Tag Archives: rocky

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G2/3 Flag Football (Coach and Player)

I have enjoyed coaching both my boys throughout all sports during their athletic journey, but there is something special about coaching football. Ollie and I seem to do very well together as player and coach and this is now our third year in a row together in flag. Our town’s flag team has developed into a HUGE success and I have very much enjoyed helping a good friend grow the program through clinics, travel games and this year’s town tournaments.

Oliver has something very special when it comes to football; you can learn the plays and develop with good practice habits and with experiences comes better understanding, but the vision he possesses on the field is very advanced for his age and time playing. (Yes I know he’s seven and yes I know it’s just flag football, but it’s there and it’s very noticeable).

Throughout this blog you’ll read about “The Boop”. For referebcw when he was younger he couldn’t say “juke” (a move by a player running the ball where the runner cuts back hard and fast and makes the defender miss while then quickly cuts back up the field). Oliver, who couldn’t pronounce juke, would mistakenly call the move a “Boop” and so the “Ollie Boop” was born! Now if we can just harness ALL that OTHER energy he might just run through a brick wall!

Season Running Summary:

W: Black 6 – Green 14 (1-0)

What a way to start the G2/3 season! The “Ollie Boop” was back in action! A win and a score for Ollie! Guilford Green was awesome today! Love coaching this little animal!

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W: White 0 – Green 18 (2-0)

Another W For team GREEN. The boys pitched a shutout 18-0! Great group of kids! Oliver had the BOOP working today and almost took one to the house!

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W: Grey 12 – Green 24 (3-0)

The Packers dominated at Lambeau Field and Team Green dominated back in Guilford even without The Boop . The Packers moved to 1-1 and G-Green moved to 3-0!

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W: Black 6 – Green 12 (4-0)

Today was a very, very close game that was highlighted by tremendous defense and a team effort. We played almost the entire team at quarterback, passed the ball for big gains and pulled flags like our lives depended on it.

Oliver followed his blockers down the field and looked good as a receiver too. We look very good right now, highlighted by a bunch of boys who really like playing football and more importantly we have really grown into a team. I love watching them cheer for each other and celebrate each success together!

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W: Green – White (5-0)

“The Whistle Game”

A hard fought win for team Green today against a VERY good team White. Both teams played great defense, but when it came down to it, our defensive line (Ollie, Connor and Jakey) was just reeking havoc in the backfield making it almost impossible for team White to even get plays off! A few backfield tackles for Ollie highlighted by a Barry Sanders like run for a massive first down late in the second half iced the game for us and secured our fifth win in a row!

A little “Boop” here and a little “Boop” there!

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L: Grey 24 – Green 13 (5-1)

The Wishbone Offense

Tough loss for Team Green today, but when you fall down, it’s about how fast you can get back up. Oliver had a boop for the ages… and threw a huge block to get his BFF in the end-zone, but in the end it’s about running the marathon, not a sprint and these boys have what it takes to bounce back.

We’ve seen them be the front runners for over a month… now everyone is going to have to deal with a team with a chip on its shoulder! (PS it’s also flag football, so they just had ice cream after the game and everyone was fine).

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W: Green 18 – White 6 (7-1)

I don’t care what the score is, Team White is a juggernaut. And other than a handful of big plays, they shut down our offense all game. You would think green and white would be a shootout… But not today. Today was two defenses battling back and forth that brought back memories of Reggie, White and Lawrence Taylor!!!

Oliver broke lose on the second play of the game for a massive run that set up the first touch down of the game and again later in the second half took us from our own goal line on a third and incredibly long to a first down on our opponents goal line, leading to another score. If it wasn’t for a phantom flag that fluttered off his waste after Booping ankles all over the field, he would have scored a touchdown late in the last few minutes to further put the game away.

Let’s go Green! Today’s win locked up the NUMBER ONE SEED in the playoffs!!!

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W: Green 18 – Gray 6 (8-1)

Another big game for Ollie and Team Green! Avenging our only loss only the season! 8-1 and on to the playoffs!!!

Coach Joe needed to head to another venue for some scouting for our playoff matchups (just kidding he had to go to his niece’s confirmation). I took on head coaching duties and did him proud. We played hard and kept Gray scoreless until the last minute of the game. Ollie looked good again running the ball and used his cut back skills to boop his way to the down the field!

