Halloween Movies to Watch with the Family

With Halloween, a few days away, and the current pandemic changing the way we might celebrate it, what is a family to do? This year, why not stay home with the family, order some food, and watch a fun Halloween themed movie or two. We have rounded up some fun movies to watch, so check out our spoiler-free picks and start planning your Halloween night! 

Going on an Adventure with Tonies

Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with a Toniebox for our review. All thoughts, opinions, and fun times are our own. 

Parents, we have all been there: Your child is in front of a screen all day due to school, and as soon as class ends they run to a tablet or phone for more screentime. We all know what happens next. We tell them to get off the screen and they say that they are bored and have nothing to do. So what do you do in this situation? You find something that keeps them occupied and does not require a screen and that is where the Toniebox comes in. 

It's Never Easy to Say Good-Bye

 

It's been over a month and we just emptied out her food bowl. The water basically evaporated and her food just sat there untouched. I am not sure if it was a written rule in our house, but no one emptied our dog's, Samantha aka Sammie aka Sam's food bowl since she passed away on August 8th. When Sam passed away that is where she laid down and took her last breath, next to her bowl, and taking that away just seems so final. We’re not quite ready for that but we know it has to happen for us to move forward. Taking that away also takes away the memory of the kids’ first chore. After her morning walk, the kids would take turns feeding Sam. Every morning I have to stop myself from asking my children if they fed Sam or if she had been walked. Every morning I am reminded that she is not here anymore. 

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.

Getting lost and found at Dad 2.0

By the time you are reading this, hundreds of dads have reconvened at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington D.C. for the Annual Dad 2.0 summit. Every year this is a great way for Dad Bloggers from all over the country to get together and continue working to advance fatherhood. I know that sounds like an odd thing to say, but honesetly, after a weekend with these amazing dads, you feel ready to take on the world.

Exploring the outside world with Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts

We always love watching new shows with our children and lately we have a few favorite shows on Netflix that my children and I watch together. Yesterday we started watching Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeast and we went through half the series before bedtime. With the bright colors, frenetic energy, interesting characters, and fantastic music, this show has become one of our newest favorites on Netflix. I think we will watch this series a few times until the next season comes out. 

Enjoying good times, songs and beers at Hofbräuhaus Chicago in Rosemont

Disclaimer: The Fandads were invited to the opening celebrations in exchange for coverage. All thoughts, opinions, and dancing on benches are our own. Prost!

Last Friday the Fandads were invited to the opening ceremony at Hofbräuhaus Chicago and we had a blast. We have been lucky to be invited to this annual event and every year we go home with full stomachs and tired cheeks from laughing and smiling so much. 

Let's Not Make This a Yearly Thing, please!

A few weeks into 2018 my son had a seizure. We did not know it was a seizure at the moment and we spent the day in the ER having all sort of tests and bloodwork done on him. Although it was an interesting way to start the new year, we decided that we were going to make the best of 2018 and not let his condition prevent us from having a great year. 

Well, here we are at the beginning of 2019 and we made another trip to the ER and my son has been admitted. This time we stayed overnight and are looking at another night at the hospital. Before I get ahead of myself, let me start at the beginning. 

Taking it one day at a time

I have wanted to write a follow-up to my post about my son's seizures and unbeknownst to me, my wife was writing her own post about it. So here is my wife's guest post which sums up what has been going on and what progress we have made. 

So this is the first time I’m publicly (at least on social media) talking about what happened to my son and what my husband and I have been through this past year with him. Maybe I’m still processing it, maybe I don’t know what to say, maybe I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me, maybe I just don’t want to talk about it all the time. Whatever it is, I am talking about it now in order to bring #epilepsyawareness to light. November is #epilepsyawarenessmonth so it is time to talk about it. Bear with me until the end.

Bumblebee Early Access Screenings

Paramount Pictures announced today that on Saturday, December 8th fans at select theatres in the U.S. and Canada will have the opportunity to attend paid early-access screenings for its latest film in the Transformers series, Bumblebee, starring Hailee Steinfeld.

Woody Woodpecker DVD Giveaway!

Disclaimer: The Fandads were provided with a review copy in exchange for a post about the movie and a giveaway for our followers. The prize will be provided by the studio.) 

I remember when I was younger waking up early before school and watching cartoons while eating my breakfast or getting dressed. I would watch Tom & Jerry, the Flintstones, and Woody Woodpecker. I remember how much I would laugh while watching Woody Woodpecker and sometimes get to school late because I was too caught up in watching his adventures on television. Somehow, in teaching my children about all things I grew up with, I have seemed to forgot about Woody Woodpecker. Well, that is going to change, somewhat, with the Woody Woodpecker movie.

