parenting

1 Comment Posted on January 6, 2015 parenting, reviews, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Monster Jam 2015 in Nashville- Family Friendly Review

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

Last January, our family drove to Huntsville, Alabama to see Monster Jam 2014 because the Nashville arena only had show dates at night, which would have kept you up way past your bed time.

However, this year, with you being 4, Mommy and I can get away with letting you cheat your bedtime every once in a while like we did a few weeks ago for Marvel Universe Live.

Well, turns out that this year in Nashville for Monster Jam 2015, there was a Sunday afternoon show date. So we went!

Yes, that is an anteater in your arms. That was one of the specific things you asked for your birthday in November.

You named her “Annie.” And she apparently loved the monster truck show as much as you did!

One of your favorite monster trucks was there: Grave Digger.

Not to mention, Son-uva Digger showed up too.

Something I have learned after seeing two Monster Jams is that the location of the venue determines which trucks will show up, because I supposed that’s based on which drivers live closest to the arena it’s being held. (We were at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.)

As you can see from the shots of the crowd, it was a packed stadium! Nashville shows up for monster trucks, that’s for sure.

I think your favorite part was seeing both Grave Digger and Captain’s Curse flip over and have to be rescued by the machine.

They also had some ATV racers there as well. Which, speaking of, I hate it that we’ll miss the Arenacross event at the end of this month. However, that’s the weekend we move into our new house!

We sat next to the winners of the ticket giveaway I did on the Facebook page for Family Friendly Daddy Blog. They had a blast as well.

Granted, I should define “had a blast” when referring to 3 and 4 year-old little boys like the two of you.

You weren’t necessarily screaming and cheering the entire time… That’s because typically when something overwhelmingly entertains you like that, you just sit there and soak it all in.

From there, you will go on to tell all your friends and teachers about it at school for the following weeks. Going to the show also feeds your ongoing interest in playing with your growing collection of toy monster trucks.

It was no surprise that as soon as you got home, you began racing your Monster Jam trucks on the bedroom floor: “Vvvvvvvrrrrroooo! Eeeeeeccckk! Jch-jch-jch!”

You are a kid who loves Monster Jam. And your anteater, too… at the same time!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on December 31, 2014 Nostalgia, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: The Day After Christmas Was Still Fun Too!

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

With Mommy and I both being able to take the day after Christmas off (Friday, December 26^th), we were able to extend our official Christmas break to basically a 5 day holiday.

That meant that the fun wasn’t over just because Christmas day had passed. The morning started off with you trying on some on gag glasses that happened to stashed with some of my old toys there at Nonna and Papa’s house.

You then put them on Pandy and made him the teacher of the class…

Mommy and I decided to take you and Nana in the Lexus LX on a one hour drive through the mountains to a place called Flintstone, Georgia; where my own grandparents live, just a few miles from the Chattanooga, Tennessee city limit.

We filled up the built-in cooler with Larabars and water for snacks; and I made sure we had some DVDs for you to watch on the way there.

Of course we adults had plenty of beautiful mountain scenery to enjoy, as you sang to us…

We rarely end up visiting that side of the family during the holidays, so once we got there, I saw cousins I haven’t seen since before you were born.

To break the ice with them, and to help make you feel more relaxed, I took turns sneaking up to each one of my male cousins and pretending to punch them in the stomach; in the over-the-top style of the Power Rangers, or Marvel Universe Live that we recently saw.

“Punch the one with the white beard, Daddy!” you instructed me after you saw one of my uncles sitting on the couch.

Realizing that we had moved on from pretending to punch my male cousins to now my uncles, I “started a fight” with my Uncle Johnny (Papa’s older brother); who I would probably have to say other than your Papa, is most responsible for essentially teaching me to roughhouse at family get-togethers.

Once I “punched him” and told him that you told me to do it, he started motioning to you from across the room to “come here.”

He grabbed you by the foot and pulled you across the rug as you laughed hysterically.

Shortly after, my aunt Rosa (Papa’s youngest sister) asked you to let her take Pandy home and once you refused, she started swatting you with a roll of wrapping paper; like the way you and I played just the day before.

Horseplay really is the best way for a little boy to get to know his extended family, if you ask me.

Afterwards, I took you outside on the deck for some fresh air.

Then it was time was receive your gift from my grandmother, which couldn’t been any more appropriate for you:

A Captain America racecar and his nemesis Red Skull’s vehicle as well. You were so proud!

Before we left for a late lunch at Whole Foods, just 8 miles away, one of my cousins helped me load up Papa’s gift, a 3 ton jack, into the Lexus LX.

Once we got home, Papa showed you how the jack worked, in his shop.

And Mommy and I even ventured out and bought our new house’s washer and dryer at Gary’s in my hometown of Fort Payne, AL.

So yeah, the fun didn’t end just because Christmas day was over!

