Category Archives: Parenting

Hiking and Beer With My Wife: #MySundayPhoto – 06.14.15

Last Monday, June 8th, was my 31st birthday, yay, but my wife and I celebrated the Saturday before. In the past, I’d get excited about celebrating by drinking beer and partying with friends. But now, I find enjoyment in other, more active forms of celebrating.

Today’s picture, as seen in my birthday post, is from my Samsung Galaxy 3 (yes, old school at this point), but the quality come from the memory, not the pixels or megabytes. It’s of my wife, Kelley, and I standing in line at a local brewery under the hot Texas sun after a 5+ mile hike.

B-Day at Martin House

The hike, as we expected, was HOT! I tend to enjoy punishing my body in the heat, so it was a great way to celebrate the day. I’m forever grateful to Kelley, not such a fan of the heat, for joining me on the trek. We rewarded ourselves with refreshing craft beers from an awesome brewery (hence the line) called Martin House. It’s the same place we went for both of our 30 year birthdays.

This last trip had me feeling a little woozy, as expected, but I really didn’t enjoy that feeling. Maybe it’s an age thing, but I much prefer having a coffee and getting a “buzz” from caffeine instead of alcohol. If it’s after a hike, make that an iced black coffee. So next year, be on the lookout for a hot a sweaty 32 year old gulping down massive amounts of iced coffee….it’s probably me! 🙂

What’s your favorite way to celebrate turning another year older?

OneDad3Girls

Swimming With The Cutest Little Fly Catcher

I don’t know about where you live, but the heat wasted no time making its way to Texas. Good thing Avery loves swimming, as I have a feeling we’ll be making use of the pool in our neighborhood quite often. Notice the pics of her in the pool, and then the one back in the stroller.

Where does she look the most comfortable? Hint: NOT the stroller!

We’ve already made several trips to the pool and summer hasn’t even officially started yet. I have a feeling we’re in for a long, hot summer. Oh wait, that’s how it is every year. Meh, I complain too much about the cold, so bring on the heat! But, please, not too much because A/C = $$$$$$$$$$$ if you know what I mean.

Trying to get a good picture of Avery in the pool is like, well, trying to get a good picture of her anywhere; she hardly looks at the camera! But, Going Mom and I made sure to flash our squinty smiles for a family selfie in the pool the other day.

Our Family at the Pool

Avery was apparently lost in deep thought. Probably trying to figure out why the other kids weren’t in a cool inflatable thing with a canopy.

Avery Looking Away in Pool

This is how she looks about 80% of the time while we’re at the pool. We tell her she can get out once she learns to swim. I have, actually, taken her out and started getting her to kick her legs as I skim her across the water. She doesn’t kick long until I’m just dragging her around and doing all of the work, but hopefully she’ll get a grip and swim like a pro in no time.

Speaking of “grip”, she definitely keeps a firm hold on my hands when I try to throw her in the air. Really makes it difficult to get a good launch, so I tried giving more force in the pool and, viola!, she let go and flew a little higher than expected.

Oops. Didn’t seem to bother her though.

What has been bothering all of us are flies in the house! Between letting the dog in and out and constantly opening the door to get something while working out in the garage, we have quite the collection of flies. Seeing as to how I stay home most of the day, the little pests are driving me mad and have me swatting like a cat throughout the day. At least Avery gets a kick out of watching her dad swat the air like a lunatic, and she’s even caught on to helping me out.

Don’t worry, that really was just fuzz she handed me, but we got a real live…errrr, now dead, fly right after.

It looks like she’s saying I’m her hero, right? Hey, let me pretend!

She’s been helping me spot flies at the dinner table too, and I’m keeping her new skills sharp even at the pool.

Yeah, Instagram video overload, I know. But it’s hard to resist this cute little fly catcher. She has yet to “catch” her very own fly, but the day is fast approaching, I’m sure of it. I’m also sure there will be more family pool time this weekend, so look out for Instagram overflow! Ha, get it? Pool….overflow….water….eh?

Quick update before I’m out. My staph checkup was moved from last Tuesday to this upcoming Tuesday, so I still haven’t heard the word from my butt doc yet. All I know is I’m feeling almost 100% and hopefully I can put it all behind me. I’m leaving on that note, have a wonderful weekend!

One last thing, please, if you can, help needy families by donating to the #MilkDrive campaign I’m a part of. It would mean so much to families missing out on important nutrients that they usually depend on for their kids while in school.

Just click here and you will go right to the donation page.

Bathroom Puns and No More Bottles!

Nothing like a few Friday bathroom puns to pass the time until you officially start the weekend, right?  Obviously, I could do more than just bathroom puns, but then I’d never get crap done. Ba-Zinga!!!

Wow, we’re off to a great start already! I’ll be sure to keep things moving to avoid a clogged brain. Butt first, I want to share what makes me so happy to say “goodbye”. We are done with bottles!

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As you can see, Avery was a little hesitant about putting them up, but I told her she has new sippy cups to use since she’s older. She asked to use a bottle just one more time, or maybe she was flipping me the bird…..

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Whatever she was saying or telling me, the bottles are gone now and I’m happy to put them behind me. Her last use of the bottle is documented on yesterdays Milk Life #MilkDrive campaign post. Which, by the way, would be totally cool of you to help our Southern team of dads out and donate for the great cause. I mean, I am giving you bathroom puns here. 🙂

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Yeah, please help families in need. Oh, and tell me where the bottles are hidden.

It seems like she should’ve been done with bottles already, but I think this is quite normal, especially for breastfed babies. Which, by the way, my awesome wife is still nursing like the rock star that she is! Now, about those diapers……

Ahhh, diapers, perfect segueway to bathroom puns; enjoy!

  • All of the toilets were stolen in the police station. Detectives have nothing to go on.
  • A man was having issues peeing and asked his doctor what it meant. “Urine trouble.” the doctor said.
  • Constipation is a pain in the ass.
  • My whole family has problems with diarrhea, it runs in our jeans.
  • Urinals are pretty tough, they take no crap!
  • You can never hear a pterodactyl urinate because its P is silent.
  • A house without a toilet? Seems uncanny.
  • Everyone had fun at the park, but after dropping my watch in the toilet, I had a crappy time.
  • The toilet was backed up from feeling crappy, but when I said it had beautiful porcelain skin , it was flushed.
  • Life as toilet paper has it’s ups and downs. You’re either on a roll or taking crap from some asshole.

True, some of these are corny, but I think a lot of us will agree that the cornier the better. Right? Anyone?

Well, I hope you don’t feel like this was a waste of your time. Enjoy your day and have a great weekend!

When did you get rid of the bottles for your kid or are you still using bottles?

Do you think it’s easier with or without the nippled containers?