Having teens makes you lazy. On the weekends, you don’t have to play with your teens. Yo… more
Posts Tagged ‘christmas’
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Live Blog New York Toy Fair
By Daddy Clay Sunday, February 17th, 2008
Despite last year’s debacle, I’m back in NYC at the annual Toy Fair.
My generous and enthusiastic, but child-free host yesterday expressed interest in accompanying me to the show. I asked her what was the longest amount of time that she had spent in a crowded Toys ‘r’ Us in the Christmas season. Just to give her perspective on how much “fun” is involved.
My feet were numb before I was halfway through the massive show’s upper floor yesterday. I may never penetrate to the lower floor. Some of the exhibitors are welcoming of me and my press badge (credential vetting process?), with dedicated team members at the ready with press kits and tours of the new products. Some exhibitors refuse to make eye contact as soon as they make you for not being a buyer.
I don’t even bother with the big boys like Mattel and Lego. I’ve heard they beat up bloggers just for asking to get in to their fortress-like booths. Read the rest of this entry »
Nutcracker Flashback
By Daddy Clay Friday, December 21st, 2007
(I’m skipping out of work a little early today to go see a matinee performance of the Nutcracker with Ri-ri. So I don’t really have time for a new post. So I’m bringing back something from my now defunct blog “It’s Only Pee.” Enjoy and happy holidays.)
My daughter is literally on the edge of her seat, craning her neck as the director steps in front of the curtain to address the audience. She looks heartbreakingly cute in her special holiday dress. I’ve even dusted off my one and only suit for the occasion. The lights are dimming and the prelude has begun.
Time for a little parenting guilt.
Nightmare Before Christmas Made In China
By Daddy Clay Thursday, December 13th, 2007
A quick poll of the DadLabs offices revealed a surprisingly low level of concern about lead in children’s toys. Most of this confidence derives from dads feeling like their kids are past the “everything goes in the pie-hole” phase of child development. A little research reveals that this confidence is pretty well founded. Ingestion is the most likely pathway for kids to get increased lead levels from toys, although lead poisoning can also be a result of breathing contaminated air. Decaying toys with tainted paint could conceivably contribute lead to household dust and thereby present a danger even to non-orally fixated kids. But that’s pretty unlikely.
