1:31: We talk about the world’s second-biggest ball of twine, the Grotto in West Bend Iowa, the Winnebago Factory tour, and the SPAM Museum.  It’s a real thing and we spend some time getting into it. 

7:20:  Mike talks about his new hobby of vinyl records.  What we really want to know if he’s got the Metallica Black album yet.  But so far, he’s got Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians. 

11:25:  Larry gets a new mattress, and this is what counts as exciting for middle-aged dudes.  But apparently, there have been some technological advancements in the mattress world.  And it appears that Larry has a weird thing for tight sheets.  But if you want tight sheets, the dads recommend getting some ratchet straps.  Although a bed scrunchy might be the dumbest thing we’ve ever talked about. 

16:18:  And it’s time to get into talking about toddlers!

17:40:  We answer the big question:  Which is more difficult—babies or toddlers?  But we also decide that toddlers and teenagers act basically the same. 

20:50:  We get into some of the things that our kids broke when they were toddlers.  From potted plants to the hoods of our cars.  But we call that the “price of adult conversation.”  

22:02:  It’s time to get into toddler tips!  From discipline to how to handle the meltdowns. 

25:45:  Shannon gives one of his best pieces of toddler advice of positive reinforcement and redirecting their energy. 

27:37:  Any kind of attention is still attention, and as a parent it’s important to remember that.  Mick says the best way to deal with toddlers is to get on their eye level. 

29:30:  How do you get anything done when you’re caring for a toddler?  This is the problem that plagues parents.  The dads get into some specific answers. 

34:04:  Getting your kids into your hobbies, and Shannon talks about building a guillotine with the kids. 

34:06:  Screen time.  How much time is too much screen time?   Do we even care or should we? 

38:55:  The dads get to their takeaways and give their best actionable advice on how to make deal with toddlers.

Welcome to an entire show about water heaters!  Yup, that’s what we are talking about in this episode, but maybe not in the way you think.  Can water heaters be interesting and funny?  Shannon tries to make it that way, but the dads turn the tables.  On what was meant to be a joke about an old water heater, the dads take it seriously and all of a sudden, we are into the history of water heaters.  Thus proving Shannon’s point that the dads talk about water heaters way too much.   But before we get there, we take a trip down memory lane and check in with some of the places we’ve been.  

4:19—The dads take a little trip down memory lane and talk about the Spam Museum.  Yes, it’s a real thing and yes, it was fun.  Who knew that people take Spam so seriously?  Turns out, there’s a lot! 

6:20—Jake tells his pee deal.  It’s weird but fun.

8:45—Before getting into the topic of water heaters, the dads get into rain barrels for some reason.  And in case you need to know, there are kits to buy to hook up your downspout to your rain barrel.  But check your local laws because in some places it’s illegal to have a rain barrel.  

11:15—Then the dads get into the Ogallala Aquifer up in Nebraska.  Only because it’s a fun word to say, but tough to spell.  Fun fact, it would take 6,000 years to refill this aquifer. 

13:52—The conversation turns to other fun things to see in Nebraska using the website Roadsideamerica.com. There is Duck Bill Bowling, the highest point in Nebraska, and a Missile Silo. All worthy to see on an adventure with the kids. 

15:32—And now it’s time to get to tonight’s main topic, Water Heaters!  Jump right in Play the Match Game to find your dream water heater.  Is it one from 1889, the Rudd?  How about The Yarrow Boiler that is used on battleships?  Follow along and find which water heater is right for you!  Which would be none of these but it’s fun. 

32:04—The dads actually get to the discussion of their real dream water heater.  

33:04—The dads, in typical fashion for Mick, Jake, Larry, and Mike, completely ignore the topic at hand and do a deep dive on the Rudd Water heater.  You want to know what gets a dad’s emotions going?  The Rudd water heater. Actual quote from the show: “That thing is a piece of art.”  So here it is, the RUDD WATER HEATER.  

38:20—If you’re choosing a water heater, how do you know which one is right for you.  I know that this sounds boring, but trust us, it’s not.  It’s good dad knowledge! 

46:39—Yup, we are back on The Rudd Water Heater.  Now the dads are trying to guess how much it weighs in the terms of a piano.  

47:55-The intervention to getting Mike a new water heater begins. 

48:18 –We might as well talk about hard water versus soft water.  

49:15 –But first we take a detour to talk about water heater museum.  Yup, this really happened. 

51:29—We get there eventually.  This is where you actually get this week’s takeaways on water heaters. 

53:18—Yup, we are back on the Rudd water heater.

