I'm thankful for ... Nugget and the little guy

 

Our regular programming will return next Monday. This week I reflect on things I'm thankful for. 

On top of being so awesome, both in your completely different ways. I am taken back by the things I learn about you guys every single day. You are tough, resilient, adaptable and are turning into amazing little people.  Nothing in this world makes me prouder or more thankful than being your father.

Thanksgiving conversation starters

Since no one wants to spend thanksgiving arguing with your uncle Bill about politics. And sitting in total silence while your family shovels yams and cranberry sauce into their mouths is really awful. Here are a few fun facts to break the awkward silence.

Turkey legs


According to Disney it's estimated that guests consume more than 1.6 million turkey drumsticks every year at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Unfortunately, there is no data from the other hotbed of turkey drumstick consuming the renaissance faire. No food goes better with both waiting online for Splash Mountain or watching the joust.

The champ is here

World-renowned hot dog eater Joey Chestnut is also the record holder for turkey eating. In 2014 Chestnut ate 9.35 pounds of turkey meat, off the bird, in 10 minutes. He also holds the world record for shrimp cocktail, matzoh balls, deep fried asparagus, pork ribs, and hard-boiled eggs.

 Not as old as you think

This is not the 396th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving. Nope. Yes the surviving pilgrims from the Mayflower did have a harvest banquet with the Native people near Plymouth Rock in 1621. But it did not become a federal holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln established it.

Add a side of pigskin 


Since the NFL started in 1920 there have been games on Thanksgiving. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys have played home games on Thanksgiving since 1934 and 1966 respectively.

So are turkeys from the country Turkey? Aka a mistaken identity 


No. The wild turkeys that are native to North America, were brought back to Europe. Where they were mistakenly called Turkeys. They looked like a bird that had originally been brought into a Europe by the Ottoman Empire from East Africa, which was known as the Turkey Cock or Turkey Hen.

The wrath of the Turducken™

While you would think stuffing a duck and a chicken into a turkey was invented over a case or three of beer. It was actually invented by chef Paul Prudhomme in the 1970s. He trademarked the name on 1986.

Thanksgiving around the world 

With the exception of Canada who celebrates Thanksgiving in October, this holiday is strictly and uniquely an American holiday, so there are not traditions from around the globe. See also the Fourth of July.

Now, if these facts don't break the awkward silences that we often associate with spending time with extended family, there is always wine. Lots and lots of wine.

I hope it wasn't because of #metoo

I was recently talking to my best friend about the outbreak of sexual harassment/abuse claims that have been recently lobbed against some of the biggest names in the world of entertainment and politics.

This issue became even more personal to most of us as women from all walks of life took to social media using the #metoo tag. These are my friends, relatives, former co-workers, colleagues, and former classmates. None of them have ever encountered members of the Washington or Hollywood elite. They have been victimized by just regular guys.

So it made me look at myself and wonder, have I caused someone to type the words #metoo ? I can say definitively that I have never done any of the egregious things that some of these people have been accused of and many have admitted to. But through words or actions have I made any woman feel uncomfortable in my presence. Have I said things that can be construed the wrong way? And even if I didn’t mean it, if someone took it that was it's still wrong.

I am pretty sure that physically I have always treated women respectfully. And I am not the kind of guy to do catcalls or what not, but am I the kind of guy, who might take a second look at a lady in tight-fitting yoga pants? Might I say or laugh at an off-colored joke in what I believe to be in non-mixed company? Those are both probably yes. Have any of those things made someone uncomfortable? I don’t know. But they might have and that’s not cool. Those are things I now go around trying to avoid doing.

Often times we hear why aren’t the good Muslims speaking out against radical Islam. Why aren’t the good cops speaking out against police brutality? Why aren’t more men standing up against these so-called men who have been systematically victimizing women for generations? Those women are our daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and friends. Why does it have to take an over-publicized controversy to bring harassment for us to do something about it?

What can we do about it?
Don’t be afraid to call out someone else who you see is harassing a woman or girl. I’m not saying start a fight, but don’t just walk away and say that’s not my problem. Make your presence known, make it clear that this is not acceptable behavior.

Believe the accusers. Don’t dismiss someone for any reason. This has gotten to a tipping point where the accused have to prove them innocent. There are a lot of reasons that people don’t speak up immediately. You have heard the phrase “There is Safety in Numbers”, that is why so many people are speaking out now. Do you think a 14-year old girl in the 1970s living in a small town in Alabama would be very comfortable publicly talking about being abused by a well known and influential 30-year old lawyer? What do you think the people in her town would say?

