We were in the park, climbing and swinging a few weekneds ago and just past the playground, on the open 
field/baseball course were kids from The Foret Hills Little League practising.  They were probably only a few years past t-ball, but their fundamentals were horrible.  They were swipping at balls hit in the air, lots of OLE, very little catching with your glove and your hand. The two older kids who were long tossing were even worse (and they should have known better).

But what really struck me is how the kids threw the ball back in from the outfield. Some threw back in these soft looping arches, some threw back with a weak line drive and then one or two threw the ball straight and when it hit the coach's glove it made a POP sound. I know little Niel is only seven months old but I want to teach him to throw like that. Strong and with authority. I just don't know how.

Having never played organized ball, until I played corporate softball as an adult. I don't know if I have the skills to pass on to my kids. I picked up how to swing a bat and throw the ball. But I'm pretty weak at footwork around the bases, tracking a fly ball off the bat and making a throw that pops.  Are there any books out there ... Perhaps a
class.

OY

We are having a family crisis ... And I find myself having to do things I just don't want to do. My father-in-law has cancer just underwent a hopefully successful surgery. After that radiation and chemo, the whole nine yards. My problem is he is our main baby sitter. It looks like we have to move back in with my mom so we can afford
extra help watching the kids.

I feel horrible leaving the only home that my kids have ever known, but its for the best. We will be able to stabilize our debt, and they will be able to spend more time with their baby cousin.

It was really hard making that call, but it was really the thing we could do.

But in the back of my mind, this is now another thing I worry about. My dad died of cancer and now my wife's dad has cancer ... Does this family history effect my kids?

tales of fatherhood

Last night I had dinner with two of my best friends. One of whom has a two month old and the other who is expecting his first kid in a month or so. Its funny how delusional a guy without kids can be.

"I can get by on so little sleep."

Good luck with that.  So afterwards I went home and found out that my oldest was out of pull-ups and night diapers. So i took a ride out to the 24-hr supermarket. There were these dudes there (barely in their 20s) who were buying all these cases of beer. Coors Light, Bud, Bud light ... so they don't have really good taste. And all I could think of is my buddy thinks he is like those guys, but he is more like me with the two packs of diapers, half gallon of milk and a mini watermelon.

Camping

Last weekend I went camping and it made me think that in a few years I will be taking the kids camping. I was explaining my packing philosophy to the little guy as i packed Friday afternoon. I hope that they both share my love of the outdoors. Now I feel inspired to move some stuff out of the living room to set up a tent. Hmmm

I love this commercial

I love this commercial, even though I don't buy American cars, because even when we try to go out and hang with the guys. A dad is first and foremost a dad.

Junior

I find myself calling the baby Junior all the time. He isn't Junior, i'm actually Junior he's the Third. But that sounds kind of formal. Honestly even if didn't name him after me I'd probably call him Junior.

Time flies by

Today while waiting for Nuggie to get out of school Junior and i were sitting in the car. And I realized that next week he'll be six months.  When he was born it was so warm, but now we are waiting for yet another snow storm.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. 

- Ferris Bueller