Originally published at Big Ugly Man Doll. You can comment here or there.

The Reigning Queen of Pink, Grand Duchess of Fluff, Lord High Protector of Barbies, and Baroness of the Hummingbirds just walked up to me this evening and announced that, quote, “Daddy, it wouldn’t surprise me if you were Bi.”

BUMD:  “Um, what?”
RQOP:  “You’re Bisexual.  Or at ( Read more... )

Originally published at Big Ugly Man Doll. Please leave any comments there.

Everyone should have to attend a Build-a-Bear party at least once, if only to remind those without children why they don’t want them. Hard core cases might consider working there.

The Reigning Queen of Pink, Grand Duchess of Fluff, and High Protector of Barbies was invited ( Read more... )

Originally published at Big Ugly Man Doll. Please leave any comments there.

The kids have wonderfully different reactions to massive amounts of snowfall. The oldest daughter (the Human Tape Recorder) tends to view school closings with the same outlook Hermione Granger had in the Harry Potter series - “Oh no! Well, at least I’ll have more time to ( Read more... )

Originally published at Big Ugly Man Doll. Please leave any comments there.

A new parent asked me the other day what they had to look forward to as their little darling grew up.  They’d heard of the “terrible twos” and all that, but what about the long view?  How are they when they’re 11, like the Human Tape Recorder, or 9, like Number One Son?  ( ( Read more... )

Originally published at Big Ugly Man Doll. Please leave any comments there.

So there we were earlier this school year, driving - again - to school.  You wouldn’t think a lot could happen on a drive like this, because it’s not yet 8 in the morning and we’re only driving 5 blocks away.  You would be wrong.

For those of you scoring at home, “not yet 8 ( Read more... )

Originally published at Big Ugly Man Doll. Please leave any comments there.

Yesterday the kids learned a new song about a girl named Mary Mack, Mack, Mack, all dressed in black, black, black, with silver buttons, buttons, buttons, all down her back, back, back. Now obviously this Goth chick’s father owns a line of trucks, and she’s in formal black ( Read more... )

Originally published at Big Ugly Man Doll. Please leave any comments there.

The holidays are over, 2010 is here, and we’re typing this year. Let’s start with… The Holidays: A Brief Review.

Now believe it or not, and I’ve been known to lie, but this holiday saga starts at a Borders Bookstore, with a boatload of books and no coupons. Now everybody ( Read more... )