Pool Safety

I'm all for teaching your kids how to be safe in the pool, but this seems a bit extreme:

As a parent of three children, Tracie Muldrow views herself as the first line of defense - and she takes that role seriously.

"Every year, when they don't expect it, I dunk my kids into the pool," says the Danville pool owner, whose children are 12, 9 and 5 years old. "I pick some time when they are fully dressed, when they don't expect it, and I push them into the pool.

"Kids should know how to react if they fall into the water by accident - which is how many drownings occur," she says. "And kids should know how to get out of the pool without using the stairs."

Her children don't necessarily jump for joy when Mom shoves them into the water, but their irritation doesn't deter Muldrow, who proclaims: "My kids are water safe."

I can only imagine what other lessons this Pink Panther-esque technique teaches.. like, your mother is out to get you; always wear a swimsuit under your clothes; trust no one!

Barenaked Ladies: Snack Time

On Thursday I went to the local Barnes and Noble to meet the Barenaked Ladies. They were there promoting their new children's album, Snack Time. We got there too late to see them perform (they only allowed a certain number of people on the second floor) but I stuck around for the signing portion.

I asked Ed if there was a deeper meaning to the song When I Fall. He said "There's always a deeper meaning!" He said it was about a lot of family stuff.

I told Steve how much I liked the song When You Dream and that I liked to sing it to my new son.

I've seen them lots of times in concert but never had the chance to meet them. Very cool.