Today's world is full of safety lids, seat belt laws, restrictions and many other things that have been created and forced upon us for safety's sake. When I look back at some of the things we did as kids I often wonder how we made it to adulthood.

This is a list of things that my friends and I did but probably should not have done. We made it through every one of these events without major injury. I post this list to inform my daughters that I know about these things and I will be monitoring that they are not repeated.

1. Like most kids we snuck out while spending the night at a friends house. The danger here was that is would be 2 am in the morning and we were between the ages of 9 and 12.
2. Roofs. We climbed onto or out on every roof we could find. In grade school we would climb on the school roof to retrieve any dodge ball that might have been lost earlier in the day.
3. We actually used to slide down the valley of our two story roof on a Frisbee. We would sit on the Frisbee and slide almost to the end of the ridge and at the last moment we would use our feet to stop just before plummeting off the edge and falling two stories to the ground.
4. We would sometimes sneak the trampoline close to the garage so we could jump off the roof onto it.
5. We spent many an afternoon winding through the drainage tunnels under our town. Many times we would get several blocks underneath the streets. Of course nobody knew where we were in case we ever got stuck.
6. Fire. A really bad one. We set a few things on fire that we probably should not have. Especially at the houses that had fireplaces. Anything plastic was meant to melt!
7. Climbing trees. We used to climb some trees so high that we were on branches that could barely hold our weight. I remember feeling a few trees lean so far that I thought I was a goner.
8. Throwing things at cars. We had a ritual of throwing eggs and snowballs at cars. Our biggest problem there was that we usually threw from one of our own houses and those that got hit knew where to track us down.
9. Pool hopping. Many times we get a big group of guys together and go from pool to pool hopping in and running like heck. We would hit the hotel pools and as many backyard pools as we could find.
10. Sledding down hills on pieces of cardboard. This one did cause me to get 6 stitches when I ended up hitting a broken bottle with my knee.
11. I may add to this list as I remember more long lost adventures that we had as yutes.

I know there were many other things that we did that we knew were on the "do not do" list but as kids you do as much as you can get away with. Like I said earlier, we all made it to adulthood and we're no worse for wear. What daring things did you do as kids?

Labels: 70's, Fun Events, Memories, Parenting

Well, history was made tonight. Our five-year-old ate her first sandwich. Yes, that's right, we forced our child to eat a plain ham sandwich. I know you're thinking we're such bad parents and kids should not be forced to eat things they do not like. Unlike the days when we were kids.

The list of things that she won't eat include sandwich's, hamburgers, pizza, ketchup, BBQ sauce and a few other grossly horrific food items. We've let her get by with this for some time now because she does eat carrots, sweet potatoes and most other foods.

Tonight's historic event was followed by my speech about what I had to eat as a kid. If you grew up in the 70's you might remember a few of these. The absolute worst was liver! You know the liver that looked like a steak. I think that might have been a food I refused to eat a time or two. When I did eat it I was holding my nose, literally, and would fill my mouth with some liquid to get it down. If today's kids only knew!

Other foods of contention included hominy. What in the heck is hominy anyway? Then there were the oldies but goodies like broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach and lima beans. Yes, lima beans! Who eats lima beans? What about spam? Are your kids eating spam? On the holidays we had to eat unearthly things like black eyed peas and stuffing.

On the other hand, I also remember the great things I ate as a kid. Who didn't grow up on fried bologna sandwiches, Spaghettios, mac and cheese and frozen pizza?

My how the times have changed. So, when my girls grow up and read this many years from now, remember that mom and dad weren't so bad after all.

Labels: 70's, Daughters, Dining, funny moment, Memories, Parenting

Remember back in the day when you wanted a photo? We're talking back when I was a kid, in the 70's. We'd either pull out our slim, black 110 camera or if we were lucky we'd pull out the bulky Polaroid Instant Camera.

Taking pictures has come a long way baby. As kids we could get instant Polaroids with the funky colors and funny border around them like the New Years 2009 photo above or we would have to send our 110 or 35mm film off to be developed. A week or two later it would return and we would gleefully rip open our envelope to see our dozen grand photos.

If you were like my friends and I, you would find a stack full of blurry photos mixed in with a few shots of your friends with their heads cut off. At that age it didn't matter much, that the color was bad, the composition was horrible and you just shelled out eight bucks for twelve bad pictures.

Fast forward to 2009 and my how things have changed. Polaroid camera you say? 110 film you ask? Those days are long gone. Today we have micro cameras that take pictures big enough for posters and they're digital! That means you get to take as many pictures as you want and you can delete the bad shots. Wow! What a deal.

