DADDY TOT SWIM TIME AT GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOLS

Something that always catches my eye when I'm taking my kids to their swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School is the number of guys participating in the parent-tot swim sessions. In fact, at our local Goldfish Swim School I've noticed a few sessions filled with just dads spending time with their kids in the pool. What a great opportunity for some fatherly bonding by spending some Daddy & Tot swim time together!

For those of you with infants and toddlers at home, Goldfish Swim School provides an opportunity for fathers help their children that are 4 months to 36 months old get comfortable with being immersed in water with infant / toddler swim sessions. Introducing a child to getting into a pool at a very early age can help prevent him or her from developing an anxiety about swimming or a fear of water later on in life. Plus it is also a nice way to spend some time socializing a child around other people while having fun. Toddler aged kids also begin to receive water safety lessons to help them be cautious and prepared for dangerous situations.

Getting children accustomed to spending time in the water as preschoolers also can provide them with confidence to participate in swimming lessons when they get old enough for them. My wife and I participated in parent - tot classes with our twins and when it came time for actual swimming lessons my son and daughter had no hesitancy about getting into the pool. I have to give credit to those session in the pools for avoiding them having anxiety about swimming when they started taking lessons because honestly they can be a pair of real scaredy cats at times.

Here's another thing for dads to keep in mind.  Pediatricians recommend that skin-to-skin contact strengthens the bond between a parent and an infant. Spending some time in the water during a Goldfish Swim School infant / toddler class can be a great way for a dad to get some of that valuable contact they might not otherwise regularly be getting as often as mom does with a little one. Plus it is an enjoyable way to spend some fun time with a son or daughter by participating together in one of these parent-tot classes.

The water is warm … in fact Goldfish Swim School always keeps it heated to a comfy 90 degrees … so dads go jump in there with your kids! Create some memories and enjoy the experience of daddy-tot swim time. To find a location near you or to find out more information about these parent-tot sessions, head over to goldfishswimschool.com.

A Geek Daddy receives free products and services as a brand ambassador for Goldfish Swim Schools. Opinions expressed are honest and my own.

HOW TO CLEAN FIVE WORST STAINS OF SUMMER

It is time for some summer fun! Of course, along with barbecues, bike rides, and other summertime activities also often come pesky stains to deal with.  Here are some tips on cleaning five of the worst stain of summer:

BICYCLE GREASE

Whether you have to fix the chains or just rub against them during a bike ride, bicycle grease can cause an icky mess.  The longer the grease is on fabric the harder it is to remove so time is of the essence when it comes to cleaning this type of stain. First, rub some dishwashing liquid over the stain to help breakdown the consistency of the grease.  Next rinse the fabric with the stain side facing down so water is running from the back of the stain to the front. Then throw it in the washing machine with your favorite detergent along with an extra boast of cleaning power by also adding powdered BIZ Stain Fighter into the load.

BBQ SAUCE

If you are like me and my kids, even as careful as we eat it still seems to be impossible to avoid spilling BBQ sauce on ourselves.  Pretreat the spot with liquid BIZ barely rubbing it in not more than so the stain is coated with the stain fighter. Rinse well with cold water. Then use a white cloth to dab white vinegar across the stain.  Rinse again.  Keep repeating these steps over and over again until you've removed as much of the stain as possible.

GRASS STAINS

Grass stains are tough and the key is to fight them with enzymes.  Pretreat with BIZ Stain Fighter to let its Enzamix™ ingredients absorb into the stain.  Sprinkle some lemon juice on the spot before throwing into the washing machine. Wash with laundry detergent plus add in some more BIZ to the mix.

ICE CREAM

Who doesn't love ice cream?! Of course there is a lot to hate about ice cream stains. These are caused by an ingredient called locust bean gum that helps ice cream keep its shape.  The secret is to use nature to counter the stains caused by this natural ingredient.  The enzymes in BIZ will do the trick!

Here's what to do! Moisten the stain with liquid BIZ Stain Fighter by applying it with a soft sponge. Place the stained clothes in an airtight bag overnight. Rinse off with cold water the next day. Then wash the clothes like you would normally clean them.

STRAWBERRY STAINS

I love strawberry sundaes on a hot day. Strawberries are such a refreshing and tasty fruit to enjoy during the summer. Unfortunately they can also cause some really horrible stains!

Just like with ice cream though these stains can be combated with enzymes.  Treat these stains in the same way as ice cream. If the stain is still there after going through the washing machine, soak it in a citric acid solution (1 part citric acid to 9 parts water) for a few hours.  Then toss it back in the washing machine again.  Remember to never put clothes in the dryer until you've gotten the stain out the best you can.

