One Kid’s Trash is Another Kid’s Snack and Lunchbox Wars: the Case of the Exploding Yogurt

One thing that I have learned as a parent of four kids is that just when I think that I have seen every weird behavior, strange personality quirk, or an insurmountably bizarre act coming from my baby/toddler, the next baby/toddler is always able to prove me wrong by raising the bar over his or her predecessors and taking weirdness to the next level.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that Clare (1) has managed to do this, though I should still probably be embarrassed to admit it. So, my sweet, adorable baby girl has an obsession with garbage and garbage cans. No matter where we are – home, neighbor’s house, restaurant, store, DOCTOR’S OFFICE – if there is a garbage can to be found, she will find it.

Washing Machine Wars – Episode II: Active Dad Strikes Back

To quote Bill Murray from Ghostbusters, “We came; we saw; we kicked its [butt].” This is a family-friendly blog, but if you really are interested in the origin of this quote, follow the link below. **Warning: do this without the kids in listening range.**

Alright Washing Machine, this is Getting Real Now

Another year, another dead washing machine. Well, maybe I shouldn’t say dead. Demonic possession or vindictive self-awareness may be more appropriate. For instance, it has decided that locking the lid while running is now optional most of the time. Yet, sometimes it will play mind games with me and lock the lid just before I go to check if it has actually done something and then unlock as soon as I have finished cursing it and the lives of its unborn children made from its recycled parts.

The White Knight, Austin Moon Week, and the Surprise Under the Sink

Last Friday, I tried the seven quick takes for Friday post per the wife’s suggestion. I’ll be honest in that I struggled to come up with topics by quick take #5. So, instead of putting the additional pressure on myself, I will just write. If I cover seven topics, great. If not, that’s fine too.

Embracing Every Opportunity

Like most mornings, I was listening to the radio in the minivan after dropping the kids off at school. The discussion, of course, was around today being the 12-year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Admittedly, I do not have the strongest memory. I am my mother’s son after all (sorry, mom), but I will always remember September 11, 2001 with vivid detail. Sarah and I were recently married (hey, at least I remember that date!). I was driving a delivery van for an off-site records management company (a job I held for several years), and I was getting ready to start my final year earning my undergraduate degree.

Invasion of the Stay-at-home Moms and Six Other Quick Takes

Originally, I was going to take the day off from blogging. You know, so that I could actually do some of those things that I put on my SAHD list that I told you about in a previous post. Then the wife informed me of a Friday blogging trend to discuss seven different topics, link out to other blogs doing the same thing, and then add a link to my post on other blogs. Well, I’m all about easy publicity, plus I have a memorable enough story from today to share.

The Unexpected Impacts of Blogging

It has been extremely surprising and gratifying to be receiving such a positive response to the Active Dad at Home blog. The site has received over 220 views since its inception three days ago. This stat nearly leaves me dumbfounded; I wasn’t sure if I would even break double-digits to be honest. So, thank you all for your support and please leave comments if there is anything you would like me to discuss in future posts!

New Stay-at-home Dad Initiation: Taking the Kids to Target

Venturing Out

Generally, when I decide to do something, I prefer to dive in head-first and really commit to it. The wife had tasked me with doing something about organization in the kids’ bathroom (more on that later). So, what better way to be initiated (broken) into the world of stay-at-home parenting than a 9 AM trip to Target with a one and two year old? Please be advised that this section is not meant to offend anyone (it really isn’t particularly offensive), I’m mostly making fun of myself, and it’s all meant in good fun.

Week 1 in Review

For those of you that have followed me on my personal Facebook page, please bear with me as you have seen some of this before.

Adjusting to a New Management Style

Remember how I told you that my new boss was a micromanager? She apparently felt the need to inspect the bottom rack of the dishwasher to ensure I unloaded it properly. I was told later that she could have broken the door by sitting on it. See, I’m learning already!

Mostly Humble Beginnings

Due to popular demand (i.e. my mother-in-law) and much encouragement from my lovely wife, I have decided to start blogging my adventures (read misadventures) as I embark on my new career. For the better part of the last decade, I have worked in the field of IT consulting as a project manager, resource manager, and training developer. Now I have decided to pursue a new career opportunity, one in which I have had years of training and experience, and offers a remote work policy and excellent benefits package. With that said, I felt it best to start off by introducing you to my new boss.