On to the playoffs next week!

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PLAYOFFS: Round One

W: Green – Black (9-1)

Game One of the Playoffs was against a VERY, VERY GOOD BLACK TEAM! While we beat them them each time in the regular season they had a very well coached team who developed tremendously through the season (that is exactly the purpose of this program)! We fought hard and came away with a win. Everyone on the team contributed in this game and Oliver had two HUGE runs to get us first downs, one on fourth down and another on third and a million yards! His teammates stepped up for him and blocked hard!

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PLAYOFFS: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

W: Green 18 – White 13 (10-1)

The game of the year, heck the game of the century took place in the Championship Game… as it should! The two teams with the best record head to head for all the marbles, the Lombardi DeMayo Trophy, the Championship!

Team White simply outclassed and outplayed us in the first half and at one point we were down 13-0. Oliver and his team did everything they could to keep the game from getting away from us. They played great defense and only allowed two scores on two broken plays (I will take the blame for the second touchdown, sending our corner on an all out blitz allowing their QB to slip outside for a long score).

Nick, Matt and Jackson fire up their little brothers at half time. Some say their speech saved our season!

Heads were hanging at half time as the team had only trailed in one game all year. Enter the G5 Tackle Team Older Brothers. They gave a rousing “Any Given Sunday” speech and inspired Team Green to come out like a freight train! The defensive line stayed stout and did not give up a point in the second quarter (more impressively, Oliver did not jump offsides once!) Oliver gobbled up flags in the back field and continued to force Team White into punts. A newly installed Wishbone Motion Fullback Dive Right on the goal line to “The Pepperbush Beast” C.DeMayo put us up one point.

With less than two minutes remaining up by one point and on a fourth and a million yards to go, Coach DeMayo called on The Boop. It was now or never, it was like calling in Mariano Rivera for a six out save in the eight inning, like bringing in Reggie Miller for a game winner against the Knicks with Spike Lee starting him down. We needed a first down to put the game away and we needed The Boop… when you need The Boop… you get The Boop! Oliver took the hand off from the backfield broke a pair of ankles and outran four defenders to take the ball almost to the house. A first down and four fresh downs to put the game away!

After a QB Keeper put us up 5, Team White came storming back with less than a minute to go to cross mid field, two sacks by Oliver on consecutive plays put them in a desperate situation, but with one last play remaining, Team White took a hand off towards the left corner of the goal line, but it was Team Green’s defense standing on the field at the 1/2 yard line holding a RED FLAG high above their head with 0:00 remaining on the clock. In the voice of John Sterling, “Ball Game Over, Championship Game Over… TEAM GREEN WINS… TEEEEEEEAMMMMMMMMMMMMM GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNN WINS!”

What a season, what a team, what a program. I hated watching the boys on Team White lose, but it is with great sadness and desire to come back stronger, that creates players who are inspired to come back for more. It wasn’t just the winning and losing, it was the team work, the friendships, the skill development AND the winning and losing. That’s how you build a program… Watch out surrounding towns, because the G2/3 kids moving up to tackle next year are going to be more than ready for you!

Champions and Best Friends!!!

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G5 Football (Coach and Player)

A while back I stopped coaching Jax and while I missed it, he seemed to thrive with other coaches giving him feedback. I started to enjoy JUST being able to be a dad on the sideline again. Although I’m sure most parents would disagree… I was calmer being just a dad and not a coach-dad.

Then earlier this summer Jax asked if I would coach him again during this football season on the G5 (fifth grade) team. Tackle football is one of the toughest sports to play. The commitment, learning curve, physicality and effort it takes to be part of a tackle team is not for everyone. Jax and I talked through what coaching him again would mean and entail for both of us. This wasn’t just about learning football, it was about the trust between a father and his son. I knew he needed me and I knew from the look in his eyes when we spoke that I needed to consider it.

The problem is that’s not just something you can “join up” for. The tackle teams here in town are coached by a group of coaches that work hard and have been together for a while. However, coincidently, later this summer I’d receive a text from the team’s head coach asking if I’d be willing to join the coaching staff, and as they say, it was fate.