Speak out with your dollars. I love the show House of Cards. But can I really support a show that stars someone who victimizes other people? Perhaps if they kill off or recast Kevin Spacey’s character I can come back. But on the local level, if you see that the pizza guy is constantly making the work environment uncomfortable for his employees, go to the other pizza place.

Be a good role model. It is time for all of us men to make a change in the way we talk and act in front of women and girls. And more importantly how we speak in front of our sons and other young men that we influence. That is the only way that this wheel is broken.


I know this is a hollow apology, but we (Men) have been jerks. We have either said or done horrible things. Or just as bad we have sat on the sideline and done nothing about. We fall back on recycled mantras of “Boys will be Boys” or “Locker-room Talk”. But that is unacceptable. We need to be better. And we need to be better right now.

Into the Scrum

Recently I posted something into one of my theoretically secret Dad Blogger groups. I was asking if anyone had a contact at a company I wanted to propose something to. And one of the guys did, I thanked him and one of these days I’ll send a note to the contact he provided. Then literally the next day, and pretty much every day since. I see a Facebook ad for the brand I was talking about on my feed. It was like Facebook is psychic or has some algorithm that scours everything you type and spits out ads. I’m guessing the second.

But on the other hand, I have been really enjoying the new podcast Into The Scrum hosted by Doug French and Jeff Bogle. And six weeks into their podcast, it seems like each one is talking directly to me. This past week’s episode loosely called “Yes And” Jeff talked about some dark times he was going through this summer, which he appears to be getting past, while on a sponsored trip. I was driving across the 59th street bridge in NYC and boom there it was. The issue I have been dealing with for a few months now. Like Jeff, I have been dealing with some personal issues, and it was causing me great anxiety both personally and professionally. How do things in real life affect things in my digital real life? I am still figuring that out. And I know I am being super vague. But that is how it has to be right now.

The guys talk a lot about impostor syndrome, and yeah if the guy who started the premiere gathering of dad influencers and one of the most well-known and respected dad bloggers feel it, I can feel it too as I wait for possible edits to a recent sponsored post.

You build something over time, and the base is becoming solid. It scares the hell out of me to imagine trying to start completely over in a new direction. Sorry, I’m being so vague. Wow, what a great endorsement for a podcast this has been.

Listen to two nice guys talking about the state of our mutual business of dad influencers, and then you start tearing up. FIVE STARS

In all seriousness, this podcast is inspiring. And I have taken a lot of tips that Jeff and Doug have given out and started implementing them in the way I conduct my business. I look forward to each Monday when the new episodes drop on Apple Podcasts (or wherever else you get podcasts).

So recently, in the tradition of giving back, I was at the sensory deprivation place The Float Place, for a post I was writing. And I struck up a conversation with one of the workers who was really intrigued with the idea of blogging. We spoke a little before I floated. And when I was leaving he caught up with me and we spoke some more. I gave him tips on how I work and my writing process. Writing for yourself first, then eventually other people might want to read it. I told him I often look back at my early posts and they are unreadable, to be fair some of them are amazingly funny. But it doesn’t matter, you can’t get good at something without doing it. So hopefully I influenced that guy to start writing something of his own, in the same way, Jeff and Doug have inspired me to re think how I do my stuff.

PS – Nugget is 9 and she needs to deodorize too. So the mouse is not alone.

One day he will call me Dad

A few weeks ago one of my dad blogger friends put something up on Facebook. It was a short post about his eleven-year-old son informing him that he wanted to call him Dad from now on. I was sitting in the parking lot in my car after a long overnight shift and I was in tears. This son, was telling his father that he wasn't little anymore. No more “Papa” or “”Daddy” but Dad, what is next using first names? I knew that soon I’ll just be Dad. But that is the way it has to be.

In our society the father-daughter relationship is talked about so much. Daddy’s Little Girl, Daddy Daughter Dances, etc. And while that bond is super important, and our relationship with our daughters and their mother’s, show them how men are supposed to treat women. And that they should expect nothing less than that.We rarely talk about father son relationships, outside of having a catch as a little boy, and then fast forwarding to having a beer together when they become legal.

