Bennett's First Christmas

Bennett’s First Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and in the Valley of Vail,
Not a computer was on – no facebook, twitter or email.
The skis, boots, and poles were all hung in the garage.
The area spas were all dark -- so no more massage.

Bennett was nestled all snug in his crib.
He knew not of Christmas, which made him feel glib.
Karah in her flannel and I in my boxer-brief,
Had put our heads on our pillows and felt the relief.

When out on Eagle-Vail Golf Course I heard a loud racket.
It had to startle everyone (wealthy, middle class, & ski bums) -- no matter their tax bracket.
Away to the cul-du-sac I ran in a hurry.
I saw a red light in the distance, but it was quite blurry.

I went back in the house and put my son in the bjorn.
I could not go check out this epic event without my firstborn.
Karah decided that she should come with.
She’d often thought this Claus story was simply a myth.

We arrived at the 1st hole, and what did we see?
A 9 harnessed deer tangled around a pine tree.
The red nose of Rudolf, helped us to survey the scene
There was a big problem that no one could’ve foreseen.

Many long nights at the North Pole lead to Christmas Day.
The big jolly guy must have fallen asleep at the sleigh.
I asked, “What happened, Santa? Do you need more caffeine?”
He said, “I just wrecked the ride I’ve been driving since I was 16.”

“I’m getting quite old and it’s time to retire.
I’ve tried to sell this delivery business, but I can’t find a buyer.
I’d prefer to not leave the house at all when it is snowing.
But, it is little kids like your son there that keep me going.”

I handed Bennett to Mr. Claus so we could get him on his way.
Karah and I untangled the reindeer and uprighted his sleigh.
Bennett played with his white beard and made Santa laugh.
Santa said, “I saw you on Halloween. You made a cute giraffe.”

Bennett and Santa had become fast friends.
Karah and I finished picking up the toys and his odd and ends.
I looked over and inquired, “Santa, are you okay to fly?”
He was running late – that’s what I was trying to imply.

He chuckled, “I feel great. Thank you for responding!
Bennett and I have just been doing some bonding.
I’ve seen him when he’s sleeping, I know when he’s awake.
I know that he’s a good boy. Raising him must be a piece of cake!”

Karah and I grinned and he handed our son back.
The reindeer were getting antsy and the night was still pitch black.
Everyone was ready – Donner, Vixen and Dasher --
5 other deer I cannot name and Rudy with his nasal flasher.

Santa said, “How am I to thank you? You are too nice!”
Karah responded, “We’re happy to help. A small gift for Bennett would suffice.”
Santa reached in to his bag and looked for just the right gift.
He really took his time -- his actions were not swift.

He looked up at our son. Bennett got excited and smiled.
But, it seemed as though he had nothing for our little child.
Santa looked embarrassed as he stated, “I must leave.”
I guess it is better to give than to receive.

We watched as this odd crew took off into the night.
Deer and a sleigh are just not synonymous with flight.
We walked back to our warm house at 106 Deer Run.
We’d not forget this strange night or what we had done.

We opened the door . . . But, what the heck is this?
It was a front room full of snow-covered Christmas gifts.
I grabbed and read a note to see if this was all a trick.
The card just read, “Love - your new friend, St. Nick!”

I doubt Bennett will remember what happened on this night.
How we happened upon the wreckage and helped Santa with his plight.
When I tell him the story in the future, if it seems like it’s unclear,
I’ll say, “It is the magic of Christmas. It happens every year.”

Nothing but the tooth

Not toothless . . . still Ruthless

• Bennett better wish for a toothbrush and floss for Christmas because his first tooth started peaking through this week.
• Anyone seen Santa?  We need to track him down today so Bennett can get a picture and yank on his beard. 
• The little guy does some serious kicking and flopping in his crib. I went to check on him last night and found a leg sticking outside the friendly confines.  (No blankets, No ACL damage):

  

Thumb war

Christmas Dog
by Shel Silverstein

Tonight's my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleeping all cozy upstairs,
While I'm guardin' the stockin's and tree.

What's that now---footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who's this down the chimney?
A thief with a beard--- And a big sack for robbin' the house?

I'm barkin', I'm growlin', I'm bitin' his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I've frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again.
The stockin's are safe as can be.
Won't the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow
And see how I've guarded the tree.

