12 AWESOME Father's Day Gifts for 2014

Every year Stevie asks me what I want for Father's Day. Every year I tell her I want the same three things.

• I'd like to sleep in. 
• I'd like to spend the day with my family. 
• A back rub would be nice.

Honestly, the second bullet point is the only one I really care about. Stevie hates that I give her those three answers. HATES it. So this year I did a little research on my own, and reached out to some of my very favorite dad blogger buddies to make a list of truly awesome Father's Day gifts. I would be elated to find any of these items under the Father's Day Tree on Father's Day Morning. You can click on any of the images to go to where you can buy what is pictured!

Chewbacca Hoodie!! ($50.04 - $99.99 Amazon) 

(Recommended for my brother-in-law, Jim)

Does the dad in your life have an awesome beard? Is he looking to complete the ensemble with an awesome wookie hoodie? Does he do his awesome Chewbacca Impression at inappropriate times? Then this gift is for him. The price range is so large because it depends largely on how many Wookies they have to... shave... to get enough Wookie Fur to make it. Candice! Buy this for Jim. DOOOOO IT! (By the way, everyone congratulate my brother and sister-in-law. They are pregnant with my niece or nephew!) 

This Awesome Hammock  ($239.99 Hayneedle.com)

(Recommended by John Willey of Daddy's in Charge?)

"If I didn't already have a billion of them, I would want Legos. But since I already have seemingly every set ever made I want a day at the golf course. HOWEVER, knowing that a day at the course is a day away from family time, I want a hammock.  A hammock that is big enough for more than one person. That way I can look at it while I am playing wiffle ball with the kids and dream about laying in it all day.  Or you can just get me beer; really, really, really good beer." - John

The Parents' Phrase Book ($11.71 Amazon)

(Recommended by Brent Almond of Designer Daddy)

"The Parents' Phrase Book combines the eloquent writing of a master storyteller with the practical idioms of a world-wizened father — of which Whit Honea is both. 

Whether it's explaining why Jimmy has two dads or if Han shot first (he did) or how to deal with the death of a family member, Whit gives voice to it all in heartfelt and easy-to-use format." - Brent

BTW, Brent has his own list of Father's Day Gift suggestions. Check it out here. (After you're done reading mine!)

Breaking Bad: The Complete Series Collectors Blu-ray Edition ($399.99 Amazon)

(Recommended by Lorne Jaffe of Raising Sienna) 

"In my opinion is that "Breaking Bad" is the most culturally significant drama of our time and arguably of all time. It represents television as art: a painting, an epic poem, a brilliant film. Its use of sound, silence, color, framing, cinematography and on and on are nearly unparalleled. It's a show that fans, particularly rabid ones, can study. Each time you watch an episode, you notice something new. If you've seen the entire series already, you can go back and catch clues to each character's transformation. Having this set, with 50+ hours of special features and documentaries, not to mention the collectible money barrel and other unique items, makes this an incredible Father's Day gift for the "Breaking Bad" dad." - Lorne

If you don't have an extra 400 bones laying around, the entire series of Breaking Bad is now on Netflix. With a little commitment, and possibly losing your job for taking too much time off of work, you could probably get through it in a month and only pay $8.99. But for the true collectors, this set looks pretty cool. 

Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments ($12.01 Amazon)

(Recommended by Eric Jefferson of Dad On the Run)

"Mike Adamic's Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments is a fantastic resource for any at home parent looking for things to do on those rainy days, or even when the sun is shining - rain or shine, who could beat building your own rocket or creating rock candy in your own kitchen?" -  Eric

Bluff Works Pants ($93.00 BluffWorks.com)

(Recommended by me!)

Look, here's the thing. I wear a pair of pants until it can no longer be classified as a pair of pants. Then I mow the lawn in them for a few months. Then I use them to dry my car for awhile before finally burning them in a pants retiring ceremony in my back yard. I use every part of the buffalo. And by buffalo I mean pants. Bluff Works sent me a pair of their slacks to try out about a month ago, and I am kind of embarrassed to admit how many days a week I wear them. They are comfortable enough for work, and durable for me to do everything I described above except the burning part. The difference is, you can still wear them the next day. I love them. They make me happy. 

This picture is so damn cheesy. I love it.

Leaf Scoops ($19.99 Amazon)

Dude. They are leaf scoops. What else can I say? He might think they are silly looking and lame, but come leaf-picking-up-time dad is going to be glad you got him HULK STYLE LEAF PICKER UPPERS!!

"ARRGGGHH HULK PICK UP LEAVES! HULK SMASH... LEAVES INTO GARBAGE CAN TO MAKE ROOM FOR MORE LEAVES!"

The Piggy Back Rider ($84.99 Amazon)

(Recommended by Nick Dawson of Dad Labs)

"The PiggybackRider is a great Father's Day gift because it takes a typical Dad thing (carrying your kid on your back/shoulders) and makes it more comfortable for Dad, and more FUN for both! We've used ours often and every time has been a blast. Dads with kids 3 to 7 years old will dig it!" - Nick

I have to admit, I am intrigued by this contraption. I would have liked to have had it for our recent trip to Disney Land. The walk back to the hotel with Duchess on my shoulders nearly killed me.

Star Wars Chess Set  ($72.99 Amazon)

(Recommended by James Estrada of Nerdy At Home Dad) 

Two of my favorite memories of growing up with my dad are when we watched Star Wars for the first time, and when he taught me how to play chess. Both must have taken eternal patience on his part. 

Star Wars:

"What happened to Luke's parents? Was that them, and why were they skeletons?"
"They aren't his parents."

"Who are his parents?"

"Keep watching. You'll find out."

"When?"

"I can't tell you. It is a surprise."

"Why?"

"You'll see. Just keep watching."