But the relationship we have with our sons is really different. In many ways our sons are an idealized version of our own boyhood. Not saying that they are there to finish things that we didn't accomplish. I want my son to be an Eagle Scout, not because I didn't make it. But because I can only imagine how amazing it will be for him, to earn that honor.

My son, is all the things I was not as a little boy. Adventurous. Athletic. Loud. Fun. Brave. Curious. Bold. But he is also like me as a little boy as well. Sweet. Shy. Sensitive. Helpful. Observant. Stubborn.

Being this little boy’s father has been an amazing journey. It's not just hours spent throwing a baseball, until I can barely lift my arm. Nor sleeping in a soggy tent, on a soggy night, on a soggy minor league baseball field in Brooklyn. But it's watching him learn to become a leader. Watching him figure things out on his own. Watching him turn into a better version of me. 

Maybe part of it is my dad never got to do those things with me. I was two years younger than my son is now when my father passed. And he had been sick for a while before that, so I wasn't at an age where I was fun yet. I think those two years me and the little guy had when I was home and he wasn't in school yet, gave us a special bond. Hundreds of hours spent in Gymboree's and Target stores will do that. 

Our relationship is different than the one I have with my daughter. But that is OK. They are different people, with different needs.

He still calls me papa and daddy. But one day he won’t and as much as that will break my heart, it will be OK because I will always have my memories of the sweet little boy and look forward to making new memories with the good young man I will soon meet.

Slip n Slide n Urgent Care

When you head out for a family adventure, you rarely imagine that the day ends up sitting in a very warm exam room at an Urgent Care center. And it is even more out of the realm of your thoughts that the patient would be your nine-year-old daughter.

We spent part of the day on a recent Sunday at Three Bear Acres in Creedmore North Carolina. The converted farm is wonderland for kids and active fun. Ninja Warrior style obstacle courses, a giant bouncy pillow, an awesome tree house and much much more. It was a hot day, so we spent very little time near the giant bounce pillow and retreated into the woods where there is this great slide. The slide which resembles a super-sized pine-wood derby track, runs down the length of a hill. The riders drag snow sleds retrofitted with skateboard trucks and wheels. Doesn't look super safe, but looked super fun. I saw how fast 60 and 80 under children were flying down the course, and decided that the wall of tires probably would not have stopped my momentum.

My daughter who is prone to overheating, wanted to check out the slip-n-slide. It was hot out and i figured her clothes would dry. So let's go for it I said. We walked over to the waterfront and along the side of hill of clay was the slip-n-slide. They had dug out two tracks and laid out the mats. There were hoses and sprinklers going down the length of the track. My daughter then son, took turns sliding down the bumpy track. There was laughter and squeals of joy. And then I hear a scream. “DADDY!” I see my daughter crumpled on the ground half way down. I run towards her, fearing the worst. Trying not to slip as I ran down the damp grassy hill. When i get to her she says her ankle is hurt. I ask if she can stand. She doesn't know. I helped her up. She was able to put a little weight on it. And knowing her pain tolerance, her ankle was probably not broken (but I'm no doctor). I picked her up and walked here over to a bench. She was pretty hysterical. Her brother kept sliding. 

We looked at her ankle and it seemed a little swollen. The staff at TBA brought us over some ice, and when they saw I was going to carry her back to the parking lot, they offered us a ride in one of the Polaris off-roaders, which was awesome. We headed back and my son stayed with his grandmother and my wife and I took Nugget to a local urgent care. They were so super nice they put her into a wheelchair and we watched Disney Channel as we waited to be called in. 

We wheeled her in. And the staff was so nice to us. The nurse, took all her vitals and we waited for a doctor to examine her. Now we waited and waited. We had to explain to her that at Urgent Care center’s the staff has to prioritize the patients by the seriousness of the illness and injuries. Eventually the nurse practitioner stopped by, she examined Nuggets foot and ankle. We would need to get some x-rays. They brought us some beverages, since we had been waiting so long in seemingly the only non-air conditioned room in the facility.

The x-rays didn't show a break, which is a good thing. But there was a sprain and bone bruise. They wrapped Nugget’s foot with some ace bandages and fitted her for crutches. She will be off her feet for a few weeks, so Fall tennis is probably out of the equation this year. But she will be ready to walk around comfortably by pumpkin picking season.


As bad as it was, she remained a trooper and we stayed calm for her. It could have been much worse. And luckily it was not. When we got back, her little brother was the perfect little guy. He moved her crutches when she sat down to eat, and brought them back to her when she needed to get up. We raised some good kids.