• Bennett is now in his 7th month.  Since we last spoke, he's started sitting up on his own and motors around the hardwood floors in his walker (he thinks it's an Indy car - speeding, shifting, and maneuvering around hairpin corners). 
• I had so much fun buying Bennett's first Christmas present from Dad (not sure I can or will stop with one).  I trust it is something that he'll have forever (it's a secret, I'll tell you later).  
• We need to line up a picture with Santa Claus.  He's starting to develop a touch of stranger anxiety (so the photo might involve a projecting lower lip), we'll see how he accepts Nicholas and his curly beard.
• Bennett usually reserves his thumb for sleepy time, but last week he used it for an appetizer:

 

Remembering Your Childhood Dreams

http://dankennedy.com/blog/small-business-success-tips/remembering-your-childhood-dreams/

Beatbox & eatin' socks

• Bennett has gotten to be pretty rowdy in his crib.  I just walked into his bed room and he had taken both his socks off and had one of them in his mouth (we've had several incidents of Brux gobbling up socks, but I never expected this of Bennett).  Karah found him fast asleep one morning this week turned sideways with both legs hanging out the railing of the crib.  These stuffed animals are usually assembled in a very orderly manner in the corner of his crib (no surprise if you know his mom).  He turned it into a steel cage pro wrestling match:




The Ultimate Warrior


• Bennett taught himself to "beatbox" this week (if he's got the beats, I got the rhymes. Dad and Bennett D always have good times.)  I'm going to have to get him a pair of turntables and a microphone for Christmas:

• He might be aspiring to this: 

• I've discovered I can do a pretty solid Elmo impersonation.  Bennett thinks it's hilarious.
• A few recent photos:  

Watching the game with Dad.  Go Big Red!



Thanksgiving dinner with Mom. 
Up the Creek in Vail



Crocodile Hunter



Josiah's Time

Don't quit

• Today I was trying to capture some "roll over" footage.  (As usual) When the camera is rolling, Bennett stops performing whatever activity we are trying to capture.  I was about to put the camera down, but decided to first lay down a challenge.  I hope he's always this coachable: 

"You givin' up?"

• Reminded me of a poem:  

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor's cup,

And he learned too late when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

• And an incredible speech:

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up!"

Skype hype

• Bennett has recently learned to "skype" with his family in Nebraska.  Here's what our webcam view looks like: 

What Bennett sees when he's skyping to Elkhorn.
Back row:  Cousin Ben, Aunt Katie, Grandma Linda
Front row: Uncle Matt & Gido Joe


• Odd fact (and bad timing):  I don't change most of Bennett's diapers . . .But most of the diapers I change are dirty ("a crapsack").
• Bennett is taking is 6 month growth and tricks seriously . . . In the past couple of weeks he's hung up the phone on Grandma Linda, turned the channel when daddy was watching TV, damn near rolled off the bed and couch, and is motoring all over the house in his walker.  He's also very interactive and likes to tease back now.  
•  He's been recently introduced to Cereal and some Sweet Pea & Garden Green Bean mush.
• No teeth yet (and we all know the world needs more teeth :))
• A couple of quotes that were in my Franklin-Covey planner pages yesterday:
• In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. - Ann Landers
• Too often parents are also trapped in the management paradigm, thinking of control, efficiency, and rules instead of direction, purpose, and family feeling.  -The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, pg. 103

1/2

• We put Bennett to bed on his back last night and he woke up on his belly (much to his mom's dismay).  We are assuming he rolled over  (But, there are no witnesses and he will not confirm or deny the event).
• Born on 5/5, Bennett's .5 today (aka 6 months old).
• Bennett is being cast in a movie.  It's a Mexican spoof of Oliver Stone's (and Tom Cruise's) Born on the Forth of July (ca. 1989) . . . it's called Born on El Cinco de Mayo.  (BTW, That's complete B.S. (aka jk)).
• Bennett had his 6 month doctor's visit today.  He's 19.0 lbs. and 27.75" long.
• Bennett had his first round of vaccinations today.  Ya, ya we're starting late and a still quite skeptical about injecting our child will all that cure (insert your tree-hugging, organic, Colorado jokes here).  He took that needle in the quad like and champ with nary a tear (but mom left the room, so there was more pressure to "be a man" about it). 
• Future attractions - Milestones this month:
  •Your baby now can sit on his own.
  •He rocks and pivots while lying on his stomach.
  •Baby can roll from his back onto his stomach–and back again.
  •He digs his fingers and toes into the floor to push himself toward a favorite toy.
  •Baby can eat a cracker.
  •He can pick up cereal or other small objects.
  •Baby has more than doubled his birth weight.
  •He can say vowel-consonant combinations.
  •Baby expresses unhappiness when an object or toy is taken away.
  •He can pass objects from one hand to another.
  •Baby looks for dropped toys.
  •He has discovered himself in the mirror, and loves having conversations with this new little friend.

