Cruise – Part 5 (Scenic Photos)
Cruise – Part 4 (Galveston Photos)
Cruise – Part 3 (Adventure of the Seas)
This was Niko’s first cruise, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He was our navigator as he mastered the most important venue on the ship – eating! On our first day on the ship, Niko was amazed that when we got pizza and drinks from the Cafe Promenade, we didn’t have to pay! Near most of…
Cruise – Part 2 (Galveston)
On December 10th, the three of us started our journey to Galveston at 2:30 am. Well, that almost happened because that is when Niko woke up. Somebody was eager to get on the road. I knew he was tired even though he said otherwise, so I urged him to relax in bed. A few minutes…
Cruise – Part 1
The three of us got back from a cruise yesterday. It was supposed to happen in 2020, but it got canceled due to Covid-19. So, it finally happened two years later. It was Niko’s first vacation, first road trip, and first time in a hotel. I have to give a lot of thanks to Nina…
Urban Air
Most of the time, I tell Niko yes, we can do that thing you want to do or eat that food you are craving. When I tell him no, I can’t just say because I said so. I mean, he is 6 years old, and he knows a lot more about things than when he…
NaMaWriMo 11/30/2022 – The End
On November 1st, I wrote that I have always wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo, also known as NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH for the month of November. It’s the last day of November, so how did I do? Well, I wrote something every day. Twenty-eight are fiction and the other two are non-fiction. I had fun writing everything even…
NaMaWriMo 11/29/2022
I don’t have anything brilliant to write about today. I was going to write about how I enjoy having a fenced in backyard where I can play safely with Niko. This evening, we dug a hole and kicked and threw some balls. I also could’ve written about how my beautiful wife went to Target today…
NaMaWriMo 11/28/2022
I was planning on writing about how much I enjoy cooking, especially when I get kudos from Nina and Niko. It’s usually me, who makes Niko breakfast all week long. I feel like I am a small family-owned diner as I offer a few things on the menu and let him choose what his mouth…
NaMaWriMo 11/27/2022
Well, tomorrow, Niko goes back to school after a week off for Thanksgiving. Niko was sick for most of it but is already doing much better the past few days. As I finish this, Niko is sitting next to me drawing, Riley is om the windowsill looking at the birds, and Nina is cooking in…
NaMaWriMo 11/26/2022
Two Saturday’s ago, I wanted Chinese noodles, and settled for Luciano’s pizza. Last Saturday, I wanted Chinese noodles, and settled for leftovers. Yesterday, Nina offered to get me my Chinese noodles as she was next door picking up our grocery store items. But they weren’t open yet. Today, I finally got my Chinese noodles, and…
NaMaWriMo 11/25/2022
This is another piece of fiction that I wrote on 07/15/2012. I am publishing it today as is, and maybe later, I can edit and make better. I am Mills Riley. Who are you? No answer, heh. Well, my good buddy, Mark Lieberman, paid me to write some posts on his blog. I know he…
NaMaWriMo 11/24/2022
So far in 2022, I have read 82 books on my Kindle, and that includes all the Alex Cross books by James Patterson – even the newest one that came out a few weeks ago. I enjoy reading, and often find myself searching Wikipedia for additional information or searching YouTube for a video of something…
NaMaWriMo 11/23/2022
This one is from www.thedadspeaks.com with a date of 06/05/2021. It’s also my first-time publishing fiction. I had a dream the night before I started writing this and had to get it written down before I forgot it. I am publishing it today as is, and maybe later, I can edit and make better. Hope…
NaMaWriMo 11/22/2022
Déjà vu… Let me quickly explain. Like yesterday, Niko woke-up at 4:30, and by 7 am, he vomited three times, had three showers, and we made lots of laundry. Poor baby is sick again. At least, he is off this week for Thanksgiving, so we don’t have to miss any more school. Nina and I…
NaMaWriMo 11/21/2022
It’s 4 am, and I know where my son. He is rapidly approaching our bedroom, and as he enters, he says, dad, can you sleep with me for an hour and then we can go downstairs for breakfast. I accept sleeping with him but refused to have breakfast at 5 am. I sleepily turned off…
NaMaWriMo 11/20/2022
Yesterday, Niko and I rearranged and organized his art area downstairs. We collaborated, and now we have a great bigger place as his old art table was much smaller to do art stuff. He enjoys doing it and it’s nice to watch the artist at work. This morning, he searched YouTube Kids for how to…
NaMaWriMo 11/19/2022
Today was cold and rainy, so we bundled up and did stuff in the outside world. Nina and Niko got books at Half Priced Books. I looked but didn’t find anything that I liked. I have one paperback book that I will bring on our cruise next month and will also make sure I have…
NaMaWriMo 11/18/2022 – NUMBER 500
On October 31, 2015, I wrote my first blog post on www.thedadspeaks.com, and today, I have reached number 500! On www.thestatmanspeaks.com, I have 441, and that one started in July of 2011. I was very active through 2017 as I stepped away from sports writing. Since then, I have only had 14 published blogs, and…