The best for our kids

As a parent, we always want what is best for our children. Whether it is going to a good school, living in a nice neighborhood, or just making sure that they have the essentials every day: food, clothes shelter. Somehow, some way, no matter how much we love them and try to do our best for them, something comes along and changes that notion for you as a parent.

Get ready to play some classics on your 3DS!

Hey friends, so your child got a new 3DS for the holidays and you want them to learn about the classics, right? What is a parent to do? Well, do not worry because your friends at Nintendo have got you covered. 

Sharing our memories of Bambi #Giveaway

(Disclaimer: The Fandads have teamed up with Disney to promote the 75th Anniversary release of Bambi in exchange for a giveaway opportunity for our readers. All thoughts, opinions belong to the Fandads and our fellow contributors.) 

With the 75th anniversary of Bambi being released on Blu-ray soon, the Fandads wanted to celebrate the release of the film by thinking back to what our favorite memories of the movie were.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Review #GotGVol2

Opening today in theaters across the country is the continuation of the adventures of The Guardians of the Galaxy. The Fandads were lucky to see an advance screening of this movie on Monday and it was a delight to see our old friends on the big screen again along with some new ones. There will be some spoilers in this review, so be warned if you continue reading.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Digital HD Giveaway #RogueOne

The Star Wars universe is so massive that there are infinite stories that can be told about it. Why is Boba Fett the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy? Why do people age so fast on Tatooine and why did Willrow Hood decide to save his ice cream maker when the Empire invaded Cloud City? 

One door closes, another one will open, eventually

So here it is again. That feeling of disappointment. That feeling that I let others down. I get this feeling every now and then, but today it just hit me at the worst time.

Today I was running late for work due to shoveling the March snow in the morning. Yeah. You read that right. Snow in March. Well, anyways I woke up early to shovel the snow and then I had to drive my children to my in-laws house and drop off the car and head to work.

The snow ensured that everyone would drive like they have never seen the powdery stuff before. The normal five minute ride almost tripled and I'm including the return trip home.

When I got to work I had a message from the recruiting department if I had a minute to talk.

Here's a thing about me; even though I post a lot of things for the Fandads social media pages, I try to keep some personal life moments to myself. There have been plenty of times when I would mention something to someone or post something online and it falls apart.

A few examples. I used to work for a marketing and promotion company once and sometimes I would be in charge of setting the itineraries up for artists that were coming to town. I would call the stores, set up times and pass it to my manager for approval. I would usually get "since you made the itinerary, you can ride along with artist "so-and-so" for the in-stores." I would let me friends know and then, either the artist cancels or something else comes up that I can't go.

There have been many other instances like that, but I don't want to bore you with my bad luck stories.

Ok, so what's the point in all of this and why was someone from recruiting messaging me? Well, since the week I returned from Dad 2.0 I had a few interviews with another department at the company I'm currently working for. This new position would be permanent and will help me in achieving my goal of providing for my family.

Well after a few weeks and constant prodding by co-workers I found out today that I did not get the position. I made a point of not saying anything to anyone in fear that I might jinx it. My wife obviously knew and just told me to let her know when I hear something. She knows I don't like talking about things like this until it's official.

Being told I wasn't getting the position stung. I had, what I thought were two pretty stellar interviews. We were laughing and intrigued  in what we were saying to each other, so I thought my shot was good. I knew not to get cocky though and just decided to wait and see what will happen.

So after all of this build up and receiving the news today I feel like I let my family down. I feel like this could have been the beginning of something bigger, but now it won't be.

Am I sad about this? Yes. Yes I am, but I know when one door closes another one will open. I'll let myself feel disappointed about this for awhile, but as soon as my train reaches my stop and I step out the door to walk home, those feeling of sadness will stay on the train and keep going. I'm not going to stop and will keep moving forward.

Watching the Golden Globes with St. Jude

Photo courtesy of St Jude

With the announcement of the Gloden Globes yesterday, you might start thinking about where you are going to see it. Have you ever thought of dressing up and watching the show at a big event? Did I mention that this event is simultaneously taking place in four other cities and everyone that is gathered there is supporting a great cause? If your answer is yes, you should check out the St. Jude Red Carpet for Hope.

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?

Join Disney Junior at the Movies!

One staple in our household has always been Disney Junior. When my daughter was younger we would constantly have that channel on and do the "Hot Dog" dance with Mickey Mouse, get "ready" for our check-up with Doc McStuffins and "talk" to the animals like Sofia the First.