3 Longnecks

Bennett's first Halloween

Can you see us?

There's some nice tail!

Eating your young???

We've gotta STOP!

This is a unreal speech . . . a great perspective for Dads and everyone

The Tao of Laughter

• I was just revisiting a book (that I had started and not finished a few months ago), "The Parents Tao Te Ching".  In the forward, Dan Millman (author of The Way of the Peaceful Warrior) makes an impactful statement about the power and responsibility of being a parent:

Few things in this world are as important as raising children.  In every age, every era, every time and place, children are our treasures, our future, our immortality -- the vital link in the chain of humanity.  What better form of service?  What better charity to whom we might give of our wealth, our hands, and our hearts?  Children remind us of who we were and who we may yet become.  They are our innocence, our purity, our potential. 

• Somebody's ticklish (who needs elmo?):

long drives and longhorns

• We logged over 1200 miles this weekend . . . drove from here to Lexington on Thursday and from Lexington to Lincoln on Friday . . . and all the way home yesterday.  Bennett (and Brux) does quite well in the car.
• I was able to have Mom's home cooking for lunch and Grandma's home cooking for dinner (killer coconut cream pie!!!) on my birthday Friday.  Karah and I saw lots of friends and family while in Lincoln and had a great time despite the "L" to the Longhorns. 

• Bennett got to spend 2 nights on the farm without his parents (Freedom!).  It's probably the first time in 30 years Joe and Linda had to watch a baby overnight(s).  It was also the first time Karah had been away from Bennett overnight.  All parties (grandparents, parents, and child) survived without injury. 




Bennett and his Gido


• Brux had a hell of a good time at the Bar Ten Kennel while we were in Lincoln.  As a side note, Bruxy has a surgery tomorrow to remove a mass from his chest (he's also getting his teeth cleaned - attack the plaque!  I'd do it myself if I could get him to sit still for a millisecond).  We are hoping no exciting news comes back with the pathology report. 
• Karah has had exclusive rights to Bennett baths . . . until tonight.  I got him all cleaned up while K and Brux ran errands.  The kid loves the water! 
• Bennett is getting this jumping thing down now: 



Anger Management, Dudesday, and Thumbs up

• I brag quite a bit about how happy and content Bennett is.  Glaring exception:  LAST NIGHT.  Karah and I took turns trying to appease a screaming baby from 7 pm to 10 pm.  It just wasn't his night (kind of like Favre . . . nice pick 6 in the 4th quarter, Brett).  We tried everything - singing, dancing, the curious george video, feeding, more feeding (even white wine and beer - for us not him, of course).  Finally, Karah defeated the angry monster after 3 hours and put him to bed.  Dad went to bed licking his wounds. 
• Professor Karah has been teaching at Colorado Mountain College on Tuesdays.  That leaves Bennett, Brux, and I at home.  We affectionately call it "Dudesday". 
• Karah busted Bennett sucking his thumb today . . . just like his dear old dad would have been doing 35 years ago:

Chip off the old block

Gimme 5

- As I write this, it's almost 10:10 AM on 10/10/10 . . . but we are going to talk about 5.  Bennett was born on 5/5 and therefore turned 5 months old last week (on the 5th . . . obviously (Karah, I hope you appreciate that I worked a Ricky Gervais reference into this blog)).  Milestones this month:
•Your baby is able to reach accurately for an object.
•He can hold his head steady when sitting upright.
•Baby can raise his chest with arm support while lying on his stomach.
•He can roll over in one direction.
•Baby can grasp a rattle.
•He pays attention to very small objects.
•Baby squeals with delight.
•He spontaneously smiles.
•Baby mimics sounds and gestures.
•He turns towards the source of a sound or voice.
•Baby gets attention by babbling.
•He makes different sounds for different needs.

