Since it’s fairly warm now, we have a beach day planned for tomorrow. Grandpa lives down by the coast and loves to take the kids to the beach. I, of course, appreciate this and enjoy a couple of “free” beach hours. These kid-free hours are usually spent at a sushi bar or a locally owned and operated burger joint. And, it’s extra easy to enjoy the free time, because I know the kids are happy splashing in the water or flying kites with their grandpa.
I try to get the kids out of the house everyday. For the most part, there’s always errands or something small to do locally. When it gets really hot (hot for San Diego), like 90+ with no breeze, we do something coastal or inside. Sometimes, even the coast can be muggy and nasty (a couple times a year or so), and we find ourselves inside, going stir-crazy. Thank Goodness that doesn’t happen often, and that there are several places to visit around here that are perfect for the kids.
There’s hope of an extra-long nap tomorrow, we’ve got an impromptu volleyball practice at the gym “on the way” to the beach. Kids will come with me and run around the gym for a couple of hours. Add the sun, surf, and sand, and I could have a nice quiet afternoon. Not to jinx anything though.
Silk screening is my cool new hobby
June 20th, 2006Wow! Really appreciating and developing a new hobby can be invigorating! I am just getting into silk screening and all of the individual processes it takes to get a design from your head onto a shirt. Well, shirts for now; really little shirts and beanies (for babies). I know that it’s a “small” target audience, but it’s a start. It’s cool too. After all that trial and error and dramatic loss of inventory, it’s pretty cool to see your design on a shirt; especially the first time.
My mind is now racing about what I want to print next, what I should print next, and what I eventually will print next. I definitely need to learn more about how to turn a design done on paper into the appropriate printable “layers” on the computer. Right now, I see this as the obvious roadblock to really printing want I want. If I can’t get the design or graphic from my head onto the screen, what’s the point? Any advice in any aspect of this process is welcomed.
Who says “no” to a night out?
June 17th, 2006Oh man. Today is frustrating. I have a tournament in LA today (2 hrs away), which I normally love going to; but today is a little different. For some reason we start play at 2PM instead of 8 AM. I didn’t have to wake up at dawn, but I would have preferred to get up and out..
Why would waking-up at 5 am be better than waking at a normal time? Because tonight we had a babysitter who was willing to take the kids, even overnight. Now, instead of coming home around 5 or 6pm, I will not even be done until about 8pm; won’t get home until 9 or 10pm. And I know after a day like this, I will not be able to rally at that time of night. It’s just bad timing.
These weekend nights out rarely happen for my wife and I, but neither do these late start times. Normal tournament play and we’d make it out tonight. I am looking forward to watching my team play, though. We had a rough tourney last weekend, so I know they all are looking to redeem themselves. Me too.
SAHD Turned Handyman
June 14th, 2006There are at least three things around the house that require a Home Depot visit or home repair. The most annoying thing right now is the master bathroom. The shower seems to be leaking from UNDER the shower base. Also, the shower was leaking from the wall mount, along the shower head pipe (the pipe that comes out of the wall). It’s not leaking anymore, but where did the water go? The bottom of the wall near the shower is brittle. I know that something needs to be done immediately.
I would really LIKE to remove all of the “popcorn” from the ceilings; and paint the walls and put hardwood floors in most rooms and the halls, new carpet in the others. Give this place a new look. Any other changes are optional, but I would like to build a new retaining wall and a “dog-specific” side yard. By this I mean widening the side yard and adding a “potty-specific” area for the dogs, keep our grass cleaner for the kids. The whole fence needs some re-adjustments.
The retaining wall could run across the whole side of the house, and allow for a cool bbq cabana area, where the chef and bar-area guests can get a full San Diego east county view. Well now we’re way past three reasons to go to Home Depot. I think we’re off to get home repair supplies tomorrow. Oh boy, the kids won’t be able to contain their excitement. But I’M lookin’ forward to it…
My 3-Year-Old on the Dad-at-Home Life
June 13th, 2006There was one time not too long ago where my daughter verbalized that she was aware of my stay-at-home-dadness.
We were all out running errands, right before my daughter’s preschool, when she asked my wife if she was going with her to school that day. When my wife said yes, my daughter said something like, “So I’ll be like all the other kids with their mommies at school”. So she definitely notices it’s dad at home; like she notices most other things. I really don’t think it bothers her at all, but I will be more aware of this possibility and report back later.
This Stay-at-Home-Dad Needs a Vacation
June 11th, 2006Oh Man! Am I in need of a vacation. And by “I”, I mean to say “my wife and I”. We are constantly fantasizing about a weekend escape to Vegas or Catalina. When we really get into it, about 2 seconds after the subject starts, we feel strongly that we should be going to Prague, or Venice, or anywhere in the south of Spain. Yes, a vacay would be great. Just the two of us would be unreal. Our own schedule, our own plan. It’s been awhile since we’ve had that kind of freedom; at least not for more than an over-nighter. Vegas is sounding like just the place.
