Tonight the house feels a little different. Your new backpacks are lined up by the door, pencils are sharpened, and I keep having to remind mom that bedtimes actually matter tonight. Tomorrow you both walk into a brand-new school year… Jackson into sixth grade, Oliver into third… and I couldn’t let this moment pass without reminding you of a few things.
First, I love you. More than you’ll ever know, more than any words can capture. I am proud of the young boys you’re becoming… not just because of grades, or sports, or accomplishments, but because of the kind hearts you both carry.
School isn’t just about math problems or reading levels. It’s about learning how to be the kind of people the world needs: leaders who listen, friends who show up, people who stand tall when it isn’t easy. That’s what leadership really is… it’s courage. It’s raising your hand not just to answer a question, but to include the kid sitting alone. It’s choosing gratitude when things don’t go perfectly. It’s forgiving quickly so you don’t carry heavy stuff in your heart. And it’s showing compassion not just with words, but with action.
Jackson… you’re stepping into the big kid role at your school now. Remember: being a leader doesn’t always mean being the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes it means being the one who listens the most. Trust yourself. You’re ready.
Oliver… you’ve still got that spark that makes every room brighter the second you walk in. Third grade is a chance to learn, to play, to keep asking big questions. Don’t ever lose that joy. People will follow your lead because you remind them how fun life can be.
And both of you… never forget one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever learned… “have a lot of fun” in everything you do. Yes, work hard, pay attention, and respect your teachers, but don’t forget to laugh, to play, to find the joy in every single day.
So tomorrow, when you walk into those classrooms, walk in with love, with courage, with gratitude. Be leaders. Be listeners. And above all, be kind.
This fall marks a brand-new chapter for Ollie and me. After a few years of flag football where he learned the game, built confidence, and showed he was ready for more, he was asked to take a big step up: joining the fourth-grade tackle football team as a third grader… a year earlier than most kids get the chance to do so. It’s a big leap, full of new challenges, harder hits, and a faster pace.
Luckily I have the opportunity to continue coaching Ollie which allows me a front-row seat to the whole experience. That’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, because coaching your own kid means you see every high, every low, and every “Dad, stop embarrassing me” look.
I look forward to watching him develop and being part of a great team!
Season Running Summary
Pre Season Jamboree vs Wallingford and Glastonbury:
What an amazing experience and I’m not sure who was more nervous: the kids for their first hits and tackles or the coaches making sure everyone knew where to line up!
Ollie played really well, helping spring a few big runs with some solid blocking from the slot receiver position. He played safety and corner back on defense and was near the ball on almost every play! He also got a carry and churned out some hard fought yards on his lone run.
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Week 1: vs. Shelton
Tie: 25-25 (0-0-1)
What an amazing debut for the G4 Grizzlies today! Down two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and our defense would make multiple stands to get the ball back to our offense which would intern allow us to come back and tie the game with under two minutes left.
A third defensive stand in the fourth quarter put us in position for the win with under 30 seconds to go! and only a game saving sideline tackle would keep us from putting another six on the board! An absolutely thrilling game from the first whistle to the last!
Oliver was ALL OVER THE FIELD!!! He started at slot receiver, corner back, played on kickoff and was our kick returner!!! He was in on many tackles, laid out a bunch of DBs and ever had a few blocks to help spring big runs and a touchdown! He also had a great kick return hurdling a defender!
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Week 2: Bye
Celebrating a big TD!
The boys had a week off, but Jakey and Ollie got to join their big brothers of the field as waterboys for the G6 team!
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Week 3: vs. Wallingford
L: 27-0 (0-1-1)
A tough game from start to finish. Ollie had his first big run of the season breaking multiple tackles, a couple “boops” and a sick spin move at the end to pick up a first down on third and 13.
Overall, I was impressed with the team’s fight especially not letting up down big in the fourth quarter! These are the type of games that will pay dividends later in the year and help the boys learn, resiliency and grit.
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Week 4: @ North Haven
L: 7-33 (0-2-1)
Ok, so I thought last week was a tough game from the start… North Haven went up 26-0 half way through the first quarter.