Spending the day with my little guy and the stars of MONSTER JAM

For the last few months my son has been acting up. Is it being nearly 7? Maybe. Is it dealing with me who is grumpy and tired all the time from my night job. Maybe. Combo of the two yes.

I know I get mad, frustrated and have a really hard time hiding that. And it has really affected the little guy, in a different way than my daughter. When she gets upset she lets it out. The little guy holds it in and then explodes. He is stubborn, impatient and doesn't want to give an inch. I'm glad he got some of my great traits.

A few weeks ago my wife texts me saying how nice and helpful the little guy has been recently. And asks if I have been doing anything differently. I told her I was being more patient with him. He is going to do things I don't like, but I stopped making a federal case about it. And it worked.

Along came an awesome opportunity for us, where we were given great seats to view Monster Jam. My son grew interested in seeing Monster Jam after seeing some pictures my brother posted with him and his son at a show near them. He was so excited.

I knew that we would be able to bond even more in what turned out to be a long long day at Monster Jam. We packed up our essentials, including some noise muffling earphones for him and some ear plugs for me. A change of clothes and rain gear since it was pouring as we left.


We arrived at Met Life Stadium soon before the gates were opening. And as if the Gods of Monster Trucks were revving their engines as they looked down on us, the skies began to clear. A light drizzle replaced the deluge. Having a few hours before our first planned activity, we went to the Pit Party.

All of the Monster Trucks that would be performing in that evening's show were out there with their drivers. You could take pictures and get autographs. We saw some dirt bike racers jumping over very very wet ramps. It was a celebration of everything Monster Jam. Took some pictures of some of the trucks including the world famous Grave Digger.

There were modified monster truck hayrides going on in the back of the pit party but the long line discouraged us from trying that out. The little guy did race around on a mini ride-on version of Grave Digger.


We ventured inside the stadium to get an up close look at the track. Unfortunately, the earlier bad weather made walking the track impossible but we met up with the course designer and I learned a lot of neat facts. The track takes about a week to construct, and a day to take down. There are other crews prepping events across the globe, the next night they would be in Madrid. The crew at MetLife Stadium would then be heading down to Nashville. My son was amazed at how big the stadium was and that it could 83,000 people in it.

They escorted us up to see some of the new toys and other products that are in stores now and will be in the next few months. I was blown away by the depth of their line. Everything from $5 mini trucks to a nearly $400 ride on Grave Digger with lights sound and steel suspension. Beyond actual truck toys, they have sneakers, home wares, video games, and glasses. Monster Jam is a multibillion dollar business. It's not just amazing trucks and their drivers doing amazing things.

Soon it was time for the show. The little guy and the other children we were sitting with were going nuts as the mini trucks (they were full sized just not Monster sized) raced around the track. This was the opening act. It sounded like a smarm of a million bees buzzing through the curves of the home of the New York football Giants and New York Jets.

Then a countdown appeared on MetLife’s giant screens. Then crashing through a wall came the stars of the show. These larger than life trucks came roaring out into the dirt track. They all took their spots and paired off on a single elimination racing tournament. The big star was a truck named Max-D.

Max-D looks exactly what a monster truck would look like if you asked an 8-year-old boy to draw one. Shiny and loud with spikes all over. Kind of like a four-wheeled personification of Judas Priest era Rob Halford.

Full disclosure we were in a luxury box, and as I always say if you have the opportunity to watch and event from one, by all means, do. So there was an inside room and seats outside. My son and the other kids were running all around. Did I scold him when marinara sauce got everywhere? No. It wasn't a big deal. The kids had kind of cleaned it up. Did he stay in his seat? No. But also no biggie. He was having fun. I was having fun. And we were watching something pretty cool.

Max-D and the others competed in three separate competitions, in the aforementioned race. The Two-Wheel Challenge, where the trucks had to do stunts on two wheels. Lots of wheelies, and donuts. The fans voted for the winner through an app. Then finally the main event, the Freestyle.

Freestyle is what everyone pictures when they think about Monster trucks. One on one they battled the course. Leaping over the ramps, seemingly defy all of nature's laws by flying through the night. Crushing some late model cars that were used as props, and for many of the cars doing front and back flips. The trucks used a special steeper ramp for their flips. As the zoomed over it fireworks would shoot out, as if a 10,000-pound vehicle safely flipping 30 feet above the field of a football stadium wasn't amazing enough. Max-D made his flip and landed on his roof, the crowd gasped momentarily as he revved his engines and somehow willed himself back onto his wheels on route to a victory lap. The little guy was beside himself as the competition continued.

