At 9:20 in the morning yesterday, the traffic to get out of offices and into the long weekend had already started. I could gaze out my office window and see a line of cars stacked bumper-to-bumper on their way north to Napa Valley, Sonoma, the Redwoods…or for most, perhaps, even just home. As they inched past an outdoor furniture store, they will be greeted with a sign declaring, “Your Staycation Headquarters!” As has been detailed (to death!) in the press, because of these trying economic times, the family vacation has been replaced by time spent together…at home. [more]

On more nights than not, it’s my job to pick up K-Man from his day care/school. There are any number of activities that might come following my securing “the package,” (as he is sometimes referred to around here). These include (as written about) visits to fire stations or park, skipping rocks and the ever popular (and simple), “I wanna play in the car!” At least once a week, though, we hit K-Man’s favorite restaurant for his favorite meal: “pizza and a cookie” (and milk and salad, but he focuses on the important pieces!). [more]

Today was the first day that it’s illegal to drive in California while holding/talking on a cell phone. Handsfree is okay, but if you get caught holding onto your phone – the fine is hefty. As I’m not the most prolific driver/talker in the history of the world – I’m not sure that I’ll be too affected by this law. There are those, however, who will have their worlds rocked! There are those, who might actually have to pay attention (even to their kids!) as they drive. [more]

We took the kid to a not-so-far-away-place in Oakland, California, called Fairyland. Built before Disneyland, Fairyland (in theory) is a genius concept where classic Fairy Tales come to life with rides, puppet shows, live animals and all kinds of other attractions (including, of course, merchandise and expensive, not very good food). Before we went, a friend of ours told us, “It’s a little rough around the edges.” It was the perfect description, but in a good way. [more]

At the risk of alienating my math-teacher mom and math Ph.D. brother, I don’t hesitate to say that I don’t care all that much about math (in general). I did well enough in my math courses, but numbers were never really something that spoke to me the way words do (or back in the day, the way sports did). And, as I think about K-Man’s future, I don’t usually think about his math aptitude. Apparently, I’m in the minority, however, as the Associated Press has released results from a poll that suggests a majority of parents want more math for their kids.

Really? [more]