We were desperate and in need of some play making early. What do you do when you need a play?!?? Bring on the “BOOP” Oliver was leaving maroon jerseys in the dust and Night Hawk players’ ankles all over the field!
I am amazed on the sideline watching this kid compete against kids a full grade above him and making plays for his team… but most of all I’m amazed and more proud than I am am amazed of how great of a teammate and leader this kid is!
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Week 5: vs Monroe
L: (0-3-1)
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Week 6: @ Pomperaug
L: 6-22 (0-4-1)
What a tough loss against a team that we should have beaten. The boys are a resilient group and will come back with a vengeance!!! I’m happy that Ollie has made so many great friends on this team. I watch him grow every week. He is the first one to pat a teammate on the head and even when he is on the sidelines he’s standing right next to a coach cheering his team on.
This weekend he gave our starting running back multiple breathers while continuing to gave the group another option and took advantage of his opportunities. He also had another nice kick return when we desperately need a spark! He refuses to come out of the game and when he is on the sideline is begging to go back it!!! I LOVE watching him compete. (PS: the boys looked great in pink!!!)
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Week 7: @ Newtown
L: 6-26 (0-5-1)
Leadership looks like this — Oliver was named Captain by his coaches this week and if being named Captain isn’t enough… he gets to represent his team in Newtown… in front of his family and our friends! (Specifically ODBjr)!!!
We hung in there every down every play. Newtown is a top program in the state and our boys fought hard (fought football fights… Newtown may have fought actual fights!!!) Oliver showed why he was named Captain every down. He was the leader the team looked to to get us hyped and back into the game when we needed it most:
He played (in my humble option) his best defensive game of the season). Had explosive kick returns, stepped up to his coaches’ challenge on defense of setting the edge and making open field tackles. On offense he was his normal self and made smooth cuts and some “boops” in the backfield to get some hard fought yards.
We couldn’t be prouder of the heart and effort he brings to the game. 🏈 #ProudDad #YouthFootball #GoGrizzliesGo #CaptainMindset
Week 8: vs Bristol
W 0-20 (1-5-1)
And there it is! Our first win of the season. Hell, the first win of the boys tackle football journey! … and what a win it was! Pure domination. There was really nothing Bristol could do to move the ball against such a suffocating defensive, or do anything to stop a steamrolling Grizzlies offense!
Oliver played his best all around game! He scored for the first time on a halfback sweep, in which he outran a defensive end, juked two line backers and hit the traditional “Ollie Boop” right across the goal line! (Not sure who was more excited (mom, dad, or Ollie!). It was awesome to celebrate with him and Steph, who was running the chains on the sideline.
Coach did a phenomenal getting our backs rotated in and keeping them fresh. Oliver was running circles around Bulldog defenders and made a few defenders look silly as they tried to tackle him. I’m pretty sure he left quite a few ankles on the field on Sunday.
Defensively, he played an incredibly solid game… containing the outside from his cornerback position, shutting down the opposing wide receivers, which led to our first interception of the season and even was in on multiple tackles.
Knowing he is doing so well individually (especially being a grade below everyone he’s playing with), but more importantly his successes is positively contributing to the team and he is loving cheering on the successes of everyone one of his teammates as well as celebrating a HUGE FIRST WIN!
There’s a few places in our house that’s looking a little too quiet these days.
For years, those brightly colored trucks, puzzles, oversized stuffiees with threadbare noses—they were everywhere. They were the soundtrack of our days: the zoom of a car hitting the wall, the clack-clack of giant Lego bricks scattered across the living room, and the squeak of a well-loved toy undergoing yet another wrestling match.
But then our boys—now 11 and 8—grew. Not in leaps or bounds, but in these gentle pushes: deeper conversations, strategic video-game moves, jokes caught in mid-air that I have to chase to understand. Between folding laundry and coaching football, I noticed those baby toys starting to pile up.
Giving them away felt… like giving up a part of our story.
It feels silly, doesn’t it? The sight of that plastic race track makes me smile and then pause: wasn’t that the one Oliver made us watch him race while we were trying to watch a movie? Then I see the Radio Flier that Jax and Ollie used to race everywhere— I’m hit with memory after memory of small hands clutching these toys as if they were truly the most important things in the world.
