Christmas Eve Traditional Lunch

Today we got together for our annual Christmas Eve lunch and the highlight was Benjamin reading to his Great Grandmother. This is something I will never forget. We are very proud of Benjamin.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Benjamin's Winter Show

Benjamin's school put on their annual Winter Show last Friday. His Transitional Kindergarten class performed two songs and joined in with the two Kindergarten classes on a third song.

They have been preparing for this show since October and it was nicely put together and I think Benjamin is a better dancer than his Dad is.







Let It Snow




White Christmas

Five Years!

This blog is five years old this month and Benjamin is also five years old. I decided to go back in the photo archives of Casa Benjamin and post the five pictures of Benjamin that mean the most to me. This was hard to do but I'm pleased with my selections.

Here was Benjamin during his first day in the world. He was cleaned up, fed and tucked away like a little bundle. I believe Weena was asleep when I took this shot so it was just Benjamin and I hanging out, getting to know one another.



This has long been a favorite of mine. Benjamin is almost two months old here and I was just amazed at him and couldn't believe how tiny he was when I got the idea to do a hand comparison.



I submitted this picture to The Washington Post shortly after Benjamin learned how to walk. At five years old he still assists his Lolo. Here is the note I sent to the Post.

A Good Soul Lends a Helping Hand
Just about the time he first learned to walk, my son, Benjamin, sensed there was something a little different about his grandfather, who is blind.

Benjamin watched as he maneuvered around the house with his cane. And then, with help from my wife and mother-in-law, he learned how to take him by the arm and escort him to the table for each meal. He does this with love and a smile.



February 2010, Benjamin was asked to be an escort at Marc and Julie's wedding so here he is escorting Madelyn down the aisle. He's very confident here. The truth is I only got one picture of this moment as I stood in the pew realizing that Benjamin is growing up so fast. Seeing this hit me hard and I got a little choked up watching him. Very proud moment.



April 2010 at his soccer session. The reason why I like this a lot is his smile. He's really enjoying himself here.

Ho Ho Ho!

Took Benjamin to see Santa Claus yesterday. Coming home from his daycare I played a little game with him saying I saw a shining star and I think that it could lead us to Santa. So I drove to the mall. He asked me what Santa was doing at the mall so I said he was checking his inventory system as he's got an unbelievable method of distributing toys to everyone around the world. He was a little shy but the picture came out pretty good.

Afterwards we went to a sports memorabilia store and got Redskin temporary tattoos and an Alex Ovechkin hockey card.

Benjamin's Halloween Parade

The annual Halloween Parade was held mid-morning at Benjamin's school. Weena was handling the camera duties and these were two I really liked. Benjamin opted to forego the Iron Man mask as you can see.

I was able to leave work at the last minute to attend. Nothing beats a mid-morning hug from your son after he discovered me in attendance.

They had a party afterwards and got nice goody bags. It was a great day. All I know is I never felt safer since we had a lot of Iron Men, Spider-Men, Transformers and Supermen there.

Happy 5th Birthday Benjamin!

Happy Birthday to my best pal Benjamin! At 9:51 AM on 10/25/05 you came into this world and made a lot of us very happy. I am proud to be your Dad.



Here he is celebrating at Chuck E Cheese yesterday. Benjamin's Uncle Bill took this classic shot.

Thank You Jaime Moreno

I wanted to get to RFK Stadium tonight for Jaime Moreno's last game for D.C. United but I've got a lot to do for Benjamin's fifth birthday celebration tomorrow, there just wasn't time.

In a way I'm glad I didn't make it down there as I would have probably bummed out. Sure, I would have loved to seen Jaime's last game and goal in person but part of me was wondering if this is the end for Ben Olsen and his tenure with D.C. United as well. Olsen starred for D.C. United from 1998 through last season. He retired and became an assistant coach for the team. In the middle of what was an awful season, he was named interim head coach.

So for this sports fan, it breaks my heart thinking of D.C. United without these two class acts but athletes and teams do move on. Took me awhile to get over Cal Ripken no longer being an Oriole and Darrell Green no longer being a Redskin. Maybe I'm just a sentimental fool, I don't know. Maybe that's why I love college sports so much. Four years max and those guys move on with their lives.

I'll never forget that '97 MLS Cup at RFK in the rain and in '99 when I road tripped to Foxboro, MA. Moreno was MVP in that '97 title game and Olsen was MVP in the '99 title game. Fond memories.

Since sobering up almost 22 years ago, sports has become a major part of my recovery. Rooting for the local team's up's and down's occupies a lot of time. Time spent not drinking. Seeing D.C. United from its beginning was very, very cool and Jaime was a major part of this league and team's history. He will be missed and I'm glad to have seen him play.





Jaime Moreno scores a goal in his final game, but D.C. United clinches its worst season with 3-2 loss to Toronto FC

Jaime Moreno timeline

Bat Monster's Soccer Action

Picked up a Nikon D90 from my Dad last week and used it during Benjamin's soccer session today. Hopefully I'll learn all the features and functions quickly.

Benjamin awaiting his practice session before his game.


Soccer pals.


Game on! Bat Monsters vs Rockets


Benjamin hustling for the ball.


Nothing gets by me!


Benjamin celebrates his first goal of the game.


Bat Monster Defense.


Benjamin the playmaker.


Benjamin's second goal of the game.


Last second clear, the Bat Monsters hold on to win 6-5!

Benjamin at Cox Farms

We took Benjamin to Cox Farms over the weekend. It was Summer like temperatures here in the DC area and we took advantage of the weather. Part of me wishes it was Fall weather in the mid-fifties but we had a lot of fun. Enjoy the pictures!