I’ve been locked in to coaching Oliver’s flag- football team the last three years and have really enjoyed helping the program grow. It is a lot of hard work and I had been committed to coaching Oliver, a commitment I would not abandon and I wasn’t sure that adding on coaching a second team that competes vs towns across the state in full pads and helmets was feasible for me. We would be talking six-to-seven days of week of coaching football between both teams…

…. Yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

SEASON RUNNING SUMMARY:

Pre Season Jamboree vs Madison, North Haven and Glastonbury:

2 Wins – 1 Loss

I had an absolute blast today coaching Jax in football for the first time along with 29 other kids who love to compete. Jax had a PHENOMENAL day… springing two touchdown runs with two pancake blocks at WR. He played a ton at middle linebacker a new position, but he just keeps learning! There are some big time players on this team! Every one of his teammates are phenomenal and I am so stoked to be coaching this team!

The block that sprung a touchdown

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Game 1: @ North Haven

L: 28-14 (0-1)

After a great training camp and a fantastic preseason jamboree, Jax was named team captain before the first game! To be named captain of any sports team is an honor and a privilege. Being a captain is about leadership, work ethic and respect. To be named a captain is the ultimate sign of respect from your teammates and coaches. I am so incredibly proud and humbled to be this guy’s dad AND coach!

Captains on the field for the coin toss

Opening day was full of emotions for both of us. But to be coaching this football player and leader is an honor! Yes he was a captain, yes he retuned a kick for one yard (lol)… but more importantly, he is a teammate who has everyone’s back! I LOVE coaching this kid and I LOVE coaching this team! Big things coming for #G5

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Game 2 @ Pomperaug

L: 7-44 (0-2)

I hated Pomperaug when I was in school playing sports and I still hate them today! Jax did have a devastating hit on a kick off which resulted in an opposing player having to be helped off the field, but it was too little too late. We took a tough loss. The boys got hit hard, but they picked themselves up every play. That’s the mark of a champion.“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

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Game 3 @ Bristol:

W: 28-0 (1-2)

There’s nothing like a win at Lambeau

While our G5 team was taking care of business in Bristol, Jax and I were busy enjoying another win this weekend while in Green Bay watching the Packers beat the Colts at Lambeau Field! It was awesome getting updates via text from the coaches and other parents who wanted to keep us in the loop! The kids played well and represented Jax in the city where he was born to capture our first win on the season (also the Packers first win of the season too)!

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Game 4 vs. Monroe

L: 19-0 (1-3)

Facing an undefeated team who dismantled a team that blew us out a few weeks ago seemed a daunting task. Yet, my goal for this team and these games is not just about winning or losing, it is also about building character and character is built on the foundation of effort, perseverance and integrity.

These boys showed what it takes to make the character of a champion. Down 19-0 at halftime the team rallied around each other to not allow a point in the second half… to a team that was undefeated and no one had been able stop offensively all season. There are bad wins and there are good loses. We can take something positive from this loss… and continue to build character as the boys continue to grow and learn the game. I am very proud of this team.

Jax started the game at tight end (a position I’d love to see him get more looks at). We ran four straight plays down the throat of Monroe with Jax leading the way bulldozing the opposing linebacker and cornerback, highlighted by a block that he sustained for about 20 yards downfield until the whistle blew! He is starting to put things together and like many of the boys on this team, I feel like a full-on steam train is coming and once it gets going it’s going to be hard to stop!

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Game 5 @ Shelton

W: 24-0 (2-3)

What could better than getting on a bus for a road trip with your teammates for a game? (At 45 years old I can think of many things), but for a group of ten year olds you’d have thought they were in heaven! Very cool experience for the team and an opportunity for team bonding (and a lot of smelly people in a small area)!

The game started off slow with multiple turnovers by both teams and a huge touchdown run called back by a penalty that would have given us the early lead. However, G5 broke off huge chunk plays, (I thought Oliver was fast, but man can Hunter fly), recovered two fumbles and had an interception as well to highlight a very good defensive day. We even punted (and a good one at that) for the first time all season, and completed two big pass plays (Charney!!!!)

Jax played two new positions. For the first time all season he played at right tackle and middle linebacker, both very tough positions and be looked raw, but showed some potential at both. I was impressed with his ability to just go find someone to hit/suplex on the offensive line (at least it was before the whistle this time) and to find a gap and get into the backfield at MLB.

