Book Preview and Giveaway: Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun

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Dads who have avoided all things remotely related to Arts and Craft will take solace in Ken Denmead’s “The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun.” Inspired by trends in popular geek culture, the book ambitiously sets forth on providing fun, hands on, do-it-yourself type projects which will challenge as well as delight kids and the young at heart. In addition, most of the projects involve an introductory level of science, math, and computer skills in order to successfully complete the task at hand. In other words the book offers the elusive combination of learning made fun. Read on for more examples of projects from the book as well as an opportunity to enter to win a copy of “The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun.”

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Review of Mo Willems “I Broke My Trunk!”

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Growing up I was always a fan of comedy teams ranging from Abbott and Costello to Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. You could always count on them to deliver witty banter and outrageous adventures. As a parent, I was thrilled to discover the children’s book “I Broke My Trunk!” by Mo Willems. A whimsical tale in a series of books starring the unlikely pairing of a sweet natured elephant named Gerald and a plucky outspoken pig named Piggie.

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Kidorable Lucky Cat Backpack Review/Giveaway

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I was recently sent a Kidorable Lucky Cat Backpack to review. Having first seen this girls toddler-sized backpack on Kidorable’s web site, I recognized the potential for infinite pint sized adventures. Yet the proof would ultimately be based on the reaction of my own 2 year old product tester aka Super Girl. In addition, one lucky reader will get the opportunity to win a Kidorable Backpack for one’s own little adventurer.

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Taking Back Mother’s Day

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Mother's Day
I’ve never been a fan of commercially driven holidays such as Mother’s Day. Add in the layers of guilt associated with not acknowledging your Mom and you have the makings of an enormous last minute spending spree. How else can one explain paying over $100 to purchase and ship a bouquet of flowers? Yet there we are, credit card in hand, grateful to pay inflated prices allowing us to lift the crushing weight of guilt from our shoulders. It all seems so unnecessary. Especially when most mothers would much rather have a hug or some other genuine expression of love. So how do we reclaim the day from commercial entities and return it back its rightful place as a family oriented occasion? I’ve come up with a few suggestions.

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Free Comic Book Day 10th anniversary

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Today, May 7, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day which has been held on the first Saturday of May every year for the last 10 years. Participating local comic book stores give away a free comic book to anyone attending the event. Comic books are an exceptional way to introduce young children to the joys of reading. Take a look at the video for an overview of today’s event.

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Cinco de Mayo

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It’s Cindo de Mayo, a day of celebration for Mexican Americans commemorating the defeat of French forces in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. What’s more, the defeat may have had a direct impact on turning the tide in the American Civil War. Today’s celebrations consist of good friends, great food, and dancing. I’d like to share a video of my own little dancer’s interpretive dance in honor of this special day.

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CuteMonster Art Wednesday #7

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The illustration above was inspired by my experience as a Dad battling the flu while caring for my children. Prior to having kids in my life, I could take a sick day to rest and recuperate. Yet the rules change as a parent. I realized I needed to drastically alter my approach if I planned to regain my health in a reasonable time frame which prompted me to write the article “Sick Days Gone Forever”.

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