It has been raining almost every day for the last two weeks here and while I am grateful for the watering of my yard and garden, my kids and I are beginning to get a little stir crazy. It is hard enough to get everyone ready and out the door without having to worry about timing our trip around the weather. I am ready for some dryer weather and I know my boys are too!
-Kaitlyn
Monthly Archives: July 2011
Rain, Rain, and More Rain
NO KIDS ALLOWED!!!
There is a disturbing tread taking place around our nation that has me a bit concerned. Public places like restaurants, hotels, and even Whole Foods Markets are instituting, “NO KIDS UNDER 6″ policies. Apparently children are the great scourge of our “modern” society. Here is a link you can read to learn a little more about this disgraceful attitude of the American public. Click here.
While I am certainly not looking to ruin someones dining or shopping experience, may I ask, “What are we becoming?” Really? When did we go from seeing children as a blessing to now seeing them as a curse? When did having children become bad? Even soccer superstar David Beckham is being called a “bad influence” because his wife just had their fourth child. Click here for that story.
Is it just me or is there something wrong with this whole thing? Sure, I know kids can yell and scream at the worst possible time? Sure, kids can smell and make dinner be over quicker then you may have wanted it to be. Sure, it’s annoying to have your child breakdown and lose it in public. BUT COME ON PEOPLE!!!! These are our children we are talking about!! What are we teaching them? What are we expressing to them when we as a society exclude them from life?
I must admit that I think there is a sinister plot at changing out attitude toward our children by the media and those in places of power. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want but I am not about to sit by and let my children be discriminated against because they are children. While I can choose to not attend the places that have a “NO KIDS ALLOWED” policy (AND I WILL YOU CAN BE SURE OF THAT!!), one other thing I can do is spread the word about those places that are “KID HATERS.” Let’s hope that those who have become “HATERS” will see the light before they go out of business. Until next time.
Much love,
Shawn
Family Update
We are working on being better at blogging here but as you probably know kids, work, and life can cut into blog time. However, the following are a few updates for our readers. Hope you enjoy!!
*. Kaitlyn and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary this month!! It’s amazing how quickly time goes by!! It seems just like yesterday that we were dating!
* I turned 30 a few days ago!! How could this happen?!?!? I remember when I thought 30 was old!!!!
*. Kaitlyn and I have been asked to review 2 parenting books by Hogan Hilling. We will post pics and reviews here.
* We are taking the boys to Disney this August. I’m kind of scared!! Hours long car ride, hot and humid Florida, large crowds, and a giant mouse.
*. We find out what Baby Number 3 is the first week of August!! I can’t wait!!
I guess that’s all for now!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!! Until next time.
Much love,
Shawn
Do you have a family survival kit?
Living on the Gulf Coast most of my life I have experienced my fair share of natural disasters, well mostly hurricanes but you get my point. Anyway, after living through such hurricanes as Katrina, Rita, and Gustav I have found that having a survival kit is a MUST have tool in the event of natural disasters that limit your families ability to travel, eat, and have clean water. Often when a disaster strikes you are limited to what you can do in getting food and water for hours, days and even weeks. After Hurricane Gustav in 2008 most of Baton Rouge was without power for several weeks and most stores were not open to get the everyday items we so often take for granted. Being that many disasters can happen suddenly (think tornado or earthquake) it is always good to be prepared. That is why I recommend that ALL families have at least one survival kit handy in the event that basic needs are not readily available.
Your basic family survival kit should be able to care for 4 people for at least 72 hours. The kit should include, but not be limited to, the following:
* Foods that require no refrigeration, have a long shelf life, and require little or no water to prepare, such as ready-to-eat canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit and crackers
* Water (At least 1 gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation)
* N95 respiratory masks or comparable make
* Moist towelettes
* Alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer
* Toothpaste and toothbrush
* At least a one-month supply of prescription medications
* First-aid book
* Medication for fever and pain relief
* Batteries
* Waterproof matches
* Crank Radio
Disaster preparedness may not be a fun topic, but it’s a smart way to protect yourself and your family. In a disaster, essential services, such as electricity, telephone and health care, may be disrupted or shut down. Supermarkets, hardware stores and gas stations may run out of supplies. Be prepared by assembling a survival kit to get you through these tough times.
You should have supplies to last everyone in your household — including pets — for at least three days. Store supplies in a cool, dry place in easy-to-carry containers in case there’s a need to evacuate. Check and replace any supplies past their expiration dates. Adapt this supply list to suit your specific needs. For more information on disaster preparedness, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.
You never know when a disaster will strike so it’s always better to be safe then sorry. Be looking for links to some of the survival companies I endorse and support in the Links section in the coming days. Until next time.
Much love,
Shawn
Happy Birthday America!!!
Kaitlyn and I would like to wish everyone a fun and safe 4th of July!!
It’s True
It’s true!! I have pestered Kaitlyn to do a blog for a while now because she has SO much good stuff to share with mom’s out there on so many topics!! I love listening to her share all she has learned and I think that there are tons of people out there that could benefit from what she has learned. She has researched a TON of information on natural childbirth, vaccines, organic eating, strollers, baby gear, cloth diapers, etc. She has forgotten more on being a mom then I will EVER remember on being a dad!!
So, she has reluctantly accepted my challenge to co-blog together on life as parents. While I am not to thrilled about the layout (she changed it on me from the one we agreed on), I can assure our readers that we will do our very best to bring you a glimpse of what life is like for us and hopefully give you a little encouragement in your roll as parents. We will give reviews of books, movies, toys, gadgets, baby things, restaurants that are kids friendly, and a host of other things. So sit back and enjoy a little peek into our world of Diapers, Dishes, and Dates. Until next time.
Much love,
Shawn
