder

5 Comments Posted on May 7, 2015 car reviews, funny, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Our Homemade Jack-Man Commercial For The Toyota Sienna

4 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

As promised, I spent some birthday money on editing software and a nice tripod, so that I could start making my own videos as a way to enhance Family Friendly Daddy Blog.

Today, I officially debut my first real project:

“2015 Toyota Sienna Homemade Commercial: Jack-Man”

Last week while we took our mini vacation to Pensacola, Toyota provided a 2015 Sienna for our family to review.

But before I decided to make my official video for our trip, I thought it would be fun to make a homemade commercial for the Sienna which would also tie in our new upcoming web series: Jack-Man.

So Mommy helped you put on the super hero costume that your friend Madison had given you for your birthday, then you and I headed out to the driveway to film the footage.

From there, I wrote and recorded the Jack-man theme song; which I will slightly alter the lyrics to for the actual upcoming web series in which I will play the villain.

Then I put it all together. Granted, it’s one of my first video editing projects and I was my own teacher when it came to learning to how to do all this.

So I’m sure our videos will be that much better in the months to come. Still, I’m very proud of “2015 Toyota Sienna Homemade Commercial: Jack-Man”. I think it turned out to be a lot of fun.

I know that you enjoyed making the video with me.

It used to be that fathers would teach their sons a trade. Maybe blogging and video editing can be what I pass on to you…

Love,

Daddy

P.S.

Here are the lyrics to this commercial version of the Jack-Man theme song:

Jack-Man, who will fight for justice?

Jack can, he really loves bananas

That man gets his super powers from them

Jack-Man rides in a Toyota Sienna minivan

His getaway car is driven by his dad

Jack-Man!

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