Big Brother Explains Manners

The other day--out of the blue--Big Brother started drawing pictures about good manners.

Couldn't help but share this gem of wisdom: "Don't go #2 on the floor!"

See you on Fatherhood Friday,
Keep it clean,
Busy-Dad-E

Big Brother Explains Lego Mania

At the age of (almost) 5, Big Brother has declared himself as the technophile of the family.

As I've said before, he can pursue whatever career elicits his passion (so long as it's legal).

However, it's still fun to wager a guess, and at this point he appears destined to become some kind of architect/structural engineer.

Lately, Big Brother has been captivated with Legos. He likes the "regular" Legos, but he also still has a penchant for Lego Duplo blocks (probably because he can build bigger things more quickly).

For a while now, Big Brother carries a bag with 6 yellow Legos most everywhere he goes. He started making all kinds of designs, and can change from one to another quickly.

What's been cool is that he'll ask, "Dad-E, what do you want me to make?" and just like a balloon animal artist, 10 seconds later he's got it.

Only very recently has he added a few more Legos to his bag (I guess he got frustrated when I asked him to make the Sphinx with only 6 yellow Legos).

And so, in pictures, Big Brother asked me to show you some of his favorite Lego creations.

These are his own designs. While Dad-E enjoys playing Legos, too, I didn't make any of these.

Presenting Big Brother's Lego-Mania! Enjoy!

See you on Fatherhood Friday,

Busy-Dad-E

Legos from busy dad-e on Vimeo.

Big Brother Explains Special Handshakes

Happy Labor Day!

Since I don't feel like working much today, I've decided to let Big Brother shoulder some of the workload.

It's been awhile since we've done a "Big Brother Explains" post, where he gives us his own unique how-to.

Actually, this is something we came up with together. A long time ago, I thought it would be cool if the boys and I had our own special handshake, and he agreed.

With that, take it away Big Brother.

*****

Here's our special handshake. It's called "Thumbs up, Shake it up, Pop".

1) First, you give each other a thumbs up.

2) Next, you shake the thumbs up--up and down--like you're shaking up a soda can.

3) Last, you bump fists, while holding the thumbs up position.

Don't forget to say the words with each step: Thumbs up, Shake it up, Pop.

It always gives us a smile and a chuckle.

Do you have a special handshake or greeting with your children?

Have a good week,
Busy-Dad-E

Big Brother Explains Wedding Receptions

Today brings the next installment in our “Big Brother Explains” series, where my precocious 4 year-old gives his “how-to” through his own eyes (usually literally through his pictures).

If there's one thing Big Brother knows how to do, it's have fun at a wedding reception.

Every time we've taken him to a wedding reception, my generally quiet, reserved, introverted guy (in public, anyway) flips a magic switch somewhere and turns into Mr. Personality. It's amazing. When the lights are flashing and the music is pumping, Big Brother and his booty are out on the dance floor getting their groove thing on (except for occasional trips back to the table for french fries or cake.)

(The wedding itself, on the other hand, usually gets little attention beyond the "what's that girl wearing a white dress for?" question.)

Last weekend was no different. We were at a wedding reception from about 6:30 to 10pm, and we literally had to drag Big Brother off the dance floor (Little Brother could barely keep his eyes open) to get him to leave.

The highlight was a guest appearance by the college mascot of the bride and groom's alma mater. This mascot held a dance-off with any willing guests. Big Brother has patented a "dance move", where he puts three limbs on the ground and kicks one leg up in the air. Unfortunately, he was just a little too scared of the mascot to go on the dance floor and do it, otherwise he might've won (you could see in his body language that he just couldn't quite bring himself to go out there.)

Okay, without further ado, here's how to have fun at a wedding reception according to Big Brother

Step 1. Make sure you get to sit next to the flower girl, the cutest girl who is likely to dance with you (apart from Mom-E).



Step 2. Surround yourself with close friends.



Step 3. Wait until everyone is served before eating.



Step 4. Make sure the lighting is adequate.



Step 5. Dress for success.



Step 6. Do not drink too much prior to going out on to the dance floor (it makes the room spin).



Step 7. If no one will dance with you, drag someone out there (preferably a Little Brother, who is smaller than you, for now).



Step 8. After you've danced 'til you can't dance no more, have Dad-E carry you and make him dance for you.

See you on Fatherhood Friday,
Busy-Dad-E

P.S. Update on our new neighbor, who continues to occupy the cabinet next to the sink. Big Brother has decorated his new phat pad for a 4 year-old abode. Take a look at his handiwork.

Big Brother Explains Part 2

This week marks the second installment in our “Big Brother Explains” series, where my precocious 4 year-old gives a step-by-step “how-to” through his own eyes.

Last time, he taught us the art of “House Fishing.” This week, he’s going to teach us how to make a sweet paper airplane.

“Actually, Dad-E, it’s a glider.”

(He’s right, of course.)

“My Pa-Pa taught my Dad-E how to make one, and then you taught me.”

Alright Big Brother, you’ve got everyone’s attention, should we get started?

“Yep. I love it! It’s great!” (He said this before we even started making one for the first time.

“First, write you’re name on the paper, so you know it’s yours and not your Little Brother’s.”



