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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)

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

5 years, 10 months.

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

Dear Jack,

A few days into our family’s vacation last week to San Diego to see Uncle Jake get married, we caught up with more of Mommy’s family at a bonfire at the beach. There were some of the family members there who we haven’t seen in years.

One in particular was your cousin Zach. The last time I saw him was when Mommy and I got married back in 2008, which was 2 years before you were born.

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

He was a teenager the last time I saw him; now he’s in his mid-twenties.

Zach took a special interest in you. You had an agenda to “make a lake” by repeatedly filling up a liter-sized water bottle and taking it near the bonfire where you had dug a hole.

For about an hour and a half, Zach excitedly (and patiently) walked back and forth with you from the beach to the “lake” you were making, knowing full well that the water would never actually fill up; but instead, simply sink into the sand.

However, you were happy because “it made the sand thick enough to make a castle.”

This bonfire family reunion also was a special event for you because got to have s’mores. (We brought our own special vegan marshmallows.)

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

Your baby sister Holly slept through a good amount of it all. I don’t remember leaving until about 10:30 that night. No one was in a hurry to leave.

It’s a rare thing to be able to hang out on the beach, huddled around a bonfire.

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

But finally we made our way back to our hotel. Fortunately, because the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander we drove had 7 seats, we were able to take a few family members back to their hotel as well.

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

I have many more stories to tell you about our trip. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Love,

Daddy

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

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Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

5 months.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

Dear Holly,

We ended up with some money still left on our baby registry for you at Target, so this weekend Mommy and I took you and your brother to figure out what exactly to spend the money on; as we knew we would like some sort of device to keep you occupied each night while we eat dinner at the big table.

It didn’t take long at all before Mommy and I found exactly what you needed: The Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price. At about $30, the price was right on budget, by the time we also accounted for the $7.50 for the required size D battery; which I couldn’t find in anything less than a 4-pack.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

(Though once we got home, we realized we already that size battery upstairs in the supply closet.)

I assembled your new bouncer while Mommy made lunch. By the time our vegan quesadillas were ready, I had finished putting it all together.

And yes, it was a success!

Mommy and I were able to actually eat lunch without having to get up. You were entertained by the “fun bouncy action and removable toy bar” as well as the “gentle calming vibrations”. I like how your own body movements cause the bouncer to softly bounce.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

Though we haven’t had the Animal Party Bouncer long enough to try this part out, it apparently is also “soft and comfy for soothing and snoozing”. I look forward to you being able to fall asleep in it easily while in your bouncer, which would seem to be an easier and more natural way for your to nap instead of Mommy or me picking you up and going through all the motions of getting to fall asleep for naps.

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

And since the Animal Party Bouncer can hold up to 25 pounds, I know you’ll be able to use it for a while before you outgrow it. (You’re still in the 25th percentile for your weight; yet the 82nd percentile for your height.)

I’m not sure who’s going to like your new seat more: you and your parents.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Your New Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price

@FisherPrice

Leave a comment Posted on Nostalgia, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

5 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Dear Jack,

This past Saturday you and Papa and I had a genuinely great time at my Cousin Jessica’s wedding. It was a once in a lifetime experience you will never forget- I’m sure of it.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Back a couple of months ago when our family was driving back from Atlanta on our first family of road trip as a family of 4, we took a minor detour to go visit my grandparents on Papa’s side. We didn’t know it at the time, but that would be the last time we saw PawPaw Shell on this Earth.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Just a few weeks later, he passed away. You and I attended his funeral as part of our father and son road trip; while Mommy and baby Holly were visiting family in California.

To honor his life, my cousin Jessica had her wedding at PawPaw Shell’s farm in Sale Creek, Tennessee.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

I had never once in my life seen PawPaw wearing anything other than a flannel shirt and a pair of overalls. Never pants, never jeans, never shorts- just overalls. He was even buried in his overalls.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Undeniably, PawPaw Shell was one of the most Southern men I ever knew.

