Dadbloggers Archives - Page 6 of 17

No More Watching New Star Wars Movie Trailers

April 16, 2015April 16, 2015 by CuteMonster Staff

Did you see it? The second teaser trailer for the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” narrated by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)? We wouldn’t go as far as to describe it as life affirming, but it’s darn close for Star Wars fans of all ages. Perhaps the force that’s being awakened is the collective wave of nostalgic memories sparked by the experience of seeing and hearing old friends on the big screen again. Yet we can’t help feeling that viewing any more details of the upcoming movie will exponentially diminish the chance to immerse oneself in this new world.

SmartyPants Vitamins to the Rescue

April 9, 2015April 9, 2015 by Vincent Daly

Throughout my life I’ve tried to maintain a healthy balance of diet and exercise. Yet once kids entered the mix, my priorities shifted to my children. As a result, my personal health had been an afterthought. I never went off on the deep end though. I still exercised occasionally and would refrain from overindulging in junk food. Regardless, I knew I should be doing something more to regain my full healthy routine. Enter SmartyPants Vitamins.

Cars, SUVs, and the Future…oh my!

April 3, 2015April 3, 2015 by Vincent Daly

As a kid, I dreamed the future would be all about flying cars. As a parent, on a daily basis I witness the anarchy of shopping mall parking lots and think “nope”. In fact I’d much rather have armored plating and an abundance of airbags from head to toe. It’s not that I’m against some future incarnation of airborne vehicles, I just want people taken completely out of the equation driving said vehicles. Especially since the proliferation of inherently distracting gizmos have become standard equipment in most cars and SUVs. Automated vehicles would provide the freedom and safety to surf the web, text or video chat, work, or even take a nap. Yes, I like the nap idea don’t you? These thoughts and more informed my opinions of car manufacturers latest offerings as I walked the halls of the Jacob Javits Center at the 2015 New York International Auto Show.

Cinderella and Fatherhood

March 20, 2015 by Vincent Daly

I had low expectations for Disney’s “Cinderella”. There was no urgency for me to see this movie. After all, it was just a live action retelling of a well known and some would say woefully anachronistic princess story. Yet there I was, seated beside my 6 year old daughter, inexplicably engaged in the story on an emotional level. The strong bond between Cinderella and her father drew me in sparking contemplation about my little girl’s future happiness. If the world around her comes crashing down, the likelihood of a magic savior seems remote at best. It will ultimately be her own strength that determines her fate. Indeed, she will need to “have courage and be kind.”

2015 New York Toy Fair in Pictures

March 13, 2015March 13, 2015 by Vincent Daly

The magic of the NY Toy Fair lies in the sights and sounds one experiences while gazing upon the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. Innovation and most importantly fun take top priority as toy manufacturers try to entice buyers and the press alike to fawn over their latest gizmo. For me, it’s an opportunity to be a kid again in the biggest toy store in the world.

Do you know Oren Miller?

January 29, 2016March 2, 2015 by Vincent Daly

The world should know about Oren Miller. He was a good father, a loving husband to an amazing woman, courageous, graceful, humble, smart, quick-witted, and a talented Dad Blogger. He was the founder of a thriving Facebook Community group aptly named Dad Bloggers. He championed the idea that all fathers can be better Dads. He mentored fathers and encouraged change from within the Dad Blogger community to shift the narrative of what modern fatherhood meant to the world. Advertisers, Film and Television have responded in kind by depicting fathers as competent nurturing parents instead of the 1950s stereotypical “dumb bumbling Dad”. Oren Miller also had Stage 4 Lung cancer. He passed away on February 28, 2015 at the age of 41 after a remarkably courageous 9 month battle. He was my friend.

Kid Conversations #6

May 21, 2016February 17, 2015 by Vincent Daly

Overheard conversation during breakfast:

6yo: Do you like snow?

8yo: Yeah, it’s fun!

6yo: I do too but I don’t like getting cold.

8yo: Me neither.

6yo: I wish snow was warm.

8yo: Yeah, that’d be cool.

2015 New York Toy Fair Preview

February 13, 2015 by Vincent Daly

It’s simply amazing how quickly a year races by but race by it did. The 2015 New York Toy Fair at the Jacob Javits Center opens on Valentine’s Day this year which suits toy lovers just fine. The anticipation has grown to a fever pitch as toy vendors make last minute preparations to ensure a successful debut at the Toy Industry’s premiere showcase event. For members of the media, the New York Toy Fair transforms into the biggest toy store in the world. For me, the allure lies in seeking out innovation at its finest.

Best and Worst Parenting Websites of 2014

January 21, 2015 by Vincent Daly

Knowledge is power. When you’re a new parent, you may find yourself feeling like the house idiot. A newborn baby, a precious and seemingly innocuous little life form, becomes the catalyst of life altering change. Imagine a lumbering freight train rounding the bend in the middle of the night. Then think of you and your significant other on a carefree adventure filled moonlit stroll on the tracks. You’ll never be aware of the massive impact awaiting you if you fail to see said train behind you in time.