No more film, no more waiting, no more photo albums... what!! No more photo albums? That's right. With the ease of today's photography many people are accumulating thousands of digital pictures without ever taking the time to get them developed and stuck into photo albums. We've all got a zillion pictures but we can't ever look at them. Wrong! Read on...

I'm guilty of not getting digital photos developed and now have a good thousand pictures taking up space on my computer. Today there are great sites like Flickr and Facebook that allow us to post our photos online. This is a great way to share photos with people a world away.

I've also recently discovered a great software called Jalbum. This software builds your albums for you and helps you upload them to their site or your own site. It's great!

I recently uploaded the photos from our 2008 Disney World trip. They are now online for the family and the world to see. Take a look and see what we were doing exactly one year ago today. Just click on the main photo and it will transition to the next. Enjoy!

The Tucker 2008 Disney World Trip

Labels: Daughters, Family, Fun Events, Hot Wife, Memories, Parenting, Photo, Road Trips

If you don't have kids you most likely don't understand when parents talk about that weird "all out" love they have for their kids. I never really understood it until I had my girls. Now I look at so many things differently. I'm in awe of these two little girls that I helped create and I remind myself daily that their future may rely on how and what I teach them today.

An example of the parent love I'm talking about would be sitting through 2 hours of piano plunking just to see your kid get up there and plunk just like the rest of them. Here are our daughters playing in their grand recitals doing something I'm not sure I could have done at their age and I'm sitting back enjoying every single second of it. Enjoy...

Daughter #1

Labels: Daughters, Fun Events, music, Parenting, Sisters

Well, I'm only 5 days away from making it to my 46th birthday, hint, hint (I wear a medium, like green and never have enough gadgets). I've really tried to stay in shape since I now have to keep up with five and six year old active girls.

I workout every day doing an aerobic exercise 7 days a week and lifting weights 3 days a week. I'm actually stronger and in better shape than I was in my twenties. I've also taken up playing tennis and play a couple of times a week. I know that even the most fit individuals have no guarantees in life but I'm hoping an active lifestyle will keep me young.

Nearing this birthday has opened the door to that monumental birthday of turning 50! My oldest daughter asked how old I was going to be and when I told her 46, she exclaimed, "That's almost fifty!"

Events this week also reminded me that if we're getting older, our parents are getting even older. I've had several close friends lose parents recently and also know of several in the hospital. My own mom ended up in "urgent" surgery this weekend which makes this her third major surgery in the past few years. Having a parent in the hospital is an eye opener and should shed some light on how important it is to stay fit and healthy.

My daughters "Granny" is doing well and should be out of the hospital soon. She's only 68 and will have many years to spend watching her grand-kids. My hot wife's grandmother is now into her 100's and will be 102 or 103 in January! That's staying power!

My advice is to stay active, take care of yourself and strive to see your grand-kids. Since my daughters will not be getting married until they are 35 I know I will not be seeing grand babies until I'm in my late 70's.

My wish is that my daughters will stay fit and teach their kids to be fit. We're all getting older but with a little mind control we can be as young as we want to be. I've locked in on about 32 years old with a splash of 22 here and there. The calendar will say 46 but I won't be listening.

Labels: Getting Old, Parenting

The best holiday children's shows were around when I was a kid. The Peanuts holiday specials, the Grinch, Frosty, Rudolph and a few other less remembered claymation type shows like the Little Drummer Boy.

These holiday specials bring back so many good memories that it is virtually impossible for me to not watch them when they come on, much like the Wizard of Oz.

Although, by today's standards they are very simple, I think that is what has made them last for so long.

I'm trying to pass that warm fuzzy feeling on to my daughters and they are getting excited for this evening because Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the whole gang are on tonight!! Yippee!! It's officially the holiday season once you've seen A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Gather the family around the TV and watch this fun holiday classic.

Our family loves these shows so much that we stick the CD with the songs from a Charlie Brown Christmas into my car and listen to it over and over. The girls love the Charlie Brown theme song and ask for it every time I start the car. I've requested that they both learn to play it on the piano.

The show runs tonight, Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. on ABC (Channel 5).

Happy Holidays and eat much turkey!!

Labels: 70's, Daughters, Fun Events, Memories, Parenting

When Hot Wife went vacationing for four days it left me and my two girls to fend for ourselves. Working at home, this gave us even more time to spend together. We had a great time, ate out, shopped and watched movies.

I think the most important lesson I learned from this weekend is patience. When you are around your kids for days on end and they get wound up it can be a bit trying at times. There were instances when both daughters were jumping around, talking loud and making absolutely no sense. In a restaurant this can become nerve racking.

