Cute kid video of the day...

Are YouTube Ads just NOT targeted at all?

DISCLAIMER: Sometimes when Sierra is upset in the car I let her watch YouTube videos. GUILTY AS CHARGED. If letting her watch the Sticky, Sticky, Sticky Bubble Gum, The Bus Song or The Duck Song (her three favorites) once in awhile means not having a screaming toddler while in bumper to bumper Boston morning traffic then so be it. ANYWAYYYY...


So something I've noticed a lot is how un-targeted the ads are. What makes YouTube think that someone who wants to watch "The Bus Song" 4x in a row wants to see an advertisement for Shock Top Beer? It's gotten to the point where I don't think YouTube is even an OK thing to let her watch these videos on. I've seen ads for sexual and violent movies, Trojan condoms and this morning the beer. Google is normally pretty on-point with their targeted ads (for example I always get ones for soccer, portuguese themed t-shirts and tattoos) but the Google-owned YouTube just doesn't seem to get the same ad-targeting functionality. I'm not mad about this by the way, lets make that clear, it's my job as a parent to make sure my child isn't seeing things we deem inappropriate. This post is just a simple observation about the disservice they are doing to their advertisers. If they advertised "Baby Alive" or Cookie Monster Pajamas before these videos they'd probably have better luck getting my money. Sierra isn't begging me for orange flavored beer any time soon (I hope). Anyone else notice this??

It's official: My kid likes going to daycare.

In September we left the big daycare center we were at and switched to a small home daycare. You can read about the transition here. We noticed an instant change in "drop off time" from everyday ( for nine whole months): screaming / crying / pleading for us not to go to bearable half and half ratio of happy & upset (an improvement in my book!). Well March was the month. March was the month where everyday she is happy to go, says "Bye bye Daddy have a good day, Love you!" and waves as I exit with no issues what so ever. It's been a solid three weeks without one tear at drop-off. I don't pick her up at 3 but from what Lauren tells me it's gotten to the point where she doesn't even want to leave! On the weekends she randomly sings a song that goes something like "Gabbbbbie Maggggggie Gabbbbbie Maggggggie" and tells us she loves them. (Gabby is Sierra's daycare provider and Maggie is the other little girl at daycare). 

I am overjoyed that Sierra is in a place where she's feels happy, comfortable and loved. GO SIERRA! -Craig

In honor of my little independent woman here is today's Thursday Tunes:

11 QUESTIONS

So first off thanks to our pal Marcella over @ Mar and Peej for tagging us in this little blogger game going around!  We've been slacking a bit at blogging so this was a nice little kick in the pants to actually post something! -Craig

11 QUESTIONS

There are five rules:

1. Post these rules.

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.

5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you've tagged them.

11 random things:

1. I am portuguese... and extremely proud of it!

2. I hold a degree & license to be an art teacher but I am a graphic designer instead - which i never went to school for and don't hold a degree in.

3. I grew up in New Bedford, MA - a town that is most well known for being the whaling capitol of the world and still had a very busy / working fishing port.

4. I am vegan

5. I don't own or want a television or microwave

6. I have an irrational phobia of stickers. Adhesives really (stickers, band-aids etc) it grosses me out and I refuse to use / go near them.

7. I got a tattoo of the  logo as a bet when I was 18. Easiest 100 bucks I ever made!

8. I used to smoke about a pack of Camel Lights a day. (I quit over a year ago though!)

9. My favorite place in Boston is the Museum of Fine Arts.

10. I have moved 7 times in 6 years (all in Boston). I'm sort of indecisive.

11. I really really (really) hate Rick Santorum.

Questions from Marcella:

1. Whats favorite color?

My favorite colors are black, gray and white, boring I know!

2. Whos your favorite Celebrity and why?

My favorite Celebrity is David Hockney. He is a internationally famous artist - if you don't know him you need to get on that asap. Quick story: I used to work at a big museum here in Boston. Hockney had an exhibition going up and while they were setting it up I caught a glimpse of him smoking a cigarette inside the gallery. He was surrounded by tons of people (including the museum director, security, curators, etc) and he just didn't give a shit. He's been my hero ever since. David Hockney is above the law!

3. Whats your favorite kids clothing brand?

I love Sierra's clothes from Nico-Nico & Tea! 

