I have absolutely no idea how factual these numbers are but it still makes you think…

   

National Account Balance estimates from the CIA World Fact Book (published 12th February 2008)

• 1st: China $363,300,000,000
• 5th: Russia $74,000,000,000
• 14th: Canada $28,460,000,000
• 161st: United Kingdom $-111,000,000,000
• 163rd (last place): United States $-747,100,000,000

Not on this list but notable is Iraq ($7.802 billion - 2007 est.), Iran ($19 billion - 2007 est.) and Cuba (-$750 million - 2007 est.).

   

We moved from New York City a few short years ago because we could not face the price tag associated with raising kids in the city. Yes, we were part of that time-honored migration from the Big Apple once we got married. But we didn’t move to the suburbs - we went transcontinental and packed up for Los Angeles. But we have quickly found out that living in West LA is quite a challenge for those of us with school-aged kids. The waiting lists. The letters with attached pictures of your kids. The application fees. The secret handshakes.

Once you get beyond the velvet rope the real work begins. You must be stealth in both judgment and approach when taking tours of potential schools for your little angels. Then you’ve got to have a list and check it twice. Here is a worthy checklist (peppered with my thoughts and wise-cracks) vis a vis the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They’re the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 100,000 members, a national network of over 300 local, state, and regional affiliates. Whether you actually write out a list or you just keep a running tally in your head maybe one or two of these will help you and your search.

1. Children are playing and working with materials or other children and the space feels inspired and the personnel are actively engaged with the children. They are not aimlessly wandering or forced to sit quietly for long periods of time.
2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day, such as block building, pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as legos, pegboards, and puzzles. Children are not all doing the same things at the same time.
3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day and the ration of teacher-to-student is low. They do not spend time only with the entire group.
4. The classroom is decorated with children’s original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and dictated stories. The space is designed and or arranged to accommodate the children (chairs, tables, sinks and bathrooms are all easily accessible and safe to use for small children).
5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. Exploring the natural world of plants and animals, cooking, taking attendance, and serving snack are all meaningful activities to children. In general, there day is varied with an array of meaningful activities and experiences that they can learn and grow from.
6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play, explore and and interact. Filling out worksheets should not be their primary activity.
7. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day that weather permits. This play is never sacrificed for more instructional time even if the weather is not desirable.
8. Teachers read books to children throughout the day, not just at group story time.
9. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Because children differ in experiences and background, they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
10. Children and their parents look forward to school. And of course, parents feel safe sending their child to a given kindergarten.

Sited Links:
Education.Com
National Association for the Education of Young Children

   

Suri. Apple. Kingston. Brooklyn. Harry. Moon Unit.

I think from the get-go dads and moms realize that coming up with the right name for your soon-to-be-born kid is a very important and potentially daunting task. Do we want a popular name or a totally unique name, or from a character in book or maybe a religious one? Should we choose a popular name with an alternate spelling or your beloved deceased mongoose? How does it sound with our last name? What do the initials spell out? And so it goes and goes and goes…

This article is topical in our household since I opened my Christmas gift a few weeks ago announcing that my wife is pregnant again with our third child! Very exciting! She is due mid-August and we are very happy.

So of course, I have been scouring the web for the best sites to reference. With the two boys we went into it not knowing whether the baby was to be a boy or girl. We decided ahead of time to choose our two favorite boy names and two favorite girl names and when the baby is born we will know for sure (when we meet him/her) what her name is. This plan has worked well for us.

Here is a short List of worthy links if you’re shopping around for good baby names;

BabyNamesWorld.Com - includes derivation and meanings of over 27,000 names
BabyNamer | Quick reference of name’s etymology
BabyNames.Com | From around the world (Persian, Aztec, Hawaiian, Slavic, et al.)
How Not To Name Your Baby | Online Guide to Baby Naming

   

That’s right — six. I could not widdle it down to five, and I’m totally comfortable with that.

It’s the end of the year and you know what that means a whole lotta lists are coming out to round out the Best Of 2007 categories. This is not the Best Of 2007 because some of this stuff has been around for a year or two, kinda like my kids. And now that I’m a full-fledged dad always in search of new music I have been checking out some different genres and areas I don’t traditionally gravitate too.