Of course they’re not too old for toys—not really. Kids don’t come with an expiration date on imagination. But those toys, they were for the tiny hands that are throwing fastballs on the baseball field. Those were the baby-safe blocks now replaced by dialogue about science projects and football playbooks.
Letting those toys go doesn’t feel practical—it feels profoundly emotional. It feels like a goodbye, even though I know what’s coming after this is so much bigger, better, and more wonderful.
I’m reminded that the things that mattered most weren’t the toys themselves, but those moments: the giggles as the Mighty Pups climbed the Paw Patrol Towers, the walks up the street in a push cart where Oliver stuffed acorns, rocks and sidewalk chalk, the bubble lawnmower Jax used before he learned to ride my tractor and the way those stuffed animals made a busy home feel warm, cozy, alive.
So yes—I’ll sort those toys, bag them up, drop them off, and maybe even help someone else’s kids play with them… but inside, I’ll carry every memory. Because growing up does mean saying goodbye to some things. But it doesn’t mean forgetting what made them magical in the first place.
Here’s to the next chapter—and maybe, someday, rediscovering that same magic in the toys that are just right for now.
Here’s to hoping these toys will give another family the same type of memories they helped us made all these years!
Oliver’s coaches nominated him for athlete of the year:
“Oliver plays with heart bigger than any trophy. He cares more about teammates than himself, reminding us why we fell in love with sports.”
What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?
What inspires him most isn’t wins or stats—it’s the love he has for the game and the people in it. He’s the first at practice, the last to leave, and hugs every coach and teammate like family. Oliver was asked by coaches to play up with much older athletes for tackle football and is one of the youngest on the state travel baseball team— but it’s his heart, not his age or talent, that makes him unforgettable.
Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?
I asked Oliver this question specifically: His response, “I love playing catch with you dad. You always tell us about playing catch with Pop (my grandfather). Playing catch with you makes me feel like I get to play catch with your Pop even though I never got to meet him. I love when you tell me about Rickey Henderson & Ken Griffey, Jr. Thanks for telling me about Pop, I love him for making us both love baseball!”
What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?
This basketball season, with time running out, Ollie had a clear opportunity to score again. As he got to the hoop, he saw a teammate who hadn’t scored all season. Without hesitating, he passed the ball so his teammate could score at the buzzer. After, I asked him about it, he said, ‘We win as a team and I love helping everyone.’ That selfless act, prioritizing team & uplifting a teammate, shows the kind of athlete and person he’s becoming. To me his leadership and character makes me most proud.
8.29.25: OK… TOP 5!?????… and currently he’s in second place! Maybe, just maybe this is a thing? The best part though is knowing that the votes that Oliver is getting are in turn supporting cancer research.
8.21.25: Ollie made it into the TOP TEN! Thank you to everyone who has supported Ollie on his athletic journey and through this process. He loves making everyone proud and Steph and I couldn’t be prouder!!!
8.14.25: Another great accomplishment. Oliver is now made it through to the TOP 15 of his group!!!
8.7.25: So incredibly proud to announce Oliver has made it through to the TOP 20 in his group!!!
Welcome to “Miles, Memories & Mini‑Meltdowns”, your go‑to blog for everything that happens when parents hit the road with their kids in tow. If you’re here because you’re planning a family road trip—or just need reassurance that utter chaos mixed with heartwarming moments is totally normal—you’re in the right place. I’m the guy who coordinates snack stops, bathroom logistics, and tells corny dad jokes under pressure. Consider this your survival guide, therapy session, and laugh‑track all rolled into one.
Packing the car was akin to a game of Tetris, with the added challenge our youngest insisting that his stuffed Dalmatian (ironically named Spotty) needed his own seatbelt. Despite my meticulous planning and the fact that I didn’t start packing until 35 minutes before we left, we got on the road only and hour late late, which is actually an hour earlier than we’ve ever left. Then again at least this time it wasn’t because someone couldn’t find their left shoe (spoiler: it was in the freezer).
