superdad

In this blog we recognize greatness and today will mark off a series that will go for now on superdad.  Every month I will elect my top five sports performers of the month.  You just know where I am going with this one don’t you?  We all love top performers and this list is no different as these 5 deserve some more love.

5.  Tom Watson  The 59 year old golfer that made the British Open course look like just another golf course, despite Tiger Woods not making the Saturday cut for the first time this year in any of the four majors.  Watson proves us again that golf can be played very well well into your fifties and push that very brink at 60. Obviously this has giving people like my father another chance for his comeback in golf as he turns 65.  If Watson can do it so can your pops too.

4. Stewart Cink  The man that defies the old timer must be recognized as the British Open Winner deserved credit when credit is due.  Cink finally won his first major ever and putting his name on a very popular jug in Great Britain.  Cink probably now will be more recognized now because of his spot on performance on “Dave Letterman’s Top Ten List” that made everyone chuckle the next day.  However his golf fans will always know that he was the one that took down one of the most difficult golf courses in the world at the very wise age of 59.

3. Dewayne Wise   My number one performer could not be on this list without the help of an outstanding catch by a fellow teammate.  Dewayne Wise made the catch of the year in the bottom of the ninth as he stole a homeun and more importantly a run that would have canceled out a perfect game on the southside of Chicago.  Despite Dewayne having a sup par year so far at bat his glove will not be questioned again as Wise made one of the most brilliant catches ever according to White Sox announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson.

2. Lance Armstrong  Even though he did not win the Tour de France this year Lance Armstrong still deserves to be mentioned on the top 5. Lance is the only one I fully trust that did not bend the rules in this latest endurance race in France.  How awesome it is too still see this guy ride after all he has overcome with cancer.  Lance Armstrong is not only a super guy but a super human that keeps defying the odds and even though I have never been a huge fan of cycling how could you not be a fan of Lance Armstrong

1. Mark Buehrle  Not since 1922 had a White Sox player threw a perfect game.  In that time only 15 other pitchers had ever done this almost impossible feet that still is just as hard or more difficult as hitting .400 for a whole entire year.  Mark Buehrle pitched that very perfect game and no matter how the Sox end up this year once again the Sox fans will be talking about Mark’s perfect game that they saw on a Thursday afternoon that many of us could not even see because we were busy working.  Although here at superdad we got your back as always yes it is true he did throw a perfect game.

As someone who enjoys taking a breather from your daily grind what better to talk about vacations and what to do on those few precious days we somehow still find in our busy lives.  First off many people might not have the luxoury of vacation days at work so sometimes just taking advantage of a three day weekend is the closest thing you may have to getting away.  Here are some tips from my most rescnet experinces.

If you are someone that lives nearby Chicago Illinois my first tip especially if you have young children is take a stop at Kiddie Land in Melrose Park.  It might not be Great America but in your children’s eyes it is the same if not better.  Kiddie Land has been around since your grandparents were children and it one of those destinations you just got to see before there is no more. As of right now the family that owns the rights to this magnificent park is not renewing its lease with Melrose Park for next year so the park could become just another strip mall in due time.  So if you got a day to catch this park out before it goes for good now is a good time to visit.  Kiddieland .com is a great way to start looking at what the prices are and what those prices include in the admission.  You will be pleasantly surprised that your admission includes amenities that many amusement parks these days cannot afford due too their large stature.

If a amusement park is not up your allie why not just go to the beach.  The beach is the most inexpensive way to enjoy a day in the hot sun.  Most beaches that are around Chicago and Northwest Indiana are not going to break you as far as your wallet.  If you plan ahead as far a packing a cooler with snacks or food for the day then the price of the beach  becomes even lower.  Of course check the beach you are going to before you go in case their are any closures.  Moreover,  the children love the water and if you know a child that is not happy being on a beach then I think your kid may be from Mars.

My last suggestion for fun in the sun on a staycation is try to find a deal on a pool.  If you are not a fan of big crowds at a beach or amusement park then try to find a deal on a swimming pool.  I just recently got a pool from someone who was upgrading theirs and sold theirs for a lesser amount.  It is simply perfect for those hot days especially if you need a break from the extra rise in ac operation cost in the summer.  When you are in a pool ac is no longer a necessity but a luxury once again because you found a more cooler and enjoyable way to enjoy the summer without being trapped inside your house.   Now there may be some operational costs for running that pool but is less compared to paying large amounts of money on you electric bill.  Trust me the cost is worth it and plus it is only a seasonal item that does nto require year long maintance especially if you have a pool that is smaller and easier to disasemble at the end of the summer.  There are many inexpenisve ways to have a pool these days you just got to see where the bargains are or to know someone that has a some expereince dealing with swimming pools.

Recently these three stay cation ideas helped our family have one of our best 4th of July weeks ever and it did not cost us an arm and a leg.  Sometimes you just got to plan smarter and not harder.  You worked hard for those days off in the summer and at the very least take advantage of every oppurtuntiy to get out but make sure too that your not hurting yourself finacially in doing so.  We all want to keep up with the Jones’s but in reality some people can not because of these hard economic times.  Trust me a little less can be a whole lot more and you may think more positive going with a staycation over a vacation after trying a couple of my ideas.