Elizabeth Mitchell - You Are My Flower

I wrote about this CD when it first came out because it was one of these rare acoustical efforts that travels beyond the coffee shop vibe into something really special. I’m not sure what but in the meantime, I’ll keep listening to it until I figure that out.

Martin & Wood Medeski - Let’s Go Everywhere

I have always associated these guys with the edgy smoke stained jazz club scene of New York City and not the sun-drenched milk-stained nursery set, but this album is definitely worth getting.

Squirrel Nut Zippers - Hot!

This is another not-so new but you-must-know about CD. Squirrel Nut Zippers puts the Wiggles to shame with their retro-swing-big-band extravaganza! To shame, I say!

Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato

This is by no means a new album but it has quickly become a classic in our home. This Portland Oregon-based group straddles many genres and many styles. Their music takes you around the world in a single album without the saccharine sweet World Music vibe. It’s just good music that both kids and parents will enjoy.

Father Goose - It’s A Bam Bam Diddly!

That’s right, Father Goose of the Dan Zane Dance Party Fame. I must admit Father Goose puts the dance in Dance Party. I’m a SKA fan from way back. You know - The Selector, IRS Records and such. Regardless, if you like reggae in general you’ll love this stuff.

Dean Jones Nappers

This is not your usual lullaby music. This is intelligent and totally palatable stuff. Mbiras, balafons, pedal steel and autoharp are blended with Moogs, upright bass, piano, guitars, and deep, fuzzy loops. This is their first album, hopefully not their last.

   

I just got poked by Bernard @ RaisingEli.Com and Maryanne @ MommySpeak.Com

Here’s seven things you didn’t know about metaDAD;

1. I don’t follow sports and don’t relish owning a car — I don’t even hide the fact, anymore. I miss riding the subway to work (NYC). Don’t get me wrong the NYC Subway system is flawed but I now know it is a great privilege not to own a car.
2. I’ve had many different types of jobs over the years. I drove a truck between Boston and NYC for awhile. I worked in telemarketing when I was in high school. I was a chef for years. I used to do ice sculptures. I was an animator. I was a computer salesman. I was an after-school teacher. When I was a kid, I had my own comic strip in the local paper. I was never a clown. And I am a master of none.
3. I am kinda scared of clowns. And scorpions. And Dude’s with guns — in that order.
4. After my mother passed away, I developed vertigo (I still have it sometimes).
5. I feel Foreigner is a deeply under-rated band.
6. Oprah annoys me. Dr. Oz impresses me. I am kind of jealous of him at the same time, because he’s now a “made-man.”
7. I think good parenting, and good fathering is part learned, part experience (how your parents parented you) and part intuition. Reading a book (taking a workshop or whatever) about parenting is good. Reading a couple books (workshops, et al.) is better, even if you don’t agree with all of them. With good guidance, healthy advice and support from family and friends it is possible.

Next up at bat;

Ms. WaitingToGetThere.Com [because I know you're gonna surprise me]
Mr. DorkyDad.Com [cuz I said so, Mister!]
Mr. UltimateCoupons [Yes, you Andrew]
Mr. ExpectantFather.Com [I know you have something fascinating to say]
Mr. BusyDad.Com [Go Jim!, Go]

Seven facts about you — from the heart. Go.

[Photo Credit: ActiveFree]

   

(Via Sawse - Stir It Up!)

   

I read to my kids every night. It’s what I do. It is my best quality-time I have with them during the week. And they seem to enjoy the predictability of it. Right now I am introducing them to the good ‘ole classics. I mean come on, a little french girl with an appendicitis, a monkey on ether and a bear with esteem issues - good stuff.

Nothing says, “nighty-night” more than that. Nothing against the new schtuff. I read them that, too. Here’s a few classics that are in heavy rotation this week:

These are solid standards. As opposed to some that seem to have outdated themes, character-types or are just a bit boring. Sorry to say, but a great example of this (for me) is the complete set of Beatrix Potter, because I’m a big fan of The Squirrel Nutkin and The Tailor of Gloucester, but beyond that I was bored with these stories. Sorry, Tom Kitten your just not sassy enough for us.

Here are some more current titles that I enjoy reading to them: