Mother of the Year Candidate

Shelly deserves serious consideration for Mother of the Year.
On top of everything else she does for us, take a look at the work she's doing in Dimitri's room.

29 team (sorry Browns, Jaguars and Falcons) logos plus the NFL logo* will soon decorate his bedroom wall.

When the wall is complete it will join the football shaped rug, football shaped door handles on the closet, a Tom Brady jersey and several nerf footballs.

I may soon need a press pass to enter his room.

*I'm sure all re-use has been sanctioned by league authorities... there's no need to alert the NFL.

Christmas Program Prep

Dozens of kids. Hours of practice. One chance to get it right.
The kids were excited about the Children's Christmas Program at church and when Dimitri had the chance to help with the sound check he jumped at the chance.

Lunch with Da Boys

Trying something new this school year... having lunch with either Sofia or Dimitri every Friday.

One week we eat in the school cafeteria. The next week we go out.

Today is Dimitri's turn and, as an added bonus, Shelly and Dietrich could join us.

Apparently Dimitri got tired of listening to Mom and Dad talk... after 20 minutes in McDonald's his Happy Meal was down, the toy opened and he was ready to go back to school for the rest of recess! I guess we've crossed the point where is free lunch is fine but football with your buddies is better.

Flag Football Season

I'll admit it... I was disappointed when both Sofia and Dimitri decided not to play soccer this fall. Facing the prospect of not standing on the sidelines for the first time in four years left me down.

Then Dimitri started FCA flag football. The first practice was pure chaos. Trying to teach 10 boys where to stand, when to move and how to play looked impossible. But a week or two later, the "Cardinals" of Robert Frost Elementary started to click.



Player roles started to emerge. Some like defense, others like running the ball. Fortunately for Dimitri, his coaches were patient and helped him develop some quarterback skills.

The season turned out to be a blast! With the exception of the final weekend, the weather on Saturdays was warm and sunny. The Cardinals only had one regular season loss and they were the champions of a separate tournament.



It's encouraging to watch children learn lessons that not only apply to sports to life in general. During the last game, the grass and ball were both wet. Dimitri throw an interception that was returned for a touchdown on the very first play of the game.

The coaches let him quarterback the next series. First play... he fumbles.

Try it one more time.
Dimitri takes the snap, pump fake pass, tucks the ball and runs the length of the field for a touchdown!

It would have been so easy to give up, or hang his head or lose confidence.
But Dimitri kept trying - motivated by each setback - until it paid off.
Great lesson for all of us... no matter what the game.

It is a Done Deal

You held up your end of the deal by donating $1,700 by April 15th. On April 18th, I fulfilled my obligation by shaving my head.

Lisa Bolte has been cutting my hair for nearly 20 years so I thought she should have a little warning before I plopped into the chair and ask for a head shaving. We talked on the phone a few hours before my appointment and I explained the situation. "OH!" was all she could say. The pit in my stomach started to grow.

My good friend Rick Huffman, cohort during our days at KELO-TV, agreed (almost too eagerly) to document the deal with my camcorder. If you want to see the gory details, an edited version is on YouTube. Click on the link below to watch it.

At 4:30pm Friday we met at Signature Salon. 30 minutes later a big pile of black and gray lay on the floor with nothing more than a 5 o'clock shadow on my head. So far the response has been kind, and in one case, favorable. My son, Dimitri, thinks it's funny but good. My daughter, Sofia, is unimpressed and refuses to touch it.

Thanks to the generous donations of so many people the fundraising goal of $1,500 was met and surpassed. Thank you so very much for your willingness to help Doug Lee and his family during his fight against cancer.

I'll Shave My Head For $1,500

But there's a catch. I'll only do it if you help raise $1,500, or more, by April 15th for the Doug and Jan Lee Benefit Account.

In February 2008, Doug Lee was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Burkitt Lymphoma. It's an extremely aggressive form of cancer, requiring 18 weeks of chemotherapy.
Doug is a freelance videographer and photographer. He can't work during chemo and recovery. And when Doug can't work, he can't make any money to support his family or their business.

That's why I'm willing to shave my head if you and other friends together donate a minimum of $1,500. All of the money raised will go directly to the Doug and Jan Lee Benefit Fund.

But $1,499 won't do it! $1,500 or more must be donated through this site by April 15th or I won't sacrifice 4 decades of successful hair management. If the donations top $1,500 I promise to shave my melon and share the pictures no later than April 21st. Check back here to see a running total of the donations given to date.

Whether you are moved by the challenges facing the Lees or you are driven by the idea of seeing me bald, please make a donation today! And don't forget to forward this to all your friends. Thanks!

Sofia's Animal Report

Sofia has been busy preparing an animal report for school.
She choose the topic of sea otters.

Part of the assignment included reading the report in front of Mrs. Kranzler's 3rd grade class.
It went very well.

This morning Sofia read her report to me.
I'm very pleased with both her writting and her reading... especially considering the parade of distractions behind her.

Belly Laughs from Dietrich

For a long time I've wanted to catch Dietrich laughing and record him. Finally got the chance last night and this morning... he's in such a good mood.

It has to be one of the best sounds in the word. Enjoy!