Six Years Later – Happy BDay Kid!

IMG_1083 This post is a few days late, but I’m a busy dad, so it’s now or never. Getting down to brass tacks, this post is about my baby girl. Well, I guess you could say she’s not much of a baby anymore. She is now a kindergarten six year old super star. Last Friday my wife and I had the privilege to host a nice slumber party for the birthday girl. But that’s not where the days festivities started.

I take my daughter to school sometimes and on her birthday it was set up as a regular school day. I take her and drop her off and will pick her up when the day is done. But this morning I had a surprise for the birthday girl. Waffle House. If you have never been to a Waffle House I suggest you stop reading now and go and grab yourself a nice breakfast, brunch, or brinner. No matter what time of day or night Waffle House is amazing. My daughter loves Waffle House. It is her favorite place to eat and is on the most requested list of places to go in our house. I would eat it as much as she wants but my wallet cannot afford that many waffles. So anyways… On our way to school I made a special stop at Waffle House. We both had an awesome breakfast and even played a few songs in the jukebox before it was time to get to class.

IMG_5672In my daughter’s school the students are allowed to bring in a treat for their birthday to share with the class. We decided to go with Party Muffins this inaugural school year. We also sent some Shopkins napkins to help with any cleanup. I hear it was a good choice from what my daughter tells me. She said the class sang “Happy Birthday” to her and she got a cool pencil from the Principal.

After school it was time for the party to begin. My birthday girl wanted to have a dance party. So while my wife decorated during the day, once I got home it was time to setup the music. I set up my DJ station and also hooked up a projector to show videos and effects to go along with the music. It was a big hit with the kiddos. They requested songs and danced like crazy. I’m sure they spent a good deal of energy bouncing off the walls to Taylor Swift.

For dinner the birthday girl wanted to have a “build your own pizza” dinner. We like to make these simple pizzas using flour tortillas. The kids loved the idea of making their own pizza. They did not hesitate to pile on the cheese and pepperoni’s in a vast arrangement of smiley faces and other wild patterns.

IMG_5708When dinner finished up my wife took over for a little craft time while I cleaned up the mess that was quickly gaining more ground through out our house. The kids painted and glued pieces of sequins and buttons on wood pieces of their first initial of their name. That took up a considerable amount of time and once they were finished with their craft it was time for a movie and popcorn. I used the same projector that I had used for DJing and played a movie for the kids. At least one or two popcorn fights later they were finally settled down and while my baby girl partied with the best of them she was the first to go to sleep. She had a busy birthday. With so much going on she was snoozing the night away. Her friends feel asleep soon after and me and the wife complimented each other on the successful night.

Backyard Freedom

IMG_4755With the days not as hot as they typically are here in St. Louis we have started letting our kids go out into the backyard without much supervision from us parents. It’s one of those things that you have to start thinking about as your kids start getting older. You can’t have them coupe up in the house all of the time, but at that same time you can’t always be watching over them like a hawk. You have things you need to get done as well.

So we have a privacy fence and I think our neighborhood is pretty good so I’m not terribly worried about any wrong doing happening. When the kids are out back we open up a few of the windows towards the back of the house so we can here them if they start screaming bloody murder.

That has happened zero times so far now that I mention it. The kids play good out there by themselves. They run around and they wear themselves out. We have a playhouse, swing set, tree house, truck sandbox thing, and a few other things that they have reign over. Another thing I like to do when they go out back to play is I have a radio that I like to turn on some music for them to listen to while playing. I don’t have any research to back it up but I think they really enjoy having some tunes going while doing whatever it is they are doing out there.

There have been a few times where they go outside and then want to come back in after 10 minutes. While that kinda sucks because not much can get done in only 10 minutes, but it’s a start. The kids get that breath of freedom and over time they will want to go out back and play for longer and longer. Sometimes you have to take baby steps and sometimes those turn into leaps. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Having some fun in the backyard. #slowmotion #crazykids

A video posted by St. Louis Dad (@dadstl) on

I’m not one for wanting my kids to grow up too fast, but I’m also not wanting to have to keep them entertained all of their waking hours. I think backyard freedom is a perfect opportunity for the kids to gain some independence and also give us parents a much needed break. I’m not expecting anyone to just throw their kids out into the backyard unprepared. I’m just letting you know what works for us, and so far it has worked well.

I wouldn’t recommend doing this in the front yard. At least for us, the street in front is too busy for the kids to be alone out there. They stay away but I like having the piece of mind that some wacko isn’t going to come flying through my yard with their car. So the kids stay in the backyard.