In this episode we do a deep dive into kid’s sports.  From rec leagues and competitive leagues to coaching our own children.  Youth Sports can mean a lot of things and navigating all that while trying to get the best out of your children can be difficult.  Join the Dads on this conversation and as always, give us your own opinions.  

There are a lot of amazing adventures to be had in Omaha, Nebraska.  Mike went to the Hollywood Pinball & Arcade Museum.   But they also have an amazing Zoo and the world’s largest ball of stamps!   If you’re ever out that way, it’s definitely worth a stop! 

We have found many different types of weird soda on our travels.  Ranch Dressing Soda, Sweet Corn Soda, and Bacon Soda.  Someone please try them and let us know how they taste and if you live through the experience.

From fabulous cakes to scrumptious cookies, baking with kids is a great activity. Is it messy?  Of course!  But we live by the rule of if you’re not getting dirty, you’re not doing it right.  In this episode we talk about our experiences, what recipes we like making with the kids, and any tips we have discovered on the way.  But first, the older kids are planning a trip to Utah without the dads.  They have a PowerPoint presentation, a Spotify playlist, and a hundred-dollar budget.  We hope that Arches National Park is ready for them.  A 16-year-old and two 15-year-olds can probably make it over the Rockies, right? 

The Great Dad Bake Off Quiz!

A Fool is:A dessert made with pureed fruit mixed with cream.A type of puff pastry. 5 dads that thought it was a good idea to let Shannon write questions for this episode. A Grunt is a:A type of fishA combination of pie or cobbler made out of fruit. The sound I make during my morning sabbatical. The person that makes Larry’s meals.What is a Ramekin? A finger bowl that you can bake a tiny custard in or a distant cousin of Rumpelstiltskin. What is a Reamer? What is a Stripper?

Now on to the show!

You can use the leftover eggshell to pick up any shell bits that get into the mixture.  Don’t use your finger, use the eggshell!If you want to make a Roulade, here’s the recipe! Lydia’s Macaroons are good!Rory’s Cherry CrispElla’s Cardamom BunsWyatt’s Mean Loaf of BreadLuke’s Homemade PretzelsShannon’s Lemon Tart recipeMick’s Monkey Bread Recipe (Pioneer Woman)Larry’s No-Bake cookieJakes Joy of Baking New York Style CheesecakeMike’s Famous Lemon Cookies from Grandma1 box yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, 3 tablespoons of flour, 3 tablespoons of butter flavored Crisco, 1 tsp of lemon juice.  Mix all together and chill for at least one hour.  Roll into walnut-sized balls in a mixture of sugar and dry flavored gelatin.  Put on greased baking sheet and back at 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Baking Tips from the Dads

Find something you really want to make and do it over and over until you’ve got exactly where you want it. Make it fun.  Make whatever they want to make. It’s more about making memories than it is about making something perfect (or edible.)Use kid-sized utensils to help your kids out! Be in the right place mentally, because you know that it’s going to be a mess and that’s half the fun.  Get ready to get dirty! For your teaspoons, get the stand-up version because it’s easier to use with children. Using honey or peanut butter, spray your measuring utensils with a cooking spray first so the honey and peanut butter comes out easier.  Or measure your oil ingredients first. Use a cheese grater to chop your butter.  Mixed your dry ingredients and your wet ingredients separately before combining them.

And finally, Shannon and his kids made a perfect puff pastry right after the recording of this episode!

In this short special episode, Shannon and the guys talk about his new book The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad. How do you cook and clean with children around?  Where do you go for an adventure, and what do you need to bring with you?  What about your mental health?  Are you paying attention to it?  Shannon’s book The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad can help you answer these questions.  Stocked with all the wisdom from Mick, Larry, Jake, Mike and 57 other dads, it’s the dad advice book that dads deserve.  

Pre-Order at Penguin Random House, Amazon, Target, Audible, or your favorite book supplier.

A dad has a lot to do to get the house, and himself, ready for when a new baby comes home.  In this episode, the dads go through everything they did that worked, didn’t work, and made things worse.  You’re not a supporting character in your kid’s life, you are the hero.  So, put down the books that talk to mom, and get ready to get your dad on.  The DadHouse has you covered. 

Quick hits of the products we recommend: 

Baby swing—there are so many that you could go with.  You could go with something fancy that swings from side to side and front to back or something that vibrates on the floor.  Whatever you need to give yourself a break.  

Baby Bouncer—when you’ve got to poop, and need a way to soothe the baby, this is a good option. 

Baby Bjorn—This is basically your dad saddle. There a lot to choose from, so get the one that works right for you. 

