Welcome Seminole Chronicle Readers!

I hope you've been enjoying the tales in the paper. The idea behind those columns is to both share some great stories and give ideas to other new parents. Each column features a local business or activity that is toddler friendly, as well as the relaxed easy humor that has been making daddy tales so popular.

I hope you're enjoying the columns! I'll post links to the latest few columns here, so you can go back and read any you might have missed. Click a title to go to the Seminole Chronicle web page containing the story.

Inappropriate Lyrics

The kids come up with some crazy lyrics to songs. But what happens when they hit on one that is both truly funny and will get them in trouble? Not always what should happen. That's for sure.

The Price of Art

Quiz time. What do you do when your wife really wants a picture that your three year old has drawn - but he doesn't want to give it to her? Here's a hint: think pirates.

The Keys To Happiness

What are the heys to happiness? Probably not what you think... Enjoy!

Bad Magic

What's that old line? Oh yeah... "With great magic comes great responsibility." Well, I think it's true of minor little tricks, too. Enjoy!

Yes Dear

Nothing like starting May with a story about the kids' momma. I'm gonna have to get her a heck of a mother's day present to compensate for this one... Enjoy!

Remembering Rae

Despite its name, this tale is neither morbid nor depressing. In fact, had Rae been around to see it, she would have been laughing pretty darned hard. Enjoy!

Squishy Marshmallows

The most important thing for you to remember when you're reading this tale is that my wife okay'd it. She really did. I always let her preview things before I submit them to the Chronicle, and she actually okayed this one. Really.

Trampoline

What's your opinion on Trampolines? I find that mine has changed drastically in the past month.

Mountain Biking

Sometimes, cycling is all about pushing yourself - trying to go faster or farther or higher. I'm used to doing this myself, but I'm finding it much more difficult now that I'm watching my kids do it.

Modern Art

I really love art festivals. You get to see so many different kinds of things - and talk with the people who created them. It's absolutely fascinating!

Kid Doctors

Have you ever had one of those days where you are just too tired to play with the kids? Me too. This was how I attempted to deal with that problem.

Turtle Talk

Not all the wild things in a zoo are behind bars!

Love in the New Year

After you read this one, see if you can figure out what my new New Year's Resolution is...

The perfect present

Yes, my wife hates this. I'm sure yours would to. I'm sticking to it, though.

A Lollipop and a Bag of Chips?

Believe it or not, I somehow ended up in more trouble than he did. I still am not quite sure how or why.

A Good Rule?

It's important for the kids to have rules in their lives - some sense of structure to give them guidelines. I'm not sure this particular guideline is worth too much...but it works for me.

Revenge is a Dish Best Served... On Ice

You've heard that revenge is a dish best served cold? How about on ice - a generation later?

Soccer Etiquette

When I volunteered to help coach soccer, I didn't quite realize all the ramifications of what I was doing. Live and learn, live and learn!

Octavius

How do you get your kids to talk about their day? This was my attempt. Did it work? Well... sorta. I'll let you decide.

Party Time

I've always been proud of the parties that we throw. Not that I can claim any credit, of course. Still, they are fun.

Black Hammock

This is a quiet tale, probably the quietest one I've ever written. I tried to capture the slow rambling feeling of backwoods Oviedo with it. Let me know what you think!

Sweet Genius

This is one of those rare tales that is as much about me as it is the kids. I hope you enjoy it anyway!

Tantrum Time

There are some parenting situations that I'm simply not able to handle. This is the story of one of them. Fortunately, I had some unexpected help.

Fireworks

With our oldest is no longer scared of fireworks, this past 4th of July we tried to make some progress with the 3 year old.along that front. We had mixed success, to say the least.

Set up!

I've always enjoyed movies like The Sting and Oceans 11. It's fun to watch a really good con in action. It's not so much fun to be the victim...

Young Swimmers

Swimming lessons can be stressful. Not just for the little guys, but for you as well. Trust me on this one - or don't. Just go read this tale and you'll see what I mean.

