na na na na na na na, na naaaaa – some times parenthood just happens, sometimes its searched for, sometimes it needs a little assistance, sometimes its planned… Yup planned thats what I’m working on now, I have the most amazing son who brings a smile to my face daily. Its become time to give him a little friend – <internal monolog: SWEET!> but my wife will cut me if this one isnt a girl. I’ve been a bit wishy-washy on this factor because boy or girl it doesnt matter but does it? how many experiences would I miss out on by not having a girl – what happens? If I do get a lil girl then what atleast I’ve done it once with a boy – I tend to know what the bit and pieces do and how to take care of him… It wasnt much of a conversation to stick with only having one child – but that thought crosses my mind all the time. What if we had just one child? would my son be missing out – would we?
So here I am up late at night reading Dr. Shettles’s book… searching google for old wives tales… looking at star maps and astrology guides… calendars from different cultures all in the hopes of working on sex selection – for that… (yah not going against my wife here) baby girl. Got a tip let me know – we’re all ears…
You’re reading this because you’re most likely a parent… now being a parent I can say I wait till the last second to do anything and everything… mainly because I’m too busy doing other things to really make time for things but I think we can all agree that eye exams are the most important back-to-school supply. Simply because 1 in 4 kids have a vision problem that can affect academic learning, which is 80% visual.
Making annual eye exams part of your annual back-to-school check list helps set your child up for success. Simple vision screenings are not enough to take care of your child’s eyesight. A study by the National Eye Institute found that vision screenings missed between 32-63% of vision problems identified by eye examinations. Further, the American Optometric Association shares that 60% of students identified as “problem learners” actually have an undetected vision problem.
Children often don’t know if they should see better. That’s why it’s important to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams before starting the school year… Which brings us to this point that its BACK… the whole no time and putting it off to the last minute because the LensCrafters Semi-Annual Lens Event ends soon!!!
LENSCRAFTERS SEMI-ANNUAL LENS EVENT
FOR A LIMITED TIME RECEIVE 50% OFF LENSES WITH FRAME PURCHASE DURING LENSCRAFTERS’
SIGNATURE LENS EVENT
LensCrafters – the ultimate eyewear retail destination that offers a great selection of prescription glasses and sunglasses, including the widest variety of brands, styles and looks with the latest lens technologies.
WHAT & WHEN:
LensCrafters is holding its Semi-Annual Lens Event, with 50% off lenses, just in time for back-to-school! Starting July 8 through September 12, receive 50% off lenses, including bi-focals, no lines and sunglasses made in your prescription with frame purchase.
WHY:
LATEST STYLES: Fall is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to update your look with a new pair of glasses and/or sunglasses made with your prescription.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: See better than ever before with LensCrafters’ new and exclusive AccuFit Digital Measurement System. The AccuFit Digital Measurements System delivers crisper, clearer vision with pupil measurements that are 5 times more precise than manual methods. At LensCrafters you’ll get a 100% custom fit, every time.
CONVENIENCE: Need your new glasses right now? Quality-crafted lenses can be made in about an hour at most LensCrafters locations. Some prescriptions or lens materials may require additional time.
90-DAY UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If you don’t love your new glasses or prescription sunglasses for any reason, and they are in resaleable condition, you can replace or return them for a full refund within 90 days of the date of purchase. Applies only to the original purchase. This guarantee does not cover accidental damage, scratches or breakage.
For your nearest LensCrafters, call 1-877-7LENSCRAFTERS or visit LensCrafters.com
Disclaimer: 50% OFF Lenses INCLUDES BIFOCALS, NO-LINES AND SUNGLASSES MADE WITH YOUR
PRESCRIPTION. Valid on multiple pairs. Both frame and lenses purchase required. Cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any vision care or insurance benefits or plans, any store or other offer, discount or sale, previous purchases, readers or non-prescription sunglasses Valid prescription required. Discounts are off quoted list price. Certain brands excluded, including Duralens, Maui Jim and Oakley Authentic lenses and clearance frames. Void where prohibited. See store for details. Offer expires 9/12/11.
My wife has already taken advantage of this great discount offer as she is wearing wonderful new glasses (yes she paid for them) for those times she doesnt feel like wearing contacts. One of the coolest things I’d have to say is she had them in about an hour – which also happens to be the usual delivery time for food around Manhattan. Really this amazing – in the same time it could take your nails to get done you’re walking out with a brand new glasses that should help you see better.
