Everybody Wants To Be In The Kitchen At Our House

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This is what happens when the snack cupboard stays closed.

For many, the kitchen is the center of the house. It’s the heart and soul. It is where so many memories, good or bad, happen.

In our house, everybody wants to be in the kitchen.

We are not sure if it is because my wife and I are in there, or that is where the food is, but our two boys can’t stay out. Even barriers can’t slow them down.

All day today, one kid or both would be getting into mischief in the kitchen.

Now that Charlie is walking, this is especially hard to limit where he goes. He tends to do the “just strolling through” walk, as if we are falling for that.

He wants food. He knows where the snack cupboard is and every now and then, he can be found banging on the door like he is at a rally of some kind.

Harry, well he just wants to be where everyone is.

Amazing Before and After Recovery Stories

For anyone who has been through it, or know someone who has, addiction is devastating. It sucks away your health, limits personal potential, rips apart families and all too often claims lives.

What follows are images and stories of 10 remarkable individuals who have struggled with deeply entrenched addiction, and yet still made their way to sobriety.

I was flipping through and was amazed at the transformation.

To many, they are heroes who were able to get the help they needed to see the way out of the fog of active addiction. They have been able to reclaim their lives and relationships in the process. Please consider sharing these inspiring transformations and help other addicts and their families see that recovery is possible.

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.

#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.