Seeking Inspiration

We all do.  Some of us through sports, others through celebrities and some of us through kids.  I am continually inspired by my kids.  They do absolutely amazing things each and every day.  I wish I could bring 1/10th of their creative energy to my work and relationships each day…and believe me, I try!
I am [...]

You’ve Heard of Snow Angels…But Dirt Angels?

Hell’s Angels
Charlie’s Angels
Snow Angels
And now Dirt Angels.  Let me explain.
My near four-year-old son was selected to be part of a Fall 2009 Caterpillar catalog photo shoot (You know, the company that makes the big yellow earth moving machines of all kinds).  They make children’s clothes as well.
Towards the end of the outdoor photo shoot with [...]

Great Attention Keeping Book for Toddlers

Two weeks ago I started covering books that I would recommend for parents with kids five and under. Tiki Tiki Tembo, my previous post, is a classic and Llama Llama Red Pajamas will soon be a classic.
I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy is another one of my favorites for your toddler.
The pictures are [...]

Killer Stress

I watch TV about two times a month so I wouldn’t classify myself as an expert in anything cinematography related.
However, last night I switched on PBS and started watching a show called “Killer Stress.”
I was fascinated by the premise that stress levels are actually higher in people with lower positions of authority versus people in [...]

Homework Has Never Been So Fun

My daughter started kindergarten several weeks ago.  I wasn’t expecting homework at this level but she has a few simple homework assignments every night.
Yeah!  I am glad the public schools are setting a high bar for students right out of the gate.
So I sat down with Ellie to help her with her reading assignments.  We [...]

8 Dads Beaming with Pride

My wife threw a party for her previous Pregnancy to Parenthood students.  She teaches Lamaze childbirth preparation classes in addition to her writing endeavors.
Kimmelin has taught over one hundred couple in the course of three years so we weren’t sure if our house could contain the crowd if a huge number of students took her [...]

Silver Dollar

What’s the value of a silver dollar?

Well, apparently, that question has many answers.
To me: whatever the market will pay.
To my two year old son: absolutely worthless.  He just walks right over one on the floor.
To my near four year old son: a bunch of fun shoving it in and out of this clothes and throwing [...]

Dads Really Are Boys

I ran across a quote today that hit home.  After spending a week riding my mountain bike and enjoying a few days away from the chaos of work and family, I realized all dads really are boys.  We just have a few extra responsibilities!
~
Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner [...]

Man Week 2008

I haven’t posted in a week because I have been 100% unplugged and enjoying four days of mountain biking with a group of college racing buddies.  Somewhere in the last eight years, the annual gathering of my racing buddies became known as “man week.”  And it lives up to its namesake each year.
Now most guys [...]

Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo

This will go down as my longest blog post subject line ever.
In the spirit of covering great books for young kids, I thought I would make sure this one did not pass you by.
Tikki Tikki Tembo is a classic.  I didn’t know the history behind this kids book.  Wikipedia provided me a full background.  I [...]