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.
Having a child is pretty amazing… whats also amazing is watching them grown up. First its just in size, then its in sounds, now its in written form for my child. He loves arts and crafts (who does) but recently he found that a green crayon would look amazing on the walls.
Of course writing on the walls isnt something that most would be proud of… and trust me when I say it wasnt an easy task to tell him that its wrong to draw on walls would be an understatement.
But its the sign of things to come – if you look at it you could almost imagine the scribbles saying LOVE (at least thats what I’m saying it is) but its the sign that its time to teach some rules like where the point of the crayon belongs, its the start of his writing abilities, and making sure while we teach him where that creativity can go.
Part of the mission is the foster and encourage my child’s creativity while not putting in place so many rules that he can be creative around it. Most of what we have today is build on one’s creative solution to one’s problem… and if we discipline in a way that hampers creativity then we may not solve the next problems.
Prepare to laugh and celebrate with the release of the new DVD box set Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Big Party Pack! [Amazon] It’s a non-stop party with a piñata, surprises and more! The box set also includes a Dora and Diego cake recipe card (while supplies last). Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Big Party Pack was released on DVD on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, for the suggested retail price of $24.99.
Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Big Party Pack Episode Synopses:
Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure
A twisting wind has blown Dora and Boots into Wizzle World, a land located in the Magic Storybook. Dora and Boots can’t jump out of the Magic Storybook without first taking Dora’s crystal to the Wishing Wizzle so he can wish them back home in time for Dora’s birthday party with all her family and friends. The episode guest stars Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo and Hector Elizondo.
Dora Helps the Birthday Wizzle
Dora is reading a storybook about a Birthday Wizzle who could make birthday wishes come true with his magic wand. Today was his birthday so it was his turn to make a wish, but a wind came in and blew the wand out of the book. Dora must jump into the book and bring the wand back to the Wizzle so he can make his wish.
Wizzle Wishes
Dora and Boots meet a cute little Wizzle who lost his bag of wishes and can’t get home. Our heroes set off in search of the lost wishes, but their friends keep finding the wishes first and their wishes get everyone into trouble.
Dora the Explorer: Super Silly Fiesta Super Silly Fiesta
Dora and Boots are invited to the Big Silly Chicken’s Super Silly Fiesta. The Big Red Chicken loses the cake for his party so Dora and Boots set off to save the fiesta.
Boots’ Special Day
Today, Boots gets to do anything he wants because it’s his special day!
Stuck Truck
When Ice Cream Truck gets stuck in the muck at Play Park, Dora and Boots are off to the rescue.
The Big Potato
Benny the Bull finds a magic wand and turns himself into a potato by mistake. It’s up to Dora and Boots to bring their potato friend back to the Young Wizard so that he can change Benny back into a bull.
Dora the Explorer: It’s A Party! Daisy, la Quinceañera
It’s Dora’s cousin Daisy’s quinceañera! The party can’t start until Dora and Boots teach everybody the mambo.
The Big Piñata
Dora and Boots are trying to win the Big Piñata. They need to collect ten yellow tickets by playing carnival games.
Surprise!
It’s Boots’ birthday, but Benny the Bull is stuck on a hot air balloon that’s leaking and floating toward Crocodile Lake. Dora and Boots rush off to rescue their friend.
The Fix It Machine
Boots has a hole in his boot but Dora knows what to do. The Super Duper Fix-It Machine can fix it right up!
Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Big Party Pack Fast Facts:
Street Date: July 12, 2011
Catalogue: 145304
DVD SRP: $24.99
DVD Running Time: Approximately 291 Minutes
Special Features:
Dora’s Big Birthday DVD Game (Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure)
Dora’s Super Silly Search Game (Super Silly Fiesta)
Dora’s Present Search (It’s A Party!)
Nicktrition Tips for Parents (It’s A Party!)
Baby Nick Jr. Music Video (It’s A Party!)
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. July 25th, 2011.