- Speaking of 5 . . . Nebraska is 5-0 and very well could be #5 in the polls today (and has an explosive offense with #5 on the bench).  This week, we are driving over 500 miles to Lincoln to watch the Huskers vs. the Longhorns.  I digress. 

- A second attempt (yesterday) at quasi-solid food went much better than the 1st:

- It kind of reminds me of a TV commercial from my youth:



Take me to the river

It wasn't the Jordan River (thank goodness, because it's contaminated with sewage I hear) . . . but it was a spectacular setting for Bennett's baptism.  Outside Beaver Creek Chapel is a stream (one would assume called Beaver Creek).  I thought it would be appropriate for a baptism to take place in the natural charm of this area (Pastor thought I was joking).  Yesterday was a perfect autumn day with the relaxing sound of the creek passing over the rocks and the golden trees as the backdrop (and Bennett didn't  even mind the snow melt being poured on his head). 

   
Bennett was surrounded with those that love him most (and coincidentally decided he would fight sleep for the better part of 4 days). 



Lobsters & Monkeys

• Bennett had is 4 month check on Friday (albeit a few weeks tardy).  He weighed 17.2 lbs and was 27.5".  That makes him a:

• When Bennett is screaming and all else has failed to stop the madness, I've found my "ace in the hole".  Bennett and I call it the "Monkey Video" and it has a miraculous calming effect:

• I figured tonight was the night that I'd start strategizing for Bennett's first Halloween.  The lobster costume is a definite front runner:

• We've been a sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head household this weekend.  Bennett had an especially rough day yesterday (not even the monkey video worked).  But, thanks to a humidifier and a good night's sleep . . . he was a new man today!



Love Without End, Amen

- I jumped in the Jeep this evening to go to the gym.  I don't usually (I mean, ever) listen to country music.  But, Karah had gone to the grocery store this morning and left the radio on a local honky tonk station.  The irony is that when I started the car, this classic song about being a Dad was playing:

- I was a bachelor (as was Brux) on Thursday and Friday night. Karah and Bennett went to Kansas. On Friday and Saturday morning I woke up to a sound I haven't heard in quite a while -- pure silence.  Quite frankly, I prefer the baby talk, laughter, and even the crying.

- Lately, Bennett's "talking" has found the highest of the high pitches . . . and LOUD.  Also, he's become quite the bubble maker (Lawerence Welk would be jealous):

- Karah mixed up some rice cereal (it didn't snap, crackle or pop) for Bennett today.  As for his first spoonfuls (from a baby spoon I once used) of semi-solid food -- not a fan: 

- Bennett isn't exactly Jordanesque in this jumper . . . But, he loves it nonetheless.  Thank you Wright family!:

the wisdom of a baby

‎"Be like that baby you once were in terms of being joyful. You don't need a reason to be happy...your desire to be so is sufficient."

- Dr. Wayne Dyer

National Day of Service and Remembrance

Bennett,

When I woke up this morning, my initial thought was “this is September 11th”. My very next thought was, “I am so sorry that my son won’t know life before 9/11”. You see, son, 10 years ago there was no war in Afghanistan, no war in Iraq. There were two beautiful buildings in New York that looked like this:

Now it looks like this:

Thousands of American troops have died (not to mention the tens of thousands of “enemies” that have lost their lives). The “War on Terror” has costs us $1,078,433,915,021 at the moment (talk about terrifying).

Your great-grandfather, Bob, was a medic in WWII. If there ever was a necessary war . . . it was that one. Yet, ten years ago he told me “there is no such thing as a good reason to go to war.” I didn’t agree with him at the time. I’m starting to think he was right.

In this post-9/11 era, your overspending, overtaxing, overpowered government won’t be of much help to you . . . I’m afraid. They seem to be much more worried about steroids in baseball, cronyism with big business, and covering up the truth about one of the most noble Americans ever. Likewise, you may find that religion can be equally radical and ridiculous.

Politics and Religion . . . touchy subjects. Here’s your first lesson in both (and it may be all you need to know about them).

1. As a free man in a free country, you have “unalienable rights” such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Again, I say, pursuit of happiness. It’s not the government’s job to provide (a job, money, happiness) for you. If they ever try to give you happiness or take it away, politely decline (exception: pay your taxes, regardless of how you feel (but have a good accountant that will help you minimize them)).