I hope he can get some more reps here in practice and before the season is over in games, because if we can harness the “JaxPlex” into a legal, aggressive style of play, I do think he’s going to be a very valuable piece to the team at these two new positions. Also, sprinkle in a few nice blocks as our best blocking wide receiver and add in a win and it was a very successful day for G5!

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Game 6 vs Cheshire

W: 19-36 (3-3)

We put together a dominate home victory over Cheshire by the score of 36-19 to even our season record at 3-3 with two regular season games remaining. The playoff push has begun.

At one point in the game we were up 30-6, but needed to pump the brakes a bit to ensure we did not go up more than that (league rules). But after some complaints by the other coaches and a few quick scores by Cheshire it was “all gas, no brakes.” The boys responded to playing multiple new positions during quick substitutions and played hard on every single play!

Jax played the most he has all season. He bulldozed some defenders off the offensive line and at one point was growling at defenders from his three point stance. Something his teammates got a kick out of. He was disruptive in the backfield from the middle linebacker position and also made his first tackle of the season.

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Game 7 vs Glastonbury

W: 30-6 (4-3)

Last year’s Glastonbury game came down to a last minute game winning pick six… this year we decided to make sure we didn’t need a score at the buzzer to win.

With playoff seeding on the line and a new offensive scheme coming together, the G5 Grizzlies had a statement game against a pretty good team. Glastonbury relies on teams to play undisciplined and hopes to eat the clock to prevent teams from running up the score.

With a defense that refused to fall for any tricky cadence, or hard counts and an offense that scored fast and often we took them out of their own game plan by the second quarter.

I was impressed with Jax at the middle linebacker spot again as we put in a new package that called for the MLB to creep to the line and blitz from his position. This play was called from the sideline and did not allow our linebackers much time to think about what to do. It called for discipline at the line of scrimmage to not jump offsides as they were about to rush the quarterback, all three of our middle linebackers (Oden, Jax and Theo) executed flawlessly and were able to get pressure on the QB, disrupt the play in the backfield and not be called for any neutral zone infractions.

Overall great game played and a great job by Jax being a leader, hyping up the team before the game and at halftime as well! I have enjoyed coaching him and watching him grow!

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Game 7 vs Newtown

L: 24-0 (4-4)

We ended the year with a tough loss to one of the best teams in the league. The really schemed well both offensively and defensively and we had little answer to anything they did.

At halftime the team looked downtrodden and had little life until a young man took the team on his back and gave a halftime speech for the ages. It was like Vince Lombardi and Al Pacino (from Any Given Sunday) wrote the speech in tandem for Jax to read. The team came to life and only let up 6 points in the entire second half and we sustained a few big drives. This gave us some life going into next week’s first round of the playoffs against… Newtown!

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Playoffs:

Round One: @ Newtown

L: 34-6

We held one of the best teams in the league to 12 points in the first half and we played without our starting quarterback/running back. In less than one week we installed a completely new offense and completely new defense. Talk about learning a lot in a very short period of time… our players took on the challenge and worked very hard to study their assignments. Players were playing brand new positions for the first time all season and for the first time in two years learned to play cover 2 zone defense. While those changes did not result in the outcome we wanted it showed our team has the ability to face challenges when faced with them.

At half time we, again we needed someone to step up and inspire our team to do more, we needed someone to put the team on their back…

Again, the same two players stepped up. Carter got the team up and going… and Jax finished the half time speech off like our team was going back out on the field for the second half of the Superbowl. I’ll take a LEADER over a follower all day long. Down by two touchdowns at halftime with heads hanging… this is the guy I want firing my team up!  Fraggle is a winner in my book today and everyday.

Jax played on kick off and kick return and put a shoulder into someone when he had the chance, he led one of our longest runs the of the game with a seal block from the wide receiver position and he was able to get in on defense at the linebacker position. He wanted to play more, he wanted to get in with 58 seconds left, he did not want the game to end… he did not want the season to end. That is what this season was about. The desire to play, to improve and want to work hard everyday to better himself. That is what this year became. While our season ended in a loss (as it always does for all but one team in sports), the season was a success. Jackson learned that it is he alone who can control who he becomes. It is not a teammate, a coaching staff, or one coach. It is him alone. 

I am beyond proud of what my son and my player did this season. I was not just a dad this season and I was not just a coach this season, I was both. Thank you Jackson and the entire G5 Team for inspiring me to be better this season too!