I got to try out this perfect fit technology which is very impressive (ignore my ugly mug for a second) like the glasses that I happened to receive as well – cool because one lucky reader is going to end up winning a their own raybans from LensCrafters. Ray-Ban RB8301 in black with a retail value is $179.95 if you really wanted to know (its also those in the picture to the upper right)!
Now that you’ve seen this perfect fit technology what is it?
AccuFit Digital Measurement System is 5 times more precise than the traditional, manual method.
LensSimulator: Experience the benefits of each lens choice in a dynamic and interactive way.
VirtualMirror: Enables customers to see how they look in multiple frame styles.
LensCrafters’ new and exclusive AccuFit Digital Measurement System enables its skilled opticians to measure the precise location of the pupils, the spacing between eyes, and the shape of glasses to ensure the best possible placement of the prescription in your new glasses. This service is available in LensCrafters locations starting this month, September 2011.
How to win it… Contest ends (along with the sale) on 11:59pm EST. September 12th, 2011.
Tell us your closest LensCrafters is and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook –facebook.com/LensCrafters you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this once). Must contain the following information: #LensCrafters @LensCraftrsCare @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/qVkURB and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: #LensCrafters Semi-Annual Sale Ends 9/12 but enough time to win RayBan sunglasses from @dadarocks & @LensCraftrsCare – http://dad.tc/qVkURB
You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks you must comment that you’re following with your twitter handle
You get 1 extra entry for following them on twitter – twitter.com/LensCraftrsCare you must comment that you’re following with your twitter handle
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on facebook –facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: LensCrafters has provided the prize for this raffle
Some of you might not be aware that Microsoft makes its own hardware. We aimto fix that in tomorrow’s #win7tech chat by talking about all the latest and greatest hardware created by the Microsoft Hardware Team. Some of it is really beautiful like the Touch Mouse Artist Edition and some of it is made to be more secure than a maximum security prison. Whatever you penchant, there is something out there to delight your fancy.
This week @msfthardware will be joining us from the Microsoft Hardware Team.
– And, our Facebook page where we routinely feature cool hardware from our friends here at the Microsoft Hardware Team.
Not to mention, we are giving away some great prizes. You’ll be asked to answer 3 questions during the hour to be eligible to win and they will be sent from @windows with Q1, Q2, and Q3 proceeding the tweet.
Note we will only be talking about the outlined topic each week and we will not be answering questions outside those topics. Questions for this week may include: When did Microsoft start making hardware? What’s the best Microsoft webcam? Where can I go to ask questions about Microsoft Hardware?
* No purchase necessary. Open to legal US Residents 18+. Ends 4PM EST 9/6/11. Details and T &Cs will be shared at the start of the chat from @windowsblog
I’m part of the windows champions crew…. considering I’ve been using windows since the days of 3.1.1 its not hard to imagine I’m slightly more then a fan. I’m also a tech lover, so having community chats like this just goes to show you how much microsoft is caring enough to engage.
Now for the giveaway part… It wouldn’t be me not to show off something cool… How about one of the new Microsoft Hardware Explorer Touch Mouse [amazon] (seems pretty cool to me).
How to win it… Contest ends 4:00pm EST. September 6th, 2011.
Tell us your favorite microsoft product (could be hardware or software) is and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this once). Must contain the following information: @windowsblog @msfthardware @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/nmFrK4 and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: Check out #win7tech by @windowsblog & enter to win a Explorer Touch Mouse from @dadarocks & @msfthardware – http://dad.tc/nmFrK4
Knowing is half the battle and knowing where you’re going is well much more… my family really loves heading to Sesame Place and we’ve done the print out directions route before and this trip I wanted to put the TeleNav AT&T navigator to the test.
The app got us there in a little under an hour and forty minutes, it automatically re-routed around some delays in New Jersey, which actually helped get us there before the rain came.
I spoke the command Sesame Place within seconds up popped the address, created directions and we were on our way. The day was a blast – it was part of their Christmas in July event – which is why you’ll see some Santa hats on the characters. You’ll also clearly see how much of a fool I’ll make of myself in front of hundreds of strangers and a few other bloggers… so I thought why not share this totally embarrassing video of me trying to bring a smile to my kids face while daddy dances by the stage.