9:17am:
Four adults, four children, three dogs 658 suitcases, four Nintendo Switch consoles, three laptops, five iPads and a lot of G-Damn traffic. We hit the road at 9:17am and just picked up my mom. Our first planned stop came after having to go back into the house, three unplanned stops, bathrooms and Dunkin Donuts.
The entire family is now repacking the cars to fit Mima in the back seat in between two car seats, two cases of Corona and for some reason five pillows.
10:03am
First stop at a Dirty Dunkin Donuts because of urgent calls of nature. The only restroom was also the janitor’s chemical closet. Kids touching colorful bottles, me yelling, “Don’t open that!” while one child attempts to pick up someone else’s water bottle off the floor. I now classify this as character-building.
(PS they got my coffee order wrong… we’re off to a great start).
11:19am
We’ve been on the road almost 2.5 hours have only made 1 hour of progress.
1:36pm
Three and a half hours in. We’ve just made it to NJ. the trip itself to wildwood should have been 4 hours and seven minutes. At least the reststop was named after someone who knew how to keep things in order!
2:24pm
5.5 hours driving. Only 1.5 hours of progress. FIVE LANES OF STANDSTILL TRAFFIC.
3:36pm
+1 bathroom stop. Toms River NJ will never be the same.
3:42pm
Official first spill and change of clothes. The entire car smells like grape gaterade.
4:28pm
Thank goodness for NJ picnic areas…
5:37pm
EIGHT HOURS LATER… we made it!!!
FINAL TRIP STATS:
9:17am Departure (1:45pm ETA)
STOPS: 8
BATHROOMS USED: 9
ARGUMENTS: 7
ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE BATHROOM: 5
GAS STATION SANDWICHES CONSUMED: 1.5
GAS STATION SANDWICHES MELTED AFTER BEING LEFT IN CENTER CONSOLE AFTER PARKING IN 103* HEAT: .5
What does an eight year old ask forgiveness for? I can’t imagine what it is like for a kid in 2025 to have a first reconciliation. Do they say, “Sorry I was on my iPad more than I was supposed to?” “I shouldn’t have been on my Chromebook during social studies class last week?” “I let the dog eat the broccoli and cucumbers I was supposed to have with dinner.”????
I’m really not sure what I thought was going to happen when Oliver sat with the priest to confess his sins. Oliver is a vault. He is second child quiet, so mom and I had no idea what to expect. Maybe Oliver was going to need to bring the priest a cup of coffee in the room… because there was a good chance he was going to be in there a while.
I mean what would happen if Oliver walked in and the lights went out?!??
All joking aside, you might be wondering what this eight year old asked for forgiveness for. For Oliver it was for, “Kicking his brother.” I asked him if he has a specific kick he was referencing, or if he is just gave the priest a tally of how many karate kicks have been dished out.
The journey from Town TBall to where we are now has been one of the most interesting, complex and exhausting experiences of my life. Coming from someone who played sports at an extremely high level, I cannot and could not ever have predicted how insanely fast things can happen when sports (especially youth sports) are concerned.
I’d love to spend the time in this blog describing what got us to this point, but Oliver is the real reason we are here today!
There is no doubt that Oliver is athletic. Anyone who comes into contact with him can see it. Coaches comment on it, players notice it, and as sports analysts would say, “tape don’t lie.” But then again, he just turned eight… everyone at eight looks good playing their sport and let’s be very clear- every parent thinks their kid is the next Bryce Harper, LeBron James (🤮) or Patrick Mahomes… but, no one can do what those guys do. The chances of being a D1 college athlete let alone a professional athlete are less than 1%.
With that being said, Steph and I have been steadfast in just supporting the growth of our boys in terms of their love of the game, their effort and determination in how they approach anything they take on (sports included). If they want to try something, then they take it on with determination and commitment. Then again honesty, how do you teach that to an eight year old… I guess modeling and finding the right people that can model that for them is the right path.
That brought us to the CTMETS Baseball Academy. What sets The CTMets academy apart is their commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. They understand that baseball is more than just a game; it’s a vehicle for teaching valuable life skills. This was not something we were looking for. But as the process played out… we chose theCTMETS… after they chose us.
