The 3rd Sunday in June is celebrated as Father's Day in quite a few countries around the world (more so than on any other day I think). So to get in the mood we'll be posting a Father's Day related article each day this week to lead up to Sunday the 19th of June.

So we're now at T-7 ... check out Rusty and Larnold of the South Carolina Manhood Network with their inspirational video clip for Father's Day :-)

Thanks to Jon Thorsen for sending it in!

-Stef

We went away last week for a few days, to a place called Lake Taupo, of which we had done hundreds of times, but this time we decided that we might look at taking out a sail boat and it seemed like a really great idea. We got down to the marina where the boats where and then my wife asked me the question “Do you know how to sail one of those” and I said “of course I don’t – can’t be too hard” and with her and Pyper there she decided that we would take out the – yep you guessed it row boat.

Now this isn’t as easy as it sounds – I am usually co-ordinated and I have done some rowing before but with Pyper on board in her cute little life jacket it really was harder, and I was mindful of making sure she was safe and we did everything close to the shore line! ... read more >>

I just finished writing my first kids' book. I won't be looking for a literary agent, however, because I wrote this book just for Alleke. In fact, she is the main character in the story, and the book is about her new bedtime routine.

Discipline as training (not punishment)
I made a significant breakthrough in my thinking as a parent this summer while reading Ross Cambell's book How to Really Love Your Child (recommended by Lisa). Campbell suggests that discipline and punishment are not the same thing. Punishment is one form of discipline, and one he uses only as a last resort. Instead, Campbell redefines discipline as training (my words). ... read more >>

A couple of weeks ago I had taken Pyper to play group of which it has lots of new and interesting toys and with that comes safety, Pyper was on top of an indoor slide which is about ½ metre off the ground went to pull her feet around and went forward to make a huge thud on the ground and then 1, 2, 3 – S c r e a mmmmm!!!. As the only father at the playgroups I had the “wait till you get home you will be in trouble with your wife” jokes but in the end I was more worried about Pyper then what Renee would say well on the outside anyway! ... read more >>

Pypers mother (Renee) is a hairdresser with the hair salon at the bottom level of house, and Pyper is a frequent user of the dust pan and brush using it to pick up hair.

For more than 18 months Renee had been waiting for Pypers hair to grow so that she could give it her first haircut , Pyper has my fine hair – so its taken a lot longer than expected for her to grow it.

2 weeks ago Renee finally said that ok im going to give her the first trim – OMG this should have been a ceremony with some digntries invited at least, but there wasnt it was just her grandmother, her mother and I.

She sat perfectly and didnt even flinch, she was very well behaved and believe you me I have seen and heard some real little screamers.

In a flash it was over – a few snips here and there and it was done. Hmm luckily we didnt have speaches ready or anything.... ... read more >>

Here is another great creation from Weta Workshop (people who brought ups Lord of The Rings) it is a new animated childrens program called "The Wotwots", at first I thought “oh my god! Not another bloody TV show!”, well as it turned out Pyper, Renee and I was invited to the launch of the 'Wotwots' at the Wellington Zoo (as the show is about aliens that land at a Zoo).

Launch day rolls around – the weather was grey on the verge of raining and freezing cold so absolutely perfect for a day at the zoo to watch a TV program being launched about two aliens, I was secretly hoping they would abduct me and take me back to their planet hopefully it would be warmer!

We got to the zoo had a look around at the animals and made our way to the enclosure to see the launch, and I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised, the characters were very cute and warm, that caught even the parents imagination. ... read more >>

It happened so quickly, one moment she was on the bed, the next with a thud she wasn't!

One eary morning, Ava was playing on top of the bed, Mum had popped out to the kitchen and I was still half asleep under the sheets (it was a weekend)

I turned just briefly when I heard the thud, reflex took over and I was over her in a moment. Ava had fallen of the bed on her face, her legs still in the air. She started crying, first thought was she is ok, so I picked her up to sooth her.

She suffered a scratch and bruising to her head, but was her cherry self soon enough.

Here are some things to check for if your baby/toddler takes a fall.
- Does not Vomit
- Moves neck, arms and legs normally
- Keep an eye on the soft spot as long as it doesn't start protuding your in good shape
- Keep awake for about an hour

Call your doctor if you are still not confident that your child is not well ... read more >>

Today is Ava’s first birthday

12 months of immense love and joy.

Ava is an easy baby, as far as babies go I guess, I have been blessed with great children (Ava being number 4 for me), she is happy and interactive, loves to play with other children, gives great cuddles and kisses.

Has a big beautiful smile with a few little white teeth which is immediately infectious to all around.

We celebrated her birthday on Sunday with her friends and family, great turn-out!

I am looking forward to many more years ahead

Happy birthday bubble

Daddy loves you

Cake decorated by Andrea (mum) and me :-)

A song about a Father's unwavering love for his daughter from birth through marriage and beyond. This song is excellent for weddings, birthdays, sweet sixteens, etc.!

... read more >>

Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today.
But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.
But the little girl went to school eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats
One by one the teacher called a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare. ... read more >>