The Daddygator

You have to be careful when walking near a lake in Central Florida. You never know when an alligator could appear.

The Bluff

What do you do when your worst parenting moment runs up against the steely eyed glare of your 18 month old? Click to find out!

Advice for New Dads

How do you prepare to be a dad? Here's my answer!

Eating Greek

This is a fun little story of Greeks, deception, and octopus. Let's face it: any story about Greeks, deception, and octopus pretty much has to be interesting!

Food Fight

It's always strange when the interpersonal problems you have with your spouse leak into your life with the kids...

It's Good To Be Back!

I don't go on very many business trips. Two a year is pretty much my limit. However, sometimes they happen. When they do, things can get a little crazy when I return home.

Toad Walk

Ever heard of a flashlight walk? It's a great way to get some evening exercise - and break bad habits.

It's a Small World

Anyone can be happy when they get to DisneyWorld. It's staying happy as you leave the park that's the real challenge.

Scotched!

Do you know what a Scotch egg is? Neither did N!

Dead Armadillo

What's the difference between bicycling in college and bicycling now? About 20 years of sitting at a desk. Oh yeah, and the kids. Them too.

Shark Attack

In the battle of younger versus older, sometimes the victor isn't necessarily the smartest, strongest, or quickest. Sometimes it comes down to just old fashioned guts.

Jedi Baby

This is one of the last mealtime duels between N and myself. Fortunately, he chose his weapon poorly.

Christmas Recruiting

This one's a bit unusual, considering the article is titled Daddy Tales. It's a story from my childhood, rather than one from my time as a dad. I hope you enjoy it!

The Kiddie Area

As a dad, it's hard not to make the occasional mistake now and again. Some are bigger than others. Some are even bigger than those. The sad thing is that it's often the kids who pay the price for our mistakes.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do...

It's very important to model behavior for your kids. If you can't do it yourself, make sure you get someone else to do it for you. Just make sure those two things don't happen at the same time.

Bully for Us

There's nothing like a showdown at the mall to get your blood pumping. Enjoy!

Rolling to a Concert

Festival season around here is the best time of the year. The weather's great, the festivals are fun... it all comes together. Just before festival season, however, is when you end up having the most unusual of encounters. Enjoy!

A Different Kind of Window Shopping

Shopping with the boys can be surprising - and not always in a good way..

Mr. Thoughtful

I really am a thoughtful guy. Really, I am. No, really. Read this story. You'll see.

Amusements at the Mall

My kids love escalators. Truth be known, I'm learning to appreciate them, as well.

Psst!

Alex and I had a little e-mail mix up, so this one is a week late. It's a lot of fun, though: an extremely rare moment when one of my parenting techniques works out perfectly.

Oh, That Alligator Smile

I didn't like the title Alex gave this one, so I'm using my own here. Enjoy!

Two Children Walk Into a Bar

If you're like me, you probably rarely find yourself saying "Hey honey, let's take the kids to a microbrewery." As this tale demonstrates, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea for us to say that more often.

Turning Hungry Kids into a Race for the Door

We had a lot of fun with the pizza guy on this one. If you find yourself ordering pizza with the kids, definitely check it out. It's both a lot of fun and a great tradition.

Looking for Indoor Fun

Looking for a great indoor activity during the heat of the day? Check out gym classes. We have a lot of good local gyms for kids. Here is my experience with one of them.

Kid Friendly Restaurants

This is a theme I'll be coming back to over and over again. It's tough going out to eat with toddlers. Finding the right restaurant can mean the difference between a great time and a nightmare.

Would You Like to Carry DaddyTales in Your Publication?

I'll be happy to share my tales with your readers, just as I've done with the Chronicle. There are three rules:

1. I won't publish in a paper that competes with the Chronicle.
2. I don't do negative reviews.
3. I don't take payments from businesses for reviews.

Given that, however, I'll be happy to discuss column ideas with you.
Please drop me a line and we can chat about it!