Therefore, for my Cousin Jessica to have a wedding that also honored our grandfather… it had to be unapologetically country. So it was.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

For the music, Jessica’s step-dad pulled up his truck to the barn and rolled down the windows, so everyone could hear the music.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

After the wedding, everyone lined up for the meal, which consisted of potluck. As for Papa and me, we brought the vegan pasta salad that Nonna made. There was also some vegan chili there as well.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

I found a cinder block for you to sit on to eat the mac-and-cheese Nonna packed for you. Had we realized though, mac-and-cheese was actually already a menu item on the barn buffet.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

A popular place to sit during the meal was in the bed of one of the many pick-up trucks there.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

You enjoyed your wedding favor, which was a children’s duck call.

After the meal, we walked down to the pond to go fishing. You had never actually been “real fishing” before, so this was a really big deal for you.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

No one brought bait, so it was a matter of digging for worms and catching grasshoppers…

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

My Cousin Jessica’s son Breyan was able to catch 3 fish right in a row! That was especially amazing, since he explained to me it was his first time fishing.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Unfortunately, you didn’t have such luck. You didn’t catch your first fish, but we will surely try again.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake! w18

As we made our way back to the barn to get you a piece of wedding cake, we saw my Cousin Angie’s son with a ball python around his snake.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake! w20

He explained it was his pet that he’s had for a year and a half. I decided to hold the snake, as I don’t necessarily remember holding one before at any point in my life.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

You decided to pass on the opportunity, which surprised me, since we go to the Repticon reptile show every year.

After we left the wedding, Papa drove us by the famous Spaceship House on Signal Mountain. PawPaw Shell helped build it, back in 1973.

Dear Jack: It’s the Barn Wedding Where You Can Catch a Fish and Hold a Snake!

Though it all may seem like a dream to you now, I promise, it was all real. That all really happened! From the fishing to the snake to the UFO house!

Love,

Daddy

https://familyfriendlydaddyblog.com/2016-lexus-es-300h-father-son-road-trip/

Leave a comment Posted on Health, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Manly Vegan: I Haven’t Consumed More than Zero % of My Daily Cholesterol Allowance since April 2013 (The Difference between Good Fat and Bad Fat)

Today I introduce the first 5 episodes of my newest video series, Manly Vegan…

Today I introduce the first 5 episodes of my newest video series, Manly Vegan...

The stereotypical assumption from most people when they learn that I’ve been a vegan for nearly 3 and a half years is, “Well are you sure you’re getting enough protein?” However, no one has yet to address this issue: “Well are you getting enough cholesterol?”

The fact is, I’ve consumed less than 1% of my daily cholesterol allowance since April 2013; when I became a vegan. Sure, it’s true that even vegan food contains cholesterol…

Avocados, cashews, and even vegetable oil contain a high amount of fat and therefore, some cholesterol.

But even then, it’s never enough to register as 1% or higher on the food labels.

Prove me right by going right now to your pantry or refrigerator. Look on the back of a jar of peanut butter. Check out the high fat content yet the 0% amount of cholesterol.

Now look at the carton of eggs in your refrigerator. Check out how much of your daily cholesterol is in just one egg. The least amount I’ve ever seen is 56%, but most are closer to at least 65%.

Imagine that. My vegan lifestyle prohibits me from ever being able to consume even just 1% of my daily cholesterol; yet just one egg equates to over half of a person’s daily cholesterol.

However, I’m still eating plenty of fat from plants.

Therefore, it is undeniable that vegans have an advantage in that while we still do consume a minuscule amount of cholesterol most days, it never amounts to even 1% of our daily allowance.

So what’s the difference between good fat and bad fat? That’s easy:

If it came from a plant, meaning it contains less than 1% of your daily cholesterol allowance, it’s good fat.

If it came from an animal, meaning that it likely contains more than 1% of your daily cholesterol allowance, it’s bad fat.