Day 50: Who Wants To Go Camping?

pl-daily
The PL stands for Parental Leave, which I am currently doing for six months.

Today was one of the more fun days I have had with the boys in some time. It was raining all day, so that meant I had to get creative. I did not want Harry just watching TV shows and getting annoyed that he could not go out and ride his bike. The idea came to me this morning. We were going camping.

Harry does not go to preschool on Wednesday and it turns out that tends to be the day they do fun stuff. Today it was going to be PJ and movie day. He was bummed. So I had to make a day just as fun for him here.

My parents bought him a 2-man tent last year and we had yet to use it. I have been waiting for a string on nice days to put it in the yard. Well, I could not wait anymore. We set it up in the living room and went camping for the day.

Pretty cool for Day 50 on the PL. Wow 50 days already? Do I get a gold watch?

Day 49: Bath Time Is Fun Time

pl-daily
The PL stands for Parental Leave, which I am currently doing for six months.

It is a rainy Wednesday morning over here, one boy is napping and one is watching a show. The perfect time to catch up on yesterday. I was pretty drained last night for some reason and the thought of sitting at the computer was painful. So what did I do? I sat at the computer last night and instead of blogging, I participated in a Twitter chat with other dads. I had never done that and it was pretty interesting. It certainly was a great way to interact and add to my followers list. Anyways, then I went downstairs and watched the Spurs put a 36-point beat down on the LeBron James and the Heat. Great way to end the day.

The weather was dull and Charlie was pretty content to hang around the house for the day. Not an exciting day on the PL, but it was fun.

Dad Rant: Forget Father’s Day, Appreciate Dad Every Day


This is not me. I would never try to type on a hardwood floor with my kids.

It is a few days before Father’s Day. The day where marketing companies, giant brands and your RSS feed tells you that you better be doing something for your dad or else.

Growing up Father’s Day to me was a day to let dad take it easy, do whatever he wanted and to just kick back and forget the daily grind.  But I also remember my dad wanting to have a pretty normal family day instead. Sunday’s were kind of like that all year round. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were never made to be this big thing for me. Maybe that is why I grew up thinking the way I do.

Why does dad (or mom) only get to be spoiled and celebrated one day a year? That kind of day can happen all year long. Not just on a day that we are told to do it.

Our Egg‑a‑Versary and Best Tips for Big Green Egg Owners

Outside of my kids and my wife, the Big Green Egg is one of my most favourite things.

It was just over a year ago when that beautiful green piece of art was dropped on my deck. The joy and great food it has provided us cannot even be measured. The price was steep but in a short time, the Big Green Egg has already paid for itself (in my opinion).

If you’re new to the Big Green Egg world, start with our comprehensive Big Green Egg Guide where we break down setup, tips, recipes, and everything that makes the Egg one of the best grills out there.

Our Big Green Egg Journey

I am a lucky guy. My wife bought it for me last year after I toilet trained our son. Yep, you heard me. She bought me the best BBQ/smoker you can buy to show her appreciation. So not only do I have the best wife going, I also have the best BBQ.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Big Green Egg, it is an all-in-one cooking machine. It is a smoker, a grill, an oven, and a piece of art. Regardless of whether there is smoke funneling out of it, people stop and stare at it on my deck. I should mention there is a walking trail behind our house.

The smell of meat and wood chips radiates for what seems like miles. Neighbours certainly know when I am cooking a feast.

Day 48: Riding The Magic School Bus

pl-daily
The PL stands for Parental Leave, which I am currently doing for six months.

Monday, Monday, why did you come so darn fast. The weekend was a blitz. Today felt long and I even had moments of feeling like I was losing it. My patience was running thin and thankfully I made it until Katie got home. It was a tiring day on the PL. Charlie had me up before 6 am and then there was little chance to recover as both boys were not that into napping. At least the Magic School Bus kept things calm for a bit. The weather was sunny for the most part and that made for a lot of outside time. It must have worked because once the boys were put to bed, they were not heard from again.

A new week on the PL, here is Day 48

Dad-I-Cated Bloggers: Oren Miller Of A Blogger And A Father

The dad blog community is a very passionate, strong and fun-filled group. Every Monday, I want to introduce you to one of them and give back to a gang that I am proud to be a part of.

This week: Oren Miller of A Blogger And A Father.

A little about the Blogger Father right from the blog

I started writing here a little after my wife and I had our first kid in 2007. I was still blogging mostly elsewhere about everything and anything and nothing much, but gradually this blog became my main (then the only) one, since I was a stay-at-home dad, living breathing dreaming fatherhood 24/7.

I first encountered Oren, when I started my dad blog. I was looking for a community of dad bloggers like I used to have with my sports blog, Cuzoogle. Networking with your own niche is quite important for sharing ideas, helping each other out with tips or promotion and of course reading what everyone as to say.

I don’t even remember how I found it, but I stumbled upon this dad community on Facebook called “Dad Bloggers Group.” Catchy right?

There were a few hundred when I joined and now it is closing in on 400 dad bloggers.

Oren from what I can tell is a very opinionated and passionate dad. He is always offering advice, thoughts, wise cracks and more in the group. From this it got me to reading his blog. I enjoy his style of writing and his style of parenting.

What Dad Phrases Do You Catch Yourself Saying?

We always make fun of the phrases our parents say while we are growing up. You know the ones – I had to walk 10 miles to school in the snow and up hill both ways etc.

As a kid and teenager, you could not imagine using those same phrases and sayings any time in your life.

Then you become a parent and just as if it were nature working its magic, you start to say them to your kids.

I did some extensive research (Google) to find some of the best phrases and sayings that dads use every day.

Take a look. What ones do you say that you would have laughed at your dad for saying?