As you can read in my past Sesame Place posts – its a great amusement park for families with young children to tweens. I think the teenagers would get bored. There are enough rides that any child from 3-11 will easily have fun much beyond that age the rides might get a little “young” for them.
Half the park is water rides which I would say is great for the 5-11 and most of the dry rides are great for that general 3-9 range. The admission prices arent terrible as there is usually a deal to be found at McDonald’s and they’re currently running the special of buying a 2012 season pass get the rest of 2011 for free.
Plenty of great times coming up with visits from Max and Ruby, The Dirty Sock Funtime band, and the holidays of celebrations like The Counts Halloween Spooktacular and a very furry Christmas.
Everyone a blast at sesame street – I have some really fun pictures of us on the rollercoaster but I’m barred from showing them online for pain of death from my sister and wife (yup it was a family outing). As I said we got there before the rain (thankfully) and really enjoyed the park. We made it around the corner to a stop at Chick-fil-a (one of our favorites that isnt in New York) and we used TeleNav’s AT&T Navigator app to get us home.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. September 7, 2011.
You must comment telling us your favorite Sesame Street Character, please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information:
@SesamePlace @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/puLtYO and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win @SesamePlace tickets from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/puLtYO
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on facebook –facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook of Sesame Place – facebook.com/SesamePlace you must comment that you’re a fan
You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Sesame Place is providing these tickets for the raffle.
Sigh summer is quickly coming to an end and for some that means its almost time to pack up the grill – for others it means it nearly grill season (cause who wants to grill outside in 120 degree heat). Having been a long time fan of Omaha Steaks its pretty impressive that you get such quality meats and shipped to you with enough dry ice to keep the food frozen.
This summer I’ve enjoyed Burgers and Hotdogs from Omaha Steaks as part of this review… The hamburgers were great texture and good flavor but the outstanding hot dogs are some of the best – its not like a hotdog but more of red-hot (a type of hotdog) in rochester. My Son has been loving these as its much easier because of the size of the hotdog ti peel the skin off and still enjoy a good size hotdog.
This package is way way better then the sample package I was rocking but still a great way to kick off the fall grilling season!
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. September 7th, 2011.
Comment with the your favorite food you enjoyed making in these past summer months and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for following @dadarocks on twitter – You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for following @OmahaSteaks on twitter – You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @OmahaSteaks @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/quDzEl and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I hear @dadarocks loves @OmahaSteaks and I want to try it too – http://dad.tc/quDzEl #giveaway
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/OmahaSteaks (and leave a note saying that www.latenightparents.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You will have 12 hours to reply before we pick another winner!
Disclaimer: Thanks to Omaha Steaks for providing the prize for this giveaway.
Fanboy and his trusty sidekick, Chum Chum, are celebrating their favorite treat, a cup of Frosty Freezy Freeze in Fanboy and Chum Chum: Brain Freeze [amazon]. This DVD honors the Frosty Freezy Freeze with seven full-tilt, hilarious adventures with a voice cast that includes Josh Duhamel and Jamie Kennedy. Watch as they fight the discontinuation of their favorite flavor, try to create the new Frosty Mart jingle, help a Viking and battle Man-Arctica. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Fanboy and Chum Chum: Brain Freeze hits shelves on August 16, 2011 for the suggested retail price of $16.99.
Created by Eric Robles, Fanboy and Chum Chum is the story of a boy named Fanboy and his best friend and trusty sidekick, ChumChum, two endlessly energetic “super fans” of all things sci-fi and fantasy. Their world is full of comic adventure (andmisadventures) as they share a hyper imagination that enables a wide-eyed acceptance of the bizarre. They’re fearless! They’re adventurous! They wear underwear on the outside of their costumes! They’re Fanboy and Chum Chum.
Fanboy and Chum Chum: Brain Freeze Episode Synopses:
Brain Freeze
Fanboy and Chum Chum discover that their favorite Frosty Freezy Freeze flavor, Berry Pink, is about to be discontinued. Determined to have as much as they can before it’s gone forever, they end up with a massive brain freeze. The next morning,Fanboy and Chum Chum wake up with no memory of what happened and their signature tighty-whiteys are missing. They must retrace their steps to find out how their crazy night unraveled so they can find their precious underwear and restore order.
Berry Sick
During a summer heat wave, the boys discover the Frosty Freezy Freeze machine is on the fritz. It’s up to Fanboy and Chum Chumto get the Berry the Ice Monster, the machine’s operator, back in good health.