2 Lucky people will win the Dora DVD Box set! Tell us your favorite character on Dora 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/n6ReTV and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win the #Dora the Explorer #BigPartyPack DVD Set from @dadarocks & @NickelodeonDVD – http://dad.tc/n6ReTV
Yo Gabba Gabba: Party in a Box [Amazon] is a three-DVD box set includes Birthday Boogie, Clubhouse and Dancey Dance Bunch so get ready to explore everything from animals and new foods to birthdays and dress-up. Special guests in this collection include Erykah Badu, The Ting Tings, and Elijah Wood. Additionally, Biz Markie and Mark Mothersbaugh appear in their recurring segments. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Yo Gabba Gabba: Party in a Box will be released on July 12, 2011, and sold for the suggested retail price of $24.99.
Yo Gabba Gabba: Party in a Box Episode Synopses:
Yo Gabba Gabba: Birthday Boogie Birthday
Brobee has a surprise birthday party and everyone makes presents for him.
Guest Stars: Melora Hardin, The Ting Tings
Dress-Up
DJ Lance brings a costume box and everyone plays dress up.
Guest Star: Little Ones
Talent
The Gabba Gang learns that everyone has different talents and that practices makes perfect. Everyone uses their talent to make something special.
Guest Stars: Amar’e Stoudemire, Hot Hot Heat
Ride
The Gabba gang has fun riding toys. Toodee goes surfing, Muno rides a skateboard, Plex go-carts, Foofa rides a bike with training wheels, Brobee rides a razor and DJ Lance roller-skates.
Guest Stars: Dean & Britta
Yo Gabba Gabba: Clubhouse Clubhouse
Brobee and Muno build a boy’s clubhouse but won’t let Foofa and Toodee play. Meanwhile, DJ Lance and Plex help Foofa and Toodee build an awesome treehouse where everyone can play.
Guest Stars: Erykah Badu, The Sounds, Mark Mothersbaugh
Adventure
Muno and friends travel through a jungle under Gabba Land and find the golden treasure.
Guest Star: The Killers
Summer
All the characters in Gabba Land enjoy the outdoors and the happiness of summertime.
Guest Star: The Aquabats
Animals
Foofa loves animals and she follows an animal to learn more about it. The Gabba gang also discovers some silly animals that only could be found in Gabba Land.
Guest Stars: Jack McBrayer, Paul Scheer, Jimmy Eat World
Yo Gabba Gabba: Dancey Dance Bunch Friends
The characters learn how to have fun with friends and to appreciate and respect each other.
Guest Star: Mya
Eat
The characters learn the importance of eating vegetables and healthy meals, trying new things and cleaning up after themselves.
Guest Star: Elijah Wood
Dance
New dances are performed by the characters as they learn about manners and about the importance of apologizing.
Guest Star: Hector Jimenez
Happy
The characters learn how to handle moments of sadness and how to use hugs as a way of expression.
Guest Star: The Salteens
Yo Gabba Gabba: Party in a Box Fast Facts:
Street Date: July 12, 2011
Catalogue: 145314
DVD SRP: $24.99
DVD Running Time: Approximately 297 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. July 18th, 2011.
2 Lucky people will win the Yo Gabba Gabba Party in a Box DVD Box set! Tell us your favorite character on Yo Gabba Gabba 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/qtNH6O and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win the @yogabbagabba #PartyInABox DVD from @dadarocks & @NickelodeonDVD – http://dad.tc/qtNH6O
I hate asking for directions – I think it’s a guy thing (it has to be in our DNA) but in the recent years we’ve all seen the range of GPS units. GPS has allowed me to never ask for directions (but does make me ask for people address a lot more then in the past). It’s been a life saver at times, no more maps, no more talking to people at gas stations who haven’t a clue about directions and going on wild goose hunts. I’ve always had one big issue is that things change and GPS units get outdated quickly… new roads are built and opened and other roads are closed… Most GPS units now allow you to purchase updated maps but few have live streaming – enter Telenav who has fundimentally changed the way I’ll use a GPS.