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Heavyweight Title Fight

We now have trees downright declaring war on society… mother nature has had enough of the pollution and littering so she is fighting back.  This tree isn’t going to stand idly by while deforestation continues on 24-7 like its no big deal.  As soon as I saw this video I started rubbing my eyes and my throat was as itchy as can be.

Two days after the trees began fighting back I lost my voice, my mother in-law is basically on bed rest and my son looks like he went eight rounds with Ivan Drago.

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I know that cancer and heart attacks are the number one and two killers in the world (and trust me I would know as my family has been ravaged by both for years), but pollen has to be running a close third.  I haven’t had bad allergies in ages, but all of a sudden I sound like Louis Armstrong and my eyes feel Mr. Fuji just threw a handful of salt in them.  I’ve sniffed enough saline nasal spray to send my sodium levels through the roof and seem to be immune to Claritin.

So yea.. I’d say mother nature is pissed… and she’s taking things into her own hands this time.

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⭐️ A Star Is Born ⭐️

The time has finally come. That time that every parent fears: their child’s school performance/play. I’ve seen so many of them as a teacher and principal and they, from that side are amazing. An opportunity to see 300 students whom you work with each day, who’ve you’ve seen grow abs improve each day, put it all together and show off their growth.  

Growth mindset, that’s what it’s all about as an educator. But as a parent. We want to see the end product. We want to see an end product from start to finish and then get the heck out of there. I don’t want to watch everyone else’s kids spin around in circles, or cry on stage. It’s uncomfortable for everyone. You feel bad for the teachers who have to don the kindergarten Three Little Pigs costume and be the only ones up on the stage to know the lyrics and Dane moves. There’s the parents who are standing just off to the side yelling stage directions to their child who they feel should be acting on the next Nick Jr. Hit show and you as the parent who’s just happy your kid hasn’t run off stage and peed in the bushes.  

Then there is the fact that you’ve worked a full day and have nothing in your stomach but a granola bar and three cups of coffee. All you want is every performance to last just long enough to snap a few pictures to stick on Instagram and time it so perfectly that it looks like your child knew every part of the play. Then you can set it as your profile picture on Facebook so it looks like you have the next Robert Deniro on your hands. The worst part though… the transition time in between class performances. Class A runs around the stage, the poor teachers looking like Rocky chasing that chicken. They might as well be herding cats. Poor Class B is having kids who are screaming and crying dragged onto stage so their parents can clap and wave. It’s painful to watch as 17 hours pass in between songs when all the audience wants is a smooths and quick transition like when Netflix only makes you only wait five seconds to watch the next episode. No time wasted, no one hurt, one class off… the next one on… everyone’s happy.  

However, there’s always that one child. The show-stealer, the ray of light, the savior. You know right away that they are meant to be on that stage… to bring entertainment to the masses. To bring joy and happiness to the masses as soon he/she takes the stage. It usually happens after a lull in the show. Maybe a few classes performed a nursery rhyme or too… maybe they just stood still and smiled. But then it happens… a child comes from the clouds and struts his stuff right to center stage. You can tell from that twinkle in their eyes that something special is about to happen. Then you hear the intro. The beat drops like your at an old school Notorious BIG concert. It’s the Lion King… you instantaneously know that child is going to put on a show like no other. “I just can’t wait to be king…” the perfect metaphor for what is about to go down. The king of the Pre-School Play is about to dominate the make shift stage in the center of the parking lot. 

… and that’s just what happens. It just so happens that the new king of the stage was my little boy. Jackson “Fred Astaire” Fragola. It started off slowly, and I could hear the crowd starting to chat amongst themselves. Then it happened, Jax sensing the crowd was in need of something to cheer for, stepped forward and put on a show for the ages. 

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The slow clap to get the crowd going, followed by the slow spin into the toe-tap (trip over his own feet) was stunning. The crowd began to buzz and you could see the adrenaline coursing through our new star’s veins. Our savior was here. The clouds parted. The bass seemed to get louder and the energy in the crowd was equal to a stadium full of tween girls at a Justin Bieber concert. 

