Dad-alytics

Like most children, our girls have been busy compiling their Christmas Wish Lists.  I transferred their Wish Lists to Amazon on Sunday evening.  You can even share lists with friends and family around the world if they would like to buy gifts for your children.  Evie and I started shopping via Amazon on Sunday night! ALWAYS compare prices online.  I typically compare Amazon, Walmart, and Target.  On Monday morning, we went to Target to get the items we could not find on Amazon.  It was nice to shop in person as the store was decorated for the holidays and the Christmas music was playing in the background.  I made sure to stop at Starbucks for my Love (we grabbed a taco for me too)! We were searching for a particular doll (the Target website stated they had some in stock...ALWAYS carry your iPhone), so Ryan (Target store associate) was kind enough to check in the back.  He found it and I told him he was our hero!  We found gifts for our fa...

LEGO has been around since 1932 and was founded by Ole Kirk Kristiansen.  I was given LEGOs in the mid-1980s and was hooked!  I enjoyed following the plans and building the various models.  It was even better when I constructed whatever was in my imagination. Several years ago I visited my parent's house and collected some of my childhood belongings.  I retrieved a blue Lego briefcase (1985) and inside was a skyscraper I had built as a child (broken in half so it could fit inside). Skyscraper and LEGO Briefcase LEGO - 1985 - Denmark My daughters have all kinds of LEGO sets and it has been exciting to see them progress from larger blocks to sets that contain thousands of pieces!  I appreciate the patience and step-by-step sequence that building a set provides for my girls. This past weekend, I learned that LEGO Master Builder Chris Steininger would be attending the Grand Opening for our LEGO store in McAllen, TX at La Plaza Mall.  Chris was s...

In about two weeks, our girls are headed back to school.  There are numerous things parents can do to ease the transition into the school schedule.  Taking action now can reduce stress on the entire family when school begins.  Students in our district are required to wear uniforms, so we made sure to shop for those items early.  We felt like we received a better deal on the uniforms this year and even received a credit back to help purchase new shoes!  We are also preparing for their return by having them go to sleep earlier.  We do not want our daughters to have trouble waking up in the morning.  During the school year, they use an alarm clock to wake up in the morning. This year we shopped for school supplies during Tax Free Weekend.  We stick to the list, but we let them pick out a few things that were special.  We felt like this would help them be more excited about return ing to school. Chosen Notebooks I asked family and fri...

Talking about money was not a popular topic of conversation in my family when I was growing up.  Some of the conversations I overheard regarding finances were negative.  My parents had a high school graduation dinner for me at Antonio's in Harlingen, Texas and thankfully I received some checks from family and friends.  I was 18 years old and my mother took me to First National Bank (now PlainsCapital Bank) to open my first checking account so I could cash those checks.  Like many of you, my past experiences shaped how I handle money today with my family. I have always taken my daughters with me wherever I go.  I have even taken them on some important errands to PlainsCapital Bank.  I feel like it is important for them to listen to me interact with bankers.  My daughters, like most children, are very perceptive.  There have been times when we return to the car and they ask questions or share comments that let me know they were listening! Girl...

Slime is still popular and it's even better when your children can make a mess somewhere else!  Chick-Fil-A (27th and Nolana in McAllen, TX) reached out to RGV DADS for their "It's Slime Time" event on July 17. I started RGV DADS on July 1 and have been working to partner with various organizations for kid-friendly events.  RGV DADS mission statement is  Creating opportunities for fathers in the Rio Grande Valley to network through meetups, blogs, and sharing information about fatherhood . It was over 100 degrees on July 17 and families were in a line that wrapped around the Chick-Fil-A restaurant!  The Chick-Fil-A mascot was in attendance to interact with the children and was available for photos. Chick-Fil-A Mascot My daughters and their friend were able to create slime by visiting a few stations to acquire the necessary ingredients.  The Chick-Fil-A employees are known for their customer service and hospitality, and they did not disappoint! ...

I have been wearing Cargo Shorts for quite some time, but I never knew their true value until Evie and I had children.  No matter what age your children are, there is always something that needs to be at your fingertips.  In the past, my cargo pockets have stored snacks (Goldfish was always popular), sippy cups, and cream (sunscreen, anti-itch cream, etc.).  As my children grew older, it was interesting to watch them approach their respective pocket to gain access to the item they needed.  Afterwards, they would return the item if needed.  Recently, my older daughter placed her 16.9 fl.oz. plastic bottle of Ozarka water in my pocket before we left the house without even asking me.  It's just a given nowadays for my girls! Dads all over the country are wearing Cargo Shorts.  I follow NYC Dads Group and I have seen Lance Somerfeld and others wearing them.  Check out their website:   NYC Dads Group . There are many brands of Cargo Short...

In the mid-1980's, Black Cats (fireworks) were placed in my hands and an explosive history was ignited!  I spent New Year's Eve and Fourth of July holidays with my cousins popping fireworks in Harlingen and Primera, Texas.  We would drive on caliche roads to the nearest fireworks stands and fill those brown paper bags with smoke balls, tanks, bottle rockets, satellites, M-80s, and more. Fatherhood provides an opportunity to relive some of my childhood experiences.  I explained to my wife how much fun I had growing up with fireworks.  We agreed to let our daughters try it out for themselves to see if they liked it.  Our girls were timid at first, but with the proper safety and supervision they now look forward to fireworks twice per year. Shopping for fireworks has changed!  We now drive on paved roads to a nearby fireworks air conditioned WAREHOUSE and purchase by credit card.  Some of the girls favorite fireworks include:  tanks, smoke balls,...