Leaving for school one morning I noticed a bright yellow dandelion sitting in the middle of the front lawn. I pointed it out to Julia and she ran over and picked it to bring to Big Girl School. Mason caught wind of his sister’s treasure and burst into tears. Read More

Miss Julia strolled into the kitchen while I was making pancakes this morning. She wanted to help and pushed her little pink stool over to the counter. Read More

At Mason’s first t-ball practice he was the only kid not wearing cleats. It didn’t really affect him, but when he came off the field I told him we would go get him a pair of baseball cleats later in the week. Read More

Two days before we were going to leave, my wife and I started packing. Before we had kids, I would wait until about 30 minutes before I would have to leave for the airport to start packing. Read More

Having a civil conversation with your children, absent of name calling, and helping them make an informed decision is the first step to help our next generation. Read More

We live in the digital age, and the communications abilities we have today are things that many of us – most of us – couldn’t imagine just 10 years ago. Read More

I have to admit that I get extremely tired of those voices in the media telling me that I NEED to work out, that I NEED go running, that I NEED to watch what I eat. Read More

We have finally decided what Halloween costumes we are going to wear this year at our house. But let me tell you, it wasn't easy. Read More

Few of us are really innocent when it comes to the use profane language now and then. C'mon. You've probably said a little more than "Rats!" when you slammed your leg into that open drawer while trying to put away some socks in the dark. Read More

What’s the biggest adventure you and your daughter (or son) have ever been on? Read More

Is taking your daughter's boyfriend on a family vacation a good idea or disaster-in-waiting? Read More

Updated: 03/30/11 - Daughter and Two Roomies Go On Odyssey to Visit Hometowns Read More

Have you ever found yourself knowing and choosing to do well but wanting and desiring to do wrong? Read More

Today I would like to take the opportunity to talk about remembering how our children are sponges. Read More

Each day in a Dad’s world creates great opportunities to change the lives of the ones that look up to us the most. Read More

Updated: 04/25/11 - The Garrigan traveling caravan now has one major summer destination: Roy Gale Baseball Fields. The 6 basketball leagues for my four kids are all now over, so now baseball takes center stage--or should I say center field? Read More

One of my favorite things about watching my kids grow up is listening to, and laughing at what comes out of their mouths. I think the "golden age" of funny remarks is around 7 or 8. Read More

Updated: 04/12/11 - The past couple weeks have really been about starting some traditions between Ryder and I. The big change is the introduction of a new bedtime routine. Read More

We held our kids accountable for what they did and didn’t do, but sometimes the consequences could be erased or forgiven by what we called “grace.” Read More

Well, things around our home have certainly been in flux since my two older sons left this past winter to explore the world as young adults. Read More

Updated: 03/08/11 - When I first became a parent, a friend said to me, "Pay attention and enjoy this journey, because they grow up so fast, they'll be gone before you know it." The way those words resonated with me I knew them to be true. And , though I believe I lived with that truth in mind, nevertheless, it is becoming reality right before my eyes. Read More

Posted: 04/26/11 - For the fifth year in a row, inspired by Earth Day, my daughter and I will clean a stretch of the Yahara River near our home. We all have those favorite places--special spots where we just feel at ease with the world. Read More

Posted: 03/23/11 - "Dad for Life"...that is what you are, when you're a father after all. You don't stop caring for and worrying about your kids--you just worry about and care for them in different ways than you did when they were little. Read More

Most of the clothes I wore during my single years were blue. Marriage helped me expand the wardrobe because I knew I could trust my wife to match the ties and socks with my suits. Read More

It seemed like a safe little vacation game to play with the grand kids. We were all on a long car ride to and to help pass the time I came up with a game they could play to earn some money for souvenirs. Read More

We all knew when we teed off that snakes are indigenous to the area. I just didn't expect to see one face to face. Read More

Need some good ideas for last minute Christmas gifts? David shares what his two boys (ages 7 and 4) and his little girl (age 2) are really into. Read More

Sometimes families are faced with tough situations. We recently found out our youngest child, Piper, has cerebral palsy. Read More

When we came back from Christmas dinner with my in-laws, we discovered our back door was wide open: we had been robbed. Read More

On one of my many adventures on the Internet I read an article that had a bunch of parents commenting about how they’re trying to keep their kids away from videogames for as long as possible—sometimes to the age of eight. Sacrilege, I say! Read More

I’m calling it a day. Child, you have bested me. Against all my best efforts to get you to sleep on a regular schedule you have prevailed as the most energetic of the three of us. Read More

We had parent/teacher conferences the other day. Usually my son listens in as the teacher goes over the report card and this evening wasn't any different. Read More

For a kid who loves the slick production of video games on the iPad, something as simple as a turntable baffles and amazes him. Read More

"What a dork!" Those three words were uttered by my son over the weekend -- and directed at me. Read More