The oldest turns 14 next week

Over on my Facebook page I was musing on how the biggest tiny has a birthday upcoming and looked back at how tiny he used to actually be. Check out for yourself below. My how kids shoot up like weeds. He'll always be a tiny heathen child to me no matter how old he gets. I just don't know how the girlfriend and I will handle the thoughts that one day each of the three tinies will act like they don't need us anymore. Tell me how you would handle these thoughts yourself please!

AJ at age 2

AJ at 13

Milestones of children

Head on over to my Twitter page for a perfectly accurate depiction of how a parent reacts to a child hitting a milestone as only Fowl language Comics can do.

https://twitter.com/adventuresinbmm/status/719967773028429828

Soccer? That looks like a kung fu battle to me

To further hype the duo for soccer I showed them various images from professional soccer. Then we came across one in particular which both tinies said it looked like a kung fu battle. So of course I turned it into a meme and they have been saying repeatedly for the last day, "Everybody was kung fu fighting!"

A little diddy to get the kids excited for soccer

The kids were more interested in their tablets yesterday afternoon and didn't want to get ready for soccer. Thinking of something catchy that I recall being played in one of the stadiums I saw on television I quickly brought up on my computer a favorite from Bouncing Souls, Ole.



After they had danced around for the entirety of the song they were ready to get their shin guards and cleats on then kick soccer balls like maniacs. Thank goodness some catchy music can get them motivated.

Ready for soccer!

As soccer has started up I found a photograph from the summer of last year at the end of the YES soccer clinic that the duo (Annelise and Zach) participated in. Seeing their happy faces reminds me how worth it it is to run them around for their activities.

Let the extracurricular activities continue!

Recently I talked about juggling when extracurricular activities are involved for the tiny people. This week began where the days the family doesn't have anything doing has dwindled to two days a week. Spring soccer started for the youngest and middle children. Soccer practices are on Mondays as well as Tuesdays. The oldest has drum lessons on Thursdays. Soccer games are on Saturdays and Sundays. The girlfriend and I are quite glad that they are all keeping busy and being active but we wonder as to what sort of free time we'll have for anything else. Heh. Seriously, I'm glad for the social interactions the tinies get to have with the extracurricular activities. It's good for them. Maybe in time the other parents will let us into their circle so C and I won't look like the odd ones out.

Are your children involved in any sports or clubs? Are you part of the in crowd with the other parents? Let me know your ways to getting into their circle, Until next time, keep it up on kicking butt and cleaning house!

This is what I look like trying to juggle

If you are not an experienced juggler (and really, who is?) you probably have a look quite similar to this fellow.

If you find yourself here and are unsure what I'm talking about, check out my blog entry on it.

When I get frustrated juggling I always remember...

I'm not the only one who has trouble juggling. And seeing Brian Gordon's comics at Fowl Language Comics reminds me that all parents have a tough go of it. Last year he had a brief write-up he did at Bored Panda that was the equivalent of smacking me up the side of the head as a reminder. I may not be as cool or successful as I once was but, this family looks at me like a superhero and that makes it easier to manage. The write-up Brian Gordon did is here. Go give it a read and then check out more of his work at Fowl Language Comics. You'll be glad you did.

This is what happens sometimes when I juggle

Practically every time I feel I'm juggling my life and the lives of the family well, something happens and then it goes kaput. How do you manage to juggle and not have it go kaput. Let me know and perhaps I can use those techniques myself to better kick butt and clean house.

via GIPHY

Even if you're bad at juggling, at least you tried

I was thinking about times when my juggling life is not so good and decided to look up bad juggling. I came across a cute video of a toddler being quite amused by his father's lack of skills. It reminded me that even if you're bad at juggling, others will notice you are trying and it will most likely put a smile on their face. give it a watch and it may brighten your day as it did mine. Don't forget to chime in with your own thoughts on how best to juggle!

