HRM Parent – A Dad’s Life: Christmas Lights

My latest post for HRM Parent was all about how this year my Christmas decorating duties are pretty much all outside. Katie is taking on the indoor decorating and I felt like I needed to give myself some therapy by writing about it.

I wanted to add that since the post was written, the inside of the house has been getting more Christmas like by the day and the outside of the house now has lights.

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So please go and read this month’s installment of A Dad’s Life.

If Only You Could Open The Whole Advent Calendar At Once

Says our son Harrison.

Opening only one at a time? That is just crazy.

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Yes, as of yesterday, we started up the annual tradition that is so popular among households with kids. The calendar with pieces of chocolate each day.

This year, my wife really went all out as the chocolate in Lindt. Maybe she was hoping Harrison would not like the creamy, rich chocolate and she could have it for herself? No chance, he loved his first taste.

Our tradition has formed into opening each day after dinner. We kind of use it as a bribe to eat dinner. Hey, whatever works right.

Hasbro’s Transformers Construct-Bots Review

I grew up loving Transformers. Yes, they were around long before Michael Bay got his hands on them. The cartoons, the toys, the iconic transforming sound. Loved it all.

So it is the best feeling when I get to watch my boys build their own love for the toys as the grow. Sure a few things have changed and the modern versions of the toys are much more slick and fancy, but they are still transformers.

One of the modern views of the transformers are the Construct-Bots.

Recently I was sent a few by the good folks at Hasbro. The plan was to build them with my son and then name it and post it to the web.

Well, parenting got in the way and I just got around to opening the box today.

Thanks dad, jeez. Anyways. Harrison does not even know they are in the house.

#Movember Day 26 – Getting Used To The Scruffy

I have not been the best at keeping the blogging community as updated as I would have liked on my Mo. But that ‘stache is still going strong and I have received several compliments on it. Not bad eh?

So Day 26 is here and I have to let you all know, I am just over half way to my goal of $500. This year it has seemed much harder to raise money. Maybe last year was just a lucky run?

Who knows. Anyways, I am still doing what I can to raise awareness for men’s health and I feel proud to be walking around with the growth.

Here is today’s photo update.

How To Prepare Your Family For Christmas

This is a guest post by James Smith.

Christmas is one of the most popular events in the calendar year. It commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is observed by millions of Christians and non-Christians worldwide. It is a time to celebrate and generally spread good cheer. Although it is a joyful season, it can be quite hectic for the family, and if you do not prepare in advance, the meaning of the season may be lost. Below are some tips on how to prepare your family for Christmas.

Plan for Christmas together

As a family, you can start planning for Christmas as early as January. Decide if you want to go on holiday, visit friends and family locally or just stay at home. If you decide to go on holiday, choose the destination and set the dates. If you decide to stay at home, agree on what the family will do on that day.

Start saving at the beginning of the year

After the family has agreed on what to do on Christmas, come up with an estimated budget. Once you have the budget, encourage the whole family to start saving some cash weekly. The cash can be put in one jar or each member of the family can save in their own jar. When you save together, Christmas becomes something to look forward to.

Well Those Pants Will Need Washing

Today started out like any other morning. I got up at 6:30 am and fed the pets. Then I moved on to the boys, one by one.

First I wake up Harrison because he moves like a teenager and needs a good 10 minutes to get out of bed.

Then I move on to Charlie. I get him dressed, hair brushed and ready for the day.

Back to Harrison and getting him dressed while Charlie plays and tries to get to toys he really should not be touching.

Harrison is dressed and we are on our way down stairs. It takes 10-15 minutes and just like today, it went smooth.

We did not even wake up Katie (I don’t think).

I then did the one thing a parent should never do.

November is Moving Along One Step At A Time

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Wow, it is almost half way through November or Movember as you hairy beasts are calling it.

Where has the time gone? I know where – life.

The days since returning to work have been hectic. As I wrote before, we are working on finding a normal routine and that has been a challenge.

The kids are growing up so fast and in particular, Charlie. He is 13 months old now and just ready to explode in so many ways.

We took him for his first ever haircut on Friday. He looks so grown up now.

He is crawling like a flash and his legs are finding the strength for extended standing.

You know what that leads too, right? Yep, walking.

Our Weekend Got A Great Booster When Needed

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A lot went on over the weekend, but nothing was more exciting than shaking up the back seat of our car. We had a game of musical car seats which included Harrison getting his first booster seat and Charlie upgrading to forward facing.

Needless to say, it was a hit. Both boys loved it. Harrison enjoys being behind the driver and Charlie looked like a mob boss sitting there with his arms on the arm rests. Yes, he was comfortable.

Charlie turned 13 months old today, so it was a fitting moment to do the change. I am pretty excited about not having to wrestle with two car seats when it comes to taking them out and putting them in.

My wife is thrilled that it won’t be a struggle to put both kids in the car on the morning.

Everyone is happy. Perfect.