I’m not flying with anything extra just my cellphone why?! because thats all I need. I have the TeleNav powered AT&T Navigation app (which is a paid subscription) for my iPhone (more information). Its been amazing, so hopefully you’ll follow along on from the stories of the road.
Disclosure: I am a member of the TeleNav Navigator in Chief dad panel and was provided compensation to participate. While I have received compensation to participate in the program all opinions are 100% my own and honest.
My father owned a camera store growing up so we some how defaulted to his test models for every new toy and every new costume in his photo studio… this was taken some 23+ years ago… not shabby – huh…
Well its been a while since my last post — and well there is some major reasons behind that – I’ve been working a lot on LateNightParents.com but I’m also doing a huge backend update/theme update to dadarocks.com. I’ve long talked about how this was coming – this large shift and I thought the weeks following Father’s Day would be a nice period for me to work on that….
Turns out even a few weeks wasn’t enough time… but just hang around – you’ll see new topics and some amazing summer giveaways coming your way…
Father’s day is almost drawn to a close but I’m sure there are many now looking for a gift – still – and you know guys love technology… While you know I’m totally an apple fan boy… I’ve heard great things about the Samsung Windows Phone and I thought I’d give it a test drive (which was provided by the Microsoft team). The phone was rock solid… I was really impressed with the deep integration of outlook, xbox live, and instant integration of facebook.
If they’re not into apple and the others arent seeming like a great fit – this phone is amazing – I can certainly seeing this becoming the business man’s of choice phone with its outlook integration.
Why Windows Phone?
Get his head in the game: Windows Phone is the only smartphone with Xbox LIVE, which means you can play Xbox LIVE games and earn Gamerscore points anywhere, anytime. And with titles like Need for Speed, Assassin’s Creed and Guitar Hero 5, Dad can really get his game on.
Jamming to the oldies: With the power of the Zune music service and great apps like LastFM, Dad can listen to his favorite LPs and discover new music right on his phone. And with a Zune Pass subscription, he can stream and download unlimited music every month for just the price of a CD. Did we mention it also works on your PC, through the browser and his Xbox too?
See what’s important: With a Windows Phone, Dad can fully customize his Start Screen with all the things that matter most. Pin directions to the baseball park, favorite apps, anything! Dad can even keep tabs on the kids by pinning them to his Start Screen to see instant updates from their Facebook – without opening an app!
Unchain from the desk: No need to swing by the office on his day off, with a Windows Phone and Office Mobile, Dad can create, view and edit Microsoft Office documents like PowerPoint, Excel and Word, right from his phone. No desk or laptop required.
Dad-approved apps: Whether he is getting the latest sports scores, shopping for a weekend project or lighting up the BBQ,Windows Phones have all the apps Dad wants. I’ve included some of our favorite apps for Dad below.
Windows Phones are available from every major US carrier, and the Samsung Focus Windows Phone from AT&T starts at just $49.99 with a 2 year contract and recently ranked higher in overall customer satisfaction than the iPhone in a PC Mag survey.
Our Father’s Day App Picks:
Home Depot: No need to spend your Saturday wandering the isles at the hardware store. With the Home Depot app you can research and purchase more than 100,000 products right from your phone.
ESPN Score Center: Dad can keep up with his favorite teams from anywhere, with ESPN ScoreCenter. Get scores, news, and standings from hundreds of sports leagues around the world.
MyLife: This exclusive app helps Dad manage all his duties, including capturing and saving those special moments in his family’s life from his child’s first steps to their first gold ribbon at a swim meet in the dedicated ‘memories’ mini app. Also track birthdays, to-do lists and other details with other mini apps built right in.
MLB Now: Summertime is baseball season. MLB Now gives dad current scores, standings, stats, news and even MLB tweets right at his fingertips.