A few more moves brought ohhhs and ahhhs… and then it happened. The half turn, the look-back smile… and the then… THE RUMP SHAKER! It was over, right then and there. He had officially taken over. The crowd lost their collective minds. It was pandemonium… 

…And then… just as quickly as it started, it all came to an end. With Jazz Hands and a smile… it was at that moment a true star was born. 

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The Eye of the Tiger

I’m so tired of everyone telling me how bad things are going to get.  

  • “Just wait…” 
  • “For now it’s easy, but not for long.”
  • “Enjoy it while you can, because it’s going to be a nightmare.”

Yea I get it. The second kid is harder. I mean listen I have a few college degrees… two is more than one. I understand the mathematics behind having a second child. But listen, I got this. I think we did a pretty damn good job with the first one. Can he be a pain in the butthole sometimes, of course… does he annoy me when he asks for the lights on, and then off, and then on, and then off… yeah… a little annoying I admit it. But listen he’s not even three yet. I’m ok with that. 

I’m sure things aren’t going to be easy forever. I’m sure I’ll look back at this blog and curse myself. But for now… things are running like a well oiled machine… I got this… every morning I wake up… stare these two kids right in there beady little eyes and quite the prophet Rocky Balboa: “You ain’t so bad, you ain’t so bad, you ain’t nothin’… I ain’t even breathin’ heavy.”

What my mornings look like these days.. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I7krz_Krn4k

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Five Things my Son Calls “Dah”

 
You imagine all these amazing milestones when you first learn you’re going to have a baby. First steps, food, words… Funny thing is it never winds up the way you thought.  His first steps are a few unstable stumbles and his first real food is some nasty combination of peas, zucchini and apples… But the first words… That’s what really throws you off.

1. Dah (Traslation: Dad)

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The original “Dah.” This one was easy; there’s not to much to figure out here.  “Dada” was his first word, so it’s not hard to figure out why “Dah” means dad.  I’m the first and I’m the best.

2. Dah (Translation: Dog or Buster or Max) 

Jax loves his brothers… I mean his “Dahs!” So much so he gets up to almost full speed and swan dives on top of them when he gets home everyday.  Coincidentally, “Dah” is also the same sound Busyer makes when Jax lands on top of him.

3. Dah (Translation: Toy) 

Doesn’t matter what toy… the singing donkey with two chewed off ears, the snail that gets body slammed daily, or the boxes he like to stack and then karate chop over… all referred to as “Dah”… Except for the creepy ass ride-on dog that asks “will you be my friend?”  That is not “Dah” that just makes the poor kid cry.

4. Dah (Translation: Book)  

I remember when he first laid eyes on a book… It was love at first sight… (If eating the pages and trying to rip the pages out equals love).  It took a lot of reading every night before bed… but now there is not a chance he goes to sleep with out us reading him a “Dah.”  As a teacher its pretty cool to see your son run to the book shelf and find his favorite book, take it out, hand it to you and yell “Dah”… now that I think about it… I wonder if “Dah” also means, “Please read me Chika Chika Boom Boom for the seven-thousandth time!!”

5. Dah (Translation: Yes)
So here’s the thing… Maybe he’s Rusian? maybe all the other words above are just his approval of the thing itself?  Maybe he’s just saying yes to everything… Is your dad the coolest dad in the world? “Dah!”  Do you want to swan dive off the couch onto your brothers?  “Dah!”  

On a side note every time I hear him say “Dah” I feel like it’s matter of moments before he turns into a Russian Bond Villian or I find out he was one of the extras in Rocky IV who were sent to keep an eye on Rocky while he trained.  

   
 

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He Got Game (Jax’ 1st Steps)

https://youtu.be/MyA5wCpUYTk

I’m not sure where I want to go with this one.  I could go a few ways… I could talk about how proud i am of my son for taking his first steps… I could talk about how sad I am that I wasnt there… or I could talk about how demanding of a walking coach Uncle Dustin is. Any of the three would accurately describe the video above.  Any of the three would be acceptable.  But if you have been reading this blog for any amount of time you know for a fact I am about to go on a tangent about my damn brother-in-law being a self-serving  communist, militant leader.

Yes I know Jax walked; yes I know that is a gigantic accomplishment. (Also means our lives as we know it are over)… But come on… Walking?  I mean how big of a deal is that?  I walk everyday.  I can walk while I’m half asleep from my bed to the bathroom and back with at least 65% accuracy.  I mean come on everyone walks… Get over it.  (Or cry a little everytime you watch the video like I do).