Each time I was about to tell them to be completely quiet and not move I would think about something. What if, heaven forbid, something unexpected happened to one of my precious daughters? What would I give just to hear them laugh and scream or see them jump around just for one second? I would give anything.

With that in mind I would politely ask them to tone it down, take a deep breath and thank God that there they were, my daughters, with me having fun and being kids.

Labels: Daughters, Dining, Parenting

Being a sneaker wearing dad of two cute daughters I know I should be dishing out my best fatherly advice. Here are my guidelines every girl should know...

1. Boys Are Evil -
Really no explanation needed. Refer to #2.

2. Boys Only Want To See You Naked -
Do not under any circumstances find yourself alone with a boy until you are either in a very committed relationship or are married. Public places are fine. There is only one reason a boy would want to be alone with you - refer to #1.

3. Boys Do Not Love You -
If a boy tells you he loves you refer to #2. Boys lie, refer to #1.

4. Gossip Is Not As Important As Friendship -
Never say anything about a friend that you would not say to their face. No matter what, gossip will get out. Talk highly about your friends, talk sparingly about your enemies.

5. A True Friend Will Never Abandon You -
Short of murder and adultery, a true friend is one that sticks with you through thick and thin. If a friend abandons you, they most likely weren't a true friend in the first place. Don't abandon your friends when they need you most. A shoulder to cry on is a very special place.

6. Stay Educated -
You should always know who your politicians are, you should always know how to balance a checkbook, you should know how to cook at least one great meal, you should know the rules to at least one major sport, you should know how to change a flat, read whenever possible. Learn the game of golf or tennis.

7. Know How To Protect Yourself -
Refer to #2. Do not be paranoid but always be alert. Know the steps you would take to get out of any sticky situation. Knowledge will replace fear. Always be prepared.

8. The Borrower Is Slave To The Lender -
Stay out of debt whenever possible. Credit cards are almost as evil as boys. Learn to invest on your own. Create a budget and stick to it! Spend less than you earn. Save.

9. There's No Time Like The Present -
Do it now. Talking about things can be a waste of time. Take action. Start today and work out the details as you go along. Try things while you are young and get involved. On the other hand, you're never to old to start. Life is short, don't dilly-dally.

10. You Can Do Anything You Set Your Mind To -
If you want something bad enough, and you really make an effort to make it happen, the chances are that it will happen. Set goals and strive to meet them. Do not listen to naysayers. Dream big.

11. Giving Up Is Not An Option -
Don't give up and don't quit. The moment you are about to give up will be the moment that defines you. Avoid regret and give everything you do 110% effort.

12. Do -
Vote, Pray, Laugh, Share, Encourage, Exercise, Hug, Listen, Make Amends, Sacrifice, Forgive, Participate

13. Don't -
Lie, Cheat, Steal, Sulk, Belittle, Condemn, Overindulge, Smoke, Drink, Follow Blindly, Brag

This is a minor start. I will be adding more fatherly advice as my daughters grow older.

Labels: Daughters, Parenting

Here's a pretty good list of things I believe my four and six year old daughters would rather me not do. If I've broken any of these (which I have) I apologize now.

A daddy should never...

1. Wear black socks with sneakers
2. Sing in the car
3. Shave off his mustache
4. Wear anything pink
5. Grow hair on his ears
6. Kiss another woman
7. Bake a cake
8. Skip through a store
9. Wear a dress or skirt
10. Use a blow dryer
11. Put on lip gloss
12. Sit to go pee
13. Wear a party/pretty hat
14. Eat anything with sprinkles
15. Say, "I'm so sure"
16. Ride a girls bike
17. Roller skate
18. Sit in a tanning booth
19. Participate in Pilates
20. Wear fur
21. Shave his legs
22. Take a bubble bath
23. Wear socks with sandals
24. Buy panties
25. Eat grilled chicken salad
26. Go shirtless in public
27. Make jewelry
28. Wear earrings
29. Use hairspray
30. Watch My Little Pony
31. Toot in public
32. Smoke cigars
33. Wear earmuffs
34. Spray on a tan
35. Give sweaty hugs
36. Listen on the phone
37. Forget birthdays
38. Belly flop
39. Burp the alphabet
Read the rest of the list...

Labels: Daughters, funny moment, Parenting

I hope the mixture of my posts on blogging, making money online, working from home and being a dad will be a good enough mix to keep everyone coming back for more tips, ideas and stories.