• Have a relentless pursuit towards your own happiness (just don’t impede others from the same pursuit . . . especially, me).

2. Avoid any religious belief that separates you from others. There is no reason to fight (or take down skyscrapers full of) people that don’t worship as you. There’s more than one way to skin a cat (so I’m told. Never tried). Similarly, there is more than one way to practice faith and religion. You may find that in a church, a synagogue, a mosque, a temple, a meditation mat or a hike through the woods. It’s up to you.

• Always (as hard as it sometimes is) practice the ethic of reciprocity. Take your pick:
• Buddhism - Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.  Udana-Varga 5,1
• Christianity - All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1
• Confucianism - Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state.  Analects 12:2
• Hinduism - This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.  Mahabharata 5,1517
• Islam - No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.  Sunnah
• Judaism - What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3id
• Taoism - Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
• Zoroastrianism - That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself.  Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5

"Every religion emphasizes human improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other people's suffering. On these lines every religion had more or less the same viewpoint and the same goal." - Dalai Lama

Today is Patriots' Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.  I hope you always find this a day of charitable unity and volunteerism. 

Blessings to you, son,

Dad
9/11/10

Bennett, what does the world expect of you?

Struggle

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."

- Frederick Douglass

4 Mo

Hi.  It's Bennett.  I want to tell you about my exciting weekend.

On Saturday, everyone in the house wore red and I watched the Huskers for the first time.  It was fun for me.  But, Dad was acting very strange.  He kept getting happy and mad, happy and mad and singing "There is no place like Nebraska."  And I'm not sure why they call it football since the ball is usually in somebody's hands. 

Game time

Huskered out

Check out my new set of wheels.  Mom bought them at a garage sale on Saturday.

On Sunday I went to the duck race in Vail.  There were so many rubber duckies in the creek, I couldn't find mine.  I was kinda bummed because someone else won my $3000 prize.  Maybe next year. 

Today is Labor Day.  Dad says he is going to teach me about work ethic (funny because he didn't go to work today).  Mom says she is going to teach me about how she pushed me into this world. 

I turned 4 months old yesterday.  This is what the "experts" say I need to accomplish this month(I've already done many of them.  Please let me set my own goals):

•squeal and laugh with delight
•make "raspberry" sounds with lips
•experiment by making new sounds
•make sounds in response to parents
•track moving objects as his head and neck development work together
•roll over—usually from front to back—as muscles continue to develop
•raise up on straightened arms while lying on her tummy, looking all around as neck muscles strengthen
•grasp a rattle with stronger hand muscles
•bear weight on both legs
•start to sleep through the night
•begin to show interest in solid foods by reaching for mom and dad's food at the table or other food in her line of sight
 
I gotta go.  I can barely keep my eyes open - naptime! 

Frog Legs

• Our friend, Cathy Sterling (fellow Army dentist in Italy), sent this cool gift this week. Bennett will be splashing in the puddles and creeks before we know it.



Frog Legs

• Let’s examine this lullaby (more like lull-a-bye):

Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all

So, the baby and the cradle are in the top of the tree (for some reason???). The lullaby warns the baby to prepare himself (or herself) for a fierce wind that will break the limb that his (or her) bed (I hope it has a warning label on it) rocks on. Then, the baby will topple from the top of the tree. What’s the aftermath?  That “sleepy” song cruelly leaves it up to the baby’s imagination.  Better say your prayers, baby.  (Maybe this one . . . scary prayer)

• 
  
  Can I just say that I jealous of my son's general sleep patterns?  He often goes to sleep smiling.  He often wakes up smiling.  And when he does sleep . . . he has the most peaceful appearance I've ever seen.  (Hence, the cliche:  sleeps like a baby, I guess).

• What ticks Bennett off?  He now hates to be burped (he'll make his body stiff as a board and then yells like a drill instructor).  He becomes a jerk when he's hungry (but what guy doesn't?  Guilty!).  And sometimes he fights sleep like Muhammad Ali (and gets as angry as a hornet in the process). 