Juggling my life and the lives of the tiny people

How does one prioritize their own life when there is a significant other and three tiny heathens in the picture? I have been asking myself that same question for the last twenty months. It's hectic and stressful but I wouldn't change it for the world. From the moment the alarm goes off in the morning to either get the girlfriend up to head to work or to wake the youngest and middle child for school until I finally make my way to bed after having lunches made for everyone the following day, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I still have difficulty figuring how to achieve a balance. I'm not working, but I am taking college classes. And as any parent knows, being a parent is a full-time all on its own. There's school for the tiny people, homework, and extracurricular activities. Then there is the never-ending task of preparing meals, cleaning, laundry, and rearranging schedules As they are all still children one shouldn't be surprised that they can be rambunctious. When the girlfriend has days off she likes to try to have us all do things together so the tiny people are not bored. In our world of iPods, iPads, tablets, and other forms of technology it is important to get out of the house and do things so the technology does not take the place of the parents. This makes it difficult to find undisturbed time to do assignments. Frustration may occur from time to time but I continue to remind myself that I'm strong enough to juggle.

How do you as a parent juggle your life and the lives of your tiny people? 

For those who have children who don't like meatloaf

I know I am all about sharing my meatloaf recipe but there are those who have family member (specifically of the tiny heathen variety) who are picky. Browsing through the internet I stumbled upon yet another comic from Fowl Language Comics that reminded me of the days when the trio here are not in the mood to eat. Do some days you have this occur? If so, how do you handle it?

Video to accompany cooking music

If you like to have something to watch during your prep of the simple and easy meatloaf recipe, I have included the video for Meatloaf's "I Would Do Anything For Love." Are you a fan of this man's music? Would you deny that this song is a classic?

Cooking music for making meatloaf

Some people like to have silence when they cook but I am not one of those people. As the kids like to bounce in and out of the kitchen (I mean seriously, what kids don't?) I choose to have some music play as it helps me to focus. So what better choice for making meatloaf than the band by the same name? Here's one of the songs I be bopped around to from the man known as Meatloaf himself, I would Do Anything For Love.

Meatloaf photos - before and after

Simple and easy meatloaf recipe that results in the tiny people loving it. Here are the photos showing the uncooked followed by the cooked:

Check out the recipe here and give it a try. If picky tiny people ranging from 6 to 13 approve, it must be good.

Meatloaf recipe - The Kids Actually Like It!

I'll be honest, the trio are picky eaters. It is a challenge getting them to eat prepared meals some days. When I first made meatloaf for dinner I was skeptical on them actually eating it. I was joyfully surprised when all three ate everything on their plate! Below is the recipe I use for my meatloaf. Give the recipe a go and let me know if it goes over well for your family.

Ingredients

2 1/4 pounds ground beef

1 egg

1 medium sized onion, chopped

1 2/3 cups milk

1 3/4 cups dried bread crumbs

16 ounces mushrooms, sliced (if not using fresh mushrooms canned will work just as well)

4 ounces shredded cheese (any kind will do)

2 ounces shredded cheese (optional)

1/3 cup ketchup

1/3 cup mustard

1/4 cup barbecue sauce

salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Directions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F

2. In a large bowl, combine the ingredients. Season your mix with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste and place in a lightly greased 5x9 inch loaf pan, OR form into a loaf and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

3. (optional) Sprinkle 2 ounces of shredded cheese evenly on top of your meatloaf.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour.

Pretty simple, yes?

On slow weeks I feel like this

Well, it has been a slow week in social media land here so there has not been too much traffic. Weeks like this I feel like Dicky...

Comic provided by Fowl Language Comics.

While you wait for things to pick up here, think of it like this: I’m working out my answer like it was Final Jeopardy.

Audio provided by Orange Free Sounds.

Enjoy this oldie but goodie during this slow week

Not a whole lot is going on here and I apologize for such. For now, enjoy this feel good oldie but goodie and I'll be back soon with more fun.

Slow week but never fear, for something exciting shall appear soon...

Slow week, stay tuned

It has been a slow week in social media and I apologize for that. There hasn’t been too much outside of the norm this week. It has just been constant here. Things are beginning to be put in motion. Just stay tuned…

Catchy music to move you down the road

During a leisurely drive on my day off from being Mister Mom, the girlfriend and I were grooving to new Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

Deadpool is good to watch for a day with no tiny people

Check out this Deadpool trailer and think about seeing it on a day off from kicking butt and cleaning house. You’ll be glad for the fantastical opportunity to have a little you time.

