Minecraft

During the holidays while my family and I were in Oklahoma my nephew introduced me to a game I had heard of many times before. Minecraft explained by a 7 year old is the only way to learn Minecraft.

And ever since, whenever I have an hour to spare, I love to play me some Minecraft. Not that creative mode y'all easy go-ers like to play, I dig the challenge of survival mode.

And thanks to the power of the interent, and my nephew, I've got a pretty good little farm going on my site of the server.

Still figuring out how I can connect to my nephew's server and vise versa so we can play in each other's world - but that's the fun of the game; there's always something more to learn!

Do you play video games? Which games do you play? Do you know how to connect to a server on Minecraft? LMK - I'd love to hear about it.

 Really wanna geek out? Alright - here's a video I made for my nephew;

Cheers!

-marc

Looking for Inspiration

It's a Monday morning. A week lies ahead of me ... what to do, what to do?

Sure, there are things TO DO, like upload those photos, retouch that one image, launch that website ... but the rest is completely open for interpretation.

But the rest of the week is mine. And after a 10 day hiatus which included a cruise, a 3 day weekend with my beautiful family, and very little work (well... we did shoot a wedding) I'm browsing around the net looking for inspiration.

Perhaps that inspiration is right here within my own soul. Perhaps it's all right here in front of me. A computer, an internet connection, a blog and coffee.

My wife keeps saying it . . . something happened on our trip. It got our wheels turning and it's time to kick some ass.

Oh yeah ... and it's raining.

Cheers!

-marc

5 vs. 1

I think it's fair enough to tell this story.

Stacey and I made the best decision yet of our parenthood lives to enroll our daughter in a local co-op preschool. It's been incredible building relationships with other like minded parents and it's benefited our relationships with our children as well.  That's not the point though...

A family in the co-op recently asked if they could drop their 3 year old boy and 2 twin 20 month old twin boys off for a few hours on a Friday. Stay At Home Dad Mode kicks in. I can do this. I can do anything!

Drop off was made. Find snacks. I thought my 2 girls ate a lot ... boys eat A LOT! And for good reason. They are active! From jumping off the walls, moving around furniture, and constantly getting into things they shouldn't, these little guests didn't slow down. From the 3 year old, whom I'm most acquainted with via the co-op, he's an even more energetic little fellow. It's like he ran a 5k before his mom dropped him off!

Lunch couldn't come quick enough - as the boys I was watching were vegan and I was running out of vegan option snacks. Their mom dropped off peanut butter and sunflower jelly sandwiches, which were amazing and I was holding them for lunch. So we finally dined, a kitchen full of loud, hungry, fun loving little people graciously ate vegan yummies until their bellies content.

And then it was on. Mind you, it was raining outside so throwing them in the backyard was out of the picture. The blocks came out, the balls came out, the diapers needed changing and they were still hungry! We danced to Gangam Style, and played guitar, bongos and maracas, and read books ... it was a full on daddy day care up in the hood.

1 episode of television saved the day...just to rest and calm things down. We don't want to the be the household that you drop your kids off too and they learn the Fresh Beat Theme song. Funny how kids can bond over a television show, thought ...  "Wait, you know Dora? I know Dora too!!".

And then it was on again. I had to put my youngest down for a nap. She couldn't handle all the attention from 3 cute older boys. So she's napping, we're drawing, and mom arrives to the boys yelps of glee.

Pick up was a success, Indie was still sleeping, Zoe and I chilled and then we went to pick up mama.

It's funny - being a Working Stay At Home Dad you plan your days around such events. It's important for Zoe and Indie to have interaction on their home turf (and others' home turf) with their peers. I worked my butt off to ensure I didn't have much to do on Friday so I could over see a successful play-date.

Oh how I never expected myself to type that...

Cheers!

-marc

Slooooooow down.

I found this video on my Facebook page today and it made me slow down ... if at least for 6 and a half minutes.

Whether it really is, or we make it that way, our life as the Cali Blackwells is crazy. With 2 kids under 3, mom working a full time job, me staying at home with the kids and running a small business and EVERYTHING else in between - we feel like we never slow down.

If it's not making dinner before the kids get hangry, or running Z to dance class every friday, juggling preschool activities, fundraisers, and playdates it's taking the dog to the vet or filing our taxes, or cleaning the house.

And sometimes I like it. I feel like I can do anything and everything ... sometimes.

But then sometimes it just all hits ya in the face and you go - whoa ... I need to SLOW down.

Taxes will get filed. Dinner will be made. Business will be had. The other truths that are more important are that our youngest (1 1/2 y/o) is starting to talk. Our 3 year old is a genius and understands every word that comes out of our mouth. They are starting to play together, really love each other, and enjoy each others company. We have two beautiful children in our home that won't always be here. That's the important stuff.

Not money. Not material things we want. Not even getting a second car (but boy how that would be nice!)

Family is love. Family is taking the time to show that love. Everything else falls in place if you show an abundance of love.

I used to tell my mom, "Mom, all you need is love". She would argue, "Yes, but love doesn't pay the bills." I will still and continue to happily disagree with her on this one.

Big City Mornings

This grey gloomy morning is one I'm thoroughly enjoying. While the girlies are at home with the babysitter I snuck out to a coffee shop and am soaking up the alone time in the big city. I sit 10 feet away from the busiest intersection in town, my bike in sight, warmed by my black coffee and an outdoor heater. I have my headphones in but I'm not listening to anything but the sounds around me.

Met a cool guy named Nick. Invited me to bike from Irvine to San Diego. "Only 70 miles, and you can bring the kids!" Ha! Nice to meet ya!

What to do with the next 2 hours?

Perhaps turn off all electronics. Sit. Alone. For once. Not work, just dream and think. Maybe train for my new biking adventure? The possibilities are endless as long as it doesn't rain!

See ya later.

On Being A Stay At Home Dad

It's funny, I'm a stay at home dad 100%. And as the months pass into years, I'm becoming a damn good one.

I am a "Laundry Master". I can make a mean chicken broccoli macaroni and cheese. Poopey diapers are changed within seconds. Dirty dishes and spilled milk don't last very long in my house. Preschool drop offs are scheduled between emergency baths and breakfasts are no problem. Auditions, play dates, snacks and kissing booboos are all routine in my day. I can hold my weight with any stay at home mom.

All this while juggling a small business, friends, the wifey and keeping up with my shows. LOL, see? I hafta keep up with my soaps!

Lately the phrase "it's a thankless job" has been running through my head. And while I'm cleaning poop off a crib, no one is saying thank you. While I'm washing peed sheets (AGAIN!), or picking cheerios out of the rug I don't get verbal thank yous. But the hugs, giggles, and happiness of my girls make it all worth it. I guess all this to say that I love it. I love being a stay at home dad and wouldn't change it for the world. I love looking into my girls eyes, smiling, and automatically getting a smile back.

I know this time will not last forever. I'll blink and my girls will be in grade school, or getting married and I'll be lonely and old at the house by myself. So for now I'm soakin' it in.

Cheers,
-marc

Turkey Trot

Zoe recently had a Turkey Trot fundraising run at her preschool. Here's the video begging for money:

Here's the video of the event!

Cheers!
-marc