The competition ended with Son-uva Digger (an offshoot of the Grave Digger team), who had already lost the roof of his car while jumping through the main portion of the track flipping and crashing on top of the firework launching area. The driver was ok. And though battered all the trucks would be headed for some repairs on their way to the next stop on the tour.

We soon headed back home. Thanks to the ear protection, our ears were not ringing and we talked about how cool and fun our long day at Monster Jam was.

The evening ended with us searching the mid-sixties along 1st avenue for some iced tea. It was nearly 11pm but that was ok. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find Brisk iced tea in that part of town.


Disclosure: We received complimentary passes to this event but all opinions as always are mine alone.

Bonding over muddy boots and hot coffee

“When is this coffee going to be ready?” A slim man who kind of looks like a shaggier Tom Skerritt, paces around a damp picnic table at Camp Alpine. He is wearing the same beat up Jets t-shirt and gray sweat pants he always wore on those Sunday mornings as we prepared to break camp. Soon he would take the blue enamel coffee pot off of the propane burner and pour himself what would be the first of many cups of coffee he would drink that morning.

My old scoutmaster Lee wasn't tired, he just loved the taste of a hot cup of coffee on a cool fall morning. Or a frigid cold winter morning. You get the drift. To him it was part of the camp experience. And for me it was a rite of passage. At home my mother was, and is, an enthusiastic coffee drinker. But I never wanted to drink coffee at home. But I could picture myself, standing around in muddy boots with the men enjoying a cup of coffee with the crackle of last night’s fire still audible.

We had a rule back then, and still do now, that only adults are allowed to drink coffee on Troop outings.

Soon after my eighteenth birthday, our troop was at the annual Trailblazer District Wint-o-Ree. It was cold with a little bit of snow on the ground. I was, and am, an early riser at camp. When I woke up, Lee was already awake making his morning coffee. He told me to grab a camp cup. He poured me some coffee. He had milk and sugar on hand, because he drank his coffee regular, and apparently so did I. Now, that I use higher quality coffee like Folgers® Coffeehouse Blend, as opposed to whatever we had left over from the pancake breakfast, I skip the sugar so I can enjoy the smooth yet bold taste.

Without the distraction of the boys and the day's competition. We talked about a lot of things. What he expected of me as an Assistant Scoutmaster. That morning I got so many words of wisdom that #shouldbeonacoffeemug probably enough to fill an entire kitchen cabinet with coffee mugs. And then we just shot the breeze, until he made a loud proclamation that the entire cabin could hear, about when was breakfast going to start. After that day, when a future marine would be dragged underneath a sledge that was being pulled by his fellow scouts as he yelled at them not to stop till they passed the finish line, my morning cups of coffee were just part of camping. I wasn't getting words of wisdom on how to be an adult scouter.

As the years went by and I rose in the ranks of our troop’s hierarchy, I remember many times sitting by the fire talking to a newly minted Assistant Scoutmaster and passing along my “wisdom” over a cup of coffee. For some it went in one ear out the other. Others took it to heart. It was in those moments that scout leaders become friends. No longer kid and adult, but two adults talking as equals. Just I like I was that morning with Lee.

Flash forward a few years, and I am that Scoutmaster impatiently waiting for a pot of Folgers Coffeehouse Blend to percolate in that same coffee pot, as the scouts slept, in their tents, leantos or in the cabin. Coffee at camp was never about getting a buzz or cstaying awake, it was about savoring the flavors and the moments. Those quiet moments when you can hear a woodpecker in the distance, or see a few deer walk by, you look at them, and they look at you.

These were the times that camping is perfect, and despite being a few minutes away from “civilization” you can be one with nature. You, your thoughts, and a steamy cup of coffee in your mug.

For more information and ideas on ways to enjoy Folgers Coffeehouse Blend be sure to follow Folgers on Twitter and like them on Facebook


This is a sponsored post on behalf of J. M. Smucker Company. I received compensation for this post; however, all opinions stated are my own.

I let my kid quit Little League

I called my son into the living room and confirmed with him that it was what he really wanted. He said it was. So I hit send on a note to his baseball coach letting him know that the season was over for him. The team still has two games and the playoffs to go. But #42 would not be joining them anymore.

