Today was an interesting day for me as I went to my daughters’ school. My father-in-law, a professional musician, performed at their school and highlighted my two oldest daughters in his performances. He is a brilliant musician and wonderful with kids. Everything always goes perfectly during his performances as children are engaged and active listeners/learners. His performances aren’t the focus of this article rather a backdrop. Today was the third time I was in their school in two weeks. American Education week was a couple of weeks ago, which was my first visit, then I went back to their school to observe my youngest daughter’s kindergarten class for a second time (long story) and today makes three. Here’s where it gets fun. I noticed something about kids in those three visits to school. Kids pick their noses constantly.

Let me set the stage for you, it is around 10:30 PM and I am pluggin’ away on my blog.  I am in the morning room of our house and my wife is in the nearby family room.  I am about to write another masterpiece and then I hear it--the unmistakable sound of estrogen-fueled-poorly-written-dialogue.  This sound is way more disturbing to me than fingernails ran across a blackboard.  The Lifetime Channel is on and my wife is watching another “Made for TV” movie that, on top of being written by women who think all men are evil, is as laughable in the acting department as it is in the writing.  Each time I hear melodramatic music playing and a heroine sob I get about as annoyed as a Swiper the Fox at a snapping convention (see really annoyed).

So, by now, you may have guessed that I prefer Chick-Fil-A over all other fast food joints.  Sometimes though I need to remind myself why I love Chick-Fil-A so much--enter Burger King.  Recently, I went on a play date to a local Burger King when the kids had off from school.  What I found during my brief but excruciating stay at BK was a laundry of list of things that not only annoyed me but also had me thinking about my true love--a Chick named Fil-A .

Reasons why I hate BK:

As an observer of human behavior, I enjoy noting the reactions I get when I run errands with my daughters during the day.  If a woman were to be seen toting around little kids it's expected, but when a dad is out and about with the little ones people take notice.  The concensus is the reaction of, "Aw, look at the poor helpless dad helping mom out for the day."  W-T-F ever.  For instance, at Target, my store of choice for general shopping trips, I am constantly being recognized by other humans for my fatherly efforts.  First, to set the scene I must describe my shopping cart layout.  I have three daughters and this is inevitably how my shopping cart looks after about two minutes worth of pushing.  Toddler in the "baby seat" in front where dad can keep an eye on her.  5 year old hanging on dangerously to the side of the cart to get the sensation a dog gets when they put their heads outside a car's window.  Finally, their is my second grader who walks along side the cart  like a secret service agent keeping a watchful eye for dropped shoes, cups, coats, hats, and toys.

I wouldn't say I am an expert, I may think it, but I would never say it aloud, but in my years of educating little babies into full grown toddlers I have found some educational windfalls in the strangest places.  Educating your children is, of course, a continual journey down life's river.  Some periods in a child's lifes, however, are just more critical.  I think the toddler years are very important, because these years are where kids learn how to do things for themselves.  And the more things your toddler can do on their own the less of a pain in the ass they are.  I mean, lets face it, toddlers are just plain dumb and