“Fold the top corner over like this.”



“Unfold it, and do the same thing with the other top corner.”



(This folds an “X” into the top of the paper.)

“Fold the two sides of the paper inward…



then squish it down into the shape of a house.”



“Fold the two corners of the triangle up to the top.”



“Fold the top down about a half-inch.”



(If you’ve done it right, you’ll have two little “pockets” in the part you just folded down.)

“Tuck the two loose tabs into the ‘pockets’.”



“Fold the glider in half down the middle.”



“Fold one of the wings down.”



‘Fold the other wing down.”



“Last, fold the ends of the wings up about a quarter-inch on each side.”
“Ta-da. You’re done. Time to go outside.”





But wait Big Brother, what about Harry Potter?

You may remember that Harry Potter was injured in a duel as we were explaining "House Fishing." Sadly, he lost a limb in the duel, and as Madame Pomfrey has been on an extended vacation, he is still sans leg. Since he can't fly a broom very well, Big Brother has decided to let him ride on top of the glider.



Big Brother and I strongly suggest going outside to play with this one. If it’s a little windy and you throw it just right, it’ll “sail” pretty far. You want to throw it firmly but not too hard (in between throwing a dart and a full throw.) Just make sure you don’t aim for the roof.

It’s amazing how with just a couple of these airplanes gliders, you can entertain yourself for hours. We had a great time throwing them in the yard. We even talked a little bit about how airplanes fly. Again, it was another example of “it doesn’t matter so much what you do, but the fact that you’re spending time together.” Your kids don’t care about how much money something costs, they just want your undivided attention, which is priceless.

Have a good week,
Busy-Dad-E

Big Brother Explains House Fishing

Thanks dad-blogs.com for initiating Fatherhood Friday! Thanks as well to both new and returning visitors to my blog!

A quick, shameless plug for my entry post, “Quality Time”, for dad-blogs.com’s Big Spring Contest. Check out this contest--you should definitely submit an entry, and I look forward to reading them.

Albeit a little later than originally promised, this week marks the launch of a new series of posts called “Big Brother Explains”, where my precocious 4 year-old will teach us boring adults a little lesson in “how-to”.

This week, Big Brother has opted for a step-by-step photo description of “House Fishing.”

While Big Brother has enjoyed a few fishing trips with Grampap-E and I, sometimes he just wants to fish when 1) the weather’s bad, 2) there’s not enough daylight after work, 3) Dad-E and Mom-E are exhausted, or 4) any of a number of other reasons why he can’t.

And so, being a creative little dude, he came up with a way to fish anytime he wants.

“House Fishing” is exactly what it sounds like: it’s fishing without even leaving the comforts of your own home. You can fish in any room of the house you like (except the dining room/atop the china hutch or in Little Brother’s crib), or even take it on the road with you. It’s completely portable.

Here’s what you do:

1. Find a Melissa & Doug wooden “learn to tie shoes.”


2. Remove the shoelace,


and put the shoe aside,


being careful not to choke yourself or Little Brother with the lace.

(Note, no Harry Potter figurines were harmed in this photoshoot.)

3. Get a ruler (preferably one with a hole in it).


4. Tie the shoelace to the ruler to make your “pole/line”.


5. Tie 3 pencils to the non-ruler end of the shoelace, to serve as a “hook/bait.”


6. Find an EMPTY jewelry box for a “fish.”


7. Find a room in the house to fish (we prefer the kitchen while making dinner).
(PICTURE LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION)

8. Cast your “line”—being careful not to hit Little Brother, parents, or anything else fragile/breakable—and dangle it over the “fish”.

9. Help the “jaw” of the “fish” take the “bait.”


10. Reel ‘em in!


11. Admire the “fish”, and then release back into the “water."

12. Disassemble fishing pole to complete conversion of the ruler into a “sword.”

(En garde, Mr. Potter!)

13. Chase Little Brother and Dog-E around the house with said “sword”, taking proper precaution not to break anything, of course.

(Who's your Dumbledore?! Say it, Potter!! Who's your Dumbledore?!?)

Ta-Da!

Thank you for explaining that to us today, Big Brother! You’re quite the fun teacher.

What are you going to explain next time?

Happy Fatherhood Friday,
Busy-Dad-E

P.S. Devoted fans of my blog may remember the saga of the "car bag". Sadly (or happily if you're Busy-Mom-E), Little Brother had fun throwing it away, unbeknowst to Big Brother, who amazingly forgot about it. However, before he could remember that it was gone...

Gramm-E to the rescue!! Both boys are now sporting the BMW of "car bags", thanks to her handiwork.

Dare I say, they're CARBAGALICIOUS?! I think yes. Perhaps she needs to change her screen name to Awesome-Gramm-E?

P.P.S. Because I enjoy exhausting myself, the family and I are headed out today for another (long) flight. So, while you're reading this post, please send us your prayers and good vibes for a smoother journey.

P.P.P.S. Check out Big Brother's self-portrait at the top right corner of the blog. Way to go, young artist! Please feel free to download it as a radio button for my blog. Thanks, Busy-Mom-E, for being my part-time web page designer!