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on December 31, 2014 car reviews, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Little River Falls/Abandoned Church Christmas Trip

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

The way I’m wired, I just can’t stay indoors all day relaxing. I have to get out and feel the sun on my skin and breathe in the fresh, brisk air.

So while I definitely appreciated all the fun we had Christmas morning, I headed up a trip to Little River Falls, which is just about 5 miles from Nonna and Papa’s house, in Fort Payne, Alabama.

Papa had a sinus infection, so he had to stay at home. However, had he went, all 8 of us could have fit in the 2014 Lexus LX we were driving that week.

As we made our way down the walkway bridge to the waterfall, I realized something:

Your Uncle Andrew was the one taking care of you, while Mommy was taking care of your cousin Calla.

In essence, it was like Mommy and Uncle Andrew swapped kids for a little while. Like most little boys, you idolize the men in your life.

So while you and I do have a close relationship, I appreciate how much you look up to your Uncle Andrew, who has the mechanical skills I don’t.

We had a fun race back to the car. Of course, Uncle Andrew had a slight disadvantage since he was carrying you!

From there, we visited the old abandoned church we discovered last year while I was reviewing the Lexus LS. Last year, you and Calla were asleep so you didn’t get to check it out.

As we unloaded from the Lexus LX, Nana was concerned you’d fall out on the ground once I opened the door.

However, she saw that because there is an extra step before the running board, so combined with your climbing skills, you managed just fine.

So we did indeed attend church on Christmas day; we were just the only ones there.

Love,

Daddy

Leave a comment Posted on December 24, 2014 funny, parenting, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: “How Do Babies Get Into Mommies’ Bellies? From Santa?”

4 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

We are currently living with some friends, as the closing date on our new house is about 6 weeks away now.

Karen, the wife and Mommy of the family we are renting space from, is pregnant; her baby is due right about the same time as we are supposed to move out.

Last night at dinner, you asked Mommy and me:

“How do babies get into Mommies’ bellies? From Santa?”

We immediately burst out laughing, as did you.

Mommy explained that’s a conversation we’ll have with you when you’re a bit older.

Of course, it won’t be “we,” it will be me that has that talk with you. I’m not afraid. I’m as prepared now as I’ll ever be.

After I gained my composure, I think I responded with something like, “Yeah, I guess Santa does help with that.”

Granted, my answer was technically right; in the same way the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” makes sense.

Of course, I know the real reason you assumed Santa has something to do with babies getting into Mommies’ bellies.

This past weekend, we watched Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! To my surprise, I actually really loved that movie! I wouldn’t mind seeing it every Christmas. You’re at the perfect age to really appreciate a movie like that.

However, you’ll always troubled when they say “roast beast” because you always explain: “No, Daddy, it’s supposed to be ‘roast beef’!”

One of our favorite parts was when it showed the Grinch arriving at his parents’ house, riding in a basket floating down from the sky, slowed down by an umbrella which helped guide it down safely.

I think that imagery led you to believe Santa has something to do babies getting into Mommies’ bellies.

You followed up your first question by asking me if Santa is real. I cleverly replied, “Is Batman real?”

You confirmed he is.

I continued: “Well, then Batman is as real as Santa.”

And we’ll just keep it at that for now.

Love,

Daddy

1 Comment Posted on December 22, 2014 infographic, Nostalgia, parenting, Uncategorized

The Ninja Turtle Pinball Machine: Impulse Buying Infographic

Even though Christmas shopping for my son was pretty much complete a couple of months ago, he recently became fascinated by the concept of owning a pinball machine.

In fact, it was the only thing he asked Santa for at Bass Pro Shop.

So in an order to help Santa out, I checked out Target. I’d already found a cheap, tiny made-in-China type of thing at a party store earlier that day; the kind you’d find in the bottom of a box of Rice Krispies.

But it was at Target that I found the perfect pinball machine for him:

A Ninja Turtles pinball machine, on sale for about $22 (from $25); which is more money than my wife and I agreed to spend to help Santa out on this.

My wife and I are strict Dave Ramsey followers. Therefore, every dollar is specifically accounted for. But in addition to our shared income budget, she and I also each have an annual stipend consisting of birthday and Christmas money from family to last us all year.

I texted my wife: “I am tempted just to spend my own money to buy this for him!”

It was the perfect opportunity for an impulse buy. He would be so happy and so surprised on Christmas morning to unwrap that!

But I thought about the gifts we had already bought him, and considered the other mysterious gifts he’ll get from others, and decided against buying the pinball machine.

If he really is disappointed with the “cereal prize pinball machine” he’s getting, he can spend his own money on the Ninja Turtle one at Target; though he probably won’t. He’ll probably spend it on Legos instead.

So I did it: I resisted the urge to make an impulse purchase. I’m almost surprised at myself.

I will close with an infographic that explains the psychology behind an impulse buy:

Brought to you by Marketing Automation Software by Marketo

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