BIZ STAIN FIGHTER

BIZ Stain Fighter is specially formulated to tackle tough stains. Different stains require different elements to eliminate them: detergents, whitening ingredients, peroxides and enzymes. BIZ incorporates all of these stain fighters into its ingredients. Plus because BIZ Stain Fighter is the only brand with Enzamix™, a unique blend of enzymes designed to quickly dissolve bacteria causing stains and odors from grass, sweat, blood and more, it has an edge in fighting stains. That combined with Biz incorporating all four key elements to treating stains together in one mixture is why BIZ works better than other brands.

BIZ is currently available as a powder, liquid, and liquid booster. Add these along with your normal detergent to every load of wash to boost your cleaning power and eliminate tough stains. The liquid is also great for pre-treating stains before throwing them into the washing machine. Coming soon is BIZ-ON-THE-GO a portable stain eliminator pen to help combat messes as they happen while you are out and about.

A Geek Daddy is a BIZ Stain Fighter brand ambassador receiving complimentary product and posting sponsored posts throughout 2018. Stay tuned for more tips and stories about overcoming tough to get out stains using BIZ. For more information head over to bizstainfighter.com

ALEX & ME SOCCER MOVIE GIVEAWAY

** Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the featured Blu-ray for personal use and one to giveaway in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own **

As the coach of my daughter's soccer team, I'm always looking for ways to motivate the girls to improve themselves on and off the field.  So I'm planning on getting the team together for a movie night to watch ALEX & ME.  This movie features women's soccer sensation Alex Morgan and Nickelodeon actress Siena Agudong (Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn) in the story of a young female athlete who is taught by one of her personal heroes how passion, determination and self-worth can make all your dreams come true.

Get into the soccer spirit by creating your own Soccer Emoji to share with the world through the app below. Pick your player's look, signature move, and fun tagline. Then download the app's Family Goal Chart to have your kids set and mark off goals to help them be superstars in sports, school and life. When you are done with the app make sure to enter to win ALEX & ME from A Geek Daddy courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.



For a chance to win the movie just RETWEET the original giveaway promotional post on Twitter embedded below before June 24, 2018 at 11:59pm E.T.  Must be a U.S. resident over 18 years old to participate. Simple as that! So who wants it?!

Follow @Geekdad248 + RETWEET before June 25, 2018 for a chance to win ALEX & ME on Blu-ray starring Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's #WorldCup Winner Alex Morgan #AlexandMe #WBPromotion pic.twitter.com/opjeCikpjC

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) June 15, 2018

ALEX & ME SYNOPSIS

Teenager Reagan Willis (Agudong) has one dream – to play soccer like her hero, Alex Morgan. Her bedroom is a shrine to all things Alex, including a life-size poster of the Olympic gold medalist. Yet in the Willis house, Reagan lives in the shadow of her prep football superstar brother, Logan. When Reagan fails to make the cut of the premiere local soccer club team and is humiliated by her rival Claire, she’s certain her ship has sailed. But after accidentally hitting her head, Reagan’s poster of Alex Morgan suddenly comes to life and everything changes!

An Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion with a penchant for goal scoring, Alex Morgan is one of the top soccer players on the planet, currently playing forward for the United States Women's National Team and the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League. Away from the field, Morgan is also an accomplished author of “The Kicks” series, a collection of chapter books filled with wonderful messages of empowerment for young girls.



ALEX & ME is available now on Digital and is being released on Blu-ray and DVD on June 19, 2018. CLICK HERE to purchase the movie.

Disclaimer & Rules: A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a United States resident over the age of 18 to participate. One entry per mailing address and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner. A Geek Daddy is not responsible for delivery of the prize.

WHO GIVES A CRAP

Did you know the average man spends the equivalent of a year of his life sitting on the toilet?! The guys over at WHO GIVES A CRAP recently shared with me a sample of their toilet paper made from environmentally-friendly materials and the results of a survey they took about the potty habits of dads. Here are some of the results from their discussion with dads about a topic everybody does but rarely talks about:

• Use your phone on the loo? 40% say "ewww no" 
• Hanging the TP, over vs. under: over obviously won that one (79%) 
• Always flush or sometimes let it mellow: 47% say let it mellow! 
• Scrunch vs. fold: right down the middle, folks! A nation divided

Why is it important to talk about taking a crap? Because people are flushing a lot of toilet paper down the drain and the majority of that is made of virgin wood pulp from trees that have been cut down through unsustainable harvesting methods that damage forest environments. When I say " a lot " that is taking into consideration that around the world the average person uses 100 rolls of toilet paper per year. To keep up with demand the toilet paper industry manufactures around 84 million rolls per day.

