Clocking Back In

I'll admit it, I've been a bad blogger. And maybe not such a great dad lately. And by great, I guess I mean present.

I've been crushed with work lately, and we finally launched a program we've been working feverishly to pull together, so I have a little bit more breathing room. Between my and my wife's travel, we've been a veritable volleyball of surviving -- Did we pay the bills? Who's watching the kids? Did we miss some special dress-up day at the camp? Did we feed the cat? Did you water the flowers, because they're almost dead.

But we're back in business now. And I've been having fun with a few of my new toys that are helping us all have more family time together.

Mii Got the Wii
My most wonderfully awesome wife got me the much anticipated Wii that has been so elusive since December for Father's Day, and I have to say, it is everything I imagined and more. AND, it REALLY IS a good workout if you play the right game. I have especially enjoyed Wii Boxing -- you know, pummeling the crap out of someone just because you feel like it. We all have been loving Wii Bowling, and last night I must have spent almost 2 hours playing Mario Party 8, which is mindlessly juvenile but intoxicating just the same. I am especially pleased with how quickly the kids have picked it up, and have to say my little Fiona is a whiz at almost every game she plays...much to her sister's consternation. What's awesome is that we ALL are able to play together, blow off some steam and have fun!

I'm a Grilling Fool
I guess I never really believed that a good grill made a difference, but we kicked off the summer with a luxury purchase of a new Weber grill. We have NEVER had a nice grill before. And YES, there is a difference. We opted for the Weber Genesis, a pristine combination of form, function and beauty that makes its presence on our deck almost heavenly. It has the gas burner on the side for a pot of corn -- or, if we're lucky some weekend -- a pot of crabs. And I think we've grilled next to everything under the sun in the last month. AND, we've increased the amount of family dinners, which is a nice and welcomed change.

Kindred Spirits

I was in New York all week last week for American International Toy Fair. Like any good dad does when he's gone for that long, I went in search of souvenirs for my little ladies, especially since I would be gone on Valentine's Day. Though I was looking for souvenirs, I ended up finding an unexpected community with kindred spirits.

I went to the American Girl Place at Rockefeller Center -- a bastion of commercialism and homage to American style and history. From overpriced doll clothing to a cafe and theater, the place is a multi-floor wonderland for any little girl...and a vexing disaster for most dads.

Much to my humor as I was browsing, I encountered no fewer that two dozen other men, undoubtedly on business trips and also in search of that perfect gift to take home. We all looked a little dazed and confused, some overwhelmed, some downright pissed. And the best were two, on two separate floors, who were on their mobiles saying "What does she look like? What's her name? Elizabeth? The one in the pink dress or the blue one?" I couldn't help but chuckle at the tought of mom on the other end trying to guide dad to make the right choice, and I was thankful Mom and Progress and I had been through the catalog before I left home, so I had the visuals locked in memory.

$167 later (holy moley), I ended up with two little doll outfits for Valentine's Day gifts, plus a slew of others to save for upcoming holidays and birthdays.

I have to say the sore help were friendly and accommodating, and had I had my ladies on my arm, we would have had a blast. So I'm looking forward to loading them into the car this spring to drive in and check it out.