Gourmet Burger: Is BBQ one of dad’s favorite summer pastimes? With the Gourmet Burger app, he can be the king of the cookout with recipes for tasty new options from the hot pepper & pork burger to the Mediterranean lamb burger
Paramount – True Grit: With Paramount’s True Grit Enhanced Movie App, dad can experience the Oscar nominated films like never before. With behind the scenes content, easy viewing and the ability to share favorite clips via Facebook, dad will think he’s one of the Coen brothers.
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 has been available to customers since November 2010. They’re now available on all major U.S. networks, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. Specifically, the giveaway winner will receive a Samsung Focus (with 30 days of service from AT&T). Let’s chat about the phone now… Samsung Focus – The thinnest, lightest Windows Phone device, the Samsung Focus offers a 4.0” Super AMOLED display, a sleek design, a 5 mp camera with enhanced photo options such as panorama and smile detector, and exciting entertainment – from Xbox LIVE to Zune music and videos. Available in AT&T stores and online with its pricing at $49.99 with 2-year contract.
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. June 27th, 2011.
Tell us who would be rocking the windows phone if you won it and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email). We’ll randomly pick someone to win.
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/mwuRF4 and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win the #SamsungFocus #MicrosoftWindowsPhone from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/mwuRF4
This Father’s Day, Jiffy Lube is encouraging drivers to share their stories in honor of Father’s Day. Anyone can visit the “Keeping My Ride Alive” Facebook community and “like” it to share what they learned from their father about vehicle maintenance or a memory about the first time they got behind the wheel with dad. “Keeping My Ride Alive” is a place for drivers who take pride in and who are committed to extending the life of their vehicles: www.Facebook.com/KeepingMyRideAlive.
A recent survey conducted on behalf of Jiffy Lube explored the ties between dads and vehicles and revealed:
87% of Americans have shared fond vehicle-related memories with dad – be it road tripping or learning how to drive
When it comes to maintenance, more than 50% say that dad is the individual who taught them the most about taking care of their vehicle
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. June 24th, 2011.
Tell us whos care will be getting some Jiffy Lube love if you win it and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email). We’ll randomly pick someone to win.
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/mE1tmW and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win the #jiffylube giftcard from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/mE1tmW
Its getting close to the wire and I wanted to show off some items that you can pretty much just walk into a store and pickup within 15 minutes and have a pretty sweet gift. Let me introduce you too…
JAMBOX by Jawbone is a portable, wireless speaker that packs a jaw-droppingly loud punch — wirelessly delivering audio for any dad’s favorite music, movie, games from their iPod, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
JAMBOX will give Dad the freedom to play his favorite audio in the places he enjoys it most – whether cranking the sound on his favorite war flick, listening to Kenny G while grilling out back, or rocking out to The Beach Boys aboard his fishing boat. [*Disclaimer: Jawbone is not responsible for your dad’s dance moves!]
JAMBOX comes in four brilliant colors (we recommend Gray or Black for Dad) and SRP is $199.
Give your dad an extra hand with Jawbone ERA: a hands-free, stylish headset that comes in four bright colors and designs.
It lends an extra hand to any super-dad – whether he’s on a business trip, cooking dinner or coaching T-ball.
ERA uses voice-to-text technology that allows dads to dial, email, text or Tweet – just by using his voice. It can also stream music or give turn by turn GPS directions right to the ear. SRP is $129.
Both products are available at www.jawbone.com and select Best Buy and Apple Stores across the country. Please let us know what you think…
We’re giving away a Jambox – which sounds really cool – cause I can always use more volume from those iPad speakers!!!
How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. June 24th, 2011.
Tell us who would be rocking out to the JAMBOX if you won it and please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email). We’ll randomly pick someone to win.
You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @jawbone @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/lR8vvL and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.
Example: I want to win the @jawbone #FathersDay #JAMBOX from @dadarocks – http://dad.tc/lR8vvL
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.