A few weeks back on a surprisingly chilly May evening the Plumbers were in a tight game. The boys 7 and 8 year olds (and some 6s who are technically 7) are one of the smaller teams. No behemoth 2nd graders, just a group of scrappy little guys. My son stood at the plate. Elbow up. Knees slightly bent. The other team's pitchers were wild already five of our guys had been hit. The bases were loaded. And the pitch came in. It was way inside, and smashed into my sons hand.

Like his teammates before him he collapsed down into a crying mess. His coach came running over from third base and tried to encourage him as he walked over to first base. He couldn't stay out there, they brought in a pinch runner and I came over to the dug out. He was inconsolable.

I was sure he'd be good to go by the next game. I got him some extra pads for his hands. A security blanket. We went to the batting cage and all seemed great. He was driving the ball with authority. At practice he was great. And then it was game day. He walked into the dugout and was in tears. He refused to play. Eventually he played half an inning of left field.

That would be the last time he saw the field. The next game he couldn't even make it into the dugout. And spent the entire game off the field playing with the little sister of one of his teammates.

I reached out to everyone I knew who might give me some advice. Dads with kids as young as 6 and some with kids almost out of high school. They all said, he'll be ready when he is ready. I didn't push it.

So after a rain-out and a few scheduling conflicts. We were going to get ready to play again. When I told him we were going to start to get ready. His face sunk.

I knew he was scared. I asked him if playing was making him unhappy. He said it was. Forcing him would just make him sad. He is six (and 3/4) he deserves to be happy. And me forcing him to play isn't doing that. I love watching him play. He has a wonderful and powerful swing the kind that is usually reserved for lefties. He is so willing to throw himself around to get a ball. We even got him catchers gear so he could try to be a catcher. And through coaching and practice. He can actually catch the ball well.

I never got a chance to play little league, so it was important to me to see him play. That's why I never missed a game of corporate softball. It just became not right for him.

When I sent that email he was so relieved. We are still going to have catches in the back yard and the park. I'll still throw him batting practice. But he won't be on the team, at least not this year. And if that makes him happy. In happy with it too.

A tribute to a ranch, and a dad

I have always been a fan of pro wrestling and in recent years I have become a fan of podcasts. And one of the podcasts that I listen to regularly fits into both of those interests it's The Steve Austin Show (both regular and unleashed). I was never the hugest Steve Austin fan but I really like how he tells a story and conducts an interview. I'm much more of a fan of his podcast than I was as a sports entertainer.

In a recent episode Steve was talking about selling his ranch in South Texas, the so-called Broken Skull Ranch. It soon evolved into the story of the man he calls dad. Ken Williams.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE

Steve Austin, was born Steve Anderson. But his parents split up and he and his brothers moved with their mom to a small town in Texas, where she met and eventually married an country western guitar playing insurance salesman named Ken Williams. He adopted her sons and they went on to have two more kids. Mr.Williams was (and still is) an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He found himself with three sons so he passed his love for the outdoors onto them. Because as Steve said that is what a dad does shares his passions with his kids.

The four Williams boys are all outdoorsy, not all of them hunt but that is only a part of what Mr.Williams past along. His daughter (and her kids) are talented singers and musicians. Another thing he passed along.

I was really taken aback, a big portion of this tribute to this ranch, was really a tribute to his dad. You could hear the pride in his voice when he spoke about his dads hunts on the ranch and the same routine he followed every day.

That ranch was not just a place for Stone Cold Steve Austin to hang out, do some hunting, drink some Broken Skull margaritas and drive around on his off road vehicles. It was about following a tradition that his dad gave to him. It was about a legacy.

Not a lot of men would step up and marry a divorced telephone operator with three kids. But Ken Williams was the kind of man who did. And that's why to this day he is so loved and revered by one of the most famous professional wrestlers of all time.

Buying cups and a Major League Baseball preview

A few weeks ago we signed our son up for this season of little league. It will be his third season, first was t-ball, then last year was coach pitch and now player pitch. The league commissioner guy, told me he needed to wear grey baseball pants and wear cleats. He asked if we had our own bat or helmet. We had a bat (which I hope is Little League approved) and were looking at helmets. Then I asked "does he need to wear a cup?" And the guy looked at me like I was asking "do fish like water". So yes he needed a cup.