But a family cruise in the Mediterranean would be just as great; just to get out and about, away from the daily grind. The kids could use a decompression too. Maybe a Disney cruise. Actually, Catailina could be fun for the kids too. Horses, golf carts, hiking, beaches, subs, and motorboats. SNAP! Back to reality. I wish it was as simple as that. Soon though, we’ll get out somewhere. We have to …
My Volleyball Coaching is Good for Us All
June 9th, 2006One of the best things I’ve done with my kids in the past couple of days, - even better than visiting our zebra and giraffe friends at the zoo (we just can’t get enough of the zebras and giraffes) - , was having the kids with me at a volleyball practice. I got a court near the far left corner, near a cubby in the wall. I set up a fort for them, complete with carpeted climbing boxes and blue mat floors. Mom dropped them off, each clutching a bag of green grapes in one hand and a bag of gummi bears in the other. A fine witches brew (Good witch, all good) as it kept them chilling in the fort for about thirty minutes.
After the sugars started kicking in, they became my ball shaggers. Well, my three year old did. She did a great job collecting all of the balls she could, while remembering not to step on the volleyball court. She even helped me yell. What a stickler she can be! For the most part, my one year old was doing everything he could to be like the guys on the court.
Both kids are pretty familiar with the volleyball club now, and really enjoy being there. There are always other kids there (usually the student-athletes) who shower them with attention, as do the mothers and any passing club staff. I really think that the experiences they get from going to my practices are what has helped them both to be not only personable, but also willing to “chill out” and just observe the people and the practice.
They truly are my helpers, in every way.
Haven’t Dared the Theatre, but Dig the Drive-In
June 9th, 2006I haven’t braved a go-in-and-sit-down theater yet, but we have all gone to the drive-in. It’s actually really cool. The pre-movie parking lot atmosphere is very similar to “tailgating”, minus the beer (though I’m sure it’s out there somewhere) and flaming bbqs. Otherwise, everyone finds a spot to park, breaks out the lawn chairs, and grabs a game of football or soccer.
When the movie starts, you can roll up the windows, tune in the radio, sit back, and relax from the comfort of your own bucket seats. Well, somewhat relax. The kids, who like to watch-and-run, watch a minute or two of the movie, (especially when horses neigh or loud music starts), and then run around the back of the car.
Actually, we haven’t had a bad experience at the drive-in yet. It was a good activity to do when the kids were newborn and still little babies, a way for us get out to the movies. Now, the kids pretty much pay attention to the movie, but there IS the occasional restlessness. If toys and such don’t entertain, then we walk to the concession store or around the lot. Our local drive-in always plays the new movies, without the lines. Short story long, we really like the drive-inn.
There is a good chance that “Cars” will be playing tomorrow, so that could make for a cool Friday night with the fam.
Sign Language Helps us Introduce Other Languages
June 6th, 2006This post is a follow-up to my previous post on baby sign language. I want to touch on how using sign language with our children has opened doors to learning other languages. As the sign stays the same, the verbal words can change. “Te amo” and “I love you” can be used inter-changeably, while the sign stays the same. In this way, a new language is introduced to your children. Love it. Love signing. My 20 month old knows several words right now, some of which are Spanish, can even say three to four word sentences (in English). Which brings up another point. My 3 1/2 yr old, who loves teaching her brother new signs and Spanish words, now understands that there are different languages, and that what we usually speak is English (not called “normal” or “regular”) and that we like to learn Spanish and sign language.
I think the important thing is simply the introduction of a second language; just as you might only learn a few ASL words, learning a few Spanish words is do-able. Even if a child is only introduced to the sounds of different languages, at a young age, without pressure of learning the language, it will still be beneficial; it will be much easier for them to pick up a second language later in life (”later in life” being grade-school, it just gets harder and harder after that). Here’s a good article on the window of opportunity, your child’s prime years for learning a second language, but it really just says “the earlier the better.” Using sign language helps you introduce multiple forms of communication, which can only increase your child’s confidence, provide brain activity, and is bound to be something you both can learn together, from word one.
First Sign Language Words to Teach your Baby
June 5th, 2006I have found that “more” and “milk” are great ASL words to teach your baby. “Food” and “drink” are good too. “Mommy” and “Daddy” are fun, and pretty easy. “Please” is polite, and heart-warming (listening to the “Pweeze” while rubbing the heart), sets a good foundation for good manners.
I think that practicing signing before your child is born is the best approach. Having some knowledge going into it really helps in confidence when communicating with your kid. It shows it as more natural, simple. I don’t see why starting from day ONE would be frowned upon. Being consistent, both in the sign and in repitition, is the key. Focus on a few keywords, like the ones mentioned above, and stick to those until your baby has begun signing. Don’t expect your baby’s signs to match yours, it might even take you a few times to recognize that your baby is actually signing.