Refill Madness
Lenny and Boog learn that Fanboy and Chum Chum have a valuable cup that entitles them to endless free refills at the Frosty Mart. The two decide to work together to try to steal the cup.
The Frosty Bus
Fanboy and Chum Chum are waiting for the Frosty Bus to buy a Frosty Freezy Freeze. Unfortunately, Boog is driving and torments them by always keeping their beverages just out of reach.
Jingle Fever
When Fanboy and Chum Chum find out they can win a million Frosty Bucks by writing the new Frosty Mart jingle, Lenny does everything in his power to stop them.
Back from the Future
After Fanboy and Chum Chum show Lenny that Dollar-nator is a time machine, he decides to use him to travel back in time andprevent Fanboy and Chum Chum from ever tasting a Frosty Freezy Freeze. But despite his greatest efforts, the boys somehow always end up discovering Frosty Freezy Freeze.
Norse-ing Around
Fanboy and Chum Chum discover a frozen Viking in their icebox and decide to help him “achieve glory” so he can get into Valhalla.
Fanboy and Chum Chum: Brain Freeze Fast Facts:
Street Date: August 16, 2011
Catalogue: 822404
DVD SRP: $16.99
DVD Running Time: 88 Minutes
Special Features:
“Brain Freeze” Original Animatic
While your toddler might like this show just for the colorful and silly actions its really not designed for a young toddler – this show is really designed where a 4/5/6 year old would really start getting the humor and the dialog. As an adult male – I have no problem stating that its one of the few cartoons these days that makes me crack a smile when its playing in the background.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. August 31st, 2011.
2 Lucky people will win the DVD! Tell us your favorite character on Fanboy and Chum Chum is and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @NickelodeonDVD @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/pgKfjy and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win the #FanboyandChumChum DVD from @dadarocks & @NickelodeonDVD – http://dad.tc/pgKfjy
Stopping for directions as I said was never one of my strong suits, but enter the age of GPS and now I just need to know a few key pieces of information and I really should get where I’m going. Well what happens when you don’t have those pieces of information like where’s a nearby restaurants that might have a changing table for kiddo, or a nice place to grab a bite to eat, or the best yet where to get gas. Not just gas stations but this little wonder app will show you the cheapest gas prices as well. Over the course of this summer I’ve saved at least 30 dollars, which when you think about the fact this app is $0.99 for the first 30 days. After your first 30 days are up, take advantage of the special summer offer and get 12 months of TeleNav GPS Plus for just $9.99/year. That’s over 50% off the regular $21.99/year price. Or subscribe for just $2.99/month but this is a limited time offer. To get started with the $0.99 – 30 day trial just download the app from iTunes.
Key features:
Find cheap gas prices nearby – updated daily!
Get clear spoken turn-by-turn directions from people, not robots
Traffic-guided routing helps you avoid traffic jams
Auto rerouting takes you to your destination if you ever miss a turn or take a detour
How easy is it to find the cheap gas… you tap the Search button and then choose Gas By Price in the list of categories. You can then select the type of gas (diesel if need be) you are looking for and TeleNav will find those best prices.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. August 31st, 2011.
3 lucky people will be winning the TeleNav GPS Plus for 1 year. Leave a comment below with your favorite feature of the TeleNav GPS Plus and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @TeleNav @dadarocks –http://dad.tc/njM8Xk and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win a one year subscription to @TeleNav GPS Plus thanks to #TeleNavDad @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/njM8Xk
You get 1 extra entry for following @dadarocks on twitter – www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/TeleNav (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for liking this page on facebook (like button at the top of the post NOTE: you must be signed into facebook for it to work!)
You get 1 extra entry for suggesting and having 3 friends become fans of DaDa Rocks on facebook (and have them leave a note saying you sent them) You must comment with their 3 names.
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner! Limited to the USA.
Disclaimer: TeleNav supplied the prize for this giveaway as disclosed in an earlier post I am compensated by being part of the Navigator and Chief program but all opinions are my own.
Its hard to imagine that my son turned 3 yesterday… It was an amazing day between the perfect weather (actually getting everything done!) and having an amazing birthday party.
Here’s a quick video recap of the birthday party – 99% of the photos in here are thanks to my amazing wife Suzanne Cohen – who without her none of this would have been possible!