I drive back home wondering who sells cups for 6 year olds. Apparently everyone does. From the old sumo styled ones, to boxer briefs with a pouch to pocketed briefs there were a world of options. My best friend who has a 9 year old (a true grizzled veteran of little league) gave me some sage advice as to what to get, and another piece of invaluable advice, buy which ever cleats are cheapest (since they are going to grow out of them quickly).

After a few sick days, the little guy was ready to head out of the house. So we went to the local sporting goods store and searched. The baseball pants were right there and then we went searching for the right cup. I told them that a cup was there to protect his penis, he replied just like the helmet protects my head. Sure. He picked out a blue one. It was for adults 135-170 pounds. I said that might be too big. I found the peewee sizes and showed him some options. He eventually went with a brief (probably because he's used to wearing briefs). I worried, would they be comfortable. Would it hurt when he ran in them. Mostly I just wanted to make sure he's well protected.

As we walked over to the shoe section. He asked if it would hurt to get hit with a baseball in the cup area. I was honest and said yes, a little, but a lot less than without a cup. He was ok with that. And seemed ready to take the field with his teammates.

Oh right since it's right before opening day here is my official and totally unbiased MLB preview.

New York Mets make it back to the World Series, and regular season MVP Yoenis Cespedes and the aces lead the Mets to their third World Championship.

Reading Journal - Monday

My daughter's teacher took making sure her class is reading to the next level. She makes them do a reading journal where you have to write about what you are reading. I love it. So this week I will do it as well.

Monday: What happened in the chapter you read? Summarize in 3-5 sentences.  

Norse Mythology
  By Neil Gaiman

In the chapter I just read, Loki the trickster removed the hair from Thor's wife Sif's head. Thor was mad and Loki made a deal with him that he could get the Dwarves to make her new hair. Loki had two sets of dwarfs making five items, he made it a competition telling one group they could have his head if they one. They made hair that would magically grow on Sif's head, they also made a boat that folded down to pocket size and they forged Thor's hammer Mjolnir. Odin and Thor were pleased and the dwarfs won. But ever the trickster Loki said they couldn't have his head because it would require them to take his neck and that wasn't part of the bet. 

Things to do with kids in Ridgewood: Dollar Movies at Atlas Park

Like in past summers, Regal Cinemas is offering dollar movies for kids. This year's collection of G and PG rated films can be conveniently enjoyed by kids in Ridgewood at the Regal Cinema at Atlas Park for only $1.

Are you going to see this years huge blockbuster kids movies? No. But there is a great selection of movies that are playing at 10am on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Both movies play on both days.  It is a great way to beat the heat or even an inexpensive way to get your little ones used to being in a movie theater.

The theaters can get a little crowded, especially if a camp group shows up. So I would suggest getting there a little early. Give yourself time to grab some soda and popcorn (breakfast of champions) and find some good seats. Remember a room full of 200 kids is going to be noisy. 

Highlights this summer include The Lego Movie and How to Train Your Dragon 2.

Tue July 7 & Wed July 8

• Earth to Echo
• Boxtrolls

Tue July 14 & Wed July 15

• Paddington
• Turbo

Tue July 21 & Wed July 22

• Rio 2
• How To Train Your Dragon 2

Tue July 28 & Wed July 29

• Mr. Peabody
• Book of Life

Tue August 4 & Wed August 5

• Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
• Penguins of Madagascar

Tue August 11 & Wed August 12

• Madagascar 3
• Dolphin Tale 2

Tue August 18 & Wed August 19

• Muppets, Most Wanted
• Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Tue August 25 & Wed August 26

• The Lego Movie
• The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

Things to do in Ridgewood with your kids: Dry Harbor Playground

The Greater Ridgewood Area in Queens is filled with parks and playgrounds which makes entertaining young kids in the 11385 really easy and fun.

Dry Harbor playground (part of Forest Park) is one of the gems. While its not very large it is surrounded by trees so there is plenty of shade for parents to keep cool while the little ones frolic.The playground which has two sets of swings (totally in the shade), also has two climbing structures including a pirate ship which is fitting for its nautical name. 

There is a splash area with several cement spheres that spray out water. Is it the most inspired water feature? No. But kids will get plenty wet on a sunny day. Just watch out if you are on the adjacent benches, a well aimed breeze will send a spray of water your way. 

The park which has bathrooms, is located on Myrtle Ave and 80th street and is easily accessed by the Q55 bus.