Santa and the Children...First Meetings.

This year as I have said a few times Ally really gets Santa. So this weekend we were at the mall and since it is waaaaaay too early to see Santa, (esp since Santa was there since Nov 8th!!!) but she said is he nice? I said yes. So she went up to talk to Santa. Since there were no children in line at all....it was a nice introduction to her and Santa. She has a good 10 minutes to talk to him and meet him. She was still a bit scared but normally 2.5 yr olds don't have the joy of spending that kind of time to meet him for the first time.

So it was nice. Now next time when we really go back for Photos etc. maybe she will really enjoy it. Now we need to make sure to go to the same mall so she makes the connection.

Warm Up with a Classic Fire

So as I grow older the one thing I love the most and I can't wait to share with my kids is my love for the Classic Rankin & Bass Films. I have collected these for years and enjoy them. Now give in, I wasn't even born when 90 Percent of them came out, I still grew up loving them all and have a pretty big library on DVD of them. From Rudolph to Frosty to the more obscure ones like Mad Monster Party and Dream Catcher these will always be fun family specials to share from generation to generation.

This Christmas season I am very excited to share these with Ally since she is old enough to really enjoy Christmas this year. But with that said, all you Fathers out there, with the cold weather sneaking up on us here is a classic Rankin Bass Fire to Warm You up for the Weekend.

Remember to join Dads on Facebook and Myspace...

We are working on our Myspace, Facebook and Twitter pages so make sure to join us as we begin to post pictures, network and more with Dads of Milwaukee.


www.twitter.com/dadsofmilwaukee
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Fun Time of the Year with the Kids

So I do have to say. Yes all the Christmas stuff is getting going waaaay too early as usual but this season will be fun for me. Ally is over two now and she is really getting the idea of everything now. Trick or Treating she was a pro and she wanted to help Daddy put out the decorations. So I can only imagine what Christmas is goign to have in store for us. Zachary is still a bit young to get it all but he takes it all in, smiles, laughs and enjoys everything.

This season I also think Santa is going to be a big deal to Ally. Anyways, I tihnk it is going to be fun this season and I can't wait until the day after Thanksgiving when I start to decorate the outside. I know she will want to help this year.

Veteran Passes on During Veterans Day Ceremony

This is sad and nice all in the same. Locally here in WI, a Vet that was at a Veterans Day ceremony passed away during the honors.

I say its sad because no one likes to experience death, but in a way its an honor for him since he passed during a ceremony honoring all the vets have done along side all his peers who were there with him during Pearl Harbor.

Just thought I'd share.

LINK TO THE NEWS RELEASE ON IT

Take a Moment to Honor and Salute the Veterans Today

Just wanted to say Thank You and I Salute and honor all of the Veterans out there today. You have fought so we didn't have to. You have helped keep American Free and I Thank You. So today I Honor and Salute all the Veterans.

One Year Old Boy Beaten...

So first let's start with the report courtesy of WISN Channel 12 RSS Feed...

"Milwaukee police responded to South 12th Street for an incident involving child abuse of a 1-year-old at about 6:27 p.m. Monday, police said.

Police said the child was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries.

A 24-year-old female is currently in custody. Police said she is not the child’s mother."

Okay..now on to my current rambling on this topic. First I have a 2 year old and a 8 month old and I would never, no matter how bad and rough it seems ever hurt them in this way. But speaking on this topic, is it just me or does it seem that there is more cases of low tolerant parents, babysitters etc.? It seems that children are being forgotten more often, shaken, hit repeatedly etc. Now maybe it is just he news promoting it more so it seems like there is more out there, but to me I read something in the Journal daily about some kind of child abuse it seems.

I think this is a result of the "give me/owed to me" generation. These kids are growing up and have been so pampered etc. where everyone is a winner. They don't know how to deal with situations, anger, control, loss etc. As a result, they don't know how to handle their own children when they continue to cry or need attention. Everything is usually someone elses fault or pass the buck. I know I am a bit off topic but back to my main point. It seems that there is alot of these cases in the news lately. Okay, anyways...no real point other than to rant and I feel for these children and I needed to get it out of my system. Back to my day I guess.