We showed up for an evaluation after being convinced by a friend to check them out. We were looking for a workout program, maybe 1:1 coaching once a week or so. We had no expectations and to be honest we were over the travel team nonsense. This was going to be something to get us through the winter and get the boys ready for rec baseball in the spring.
Oliver (and Jax) went and worked out with three former professional Major League Baseball players. Oliver did his thing, he dove for balls, made throws from his knees. He hit the ball and afterwards Coach Jose used the phrase… “Oliver is Elite.” (even Jax was crushing baseballs in the cage)
Coach sat Steph and I down for almost an hour. The first thing he asked was if we would consider allowing Oliver to play for the 9u CTMETS, who are a statewide travel team consisting of some of the best young baseball players across CT. This is a huge opportunity for Oliver. Not only is this team one of the best travel teams in the state, but at seven years old at the time Oliver was the youngest player ever to make the team. It’s an incredible honor, and we’re so proud of him.
Hearing Coach Jose describe how he was trying to get Oliver to show him how he could “backhand a ball from the shortstop position,” but Oliver was so fast to the ball he, “kept squaring it up and getting in front of it to field it in a perfect position to be ready to throw,” was amazing. He laughed when he said he, “can’t get some of his 17u infielders to do that.” He told us he needs a player like Oliver (who he recognized was very young at seven for this team), but explained that he wants to build his academy and team from an early age and most importantly explained that Oliver was, “ready now.”
He explained to us his philosophy of coaching baseball… but more importantly… coaching well rounded children… if that didn’t sell us… when he said he saw something in Jax, besides baseball talent, he told us he saw “a leader and a big brother who cheered for his little brother everytime he made a great play” and that he recognized something in him too. He told us he wanted Jax to be part of his team… not to play in games yet, but to be there to help the younger players. To be there to support his brother who is one of the youngest kids on the team, but also to help build Jax’ baseball skills (coach Jose loves big first basemen!!!)
That was it. We needed them like they needed us. We were so out on the travel experience, until that night we met Coach Jose and his staff. Until they saw Oliver and Jax as people first and players second (hearing your seven year old is elite doesn’t hurt either)!
Congratulations, Oliver. Good luck! Do us proud, but more importantly, do you proud! Now to the important question, can I have your autograph?
As I sit back and reflect on another year that’s flown by I’d be remiss to say that as each milestone comes and goes, they sometimes begin to blur into to each other.
You have certainly become quite the energetic little boy. I’ve never seen someone go so long without sitting still… and coming from me that’s really saying something! I love watching you chase Wednesday around the house, play catch with her outside and on those rare occasions where the two of you are calm, watching you snuggle with her is heartwarming!
While as an athlete you come in like a hurricane… steamrolling your way to a 70 yard touchdown run, or hitting a double to clear the bases to bring your team back in the last inning. But it’s not just sports in which you awe us… and sometimes you do things so simply, it’s like you’ve been doing them all your whole life.
The way you smile lights up a room, your laugh still is so quirky that I’m not quite sure you realize how infectious it truly is. I struggle with how fast you are growing up and relish every second we have together.
Mom and I could not be anymore proud of you than we are today! You take things in stride, are a friend who cheers you besties on when they succeed and work hard to be better in everything you do. All qualities that will serve you well as you continue to grow.
I’ve learned a lot this football season. I learned it’s not just about wins and losses. I learned a lot about myself, I’ve learned about other people and most importantly I’ve learned a lot about my son.
Jax is a better person than I am and ever will be and he is stronger than I think I ever could be. He’s faced challenges in his life (but he’s still only ten) and as a parent you always hope and pray that your children will develop the perseverance and courage that will help them later in life when they face real challenges.
Jax is a leader and I’m confident that he will continue to be one. Being an athlete and now a coach is what (I consider) my defining characteristic, but being a dad will always come first. Today, being a dad called for me to sit silently next to my son and allow him to teach me how to be strong.
Sorry Sons: Chronicles of a New Dad 