I guess I had better describe my daughters as I see them today. Both girls attend a Montessori school and have never had to stay at a daycare. I've watched them practically every day of their lives. I take them to school, have lunch with them most days and pick them up from school. They are very active and currently are involved in dance, gymnastics, piano and tennis.

My oldest daughter is now six. She is very bright and can read practically anything that is placed in front of her. She's kind, quiet, shy and a bit reserved. She loves bread and butter but hates ice cream. She doesn't so much like to be hugged or kissed but she's becomes very sad when we are away. She learns quickly and remembers everything. She rarely get into trouble and knows that doing certain things will get her in trouble. She does not push the envelope.

My youngest daughter is four going on twenty four. She is happy, lovable, outgoing and very rambunctious. She's smart but is not so much interested in learning. She loves to play, make up things and collects everything. She wants everything now and becomes very clingy to a new item until a replacement comes along. She loves to hug and kiss but has no problem waving good-bye to us when we leave. She loves sweets and is picky about everything else. She pushes the envelope on everything and gets into trouble daily.

Today was a great example of one of my four-year-olds memorable quotes. We were driving home from picking up Hostess Cup Cakes for breakfast, (her favorite at the moment) and we began talking about the clouds and the rain we had just experienced. Without ever having heard her use this word before, my four-year-old says, "I'm assuming the water that comes from clouds is pee." I chuckled like I always do and thanked the Lord again for giving me such wacky girls.

They bring a smile to my face every morning and I greet them with a big hello and a morning hug. They are by far the coolest things I have ever created.

Labels: Daughters, funny moment, Parenting, Photo

The thing about growing up without a dad at an early age is that it's kinda like growing up without an uncle you never met. You hear stories about him and wonder what he might be like but you realize he's not a part of your life and you easily forget that he might have once been a part of your childhood.

When my parents divorced in the mid 60's, they divorced. My dad high tailed it out of town and I have not seen nor heard from him since I was about five or six. I was just young enough to not have really relied on him for many things and was not old enough to have a multitude of memories. My dad has always been that guy in the pictures that was once married to my mom. A sad way of looking at it for some but a mundane reality for others.

Growing up without a dad had its ups and downs. Every one of my friends growing up had a dad and as far as I knew all had pretty great marriages. The funny things was, as much time as I spent with many of my friends, I really never saw their dads that often. Most dads were off working during the day and then seemed to disappear at night. None of my friends dads coached the baseball team, were Boy Scout leaders or spent time playing outdoor games with us. So I never really felt like I was missing out on anything.

I do think I would have pursued sports a little more had I grown up with a dad. Especially one that might have coached me and could have built up a my confidence a bit. I never saw myself as a good athlete growing up and I actually never really was that interested in watching sports. Looking back now I know I could have been good at one sport or another but I just never gave it much effort.

As weird as this might sound I actually ended up with two dads rather than one. My mom did a great job of filling in for that fatherly role. She signed me up for baseball and came to my games, she had me in scouts and helped me earn my badges and she encouraged me to pursue the things I was interested in. My mom did a great job of showing me how to make my way on my own. She always worked two jobs, without complaining, and first showed me that entrepreneurial spirit that I finally harvested in my adult years. I never realized it in all of the years that she ran her craft business but my mom was a business owner. She worked hard, managed her business and turned out a quality product.

My second dad... read more

Labels: Curtis Tucker, Daughters, Memories, Parenting

I am very blessed to be in the position of belonging to our local country club. It has become a routine with my daughters and I to eat there every Friday. Mom sits in most Friday's but the girls and I have missed very few.

Every waiter there knows us by name and they pretty much know what we will order. One waiter has created his own ritual of giving my girls flowers after every Friday lunch. The entire staff is getting to watch our girls grow up and they have almost become like family.

My oldest orders corn dogs and shoestring fries most of the time, she changes it up with a cheeseburger or grilled cheese every now and then. She really loves the muffins and tries to get as much butter on each one as she can. My very picky youngest daughter, gets her chicken strips and fries almost every week. Once in a while I can get her to do spaghetti. She refuses to try ketchup (?) but likes to dip everything in salsa and even puts it on her spaghetti!

One of the lasting memories I have as a kid is eating at a local restaurant in a round room. Every year on my birthday, my family would get together and eat at this restaurant. It is something I looked forward to and still remember. Just think, that was only once a year! Think of building a tradition you do every week or every month.

Create that ritual of doing something with your kids every week at the same time and set it in stone. Your kids may not think much of it now but they will look back on it years from now and remember it as one of their favorite times.

I hope you girls enjoyed spending time with dad every Friday. I looked forward to it every week.

Labels: Daughters, Dining, Memories, Parenting