Enjoying some Waffles Incaffeinated on a well-deserved day off

What Mister Mom does with a day off

Recently I had a day off from being Mister Mom while the girlfriend also had off from work. We started the day off with going to Waffles Incaffeinated and having some amazing waffles as well as tasty coffee. We took a leisurely drive, took in some tunes, visited the mall to do some shopping, took in a movie, and caught up on some television. It may not have been as exciting a day off as some may have but it was quite enjoyable and I’m glad to have had a minor reprieve.

In case you need a visual

In case you like visual images to help get you excited, here is one of the promotional movie posters for Kung Fu Panda 3. I highly recommend seeing it!

Poster courtesy of Moviefone.

An audio review of Kung Fu Panda 3

Here is a review from Korey Coleman on Kung Fu Panda 3.

What is Kung Fu Panda 3?

If you haven't seen any commercials on television (or online) for the film Kung Fu Panda 3 check out one of the trailers below:

Voice cast of Kung Fu Panda 3

For those unfamiliar with faces to go with voices of the characters in Kung Fu Panda 3, here is a photo of the cast at the Kung Fu Panda 3 premiere.

Photo courtesy of The Indian Express.

Family movie night - Kung Fu Panda 3

Yesterday the girlfriend and I decided we would have a family movie night at the movie theater. The children were asked to agree on a movie for the family and the consensus wound up being Kung Fu Panda 3. Here is a brief description from the search result on Google: “Living large and loving life, Po (Jack Black) realizes that he has a lot to learn if he's going to fulfill the next challenge from his beloved instructor (Dustin Hoffman). After reuniting with his long-lost father (Bryan Cranston), Po must transition from student to teacher and train a group of fun-loving, clumsy pandas to become martial-arts fighters. Together, the kung-fu brethren unite to take on the evil Kai (J.K. Simmons), a supernatural warrior who becomes stronger with each battle.” (https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=kung+fu+panda+3) As I had not seen any of the movies in the series I checked out the official Kung Fu Panda 3 site so I could get at least a degree of familiarity with the characters and the franchise. It was an exciting time enjoyed by all of us. Now I need to go back and watch the first two. I'm thinking that may be on the agenda over the tiny people's Easter break.

Another fun way to enjoy a day off

What’s another fun way to enjoy a day off? Catching up on a more adult version of Harry Potter, that’s what! Have you seen The Magicians? If so, what have you thought of it? If you haven't I highly recommend it!

via GIPHY

Welcome One and All

Hello, and welcome to Adventures in Being Mister Mom! My name is Bernard. I’m thirty-three years old and became a stay-at-home parent of three children in August 2014. I never saw myself years ago falling into an already made family. I’m used to working for a living and the only experience raising children (or tiny people as I like to call them) was when it came to helping raise my youngest brother. There has been a growing trend of males taking a more active role in parenting, similar to that of a stereotypical mother from decades gone by. Some choose to do this for the benefit of their significant other. Some have the choice made for them because of a loss of a job and their significant other works to support the household. There are many different reasons as to why, but one thing that seems to be quite evident: many males are challenged by becoming “Mister Mom” and really do not have much of a clue as to what to do. I typed “mister mom blogs” into Google and did learn there are blogs out there. The problem with the blogs though is that they dried up after roughly a dozen entries. I know there isn’t an official instructional guide handed out to both males and females alike when they become a parent. If that were the case it would be in my opinion rather nifty. I choose to try to give voice to all the males out there who are staying at home to raise children. This isn’t to turn into myself, or anyone else, seeking praise for taking care of the tiny people we love and cherish more than life itself. This blog is to share recipes, stories, reflections, and the adventures in being Mister Mom. If you leave questions, comments, or concerns I will do my very best to respond back to you inside of twenty-four hours. In time there shall be many outlets stemming from this blog and I encourage each and everyone one of you to get involved as I shall be available through all of them.

"Views expressed here are not supported by the Community College of Beaver County or any employee thereof."