Toy Ratings

'Tis the season for lists, awards, and ratings of new toys. The Seattle Times warns parents to be wary.

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving! Safe driving, eating, playing, football watching....

Cover Your Mouth

Not much blogging going on around here...

Why do I catch every little germ the kids bring home? They get the sniffles and a cough, but I feel like pneumonia is about to pounce on me.

I'm sure there's some good family news out there. I'll get back in the swing of things in a few days.

Stay well.

Divorce

"Divorce is where two adults take everything that matters to a child - the child's home, family, security, and sense of being loved and protected - and they smash it all up, leave it in ruins on the floor, then walk out and leave the child to clean up the mess."
- Michael Reagan

Conversation Killer

Instant conversation killer:

Ask a parent to share his or her parenting skills with you.

If it's the dad, he'll basically act clueless. And it's probably not an act.

If it's the mom, she'll get secretive. Like she's going to patent her brand of parenting, or she's afraid you'll call Child Welfare to come investigate her.

The TV Room

This is truly frightening... In a 2003 Roper Youth Report, it was revealed that 60% of girls and 65% of boys ages 8 to 12 have televisions in their rooms. How depressing that so many parents are allowing their young children to have easy access to programs and commercials that they are not ready to understand. The TV is not a babysitter. It's a tool that needs to be controlled by an adult.

The Incredibles

I'm happy to see the new movie The Incredibles getting such rave reviews.

We need good family films, and it sounds like Pixar has delivered a fun story for kids of all ages.

"You're A Window Rattler, Ringo"

My wife has long told me that I snore in my sleep. But she's a light sleeper and, quite honestly, I just didn't believe that my snoring could be that bad.

Late last night my 6-year-old son, who is 30 feet and two closed doors away, gets up from his bed and walks into my room, shakes me awake, and says, "Daddy, your snores are too loud."

Okay, okay... Now I get it. Time to look for a remedy!

State-Themed Crayons

Crayola has released a new limited edition box of crayons, with each state represented by its own unique color. The Northwest states are: Tater Tan (Idaho), Big Sky Blue (Montana), Oregon Trail Sepia (Oregon), Kodiak Bear Brown (Alaska), and Space Needle White (Washington).