April 2008
I’m a single Dad. It’s more work, concentration and dedication than anything I’ve experienced. It’s also the greatest single thrill in the world. I love it. I live for it.
Dork Dad. And proud of it.
And now, between rehearsals for my live shows and being that single Dad, I was committed to trying to give my three small children, 9, 5 and 3, the best Easter Break ever.
Easter. Spring. Whatever. Just give us a break.
Each day, each week, I have my children from Sunday through Wednesday…and most times more…
Like millions of other parents, through work , I get up with these three beautiful kids, get ‘em out to school, get snacks and clothes ready the night before, pick ‘em up, do the homework, have a lot of laughs, naps and yes, even play dates with other moms and their kids!
I have such respect for all the Moms and Dads and teachers out there doing this day in and day out – especially working parents.
Taking care of children is the most gratifying but daunting and responsible endeavor in the world.
And it’s not easy for the little ones either! They must go through all of that preparation and then be in a classroom most of the day!
So, trying to be that good father – what do I do with the kids at vacation time?
Nobody does it better than Disney – Universal and Seaworld are awesome – And have you ever tried the Nick Hotel in Orlando? All perfect for kids…and we practically lived there when my big boy was small…(I have an older son, 67 and retired.)
It is my quest to teach these kids character and a sense of community and heritage.
You forget all the good things happening in your neighborhood. Especially if you’re from Jersey. Seriously.
I’ve been wanting to do this for the longest time and by the Grace of God, we pulled it off – check it out, this was our ‘Break’ schedule--
We ‘did’ the Statue of Liberty. Remember that? The symbol of freedom for the entire world? You gotta go back.
This, along with Ellis Island is a MUST SEE for every American-or person visiting America.
My children, even at their young ages, appreciated and understood the magnitude of what the mighty Lady Liberty stands for…
I explained to my kids that when their Grandparents first came to this country and saw the Statue of Liberty, they had tears in their eyes…
“Why?” asked my three year old, “Were they sad?”
I told her, “No sweetheart, they were tears of joy, to come to the greatest place on earth, the United States.”
Special thanks to Superintendent Cynthia Garret and US Park Police Officer ‘Eddie’ and Captain Al , for making this an unforgettable and patriotic family experience…
We didn’t stop there – a couple days earlier, we took the opportunity to go to Camden, NJ. Yes, Camden – once deemed the most dangerous city in America.
As I found out through my non-profit foundation, there are so many wonderful things happening in the city – (Please check out positiveimpactfoundation.org.)
Well, the kids and I visited the Adventure Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront.
We did a brief run-through last Spring – but concentrated then on The Battleship New Jersey, an awesome and spectacular destination in its own right!
Right down the road from the New Jersey, The Adventure Aquarium is second to none. From feeding the seals, to walking through the glass-enclosed ‘Shark Encounter’ to bird feeding to face painting for the kids, it makes for an educational, fun-packed day.
Special thanks to Kimberly Walker and her professional, kind and patient staff !!
I had meetings in Atlantic City, as we approach our big event honoring ‘The Greatest Generation’ at Resorts on May 10.
So, I took the kids and we hit the Boardwalk and we actually went shopping in Atlantic City!
How cool it was to see Outlet stores and great restaurants and a huge resurgence of this great old seaside city.
A couple days and a lot of naps later, we hauled back up the Turnpike, and took the kids to The American Museum of Natural History in New York, New York.
Forgetaboutit. This is something the kids really wanted to see. It was educational and fascinating. Just like the movies. Thank you, Ben Stiller!
So, as we strive to be the best parents we can – so grateful for the privilege of our children - in our frantic search to educate, please and entertain these kids, it was inspiring to stay home for once and still experience the absolute best Break ever!
On the way home from Ellis Island – My five year old, with a Statue of Liberty souvenir in hand, says to his little sister, “Hi, I’m the Statue of Liberty. I am the symbol of Freedom for the entire world.”
Now I had tears in my eyes…
Dork Dad. And proud of it.
