A Letter to Future Sippy Cup (7)

Hey kid,

Abraham Lincoln once said "Honor is better than honors."

Make sure you live a life that reflects those words.

I promise you, I will do the same.

Sincerely,
Dad

Big Boy

Earlier this afternoon, Lil Sippy Cup protested the fact that I was attempting to help him get dressed.

The basis for his argument was that, without a doubt, he was a "...big boy now" and didn't need my help to accomplish the task.

I was impressed with his resolve and with the new level of maturity and development he had reached.  I told him that I agreed with him and just sat back to make sure he selected weather-appropriate clothing.

As he was changing into his clothes, Lil Sippy Cup got lost inside of his tee-shirt.  For 3 straight minutes, he fumbled around inside the shirt, grumbling various bad words of his own invention. He eventually found a way to pull his head through one of the arm sleeves and seemed content and impressed with his accomplishment.

In life, when faced with an obstacle, most children will ask for help.  Other children, however, will just pull their heads through tight arm sleeves and turn the problem into a creative fashion statement.

I am not surprised that my son falls into the latter category.

What I Learned Today (17)

Today I learned that, what I had originally assumed was an isolated incident is, in fact, part of a disturbing pattern.

Every night, at the same time, Lil Sippy Cup just absolutely loses his mind and will start running up and down the hallways for no discernible reason.

The time?  11:30pm.

While I may not know what causes this behavior, I do know that this does not bode well for my sleep.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Sippy Cup

In spite of the ridiculously hot September weekend (87 degrees in September?  Really?), Lil Sippy Cup was treated to a trip to Barton Orchards to go pumpkin picking.

I will readily admit that I was not prepared for the amount of manual labor this would actually entail.  I was also not prepared for how much pumpkins actually weigh.  This lack of preparation on my part has resulted in quite the interesting and unexpected back spasms today.

Nevertheless, as always, Lil Sippy Cup had a great time.

Enjoy the pictures.

Doughnut Plant

I have often mentioned how incredible New York City can be.  The traffic may be terrible, there are crazy people in the streets late at night and it can sometimes smell but, in spite of all of that, I love this city.

One of the main reasons I am able to ignore all the things that make most sane people move out of New York is the fact that, at any given time, you can Google the phrase "Best (Blank) in NYC" and get at least 10 awesome options.

The other day, the Google search produced the following option for "Best Doughnut in NYC": Doughnut Plant.  Clearly, any business whose name implies that it is an entire factory dedicated to producing doughnuts is a definite "to-do/to-eat" on my list.  Plus, the little dude loves doughnuts, so it was bound to be a win-win.

The name Doughnut Plant is a bit misleading, as the shop itself is a bare-bones, tiny little affair; nevertheless, Google was right: they do make the absolute best doughnuts in NYC.  They have your traditional glazed doughnuts but they also bake more creative varieties: options include Coconut Glaze, Creme Brulee, Carrot Cake and (our favorite) the Peanut Butter and Blackberry Jam. 

There are more pictures after the jump.  I hope you enjoy them.  We certainly enjoyed eating them.  The doughnuts.  Not the pictures.

Fall Preview

I have made no secret of my opinion of the dismal state of affordable toddler fashion.

That's why when I am able to put together outfits like this, it makes me especially proud.

Simple Wishes

Dear Mommy,

Happy Birthday.  I love you.

Sincerely,
Lil Sippy Cup

*Transcription services provided by Mr. Cufflink

Commercial Break

After weeks of deliberation, I have decided to offer some of my photographs for sale on Etsy.com.

Up until now, my humility has prevented me from pursuing this idea.   However, after constant prodding and poking by friends and family alike (who are of the firm opinion that my photographs are, indeed, worth selling) I have chosen to indulge their fantasies of my grandeur and sell some photos that I am proud of on the following website:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mrcufflinks



Depending on the response and the popularity of this idea, I plan to add more photographs in the future.

As always, please spread the word.  Your support and words of encouragement have brought me this far. 

Let's see how much further we can go.

Silent Posting (3)

Silent Posting (2)

DIY Night

Tonight, I built a light box (this link provides step-by-step instructions just in case you'd like to build one of your own). 

Professional photographers use light boxes to properly light and photograph products for advertisements and websites.

Amateur photographers, on the other hand, use light boxes to photograph whatever their 3 year-old son wants them to photograph.

Not that it needs to be clarified but here is a picture I took tonight.

I think it's pretty clear which category I belong in.

A Letter to Future Sippy Cup (6)

Hey kid,

Earlier today, we found ourselves alone, in a car, in the middle of a devastating thunderstorm.

Even though the thunderclaps were deafening and the lightning streaks were terrifying and it literally looked like the world was ending, you didn't even flinch.

I cannot express to you how proud you made me.

Sincerely,
Dad

Yet Again

Me: "I was planning to start with the fact that it's way past your bed time..."

Lil Sippy Cup: "No it isn't."

Me: "Actually, it is."

Lil Sippy Cup: "Ok."

Me: "But, first, let me just ask...why do you have an umbrella open inside the house?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "So I don't get water on me."

Me: "That's a response that, somehow, manages to answer my question without really answering my question."

Editor's Note: This is our 200th post.  That's pretty awesome.  Thanks for the support.

Sweet Second Thoughts

A little known fact about me is that I am an avid amateur baker.  It is a skill I have inherited from my mother and one that I didn't really discover until I had a tiny rugrat tugging at my legs, demanding food and treats.

Tonight, the little dude and I made some sugar cookies and used the Strawberry Preserves we got at Masker Orchards to add some sweet filling to them.

Needless to say, we had fun.

However, I must admit that I am starting to question the intelligence of baking sugar cookies with a 3 year-old at 9 pm.

Whatever happens for the rest of the night, I readily admit that it is my own fault.

Dinnertime

Me: "Why are you wearing sunglasses?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "So that the sun won't burn my eyes."

Me: "Good point.  I'll revise my question: why are you wearing sunglasses at the dinner table?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "HA!"

Me: "Fair enough."

Lil Sippy Cup (casually scooping ice and putting it into his bowl of rice): "Yum."

Me: "Should I even ask?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "Because its yummy."

What I Learned Today (16)

Today, I learned that while the "Terrible Twos" may be a parenting myth, the "Tyrannical Threes" are a terrifying reality.

Saturday Morning Cartoon (2)

(click image for larger version)

* Editor's Note: This was the post that inspired the reclusive artist to come out of hiding.

Silent Posting (1)

Unaware of our Surroundings

Lil Sippy Cup and I had to go into the city yesterday.

As per the Peace Accord of 2009, Lil Sippy Cup is allowed to bring one or two toys with him whenever we go outside.

Yesterday, he chose to bring 3 small, high-bounce, rubber balls (he always gets them from the vending machine at the supermarket).  They combine three of his favorite things in life: bright colors, high velocity, and extreme possibilities of violence.

While we were standing on a busy street corner in Midtown Manhattan, we had the following conversation:

Lil Sippy Cup: "Hey Dad?"

Me: "Yeah?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "Can I take my balls out of my pocket?"

Me: "No, not now.  If you take them out now you're going to lose them."

Lil Sippy Cup: "Please?  They're stuck in my pocket.  I want to take the balls out."

Me: "I said no.  If you take them out you will end up losing one and I don't feel like chasing after it."

Lil Sippy Cup: "Pleeeease?  I'll hold onto them really tight.  I promise.  I'll hold my balls really tight so that I don't lose them."

It was only at this point that I realized all the other pedestrians were paying attention to our conversation.

And it was also at this point that I really wished Lil Sippy Cup had brought along another, less suggestive, toy.

Sippy Appleseed

This past weekend, Lil Sippy Cup was treated to a thoroughly unexpected and entirely unplanned trip to go apple picking at Masker Orchards.

While, admittedly, this will probably not help him kick his apple juice addiction, he did have a blast.  Plus, he got to ride a pony.  Miles and miles of apples and a pony ride; he had no complaints.

