DadTalk

It Takes a Sneak

I’m eating lunch when I hear the garage door slam. It’s one of those spring-loaded fire doors that will take the toe off the slow-witted.

“That’s odd,” I think. “Lael doesn’t like going into the garage alone.”

Then I hear the bathroom door close. “Okay, so Lael was coming out of the garage. Maybe she was looking for a toy in the car?”

Figuring Lael would be in the bathroom for a while, I call my mom. A few seconds later, I hear the garage door slam again.

With my mom chattering in my ear, I open the door. There, with her back to me, Lael’s shoulders rise as her arms bend inward toward the torso; it’s a classic guilty-body reaction.

From my high vantage point, I can see there is an open roll of Smarties in my little girl’s hands, which she is now trying to shove into her mouth. Several fall to the ground. I snatch the remaining ones from her little fingers, which I later eat when she’s out of sight.

Open on the floor is a green, party-favor box, which is one of several left over from Seth’s birthday. About a week ago, I moved the extra boxes into the garage because Lael had been merrily pulling the candy and cookies out of them. At the time, I warned both kids to save the boxes for Lael’s upcoming birthday party.

“Lael! You little thief!” I say in a menacing voice. She smiles at me.

“Um, mom? Let me call you right back.”

Bringing Lael into the house, I reward my girl with a long time out. I realize the punishment is never going to deter my daughter – when she wants something, she gets it – but what else can I do?

Space Birthday Party

My son, who is now 7, is pretty big on birthday themes. This year was all about space, as you can see by the birthday cake.

We held the party at our community park, which comes complete with water sprinklers, pool, open field, gym toys and park benches.

For the first time since we started throwing birthday parties, little parenting was needed. The kids ran from the sprinklers to the playground equipment to the field, where they launched Stomp Rockets.

After grilled hot dogs and chips, the kids did some arts and crafts arranged by my wife. The entire birthday was a pleasure from start to finish.

Handy Safe Fish Guide

Not sure what fish is safe for your family? Even less sure which is eco-friendly? Check out this cool, easy-to-read chart from oceanographer Neil Banas.

Food Recall Dry Milk Products

Food sellers are recalling milk products because of possible salmonella contamination, reports the Food and Drug Administration. The voluntary effort is an extension of an earlier recall, which includes flavored whey proteins, instant nonfat dried milk, fruit stabilizers and thickeners from the Minnesota-based Plainview Milk Products Cooperative.

The recall was sparked after the USDA found salmonella in Dairyshake powder. The FDA subsequently found food equipment at the Plainview plant contaminated with salmonella.

In response to the recalls, Dunkin’ Donuts announced it would stop serving hot chocolate and Dunkaccino drinks because it received the mixes from the Plainview Coop, reports WebMD. Contamination was not found in Dunkin’ Donut prod ducts.

Additional

Companies Recall Products Linked to Milk Processor

Okra: Gooey yet Beautiful

My daughter, Lael, loves okra. In one sitting, she’ll polish off two bowls of the gooey stuff as long as I microwave, steam or fry it and put on a dash of margarine.

What many people don’t know, is that okra is a handsome plant with attractive flowers. After all, okra is related to hibiscus.

Grapes of Math

A gardener next door to me grows grapes primarily for looks and shade over a garden arch. Who gets to eat the thousands of luscious fruits? The birds, of course!

A Day Out on Goldwater Lake

On Father’s Day, I took the family up to Goldwater Lake for some hiking, kayaking and grilled burgers. The lake, which is near Prescott, Arizona, is perfect for young children and only costs a couple bucks to park.

Like last year, Lael didn’t want to stay out on the lake for more than a few minutes. Unlike last year, my wife, Anne there to take our daughter off my hands. At least Anne was able to shoot a few cute photos.

Seth and I enjoyed time together in the kayak, exploring coves and watching dragonflies skirt the water’s surface. We even saw ponies on the trail.

After eating, we walked to the far side of the small lake where Seth and Lael played in the water. After a while, we started collecting rocks for grandma, who has a penchant for such things.

The trip made for a great Father’s Day that was more about family than just dad.

Why You Must Eat That Chocolate Chip Cookie

Food scientists have known for years that they can create food junkies simply by combining a little fat, sugar and salt. Add another addictive ingredient such as chocolate and you have the namesake cookie that is almost impossible to resist.

The cookie is so potent that former Food and Drug Administration chief Dr. David Kessler decided to write “The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite,” which is reviewed in The New York Times.

Restaurants and food makers long have been taking advantage of our human weaknesses. Writes The Times:

Children Trade in Chicken Nuggets for Soup and Carrots, Study Finds

Children are drinking less cola and eating fewer chicken nuggets, French fires and hot dogs at restaurants, reports The New York Times. Consumption of soup, grilled chicken sandwiches, yogurt and carrots is, amazingly, up.

The economic downturn and new offerings by restaurants were cited in a new study as reasons for the sudden change in childhood eating habits, which coincides with childhood obesity levels reaching a plateau, according to another study. At the same time, it’s important to note that children are still eating plenty of fast junk food.

While eating habits may be changing somewhat, living close to fast food chains does not seem to contribute to childhood obesity, reports Inside Indiana Business on an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis study.

While living near a McDonald’s had little effect on weight, living near recreational amenities does seem to lower body mass indexes in children:

The IUPUI researchers also report that residing near certain recreational amenities – fitness areas, kickball diamonds, and volleyball courts – lowers children’s body mass indexes (adjusted for normal childhood growth). The researchers estimated that locating one of these facilities near the home of an overweight 8-year-old boy could lower his weight by three to six pounds.

We Love San Diego

Despite Seth’s burns, we decided to go ahead with our San Diego/La Jolla vacation, even though the doctor said Seth was not allowed to get ocean water or sun on his injuries. Plus, I had to change his dressings each night.

Because the air was pleasantly cool and the water relatively cold, Seth’s injuries did not pose much of a distraction. Even Lael didn’t get her upper body all that wet because the sea was too bracing.

While there, we did the usual touristy things: eating out at overly expensive restaurants, frolicking at the beach, spending a day at the fabulous San Diego Zoo (more on that in another post) and touring the Air & Flight Museum.

The day after the trip, the doctor told us Seth’s burns, which were a pleasant pink color, no longer needed to be dressed. (We still need to apply lotion several times a day.)

In the top photo, Seth and Lael play at different beaches. Below, Seth and Lael at the Air and Space Museum. Below this text, a crab guards its little crevice. In the bottom photo, a happily exhausted Lael fell asleep after her sturdy little body finally gave out.