Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

My four-year-old daughter woke up the other day, came into our bedroom, and announced...


"Daddy, I had a dream about the big, bad wolf."

"Oh really?", I said, "what about the big, bad wolf?"

"Well," she replied, "the big, bad wolf was in my room...and I was a little bit scared...then the big, bad wolf turned into YOU, Daddy!"

Just when I think I have heard everything. My wife and I are currently having a debate. She is laughing because she takes it to mean that our daughter thinks that I'm scary when I'm angry.

I, on the other hand, think that she was scared so she drummed an image of safety and security to protect her from the mean, angry wolf.

Or maybe it's just because I look like a Wookie without a shirt on. :-)

P.S. - I had a Top Ten Daddy moment at the grocery store this week. My four-year-old wanted to come with me so I brought her along. As I was pushing her down the cereal aisle in her cart, she looked me right in the eye and said, "Daddy, you're my hero." That one will stick with me for quite a while.

Free Will? Not So Much

My 4-year-old daughter asked me to play with her in her pretend kitchen yesterday. This kid is creative AND persistent. She will do whatever it takes to get the results she wants.

She asked me if I wanted a drink from her pretend kitchen. This is my cue that she wants to get me a drink from the pretend water dispenser on the front of her pretend refrigerator.

I thought I would have a little fun with her...

"I think I would like some milk," I said.

She opened the fridge, picked up the 'milk carton', 'opened it', and sniffed it.

"Ooh, Daddy, I think the milk is bad," she said.

"OK, then how about some orange juice?", I said.

"Hmm," she replied, "we seem to be all out of orange juice, Daddy, but I will get you some at the store tomorrow."

I stifled a chuckle as I'm sure I have said this to her many times over the course of the last few months.

"OK, I will just have some water," I said.

"From the sink or from the 'fridge?", she asked.

Still trying to get a rise out of her, I replied...

"Hmm, how about just from the sink?"

She went over and pretended to turn the handles.

"Gee, Daddy, the sink is broken...it's not working. How about some nice cold water from the fridge?"

Boy, she's good.

"OK," I finally said, "I'll take some water from the refrigerator."

"There. Now see, Daddy? Isn't that better?"

It's a good thing I was never that stubborn. ;-)

To Shave or Not to Shave?

Well, I shaved my Christmas goatee yesterday. I let it grow for about two weeks every year right around the holidays.

It actually looked pretty cool...I felt like "evil Kirk" from that old Star Trek episode with the parallel universe.

Still, every time I kissed my little girls they would say, "too scratchy!".

So I shaved it.

My four-year-old must have gotten used to the look of it, though, because she came into the bathroom after I had shaved, looked at me, and said,

"Gee, Daddy, your head sure looks funny!"

Boy, how's that for a nice send-off to start the work week?? :-)

My First Time

Stop that. Get your mind our of the gutter. I'm talking about my first "Meme". This will be my first attempt at one so please, be kind...rewind (sorry, wrong slogan).

It seems, my friend kidzmama over at Not a Spare Moment has tagged me for a Meme. I think I will dedicate this post to seeing how many times I can say the word, "Meme", because, well, it's just a fun word to say. If I say it 10 times fast, I sound like I'm warming up to sing.

So, if you're like I was and have no idea what a Meme is, then got over to Wikipedia and read the definition of the word "Meme".

Without further ado, this Meme is supposed to revolve around Seven Things About Me You Don't Already Know.

1) As you may know, before I became a dad, I used to sing in a rock band. I actually sing, play the piano, and play the guitar.

What you may NOT know is that one of our songs was actually played on MTV. Once. Yep, once. Hey, that's better than most so I'm happy.

Yep, that's me, second from the left...AKA "the short one".



2) Let's see, I lived in Spain for a month while studying Spanish in college. THAT was an interesting experience. Everyone should study abroad once in their lives.

3) I hate seafood. Can't stand crabs. Most people are amazed at this given that I live on the East Coast. I am easy to find at crab feasts...I'm the guy eating the burger.

4) I sing at church. Yep, I'm a choirboy. Of course, my church "choir" has drums, electric guitars, keyboard, and a bass player. >:-)

5) Boxers or briefs? BOTH...boxer briefs! It's the only way to go. Whoever invented these should win a Nobel Peace Prize.

6) I HAVE a 'red-headed step-child' so don't use that wonderful, slangy expression around me (if you don't know what I'm talking about...great).

7) My wife and I are each on our second marriage. Why? Well, the first time was just practice...and obviously practice makes perfect! SuperMom is a wonderful partner and my best friend.

So there you have it. Seven things you probably didn't know about me. I know, I know...you laughed, you cried...it was better than "Cats".

I am now supposed to 'tag' seven people. I, therefore, choose...

The Sports Mama

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

Flea over at Flea's World

Amy over at Memories and Musings of a Mommy

Rachel over at From the Land of Monkeys and Princesses

The Burgh Baby

AND,

Lisa over at Crazy Adventures in Parenting


Please link back to this blog, post your meme in YOUR blog, then tag seven more people...and hey, if you know any other good DADDY blogger let me know...I just don't know of any.

Thanks!

I Threw up the Sash

'Twas the Night Before Christmas and all through my tummy,
something wasn't quite right, something felt quite funny.

Could it have been the meatballs, the potatoes, the stew?
Or maybe the turkey all covered with goo?

No, this was quite different, a terrible pain.
My efforts to fight it so far were in vain.

My sister-in-law from Alaska had been sick.
She passed it on to my in-laws and passed it on quick!

From there, it went on to my three-year-old girl.
Last week, she woke up at 2am and started to hurl.

"That must be the culprit", I said to myself.
I began looking for Tums on the medicine shelf.

I still wasn't quite right, though, and then came the chills.
Followed by a fever and the search for more pills.

Oh no! No more Tylenol! Now what will I do?
Ah, SuperMom ran to the store and got me some Ginger Ale too.

OK, the presents are out and I can head off to bed.
But this unsettling feeling lingers inside of my head.

Could this be the very sum of my fears?
You see, SuperDad hasn't thrown up in over ten years.

Well, finally I'm able to nod off to sleep.
Only to waken in big trouble...but deep!

It's midnight and off to the bathroom I rush!
I can feel my insides quickly turning to mush!

I hope I can make it. I think I might faint.
I feel like I've inhaled three days worth of paint.

I made it to the bathroom in ten seconds flat!
Now which end goes on the toilet? Thank goodness there's a mat!

Oh no, here it comes, just like my college years.
After partying with frat brothers and chugging six beers.

The noise is quite awful, I have to confess.
Like being punched in the stomach and stomped on the chest.

I'm sure I was making an unusual clatter.
Then, SuperMom came in to see what was the matter.

"Can I come in and help you?", she asked, springing from bed.
"Trust me," I said, "you don't want THIS image stuck in your head."

At last, the worst was over. I actually felt pretty good.
After all that commotion, I suppose that I should.

SuperMom passed me my toothbrush and then the Listerine...
followed by the all-purpose cleaner for the latrine.

Finally, I slipped back into bed, and into my trunks.
2007: The year Santa blew chunks.