Jan

31

“My Dad Gives Me Coffee”

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Quinn had art class yesterday, and apparently one of the boys in her class was acting up. The teacher – joking – said, “What’s going on with you today? Did your mom give you coffee for breakfast?” Well, my daughter chimes in, “My dad lets me drink coffee.” Now, this is true…, sort of. At breakfast last week, she asked me what coffee tasted like, so I let her try a tiny sip. That’s the total amount of coffee I’ve ever given her.

Well, she didn’t stop there. She went on to say, “He also gives me beer. And wine.”

Again…, true if you count the two or three sips of beer and wine I’ve let her try. Nothing my dad didn’t also do with me as a child.

Good thing we know the teacher, or I probably would have had DCF at my door. Instead, all I got was a phone call from my wife who phoned to re-tell the story with the art teacher laughing in the background.

Jan

28

Dryer’s Busted!

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Looks like our clothes dryer finally bit the dust. I can’t complain – when we bought the house 10 years ago, the previous owners sold us the washer and dryer, both of which they had bought used. They’ve been faithful to us ever since.

Even though it’s only the dryer that’s broken, I don’t think I should just buy a new dryer – the washer’s sure to quit someome soon too. I’ve never had to shop for a washer/dryer before, but at least I was prepared for how much they cost…, and they cost a lot. You’re gonna spend at least $2000 for a good, engergy-efficient (and that’s very important to me), front-loading set of machines. Did you know that some of today’s washer can use 1/3 less water to do a load? Instead of 40 gallons per load of wash, the ones I’m looking at use about 10! I guess they use about 60% less energy too.

I considered having the dryer repaired, but quickly talked myself out of it. It’s just too old to invest any money in. However, now I’m having crazy thought of using a clothesline to dry my wash (I’m on this huge environmental/conservation kick at the moment). Just last week I looked into purchasing reusable shopping bags, and here I am thinking about installing a clothesline. Am I crazy for even considering this option? Does anyone out there even use a clothesline anymore? CT’s electric rates just went up by 50%; your dryer accounts for 10% of your home’s total energy use. A clothesline will run me about $40, and the sun and the fresh air are free.

Have any of you used, or are any of you currently using a clothesline? Is there some reason – other than the obvious, it’s cold in the winter and may not always make sense to dry clothes outside – I’m not thinking aboout that would prevent me from at least trying it? Bird using my t-shirts for target practice? Clothes falling off the line and getting dirty? Anyone want to weigh in?

Jan

19

I Am Woman?

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We’ve all heard it before…, the inevitable “Mr. Mom” comments people make when they find out you’re a stay-at-home dad. It doesn’t really bother me – I’m actually proud of the role I play for my family. Mr. Mom. Mr. Dad. Call me what you will.

I am, however, a little sad at times that I’m not “one of the guys.” Then again…, I guess I never really have been. I was never one of those guys who was really into televised sports or going to strip clubs (not that these activities make the man) – but you know what I mean. I was a gymnast (not always seen as the manliest of sports); I liked to cook; I do the laundry and clean the house; I have a subscription to Real Simple magazine; I’m raising my children (again, not that these things define a woman, either). I can usually shake the feeling pretty quickly, but sometimes I feel a little lost when it comes to assiging a gender to the role I play. I blame the media.

I got something in the mail the other day that was a sure sign that I should embrace my role as “Mr. Mom.” I’ve been doing this for five years now, obviously I’ve confused the people who make and sell mailing lists.

Does this mean that from now on when I fill out a form I should start checking the “F” box next to gender? ;-)

Jan

12

Funny Class Photo

Filed Under Daddy Fun | 2 Comments

It’s Friday, so I thought I would post something funny that a friend of mine forwarded to me the other day. Check out this class photo. Now check out the kid in the front row – how funny is that?! I can’t wait ’till his parents get their copy of the yearbook. Oh, how proud they’ll be. :-)

Jan

5

Rockin’ Their ABC’s

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As promised…, the future pop sensation…, Grace & Quinn!!!!!! (Do you think we could name the band GQ, or would the folks at the magazine get upset? ;-) ) Quinn’s expressions and body language kill me!

Or for those of you without the Quicktime plugin…, here you go!

Jan

2

Christmas Morning

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Just thought I would share a few photos from Christmas morning. The girls were very excited about the presents Santa brought, which included a vanity for Quinn and a guitar & microphone. I’ll try and post a video clip of them rockin’ out to their “ABC’s” later this week.