October 30, 2013

Standing By...

The kids are getting bigger, and it kind of sucks.

It's a sad reality as a parent when your kids start to outgrow some of their stuff.  I have a basement full of old toys that they used to play with that now just sits idle in hopes that they play with them once again.  The truth is they probably won't. There are other things that are occupying their time now, big kid things.  But the toys in the basement are there - standing by - just in case.




John Willey - Daddy's in Charge?

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October 28, 2013

My Syracuse Fandom and Target NCAA Giveaway

When it comes to NCAA obsessions in my house, there is only one... Syracuse Orange Basketball.

I am a graduate of Syracuse but my fandom for the school started way before I stepped foot on the campus.  When Keith Smart hit the jumper to beat SU in 1987, that was probably the single worst moment of my life up until that point. I know what you are thinking, that I am probably taking it a bit too far, but this is Syracuse we are talking about, not Stony Brook.

My buddy Chris and I with SU legend John Wallace
When Syracuse won the national title in 2003, that day ranks up in the top 10 moments of my life.  My wife thinks that I would put it higher than my wedding day, and as she says unlike weddings SU winning a national title in basketball only happens once in a lifetime. BURN!

With their move to the ACC this year, there are high hopes for the team. Of course there are always high hopes from me as I pick them to win every year.  It's called being a fan right?

Why am I telling you all of this?

Well I was asked to let you know that Target has teamed up with Dove Men+Care, AXE, Degree Men, and the NCAA to help guys keep smelling fresh.  You are asked to put your skills to the test and play the "Save your season" QB Challenge for a chance to win and Xbox One.

Also at Target you will receive a $5 gift card when you buy any three participatingDove Men+ Care, AXE or Degree Men products from now until 11/9.  Just because your team may stink (mine won't) doesn't mean that you have to.  Don't forget to join @resourcefulmom for a Twitter party on 11/4 at 8:00PM using the hashtag #TargetNCAA.

Also here is your chance to win $20 from Target (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was compensated for this post but all opinions about Syracuse being the best basketball team on Earth are my own.


John Willey - Daddy's in Charge?

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October 23, 2013

Create 2 Destroy and the Power of Outdoor Play

It's been many years since my boys last played with Play-Doh.

Honestly, if you are like me, its fun to play with OUTSIDE but never indoors.  The little balls of dough always dried up and made a mess of of the floor.  I swear it's the only thing worse than crumbs in my eyes.  I made the mistake when the kids were really little to let them have at it in the kitchen, but as a parent you live and learn.  Take that stuff outside and save me the aggravation of having to sweep the floors more than I already do.

I had almost given up on the product.  My boys no longer showed an interest in it, partly from me NOT wanting them to play with it and partly that they were getting older and into a lot of other things.  In fact I just threw out a complete set the other day so I could make room in a closet for my wife's Pumpkin Puree obsession.  She eats so much pumpkin she has actually started to turn a little shade of orange.

Enter Crayola.

The folks at Crayola wanted to know if I would take part in a little competition amongst some other bloggers making videos on Instagram showcasing their new Create 2 Destroy product line.  Me, not one to stand in the way of showcasing my kids, agreed right away.  When the box came in the mail the kids were actually excited (perhaps they weren't done playing with these sort of things after all.)  So outside we went.  They promise that the Morphix dough won't crumble and scatter all over my kitchen, but I wasn't taking ANY chances.  This is strictly an OUTSIDE toy regardless of what is promised.

My kids had a little trouble with the molds of the cars and trees in the Dino Destruction Metropolitan Mayhem, but overall they enjoyed just creating bombs that they could fling at each other.  Perhaps the set wasn't designed to cause World War 3, but when you get two competitive little boys that's what happens. And since we were OUTSIDE who was I to stand in the way of a good time?

This was the video that we came up with:



Now I need your help.  The contest is officially underway so I need you to go and vote for me right HERE.  It's very easy.  Follow the steps to vote for videos and find my name "Daddy's in Charge" not the "Dad in Charge" one (unless you think his is better than mine).  But as you know, I am a professional at this sort of thing. This process is NOT easy to accomplish from a mobile phone and a desktop is recommended.

AND!!!!

You guys have a chance to make your own videos with the product as well.  All you have to do is follow @Crayola on Instagram and include your kids descriptive story line in the caption/ video description.  Also make sure that you use the hashtag #Create2Destroy in the description as well.  The winning video storyline will be featured on the 2014 Product Box. HOW COOL IS THAT?

AND!!!

You can win your own Create 2 Destroy set by entering the contest below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was supplied a set by Crayola and was compensated for my time and this post.  All opinions are mine except when told by my wife what to think otherwise.


John Willey - Daddy's in Charge?

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October 3, 2013

5 Rules for People on Scooters

First of all I want to apologize to all the scooter riding people in the world.  I have no idea why you are riding the scooter or the circumstances that put you there. I can only assume that you no longer have full use of your legs or you just like riding around in a scooter.

With that being said, there are some simple rules that you need to follow to make sure your ride is a pleasurable one for you and for me.

1. You do not own the road.  Just because you are riding around in the four wheel vehicle does not give you the right to run people over.  Lets pretend for a second that you HAVE full use of your legs.  Would you go around weaving through people and push them out of the way.  No you would not.  You are on the same walkway as I am, we are equal.

Scooters are EVERYWHERE at Disney
2. If you can, shut that beep OFF! How about you act like a human for a change and not rely on the stupid beep sound to let people know that you are backing up. When I walk backwards I don't yell, "Beep, Beep, Beep," I say a simple excuse me and go about my way. The beeps are for big trucks that can't see everything behind them. Clearly you can turn your head and see that I am standing there.

3. You are not entitled to anything. Call me heartless, but we are waiting in the same line.  You can sit behind me.  A scooter does not give you the right to get at the head of every line.  Some of us are standing.  Wait your turn.

4. Do not offer rides to my kids.  I don't want them getting the idea that this is a way that they should be getting around.  Your legs don't work and my kids legs do (except when I tell them that we need to walk somewhere).

5. Do not abuse the use of the scooter. I am not a fan of scooters as I think that too many people abuse them.  Obviously there are those that completely rely on them for any sort of mobility, BUT we all know that there are those people that use them way more than they should. Being large is NOT an excuse to ride one in my eyes.  Perhaps walking, or trying to, would be better for you.

It's simple really, a four wheel vehicle should not turn you into a complete moron.

John Willey - Daddy's in Charge?

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