Posts made in March, 2007

Fun on the high seas

Posted by Dad on Mar 10, 2007 in Family, Travel | 2 comments

Recently, we went on a Disney three day cruise to the Bahamas. I can’t recommend it enough.

The ship departs from Port Canaveral, Florida. Here’s a shot of the Disney area in the port.

Once you get onboard, your struck by the cleanliness and quality of everything. The ship, The Wonder, has a great slide for the kids that starts from one of the smoke stacks and winds it way down into the Mickey shaped pool.

We were fortunate enough to find a great deal on an outside cabin with a balcony. I highly recommend it as there is nothing quite like seeing the ocean pass by as you lounge on your balcony with a cold pina colada. Here’s a view of our cabin facing the balcony.

The ship also has a HUGE screen that plays constant Disney movies and is also used to capture the fun when there’s an party on the main deck. This was a picture of the screen during the Sail Away party.

The great thing for parents is that the kids have their own club that keeps them very entertained and in a secure environment. You and your wife are then able to go out to dinner or for drinks or dancing (honestly, all three) and have “alone” time. They give you a beeper just in case they need to contact you. It’s very well thought out.

The ship goes to Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay- Disney’s private island. At Nassau, we spent the day at the Atlantis Resort. I highly recommend that tour. Make sure it’s the one with access to the pools and slides. We had a great time.

When you get to Castaway Cay, the following day, your treated to a wonderful view of the now-famous Flying Dutchman that was using in the Pirates of the Caribbean 2 movie. You know, it’s Davie Jones’ ship. Here it is during low tide.

The dining is also tremendous in that you eat at a different theme dining room every night. Your waiter and crew follow you to these dining rooms so that stays the same. After dinner, there’s usually a show in their theater. By the way, the shows are absolutely first class. I’m talking broadway style. Also, at least during our trip, they had the Pirates Party that included Mickey swinging from smoke stack to smoke stack and a tremendous fireworks show.

All-in-all, it was a wonderful vacation. Too short, mind you. I think a 7 day would be better. But, nevertheless, a must-do experience for the whole family.

I’ve added more pictures in the Photo album so be sure to take a look if you’re interested.

All the best

Latest update of Difinitive Daddy Blog List

Posted by Dad on Mar 9, 2007 in Dad Bloggers | 3 comments

Added the following daddy blogs to the list. We’re up to 161!

1. Red Sox Dad
2. Look, Daddy!
3. Dangerously Subversive Dad
4. Dad said Mom said
5. Dad’s Life
   
6. Bad Dad

To my dearest daughter, the world can be tough

Posted by Dad on Mar 9, 2007 in Parenting | 0 comments

I hate that school is so hard for your this year. At nine years old, you shouldn’t have to learn that people can be very cruel. Know that it isn’t anything wrong with you- you’re a wonderful, caring human being. The problem lies with the bully. She is taking out her frustrations and emotional problems on you. It happens. The world can be tough. It’s not always fair.

I find myself inadequate sometimes when I see the emotional warfare that young girls can launch on one another. Such cruelty. So sad. When you should be thinking about having fun and playing with friends, you find yourself wondering why the bully didn’t invite you to her birthday party. I’m so sorry you’re going through that. You don’t deserve it.

I find myself wondering how the bully’s parents would allow her to take her birthday invitations to school and only hand them out to the girls she wanted to invite. The show she formed as she bypassed girls saying, “You’re not invited”, should never have happened. Her parents shouldn’t have allowed such a spectacle. But, then again, her parents may have something to do with the reason this girl is such a bully. Sad.

Your mother and I have gone through something similar. I think most people have. You just need to develop a tough skin and understand that the problem is with the bully, not you. It’s hard but I know you. You can do it. Don’t let this bully change you as a person. The world needs more people like you- full of wonder and caring. Hold on to that. Trust me, you will understand more when you get to be my age.

Yes, these early scars will be with you a long time and, in a way, will fashion who you are as a person. However, it is up to you to realize that they are there but not let them control you. We all carry them. It’s part of being human. Don’t let them change you.

So, with much love and admiration, I submit this note so that maybe once you’re older, and this bully is only but a distant memory, you can remember the words I told you when you were little.

Your loving father

On the road again

Posted by Dad on Mar 7, 2007 in Travel | 0 comments

Having a job that takes you away from home is not easy. I do it often, unfortunately. I don’t know how our soldiers are able to do it for so long. My hats off to them.

Here’s a shot from my window:

Ever been to El Salvador?

Parenting in a bubble

Posted by Dad on Mar 6, 2007 in Family, Parenting | 2 comments

I’m sitting in El Salvador on a business trip. CNN is on the TV. The stories seem to be all the same- death, war, Scooter Libby, politics. Blocking out the monotone anchor, I focus on my MacBook Pro and type away thinking of my kids.

Tell me, my fellow parent, how is it that you and I are going to raise well-adjusted, productive, good children in this world that seems so volatile and violent? Tell me, ’cause I’m not sure.

Sure, my wife and I do our best. We live in a relatively safe neighborhood. My kids go to a relatively safe private school. We try to teach them right from wrong. Teach by example.

And then, they turn on the TV and see nothing but humans killing other humans because of religion, land or power. The little bubble we’ve created around our children to try and protect them is in danger of bursting. Makes me wonder whether creating this bubble is really the right thing to do. Our we lying to our kids?

Should we simply sit them down and speak openly and honestly to them?

“Kids, we love you. You need to believe me that humans are essentially good. They just have a terrible habit of forgetting that.

The fact is, you were born into this world. It is a world that is very polar- at the same time incredibly beautiful, loving and terribly cruel, hateful. You have a choice. Grow up and try to make it a better place or keep the status quo. Your mother and I are trying to raise you so that this decision will be obvious to you. However, it is your decision. Your choice.”

Sounds so simple. Ah, but they’re too young to understand. Too young to leave our carefully crafted bubble.