What kinds of things do you do with your kids in the backyard? Do you send them out alone or do you venture out with them? Let me know below in the comments, I’d love to hear what others are doing in their backyard!

It’s Christmas in August!!!

IMG_5629It’s Christmas in August! Well, not exactly, the weather is beautiful and school has just satrted, but it sure feels like it with this great item 1byOne sent over for me to check out and review. I love reviewing 1byOne products mainly because they have some great innovative pieces of technology. From the bluetooth speaker to the solar charger they keep on impressing this St. Louis Dad.

This time 1byOne sent over a garden light made specifically for Christmas. This awesome light uses laser technology to beam Christmas trees and red dots on just about any surface you want. You can use the garden light inside or outside. It can withstand a little rain but shouldn’t be submerged according to the included manual. I would also recommend using caution with the lasers. Never look directly into the laser lights and never shine it into the sky, always on a surface. You don’t want to mess with any airplanes passing overheard. St. Louis Lambert Airport is not very far from my location and we have planes flying overhead often enough that I’m going to be using the 1byOne Garden Laser Light indoors this Christmas. It is perfect to shine on many areas in our house and the kids love the moving display of little red dots and green trees.

IMG_5630My only recommendation for this particular light is possibly having a way to change what is displayed based on holiday. Maybe some bunnies and eggs for Easter, fireworks for the Fourth of July, pumpkins for Halloween, etc… But I’m not disappointed with the garden light at all. I am excited to use it this winter season and I would recommend anyone looking into the latest Christmas display technology to give 1byOne’s garden laser light a chance to liven up your display this season.

The light does include a timer and sensor for daylight. You can also change the display between the trees and red dots and how they may interact. The garden light does require an electrical outlet and has an included cord that is pretty lengthy.

Check out this awesome laser light 1byOne sent over! #review #lasers #christmas

A video posted by St. Louis Dad (@dadstl) on

You can purchase a 1byone garden light at Amazon or Amazon UK. Also be sure to follow all of 1byOne’s social media accounts to stay up to date on their latest product offerings as well as other cool info!

FacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestInstagramTumblr, and YouTube

1byone.com provided St. Louis Dad with this product as compensation in exchange for an honest review. Please visit 1byone.com for more awesome products that can help make your life better!

Worlds of Enchantment with Disney on Ice!

disneyoniceDisney on Ice is back in St. Louis at the Chaifetz Arena! This time the Worlds of Enchantment are coming to the home of Saint Louis University’s Billikens. Join many of your favorite Disney characters as they skate in fantastic choreographed fashion in an awesome family friendly event September 23rd through the 25th! That is plenty of time to pick up tickets to a show that fits into your schedule. Check out Disney on Ice’s website for even more info!

We will be at the show. Both of my kids love every single one of the characters Disney has brought to life. Disney on Ice is a great opportunity for the entire family to see some of their favorites come together in a really cool show. We have been to a few Disney shows and we have never been let down by the work put into such an awesome production. I love the look on both of my kids’ faces when the curtain lifts and the show begins. Like I said we will be there, and if you see me, say hi! I love meeting my readers.

For St. Louis Dad readers I have a special discount code you can use when you purchase your tickets. Save $5 by using the code GDAD when purchasing your tickets!

Discounts are ONLY valid on Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 5pm.

Click HERE and enter offer code GDAD to purchase discounted tickets on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7pm.

Click HERE and enter offer code GDAD to purchase tickets discounted on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7pm.

Click HERE and enter offer code GDAD to purchase discounted tickets on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 5pm.

Enter the dazzling world of Disney magic LIVE ON ICE! Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment. Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen and the crew of Disney•Pixar’s Cars race across the ice! Dive into adventure with Ariel and The Little Mermaid’s undersea kingdom. The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the Disney•Pixar Toy Story gang escape Sunnyside Daycare in their most daring adventure! Plus, enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love comes from within. Get warmed up for the show and be your best with exclusive moves taught by the mouse that started it all at Mickey’s Dance-Along Pre-Show. From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, your family’s favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment.

disneyonicefrozen

SHOW DATES SHOW TIMES
Sep 23, 2016 07:00PM
Sep 24, 2016 11:00AM , 03:00PM , 07:00PM
Sep 25, 2016 01:00PM , 05:00PM

TICKET INFO

Tickets on sale now!

PRICING

Tickets start at $15!

Market pricing applies to all tickets. Rates can fluctuate based on factors that affect supply and demand. Lock in your price and location today!

Purchase tickets by phone: (314) 977-5000 | Group Sales Info: (314) 977-5008