4. Whats your  top 3 favorite blogs?

Beautiful Decay, Flux-Boston & The Evolving Critic

5. Whats one childhood memory that you'll always remember?

One of my favorite memories from my childhood was going to Florida: just me and my Dad. It was Thanksgiving vacation and we flew to Florida and he brought me to Disney, Orlando Studios, and tons of beaches and other attractions. We made our Thanksgiving dinner on the grill and spent the week jet skiing and going on rides. We didn't have a lot of money so I know it meant a lot of saving and sacrificing on him and my mom just to make me happy. My parents and that vacation rule.

6. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

My waistline? 

7. Whats your favorite vacation spot? 

I have to say NYC. I've been a bunch of times and between the galleries, museums, vegan restaurants, and just the general vibe of the city it's a place I love / could see myself living eventually. (Also a big fan of Maine!)

8. Are you happy?

Yes I am. I have a beautiful family, a good job and I love where I live. Thats more than a lot of people have and I consider myself very very lucky!

9. If you had a chance to do whatever you wanted for one day, WHAT would you do?

I would go to England with my family and see a Newcastle United game in real life. We already have our shirts ready to go:

10. Favorite TV show?

My favorite show of all time would have to be LOST. It's amazing. But sadly it's over so my favorite current show is Breaking Bad. If you're not into it get into it. Now.

11. What kind of car do you drive?

A few months we go we purchased a 2011 Rav 4! Love it:

11 Questions for Adriana of Just By Living & Liz of Husband Dear Husband | Dear Wife | Dear Baby:
1. What is your favorite musician / band?
2. What is your favorite thing about being a mom?
3. If you could have any job (besides being a Mom) in the world what would it be and why?
4. What are your main goals for 2012?
5. What would your child's name have been if he/she were born the opposite sex?
6. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
7. What are your top 3 favorite stores to shop (for yourself) at?
8. What will be your next big purchase?
9. Is your life how you pictured it being when you were a child?
10. Top 3 Favorite movies (or books)?
11. Your 5 must-read blogs currently?

Thursday Tunes #11 / "Don't Go" by Letterday

This week's Thursday Tunes is "Don't Go" by Boston based indie rock sensation Letterday. Made up of some of my best friends + ex-roomies I've been a big fan. This video is off their newest EP titled "READY" and is a funny / awesome video set to an even better song. Check out the video below and if you like the song stream the whole EP free here: http://letterday.bandcamp.com -C

Weekend in review. (Instagram Style)

So we had a busy weekend complete with visits to grandparents, hang outs with some good friends and even a punk rock show. Fun was had by all <3 -Craig

Descriptions under the photos!

1. Sierra is feeling under the weather again! She has a vicious cough that won't let up and doesn't want to do much besides lie around, snuggle or sleep :-(

2. On Sunday we had No Problemo for lunch which is an amazing little burrito shop in Downtown New Bedford (My hometown! Which we visited this weekend).

3. That street sign reads "SUMMER ST." and is on the corner of where I grew up  in New Bedford.

4. Daddy celebrated getting a long weekend with a bit of Maker's Mark on Friday evening :-)

5. Family Movie Night or should I say "Family Toy Story Night" as thats all Sierra ever wants to watch.

6. Sierra getting her PB&J on at Gramma's house (who creates "Smuckables" (aka Uncrustables from scratch instead of buying them! Mo Betta!)

7. My new favorite coffee mug from Solstice Skateboarding in New Bedford. Support your local shop!! BUY HERE

8. Michael and his son Christian getting their adorable on this morning.

9. Hendrix LOVING his new cat 2 Pac Shacat. (Im not joking thats really its name)

10. Sierra wanted to drive home (we didn't let her)

11. My Dad, myself and my grandmother sharing a big group hug on our visit to her this weekend.

12. Hendrix and Christian sharing some robotic brotherly love.

Thursday Tunes #10 / "Just Pretend" by DIVORCÉES

So Today's "Thursday Tunes" is a song off DIVORCÉES debut EP "Live at the New Bedford Elks #73" which will be released on vinyl by Croon Recordings on February 24th.

Not Only is this song and the entire record amazing but the band is made up of two people I have known and loved for a long time Ross Nunes and Aaron Alves who between the two of them have been in too many talented / awesome bands to count. To top it off one of my best friends Trevor Vaughan owns  the label which is putting it out and it's his first vinyl release so it's a big deal for him too. If you live in MA make sure you check out the show if not make sure you order this album when it comes out Feb 24th you wont be disappointed! Enjoy:

 

Look who got featured on Dani Hampton's Sometimes Sweet feature "Love Stories"

♥

Click Here To Read

Q & A: Fill in the Blanks Blogger Tag Game

1. We started my blog because... 

The concept for the blog started sort of as a joke in a conversation Michael and I were having once but after the conversation was over we decided why the hell not? Figured we could try to show Dad's in a positive light and show people that some Dads actually are really hands-on, involved and just as into parenting as the mama's out there.