The party was great Marc the birthday boy had an ear to ear smile and I couldnt have asked for anything better then to see all the kids be jumping around listening to Rockin with Andy, playing with the water table at City Treehouse and playing with some cute walking elmo and big bird balloons. There wasnt enough time to enjoy it all.
Man do I feel like a dunce, I really never wanted to believe that the second my son was born I needed to apply to programs for when he was two or three years old. Now here I am (with an amazingly supportive wife – who’s now doing the heavy lifting) looking for a three’s program for our child. I always knew it wasnt cheap I thought what $12,000 a year for a full time program — not in this life time how about $16,000 for 5 days a week mornings only. Oh you want a full day education for your child try upping that number to $20,000.
Remember this is for a three year old. This is like sandart and finger paints (hopefully avoiding eating the paste). Reading a book 2 a day and really more then anything else is teaching the kids how to interact without getting bloody noses.
I havent a clue were we’re going to come up with this money from… but worst is now trying to find a school (if I had hair on top of my hair it’d be falling out in clumps). You’d think there is some easy solution like all kids should get educated not soooo there really isn’t anything for kids younger then 5 (and there are people pushing to make the starting age of state schools 6 < ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!) I’m not sure about you but I’m a big believer in changing our education system – I think starting schools at 5 is way to late, if my child had some structured learning now I’m sure he would pick it up and retain the information – is it any wonder why our countries math and verbal skill are being flushed down the toilet. Oh and if you cant tell with my amazing writing skills, I’m totally a product of the public education system.
Well its time to get for an interview — thats right they want to interview us as parents and my son. Worst part is the rejections letters, did I smell? did they not like our answers? or worst – did they not like my son?
How are you dealing with education for your two or three year old? what was that process like for you? leave a comment – I want to hear from you.
Schwinn is an amazing bike company its part of the american lexicon since its been around for over 100 years. Schwinn Bikes offers a ride for every level and everyone in your family. Schwinn has a full line of bikes (from kids wheels and running strollers to fitness bikes and old school cruisers), plus fun accessories such as bells, baskets and helmets.
Schwinn has great resources on their site like Teach Your Kid How to Ride that has a video to help you as parent get ready for training your kids to ride their bikes but still comes with the warning to break out that big box of band-aids.
Schwinn wants us all to get out and bike and to that point one lucky DaDa Rocks fan is going to win a 4 pack of bikes that are out of this world. You’ll get a bike a women’s Miramar, a men’s Miramar, a girl’s mist and a boy’s scorch. Thats a pretty amazing package.
My family has been riding their Schwinn Bikes all summer long but this all came from an event back in March where I got to meet Schwinn Brand Ambassador Olympic Gold Medalist and mother of two, Summer Sanders. My son Marc and I enjoy a great event, I learned all about their lines of bikes and heard about a passion both the Schwinn and Summer share about getting kids active!
Here’s a picture of my kiddo getting ready to ride while Summer Sanders and Jill from Glamamom.com watches on.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. August 18th, 2011.
Leave a comment below with your dream bike pick from www.schwinnbikes.com and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email).
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this weekly). Must contain the following information: @rideschwinn @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/nSIbo9 and you must also comment with the link to your tweet.
Example: I want to win the @rideschwinn #family4pack of bikes from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/nSIbo9
You get 1 extra entry for following @dadarocks on twitter – www.twitter.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a follower.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming our FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/dadarocks You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for becoming their FAN on facebook – www.facebook.com/rideschwinnbikes (and leave a note saying that www.dadarocks.com sent you) You must comment that you’re a fan.
You get 1 extra entry for liking this page on facebook (like button at the top of the post NOTE: you must be signed into facebook for it to work!)
You get 1 extra entry for suggesting and having 5 friends become fans of DaDa Rocks on facebook (and have them leave a note saying you sent them) You must comment with their 5 names.
You get 1 extra entry for writing about this giveaway on your blog (with a link back to https://dadarocks.com) you must also comment with the link to your post.
You get 1 extra entry for digging this page on digg.com (click on the little digg icon below) You must comment when you completed that.
You get 1 extra entry for sharing this page on reddit.com (click on the little reddit icon below) You must comment when you completed that.
You get 1 extra entry for stumbling this page on stumbleupon.com (click on the little stumble icon below) You must comment when you completed that.
You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner! Limited to the USA.
Disclaimer: Schwinn supplied this amazing giveaway prize for this contest.