Trying to move forward in the midst of setbacks

This is my son's birthday week and it has been about one month since we have been quarantined due to the coronavirus. It's interesting seeing all the ways families are celebrating birthdays in these times and what we are doing with this new normal. If you have read some of my posts about my son, you will know that he has his own challenges that he is going through.

Dressing in Style on Triple Force Friday with Cufflinks.com

Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with products to review from Cufflinks.com. There are affiliate links in this post. All thoughts and opinions are our own. No Porgs were harmed in the writing of this post. 

Today is the big day for those in the Star Wars community It's Triple Force Friday! So why the title? What makes this day stronger to the third degree? Well, today we see the arrival of new merchandise for the movie, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the video game, Star Wars: Fallen Order, and the new television series: The Mandalorian. Now while it is great to have some of this new merchandise, you also have to make sure you look your best when you see the latest installment of Star Wars. This is where Cufflinks.com comes in. 

Experiencing the New CMX Market Theaters

Disclaimer: The Fandads were invited to attend a screening at CMX Market Cinema and enjoy our choice of the gourmet offering from their concessions stand. All thought, opinions, and full bellies are our own. 

Going to the movies is always an adventure, am I right, friends? We usually have to find a movie that the entire family would like to see which is sometimes hard if there is not a family movie playing at the local theater. We also have to go at a time when we know our children will be able to sit still for the length of the movie. So when we go to the movies, we always try to have a good time and exploring new movie theaters is one of those ways to keep the theater going experience unique and fresh. 

Thank you Jack and Andrew!

I have been sitting on this post for a while. I guess you can say that I do not know what people will make of it, but with the suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, I decided that I need to put this out there. I have to share this because we need to be talking about what struggles people go through. Plus, sharing our stories might help someone out there so we should not be afraid of them. Here it goes.

Managing Internet Time with the Gryphon Mesh Routers #sponsored

Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with a Gryphon Mesh Double Pack for review. All thoughts, opinions, and children being upset because their internet time is cut short, are our own.   

During our annual Father's Day gift guide we gave a brief description of the Gryphon Mesh Routers and how perfect they were in controlling the internet in our household. Well, it's been a month since we had them and as a family that relies on the internet for some of our day to day activities let us tell you how the Gryphon Mesh Routers helped us out. 

Look your best this Star Wars Day!

Disclaimer: The Fandads are affiliated with Cufflink.com. Clicking on their link and purchasing items might lead to a few dollars for us. 

I know what you all are thinking, "I love to dress as my favorite Star Wars character on May 4th, but I have a formal event to go to that night. What can I wear to represent Star Wars, but still look classy?" Well, friends, if you find yourself in this situation, don't worry the good folks at Cufflinks.com have got you covered. 

Keeping the environment safe during SepticSmart Week

As a dad, there was one moment in both of my children’s lives that I was dreading and that was potty training. I mean, the concept of it sounds easy: take your child to the bathroom and have them sit on the toilet and viola, potty training is done. But is that ever really the case?

Hofbräuhaus Chicago is the place to celebrate Oktoberfest this year

Disclaimer: The Fandads were invited to attend the opening of Oktoberfest. All thoughts, opinions and full stomachs are our own. 

Last Friday the Fandads were invited to celebrate the beginning of Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus Chicago in Rosemont, IL. This is the second time that we were invited to this event and it was a lot of fun and let us tell you about it if you have never been.

Moving forward one word at a time

Every week it is the same routine with my son and my wife. I pack my backpack with my laptop and he hands me his water bottle to hold on one of the side pockets designed to hold water bottles. We get in the car and make the 15-20 minute drive to the children pediatric center for his appointment. We walk into the office and check in at the front desk and take a seat until it is his turn.

Amazon Prints is REALLY worth the try!’ $1000 of Amazon Gift Cards to be Won! #ad #AmazonPrints

Disclaimer: Thanks to Amazon for sponsoring this post and providing prizes for the giveaway!