I’m more concerned right now at the fact that my brother-in-law has turned from a kind hearted uncle into a vicious human being, more concerned with outcomes than with the feelings and well being of his nephew.  I mean did you watch this video? Did you see the pressure he put on my son to do something he was clearly nervous about.  Ridiculous. Completely unnecessary.  Way to demanding.

He Got Game was clearly Dustin’s favorite movie.  He modeled himself after Jesus Shuttlesworth’s dad… Dustin is Denzel, Denzel is Dustin.  All the video above is missing is Uncle Dusty making Jax run suicides in the dark.

Jackson might as well be chasing a chicken in a fenced in parking lot instead of slowly learning how to walk.  Walking you say!?!!  He should be eating lightening and crapping thunder by now.

I guess we should be thankful he is growing up slowly but surely and just sit back and enjoy the process… As long as Uncle Dustin lets us!!!

Here is the whole video of his first steps:

https://youtu.be/cfT0H2umvSY

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The Dad Bod

This whole dad thing has been quite the adventure.  Everything from being responsible for another human being to learning how to work a baby bjourn has been a new and exciting experience. I love being a dad… But this whole internet trending of the so called “DadBod” is getting rediculous.  

The DadBod… The Dad Bod…. The Dad… Bod.  Really?  Seriously?  This is a thing now?  I’ve been working out for years, played college sports and now the “in thing” is eating pizza and skipping the gym for happy hour?  I call BS! 

I just don’t get it.  I don’t think (the dad bod) is something women think is good looking. I don’t think it’s something guys think is good looking. I think it’s something that a bunch of lonely dudes who eat pizza and haven’t seen the inside of a gym since they they watched Rocky V (which by the way was a terrible freaking movie, almost a franchise ruiner).  

Incase you didn’t know- I’m a dad.  I don’t have time for the gym… I barely have time to brush my damn teeth or go to the bathroom, most days, I usually only have time to pick one of those two!  But I make time for the gym a few days a week.  I mean I’m no longer an Olympic hurdler… I no longer eat grilled chicken and steamed vegetables for every meal.  But I’m not a “DadBod” kinda guy.  

 

Sure we both enjoy a good nap, but that’s only after a decent workout.

 

The DadBod is so much more than a stomach. Girls say they want a guy who can have some fun and doesn’t need to live in the gym right?  But are they ready for what comes with the DadBod… The DadBod is not just a lifestyle it’s a state of mind a religion if you don’t mind me saying.  You know… Just a guy laying around on the couch all weekend eating chips and picking lint out of their belly button… Watching Netflix in his boxers and an old Nirvana t-shirt… That’s the DadBod.  

You’re telling me that’s what women want? Get outta here.  I’m happy somewhere in the middle of the DadBod and the Calvin Klein model in tighty-whities who stares and judges me from the side of a bus ad.  

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#NapTimeFail

I am a not good at this whole nap thing.  Its been eight months and I still can’t get him to fall asleep.  Grammy can get him to fall asleep during an earthquake.  I can’t get him to fall asleep wrapped up in a swaddle, in the dark, when he is exhausted.  I feel like this is getting harder.  I don’t know how to tell when he is supposed to sleep and I sure as hell don’t know how to get him to go to sleep.

Nap time in this house is more like playtime and I just don’t get it.  I don’t understand why Jax won’t nap… All I want to do is nap these cold winter days.  I don’t think I take enough naps.  I wish my life still involved naps and watching movies all day with blankets covering the window.

I know you guys, especially you new parents, feel my pain.  I get home after the gym on a Saturday morning and I know there is 40,000 things I need to do around the house.  Nap time is what I wish for when it’s time to get home and start doing stuff.  Screw mopping the floors or picking up doggie dookie on the front lawn, I’d rather lay in bed all day and watch every Rocky movie in succession on TBS except for Rocky V, (I think I’ve seen this movie maybe once all the way threw it was so bad.)

Where does this kid get this from?  Why won’t he nap?  Why won’t he snuggle up next to the fireplace with his dad in a blanket fort and sleep our troubles away for the afternoon.  Nope he wants to do stuff, play with my face and look outside at stuff.

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Guess Ill have to nap on my own time.