Chess:

"Why does a Knight move in an L?"

"It just does."

"But why?"

"Because that is the rule."

"But why is that the rule?"

"Because in mid-evil times, knights could only move forward and then slightly to the side. It was because of how their armor was made."

"Oh."

Now you can combine the frustration of explaining the force with the frustration of explaining why pawns can only kill on a diagonal! Huzzah!

Pajama Suit ($99.95 - $115.39 Amazon)

(Recommended by Aaron Gouveia of The Daddy Files)  

"Because it's always important to be the classiest parent at the bus stop every morning." - Aaron

OK. If I am being honest, Aaron didn't really recommend these. Awhile ago Aaron lit the internet on fire by admitting that he likes to wear pajama pants to the bus stop. Some folks rallied to his defense. Others regarded his commitment to sleepwear as a sign of the apocalypse. I think if someone would just buy these for him, we could all get along and going back to worrying about important things like why that rapper's sister-in-law hit him in an elevator... or Global Warming.

Anyway, the Pajama Suit is legend...How I Met Your Mother reference...dary.

Zombie Apocalypse Yard Gnomes ($15.99 - $29.99 Think Geek)

(Recommended by me, again.)

OK. The Tommy Gun is a bit much. The Scarface quote on the base is a bit... mucher. Do I wish the gnome had enough sense not to scream outdated movie quotes, use automatic weapons, and alert every other zombie gnome in the area to his EXACT location? Yes. Yes I do. Sorry, if they had a gnome using modified melee weapons I would have picked that one. Just buy them. They are still cool.

Cooper & Kid Play Sets (Prices Vary)

(Recommended by Jeff Bogle of Out With the Kids)

This one is probably my favorite on the whole list. It is a monthly mail order set that includes a variety of projects and games dads can do with their kids. Each kit includes:

• A shipping box that turns into a toy!
• An activity book that guides you through the theme and the contents of the box
• A bedtime story
• A separate website of related digital resources
• Links to even MORE theme-related activities that are ‘Beyond the Box’
• Parenting and topical links to resources that are ‘Just for Dad’
• A themed dinner menu with recipes (guys are doing a ton of cooking for the family these days)

Here's what Jeff had to say:

"I love the mystery of each box, but also that each one has a thread running through it, not just a mashup of random stuff. Our first kit was flying, two was science and magic, three was bugs. I love that it takes dads and dad/kid playtime/quality time seriously and that it is not gendered at all. It is for Dads + Kid(s) whether those kids are boys or girls." - Jeff

So there's the list! I think they are all pretty cool. I hope you enjoyed it. If I missed anything, which I am sure I did, feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments. In the meantime, don't forget to follow Ask Your Dad Blog on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to check out the blogs of all the dudes who helped me put this list together! 

- John (Dad)

5 Ways Daycare is Supposedly Ruining My Kids

Both of our kids go to daycare. They have for most of their short lives. Every once in awhile I stumble across an article or a conversation where folks are talking about how horrible it is that some kids have to go to daycare. There is a lot of guilt out there to roll around in. I know. I know. If Stevie and I really prioritized our kids we should be able to figure something out where one of us could stay home. It’s really the best gift we can could give to our kids and if we love them we should really consider it. They are only going to be kids once, and if we didn't plan on raising our kids, why did we have them in the first place?

Seriously, these are things I have heard… or read. The Internet is full of people who think they know things.

The irony in that last sentence aside, here’s the thing: My wife and I bought a house while we were both employed, and then we had two kids. Our incomes are spoken for. Unless we want to sell the house, or one of our salaries magically doubles in the next year, the kids are going to daycare and preschool. Sorry Internet. Sorry kids. I guess we fail.

Here are 5 ways that us sending our kids to daycare is supposedly ruining them...

My Top 5 Jamba Juice Smoothies

Let us talk of juice one last time. This is the final post in my series sponsored by Jamba Juice and Isis Mobile Wallet. We've made videos. We've taken Instagram pictures. I've tweeted. I've posted to Facebook! But most of all, I have consumed a lot of juice over the past month and a half. This post would be funnier if I could complain about all the juice I've tried. But alas, even though the nice folks at Jamba said my reviews should be honest and heartfelt, I can honestly say that I enjoyed my entire Juice Journey. OK, except for the wheat grass. That was made on a dare right?

Here are my five favorite smoothies that I tried! (I've linked all the images to their nutritional facts if you are curious!)

3 Reasons I love My Daddy/Daughter Jamba Juice Time

I wish I could say that the best part of my Juice Journey has been the crazy amount of smoothies that I have eaten over the last month. And that has definitely been an enjoyable part. I have at least tasted every single flavor of smoothie that Jamba Juice offers. They have all been pretty good. Some have been far too sweet for my taste, and the one wheat grass shot tasted far too much like I was licking the bottom of my lawn mower. But other than that, everything has been fruity and delicious.

I am enamored with the veggie fruit smoothies, in particular, Apples and Greens. As many of you know, I have been training for a marathon this spring. After each run I have rejuvenated with an Apples and Green smoothie. Not only is it delicious, it also tastes nothing like Kale - which for me, is a win/win! Later this week I will post my summary of everything I have tried

But like I said, the smoothies have not been the best part of this experience with Jamba Juice. The time I have gotten to spend with my daughter has been. Our weekly daddy daughter date to PaJamba Juice is something I am going to continue long after I have to start paying for them again. Here are a few reasons why.

Zach Rosenberg is a Really Nice Guy

Zach Rosenberg is a really nice guy.

I want to tell you about my good friend, and pink robe aficionado, Zach Rosenberg. He is a fellow dad blogger and one of the two creators of 8 Bit Dad. Zach has been reading my blog since it was a teeny tiny blip on the internet. If you go back to my super early posts, you will see his comments.