The Scream

• This afternoon, Karah was lying on the floor and had Bennett sitting on her stomach.  Brux decides to capitalize on these two indefensible souls and move in for some "kisses".  He starts with Karah and then moves to Bennett.  Bennett quickly reached his threshold with Brux and let out a high-pitched noise I've never heard come from those lungs.  It was a scream (unlike Roger Daltrey in "Won't Get Fooled Again") of a teenage girl in a horror flick.  Brux got the point (and I about rolled on the floor with laughter).
• Speaking of chuckles . . . recently, Bennett has really been making Karah and me feel like they'd put us on stage at the Laugh Factory:

Life changes

• Last night I was resorting to music (again) to get Bennett to sleep.  Colin Hay (of Men at Work fame) was playing on my itunes (again).  "Waiting For My Real Life to Begin" came on:

• 
  
  I suddenly realized that I've spent most my life "waiting for my real life to begin."  Every chapter of my life (high school, college, dental school, Army, North Carolina), I've had a sense that I wouldn't really be "here" for long.  I enjoyed the journey and learned powerful lessons from each stop along the way.  Now that I'm a Dad -- working in my own business and living in a dream location . . . I have a sense that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing (for a very long time). 
• 
  
  As an example of how much our life has changed in the last few years:

From 2003-2007 we lived in Europe.  We attended a few Tours de France.  Therefore, TT stood for

Time Trial

From 2007-2009, we lived in North Carolina.  Karah drove a little roadster.  So, TT was an

Audi TT

Now, we are living in Colorado. Being new parents, TT stands for

Tummy Time!

• 
  
  Here's a snapshot of what my "real life" looks like:

May I have your attention please? Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?

 

Hi! My name is.. (what?) My name is.. (who?)

My name is.. [scratches] Bennett Maloley

Cirque du Soleil training or Spinning Baby Syndrome or Worst Dad Ever

Worst Dad Ever - Watch more Funny Videos

Men at work

• Sometimes song is the only thing that can pull Bennett out of the screams.  Since I don't know any lullabies (per se) I have to resort to a myriad of top 40 (once upon a time) tunes (or early 90's gangsta rap).  Today Bennett was fighting sleep and I resorted to Men at Work (ironically, Karah was gone and it was just the guys at home . . . get it?  Men at Work??  Nevermind.).  Anyway, Dad singing Overkill was finally what got him in the crib:

I can't get to sleep

I think about the implications

Of diving in too deep

And possibly the complications

Especially at night

I worry over situations

I know I'll be alright

It's just Overkill

• 
  
  Incidentally, this is my favorite scene from my favorite TV show:

• 
  
  Another cool Scrubs (ironically, I wore scrubs to work today) musical scene (I digress):

• 
  
  What's cooler than being cool?  (Ice cold!) 

Yo, Coach Pelini. Check me out.

Bennett D. Maloley

Weakside Defensive End
Avon, Colorado

Ht:  2'
Wt: 15 lbs
40:  ???
Vertical Jump:  ????
Class:  2028

Happy Birthday Gido!

Today is my Grandad's birthday.  Guess how old he is. 

I love you, Gido!

- Bennett

The Cape

One of my fatherhood goals . . . to teach Bennett to "trust his cape"

"He did not know he could not fly and so he did"

Sippin on Gin and Juice

• Again, we packed up the kid and dog (and accompanying accessories) in the family truckster and headed east (Just like Smokey and the Bandit . . . Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin' ).  This time to St. Francis, USA (as good as it gets). 

• Ever been to the Cheyenne County fair (a.k.a. Fair)?  I have . . . and the parade too.  Jealous?



Fair



Parade
Thanks to Lampe Hardware, Inc for a little shade.

• The St. Francis Amusement Authority consists of 10 board members. Their goal is to provide a fun and safe environment for families at the Cheyenne County fair. Volunteers are always welcomed.
• Amusement Authority . . . is that like mandatory fun?
• What happened at Fair? . . . Karah chatted (and played nickles and chatted), Bennett slept, and I maintained the stroller.  A special thanks to the other "extra", Bennett's cousin Wil (he played the teenager who's "grown since the last time I saw you."). 
• Brux had reservations at the Holidog Inn on Saturday.
• Bennett met his other Great Grandma, Meta, this weekend:

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  Karah celebrated her 36th on Sunday:

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  I love my son:

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  Karah had a United Way board meeting this morning . . . sooo, I got to take Bennett to work with me.  Super fun!
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  Snoop (D-O-Double G, ya see) is a wise dad (a.k.a wizzle dizzle):