With the summer coming up and the children getting out of school, now is the best time to let you know about Amazon's photo printing service. Amazon has launched a photo printing service that allows all customers to print their memories.  Prime members can upload images to their Prime Photos account, print the product of their choice, and receive free delivery. If you’re not a Prime member, you’ll receive 5 GB of storage free on Prime Photos and be able to print your favorite photos.  Prints start as low as $0.09.

Thankful for being able to keep a promise

(Note: I started this post during my first week at my new job and as it sat in the draft queue it changed a little. I hope you enjoy it.) 

This past week has been one of new challenges and some heartbreak. You see, I started a new job and as you can see from the picture above I am working in the downtown area. Everyday this week, I have been waking up at the crack of dawn, hopping on the train and spending eight hours in a building by the river, which I guess is better than living in a van down by the river, but let's get back on point.

Now What? We keep moving Forward

A few nights ago my daughter wanted to stay up with me and watch history happen. Sadly, that was not the case. My daughter fell asleep early and did not see Donald Trump become the President Elect for the United States of America. It sounds a little strange to say "United States of America" when the campaign run by this man seems to have divided the country. So what do we do now? How do we explain this to our children? What is our next step?

Being A Smooth Dad with the #Mach3Signature Razor #AD

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Mach3Signature #CollectiveBias

Can dads be smooth? Of course we can! Even though we are somewhat portrayed as bumbling idiots on television every now and then, dads can be the smoothest men in the room sometimes. Yeah, it took me a while to open up the packaging in the picture above, but that doesn't mean anything. I mean, we obviously had to be smooth if we got our wives to marry us, am I right? Anyone? Anyone?

Rethinking Snack time with Revolution Foods #Sponsored

(Disclaimer: Thank you to Revolution Foods for this giveaway. Although we did receive some of their products to write this post, all views and opinions are our own.) 

The first time my daughter went on a field trip for her school she asked if I can draw something on her lunch bag to make it easy for her to recognize. Ever since that trip she always tells me what movie or cartoon characters she wants and I try to draw them to the best of my ability. Now while the outside of the bag looks pretty cool, what's inside the bag is a little more important. 

Exercising with khakis? Yeah, it can happen.

Everyone is always trying to find that level of comfortability. As a dad, I want to dress as comfortable as possible when doing my day-to-day routine. I wake up early, get my daughter ready for school and then when I get back home I want to rest for a little while before jumping into my dad duties. 

So what's the best way to be relaxed and still look good...or at least somewhat good in my case? Keep reading and I'll let you know what my new secret is.

Spend President's Day with the cast of Zootopia

If you live in the midwest like me, you know that snowy days are perfect days to build a snowman, have a snowball fight with your kids and go sledding. If you hate going outside in the cold, then we have some indoor activities that you can share with your children thanks to our friends at Disney and the animals from Zootopia.

The Letter, The Brotherhood and The Journey

This is a post that has been gestating in me for a long time. I have often started writing it, but would go back and delete it for fear of scaring off readers. I also did not know if I was ready to open a door to my world that might make people look at me in a different light.  After seeing some of the dadbloggers I know open up, I decided I have to put this out there because it might open much needed conversations and maybe it will help someone one day.

Playing in the Snow at Navy Pier!

Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest is one of the attractions that my family looks forward to every year.  Since my daughter has been old enough to walk on her own we have attended the fest. Last year was the one year we did not go, but this year was my son's first year to go.

The Rocky Connection. #Giveaway

I remember one time when I was younger my grandparents on my father's side came to visit. I've talked about my grandfather before on this blog and he's the reason why I participate in Movember, but this is one memory that has always stayed with me.

Last minute Halloween costumes ideas for Dads.

Dads, with Halloween a few days away do you have your costume ready?  I remember when I was younger Halloween was a big deal for my family.  We would drive to the local costume stores and spend a few hours looking for our costumes. My sisters and I would choose our costumes and could not wait to go trick-or-treating.

Being a father has reinvigorated the fun that I used to have as a kid during Halloween. Seeing pumpkins and houses all decorated gets me pumped to see all the fun costumes that will be available for my kids.