2. One thing I love seeing on other blogs are... 

I really dig when people blog about other stuff than just their children. Don't get me wrong I love posts about kids, parenting etc (I mean it's a Dad blog) but It's cool to get a glimpse at other parts of people's lives whether it's what they do for work, a date night they had with friends, etc.

3. Something I love about blogging... 

My favorite part about blogging is that one day I'll be able to share this with my daughter. She can see photos of things we did and my struggles / thoughts on parenting as a new / young Dad.

4. A favorite blog post of mine is...

• Raising Your Kid as an Artist
• Family Comes First A.K.A. The Challenges of Being a Working Dad
• Soccer & Family
• Happy Birthday: A Letter to my Daughter

5. Something my friends in real life know about me that I've never before mentioned on my blog... 

Hmm thats a tough one. I don't think I've ever written about how badly I want to move. I love Boston but I don't want this to be the only thing I've ever / will ever know. Vacationing is great but I truly want to experience what it's like to live somewhere else even if it is only for 1 year. This needs to happen!

6. My new favorite blogs to read are...

I don't really ready any "new blogs" I guess? But my favorite parenting blogs to read are: Before I Was A Mom, Just By Living, Adeline's Daddy, DadAnd, Smonk You & How To Be A Dad.

7. Some things I tend to avoid doing on my blog are...

Posting "photo dumps" too often. AKA those posts where it's just 40 photos that people most likely don't care about.

We tag Don Naylor.

Child Abuse : Just Don't Do It.

When I woke up this morning I did what I do every morning: I walked to the stereo and turned on the radio to listen to my favorite morning show: Jim and Margery. On Thursdays they have a segment called "DAD CHAT" with Hank Morse, a local Dad and radio host with two teen daughters.

Today's topic was based on a recent article published in The Boston Globe titled: Spanking may worsen children’s aggression: what works instead?. The article presents facts based on a new study by the Canadian Medical Journal that suggests it's counter-productive and actually leads kids to hit, kick, or bite even more. It goes on to state that physical abuse isn't the only culprit but that forms of punishment such as belittling, humiliating or embarrassing a child can be just as harmful in terms of damaging a child's psyche. You might want to read child psychology books to better understand child development and how to properly discipline your child without resorting to physical violence.

When listening to caller after caller call in and say "Oh CMON! I got hit as a kid and look at me I'm fine!" or "I have to hit my kids! Time out doesn't work and I don't hurt them!" my blood began to boil. Are we cave men? It's 2012 people -- physical and emotional abuse to ANYONE let alone your children is not okay. One female caller called in proudly stated "I'm Portuguese! It's not abuse - it's tradition!". I may have to take my portuguese flag down off my porch in fear of being associated with people like that. One caller said "He's two. He doesn't understand talking! What am I supposed to do when he runs into the street! I have to show him it's wrong" .......... Um. Wait what? So you're TWO YEAR OLD runs into the street so you have to hit him? Sierra has tried to run into the street too. I stop her and explain that it's dangerous and how a car can hurt you. When she did it again I did the same. Know what? She now reaches for my hand when we go near the street and doesn't run into the street. Bruise free!

Now do I think everyone who spanks their kid is a horrible person or parent? No. I personally think it's wrong but people are brought up certain ways and it's hard to break "traditions" as the Portuguese woman clearly stated. I was never hit as a child and in turn will never hit my children. In addition I fully understand spanking and truly hitting are two different things (sort of)... both are abusive and both are unacceptable. I think it's ignorant, abusive and teaches all the wrong lessons to a child. Hurting someone to prove a point or teach a lesson is not something I want my daughter to think is okay. It's a scientific fact that punishing your child physically has detrimental long term effects on them. Just don't do it.

Helpful Links:

Check your states laws on child abuse and neglect here: http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/can

The Boston Globe Article: Spanking may worsen children’s aggression: what works instead?

10 Reasons Not To Hit Your Kids:  http://www.naturalchild.org/jan_hunt/tenreasons.html

Positive Discipline A to Z:: I've personally read this and think it's great - Anyone who wants my copy feel free to email me your address and I will send it to you! http://www.amazon.com/Positive-Discipline-Revised-Expanded-2nd/dp/0761514708

Time Magazine: Why Spanking Doesn't Work: http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/06/why-spanking-doesnt-work/