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Jonathan's Ramblings are his own thoughts and blog in no way represents DadsofMilwaukee.com

Message Boards are Up and Running

The Message Boards are up and running on the DadsofMilwaukee.com site. So spread the word and start networking and talking today.

DadsofMilwaukee.com

94.5 WKTI is no more.

So it is now official that 94.5 WKTI Rhas been replaced With Lake FM. Milwaukee radio station 94.5 WKTI is no more, replaced by 94.5 Lake FM.

The brand of music is a variety of songs from the '60s to today.

I'll blog more about it a little later when I have longer by the computer when the kids are all settled.

Remember the Veterans Day Parade this weekend

Just a note to remember all those who have helped keep us Free in this country and fought so we never had to. The Annual Veterans Day Parade is tomorrow in Milwaukee. So be sure to go out and introduce your children to those who made it possible for them to live in the land of the free.



VETERANS DAY PARADE OFFICIAL SITE

Great "Hello Milwaukee" 1977 Commercial

Gotta love old commercials from back in the day. Here is one we came accross.

Start with some Dads of Milwaukee Gatherings

So as we start getting Dads of Milwaukee going strong with the website, soon to be up Messege Board, Twitter, Myspace and Facebook, let's start thinking of some gathering for us Fathers.

I was thinking a First week of December outing Dads and Kids do shopping for Mom or Partner for Christmas or Holiday you celebrate. And possible Make and Take from Kids to Mom.

Thoughts or interest email us until we get the messege board up. dadsofmilwaukee@rfrpodcast.com

Cigars and Cigarettes in Films

So it seems in my current readings that the MPAA wants to change the ratings on films that include Cigars and Cigarettes in their Family and Childrens films. I am not sure where all of you stand on this but I think it is a bit too far. I mean we all grew up watching Bugs Bunny, Disney Films, Fantasy etc. and we all grew up fine. This just takes it a bit too far. I mean we all know they are trying to say smoking is bad. Yes its bad okay. But a Bad guy Smoking a Cigar is way more effective than what a Bad Guy eating a fruit roll-up?

Its not really a big deal, but I think it can just be left alone. We don't need another digital fix (like in E.T.) taking items out of the films. Do I think it will be good in the end, yes it'll be fine as long as they don't censor what is already out there, try to digitally fix it or never release it for our children to see.

Thoughts anyone?

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*Jonathan's Ramblings are his personal thoughts and not those of dadsofmilwaukee.com

Looking for Fathers to Jump Start the Site

Just wanted to post we are currently looking for Fathers to jump start the site and help it grow and become the network for Dads of every kind in Wisconsin. Working, Stay at home, etc.

If you are interested email us at: dadsofmilwaukee@rfrpodcast.com

Christmas Lights Up and On?

As I stepped out to my back porch last night for a variety of reasons involving politics, I let the dog out and as I peered across the yard I saw a glimmer of lights in the distance. It was then I realized a neighbor put up Christmas Lights. I mean what the??? It's November 5th! But this makes it okay right? I am a huge Halloween and October person and do up Halloween in a big way. I am always told, it's way too early for that, or come on you should take that down now.

I love Christmas as much as the next guy, but why is it wrong for me to have Halloween Decorations up and celebrate that with my kids starting the last weekend of September / October 1st, but Christmas Lights up and on November 5th is fine.

Also, that brings me to the other topic I am told which is why celebrate that pagan holiday. Then when I go into talking with them they say their child is dressing up for a Fall Festival. Okay so you are banning a Pagan Holiday by creating a Pagan Holiday to still be able to celebrate like a loophole. It's like saying I don't let my kids experience magic so no Harry Potter, but its okay to watch all the Disney Magic stuff. Really People.

Well, I am done ranting for the moment but if you agree with me or not let me know. Christmas Lights Up and On ALREADY?

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*This post is the personal thoughts of Jonathan and in no way reflects dadsofmilwaukee.com

The First Blog

This is the beginning of my daily blogs and thoughts aside from DadsofMilwaukee.com These are my own personal ramblings and thoughts and should not be compared to anyone else or DadsofMilwaukee.com.

I look forward to talking with all of you fathers.