Travel Pillow—Mick says it helps for those long nights where the kid won’t sleep, and you’re stuck in the chair.  Dad up your choice by getting something that can be heated or cooled.  You might as well destress yourself on those late-night feedings. 

Boppy—Great for nursing mothers and great for fathers that need their hands free for a few minutes.  

Baby Bottle Warmer—Shannon believes that this is dad’s best friend.  Great for thawing breastmilk or heating formula.  No muss, no fuss.

You Ask, We Answer

When you need to do some serious dad talk, you head out to the Barn to get it done!  All five dads were finally able to come together in-person to answer popular dad questions from across the web.  In our annual man weekend in a barn somewhere close to Iowa, special guest Mark makes an appearance on the Dadhouse.  Who’s Mark?  Come take a listen and find out.  Now, let’s get to the questions.

What should you have in your first toolbox? 

Crescent wrench—You can’t go wrong with a Milwaukee Adjustable Wrench.  10 inches for your first tool kit is just fine.  And it’s ok here to go with something cheaper, but a Milwaukee will last you a long time.

Utility Knife—A retractable quality utility knife will save you a lot of time, especially when you have kids around.  The blade easily stores away with one quick push of your thumb so the kids stay safe, and the Lennox can hold up to five blades.  That’s a win in the dad book.

Tape Measure—You don’t need a big contractor’s tape measure for your toolbox but get something that can take a beating.  The dads love the DeWalt brand.  They make some quality tools.  But get what works within your budget.

Level—A small 3 “ level is going to save you a lot of time when you hang pictures.  And if it has a laser attachment, even better.  It’s just cool.

Hammer—You know what, everyone knows what a hammer is, so we won’t recommend one here in the show notes.  A hammer is as personal to a dad as his underwear.  So, try some out and see what fits best.

Ratchet Screwdriver—Nine screwdrivers in one, plus the ratchet action.  When it’s your first toolkit, having something that takes the place of several tools is a bonus. This is the one Shannon likes.

Leatherman Multitool – Convenient, mobile, and a name you can trust.  You can even put this in your diaper bag and be all set.

Dogbone Wrench – 48 sockets in one is the way to go.  It will save you money and space in your toolbox.  Plus, never misplace a socket again.

Needle Nose Plyers – great for those tough to reach places.  And as this is the one that Bob Villa recommends, we will go with that.

What should you keep in your car? 

Car sick bags and blankets are pretty standard.  And if you have girls, add a brush, hair ties, and detangler spray.  But add some of these as well.

Jumper Cables—This set that Jake recommends has 1 gauge and are long to make jump starting in awkward places even easier.

First Aid Kit –Just keep in mind to put multiple different types of band-aids in there.  You’ll use them a lot.

Baby wipes—you can’t go wrong with the Kirkland brand from Costco.

What is one unique thing you kept in your diaper bag? 

Portable Placemats—great for any adventure, and any dirty table when you are out and about.

What does a dad want at a baby shower?

Let the cutesy stuff go to someone else.  You want baby wipes, diapers, and gift cards to restaurants.

If you have questions that you want the dads to answer, hit us up on the socials or email us at [email protected].  We’ll get to them and give you the best answers that we can

Or we’ll make some dick jokes.  One of those two are going to happen.

As a father you wear a lot of different hats.  It’s tough to not lose yourself while you parent.  In this episode of Dadhouse, the dads discuss how to separate yourself from “dad” and maintain your identity while finding time to do those things that define you outside of parenting.   

Mike’s birds really, really hate him and here is his proof. 

And if you ever need a heated dog bowl, well, here you go.  It works great to melt snow to use in the back of the toilet.

You asked and we answered.  In this week’s episode, Dadhouse goes through it’s very first Q & A.  Some of the questions were hard, and some were silly, but all of them get an answer.  Join us to see if your question got picked, and if it didn’t there’s always next time! 

Apparently, light bulb plug adapters do exist and are quite common.  You learn something every day. And something else you can learn today is that there is a Vacuum Cleaner Museum!  But sadly, it has now closed, and we may have been some of its last guests.  If you’re a dad then one of the things you’re going to need is a good Toilet Snake.  Which leads us to another piece of good advice:  Don’t poop in a clogged toilet. Looking for a new chainsaw?  Mick says to start here and don’t forget about your wedge. Tired of carrying around too many pocket knives?  Get a tried and true Swiss Army Knife.

In this episode, we get into all things lawn care.  From fertilizing and grass seed to why the hell we care about our lawns to begin with.   And also, Mick has a mole problem. Screw those things.   As cliche as cargo shorts and black socks with sandals, lawn care is in a dad’s DNA.  Join us as we talk about the steps you need to take to get your lawn ready this spring