This was also my first time apple picking and while I was initially skeptical of how manual labor could possibly translate into a good time, the cider apple donuts and apple pie slices eventually convinced me.

There are more pictures after the jump.  Enjoy.

Louder than Words

Sometimes, I ask Lil Sippy Cup to pose for a picture.

Often, he obliges.

More often than not, however, he does not.

His message in the following example is rather clear.

Shiver His Timbers

This past Saturday, Lil Sippy Cup was invited to one of the Bottle Cap's birthday parties. 

As expected, it was an amazing backyard affair, full of pirates, hidden treasures, face-painting and motorcycle gangs (you'll see).

I've said it before and I will say it again: surrounding yourself with awesome parents and their amazing kids is a sure-fire way to make sure you are an awesome parent of an amazing kid yourself.

Please follow the jump for more pictures.  Enjoy.

Lost in Translation (1-5)

As most people who are around young children will tell you, they often speak their own language.

In recognition of this fact, I have decided to catalogue some of Lil Sippy Cup's favorite words/phrases and will provide their English language translations. 

It will also prove useful if I should ever knock myself unconscious and he calls 911 asking for Triangle Chips.

1. Heart Cereal = Cheerios

2. Triangle Chips = Doritos

3. Yellow Chips = Lays Potato Chips

4. Red Juice = Hawaiian Punch

5. Chicken = Chicken, beef, fish...any protein based food item really

Robo Cup

Lil Sippy Cup: "OWWWWWWWWWW!"

Me: "What did you do?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "My hand! OWWW!"

Me: "Come here, let me see it."

Lil Sippy Cup (walking over): "OW! OW! OW!"

Me: "What hurts?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "My hand!"

Me: "Obviously.  What part?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "Everything!  All of it!"

Me: "That's not too specific.  I don't see any cuts or bruises.  What do you want me to do? 
Do you want me to kiss it?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "No! I want you to buy me a new hand!"

Growth and Development

Lil Sippy Cup and I have come to the agreement that we need to incorporate more structured educational activities into his daily schedule.

Since my own exorbitant imagination and ridiculous sense of creativity often leads to tragedy (read this post for an example), we have opted to utilize formal instructional tools instead.

Our first set of activities: this awesome Alphabet Box from the good folks at Lakeshore Learning.

  Image courtesy of Lakeshore Learning

If you aren't a teacher, you have probably never heard of Lakeshore Learning (I know I hadn't).

Lakeshore is a great resource for parents looking for educational and engaging activities for children in all age ranges and educational levels.  I have come to realize that my son learns best when he doesn't even realize he's busy learning phonics or numbers.  The Lakeshore products reinforce good habits and promote the active involvement of parents in their child's educational development. 

While teachers are professionals and have access to specific techniques and instructional theories, I have always believed that education is a team-based activity; the educational success of any child is dependent on their parents/guardians reinforcing the lessons learned while at school.  Without getting into any specific municipal or national politics, I will say that major strides can be taken towards fixing our educational systems if more parents took an active role in their child's education. 

It doesn't mean that we will do a teacher's job for them; it just means we will help teachers do their jobs better.

With all of that said, I am pretty sure Lil Sippy Cup will find a way to turn these activities into violent war games.  I will make sure to keep you posted of his development and of any injuries I may suffer along the way.

Things I Never Thought I'd Have To Say (6)

"If you keep that up you will, literally, kill yourself.  So, please, stop."

Stand-Up Routine

Lil Sippy Cup has recently discovered his own sense of humor. 

As can be expected, it is rather simple and juvenile, lacking the formal structure and precise timing of true comedy.

Lil Sippy Cup: "Hey dad, knock knock."

Me: "Oh, awesome, I didn't know you knew how to do these.  Ok.  Whose there?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "My."

Me: "My who?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "My who butt!  HA HA!"

Me: "My who butt?"

Lil Sippy Cup: "HA! You said butt!"

Me: "Wait..."

Lil Sippy Cup: "Wait my butt!"

Me: "You obviously know this doesn't make sense."

Lil Sippy Cup: "Your butt doesn't make sense."