WHO GIVES A CRAP is striving to provide toilet paper in a more environmentally-friendly way. They are producing it either made from 100% recycled paper or with 100% sustainably harvested bamboo.  Their rolls are wrapped in colorfully styled print patterns but while the company may be green the toilet paper they make is still the white style everybody is used to.  It looks like the paper towels we keep around the house to clean up messes and spills but it felt a lot softer to the touch when testing it out.

Who hasn't found themselves stuck in the bathroom without a roll of toilet paper handy. Come on raise your hand you know it has happened to you! In each WHO GIVES A CRAP case of toilet paper are some emergency rolls highlighted in red packaging.  Don't use these red rolls unless you've completely run out and opening one up means it is time to rush to restock your supply of toilet paper right away.

In addition to trying to save the planet's forests through promoting recycling and sustainable harvesting practices when it comes to paper products, WHO GIVES A CRAP is also working to have an impact on improving the living environment of people who are lacking modern sanitation in their communities. While many of us take using a bathroom for granted, you may be startled to discover that 2.3 billion people (roughly 40% of the world’s population) don’t have access to a toilet.

In fact, around 289,000 children under five die every year from diarrheal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. That's almost 800 children per day, or one child every two minutes. So while we joked a bit above about dads' bathroom habits, for many families around the globe this isn't a laughing matter. To help change these conditions WHO GIVES A CRAP donates 50% of its profits to non-profit groups such as WaterAid Australia, Sanergy, Shining Hope For Communities and Lwala Community Alliance to improve sanitation for needy areas around the world.

Using this toilet paper shows you give a crap about our planet's environment.  Although this toilet paper is eco-friendly that doesn't mean you have to give up comfort either.  My family tried out the recycled 3-ply toilet paper sent our way without any complaints.  Of course I'm not going to provide a graphic demonstration of our review. Though I will say my daughter smiled when she first tried it out by rubbing the paper against her face.  If it was comfortable to touch against that cheek you are sure to not mind using it for the ones on your bum. Also, WHO GIVES A CRAP doesn't use any inks, dyes or scents when it comes to their toilet paper.

To find out more about WHO GIVES A CRAP products, including paper towels and facial tissues, head over to us.whogivesacrap.org

FATHERS DAY GIFT FOR MY DAD

My dad is notoriously difficult to shop for when it comes to getting him a present.  This year though I found him just the right gift for Fathers Day courtesy of The Quarto Group.  He loves to tinker with his 1923 Ford Motor Company Model T Depot Hack and take his grandkids on adventures in this antique car. So I found a book at quartoknows.com that I'm sure he is going to enjoy!

FORD MODEL T COAST TO COAST: A SLOW DRIVE ACROSS A FAST COUNTRY written by Tom Cotter with photographs by Michael Alan Ross and a forward by Henry Ford III is sure to delight motorheads, history buffs, and traveling dads.  The book shares the cross country trek by Cotter and Ross as they drive one of America's most iconic cars from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean along the country's oldest transcontinental road.  In today's fast paced age, they take the slow lane providing an interesting perspective of America's past and present through a 3,000-mile journey in a 100-year-old car.



This 224 page book features 150 color pictures and 25 black & white photos of the Model T they are driving and other classic cars they encounter along their path as well as historic images of sites they visit and scenic places they pass.  They drive along many of the same roads that a young Edsel Ford traveled in his father's Model T on a similar journey after graduating high school in 1917.  Along the way, Cotter and Ross visit a number of automotive and transportation themed museums as well as "keepers of the flame" that include Model T clubs, mechanics, junkyards, and car collectors across the country.  Readers also experience the duets trials and tribulations of keeping an antique car running on an arduous trip.

Full of suggestions of places to visit on a cross country trek, automotive trivia, and historical facts this book is sure to captivate my dad's attention. Whether someone enjoys restoring old cars or exploring new places, this book is great to peruse. Join Cotter and Ross on their "slow drive across a fast country" as it is a fascinating adventure.

For more information or to purchase the book, head over to quartoknows.com  

Oh by the way, a Depot Hack essentially was the first station wagon. At the time they were built most long distance travel was done by train.  Depot Hacks were used in cities to carry passengers and their luggage from train depots to their final destination which was normally a hotel. Of course, now they are perfect for leisurely family drives around town and hanging out with at weekend car shows.

HEXBUG ROBOT SOCCER

Bring the football pitch home for some tabletop fun with the HEXBUG Robotic Soccer Arena.  Imagine your favorite national teams competing against one another in a robot vs robot soccer match.  This game comes with an arena complete with netted goals, two remote control robots and a soccer ball.

Remote controls allow each robot to be controlled individually.  Players can steer their robots forward and backward as well as left and right. Each robot also has a magnetic boot on its front side that lets it capture and hold the soccer ball included with the game. A button on the top of the remote control lets a robot give the ball a kick. The HEXBUG Robotic Soccer Arena game comes with two robots but up to four can be played at the same time with each being able to sync to a different control frequency. For two on two matches though you'll need to buy an additional robotic soccer duel pack from HEXBUG.

Each robot comes with three removable tops that can be customized with included sticker sheets to display the flags of various countries that are known for their global competitiveness in soccer. The kids enjoyed playing out a bout between two South American soccer powerhouses in their first game playing with the HEXBUG Robotic Soccer Arena.  My son played as Brazil and daughter had Uruguay.

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I threw the metallic soccer ball onto the court and my daughter got to it first.  She gained control of the ball and started heading towards the goal on my son's side of the field. Uruguay looked likely to get the first shot on goal and score of the game.

Not so quick! My son spun his robot in front of my daughter's.  He pushed up against the ball contesting her control of it.

Brazil with the steal! The ball got knocked loose from Uruguay. My son hooked onto it with his robot's magnetic boot and now has control of the soccer ball.

Brazil is now rushing towards the other end of the field! Uruguay spins around to block the way. Can they cut in front and steal the ball back?

No she can't! She misses her angle and my son jumps in front where she can't catch up.  He's heading in for the score!

GOOOOOAL!!!! Brazil strikes first getting the first score of this match!

Her brother may have gotten the first goal of the game but my daughter was still all smiles playing the game.  She quickly got the ball back and scored a goal of her own to even up the match. They are both very competitive when it comes to challenging one another. The game was on!

He was really focused on beating his sister!  Yet she kept tying up the score.  They had agreed to play to 10.  My son was leading 9 to 8 with Uruguay coming in for a shot that would tie the game again. He swerved his robot into hers though and her shot bounced off to the side of the goal!

Brazil grabbed the rebound! Raced down the field! GOOOOAL!!!! Brazil won 10-8 to win the HEXBUG CUP that night at our home.  Both kids were winners though because each of them had lots of fun playing robotic soccer!

The HEXBUG Robotic Soccer Arena earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval because my kids have had an incredible time playing with it.  Also as a parent, I appreciate how it was easy and convenient to pull it out of the box and start playing it right away.  Just quickly snap together the game's boundary walls and goals which then snap into the fold-out soccer field mat to connect everything nice and sturdy.  Batteries are included to power the robots!  Select one of the four available channels for each robot on the remote controls and hit the power on button on the bottom of each robot.  You are good to go!

We've had a lot of fun playing with the HEXBUG Robotic Soccer Arena. To find out more about it head over to hexbug.com.  You can purchase this robotic soccer game through their website or look for it at major toy retailers across the United States and Canada.

ANGRY BIRDS BIRLD CUP

Get into the soccer spirit with Angry Birds! Rovio Entertainment and YouTube have teamed up to create an animated online video series aimed to get kids excited about playing soccer.  Now available via the YouTube Kids app just as this summer's World Cup action is heating up, Angry Birds: BirLd Cup is a mix of live action and animation starring characters from the Angry Birds video game alongside some of the world's top soccer players.

The YouTube Kids app will be featuring Angry Birds: BirLd Cup along with other soccer themed content under a special homepage tab through July 16.  As the soccer teams representing countries from around the globe assemble to compete in Russia for the World Cup, the Angry Birds are hosting a competition of their own.  In the BirLd Cup, teams of kids are joined by Everton Football Club's superstar players Wayne Rooney, Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin alongside Turkish international sensation Cenk Tosun in a series of fun and competitive soccer challenges.  Cheer on your favorite team while learning some new soccer tricks for yourself through watching this fun kid-centric video series.


Angry Birds: BirLd Cup will be shown exclusively on YouTube and through the YouTube Kids app. New episodes will debut every Wednesday and Saturday through July 13, 2018. The YouTube Kids app is FREE to use and was designed to provide a way for parents to ensure children are watching age appropriate content when it comes to YouTube videos through filtering and blocking what can be seen. The app also makes it easier for children to find videos on topics they want to explore while helping mom and dad keep track of what their kids are viewing. It is available on Google Play for Android devices and the App Store for Apple.