Wow. After seeing this, I couldn’t be happier that our kids have yet to show any interest in skateboarding. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time, but at least we’re safe for now…

(Don’t worry, it’s not bloody.)

Talk about a brutal crash. Ouch.

As an aside, if one of your colleagues says (in all seriousness) that he thought you were dead after a workplace mishap, you might want to think about getting into a new line of work.

Update: The original video was taken down. This one is still pretty good, although it doesn’t include the reverse-angle. Thus, it’s harder to see things like his shoes pop off when he lands.

Soccer season is just around the corner, so this is for all you soccer moms (and dads) out there. You know as well as I do that soccer game days can be very hectic. Wouldn’t you like to lose a bit of the chaos? Here’s how…

1. At the beginning of the season, tape each kid’s game schedule to the inside of a cupboard door. This makes it easily accessible and you will always know where to find it.

2. When writing the games in to your planner or on your calendar, use a color code system to keep siblings straight (e.g., blue for one kid’s games, red for another, and so on)

3. On the evening before, lay out each kid’s uniform, cleats, shin guards and ball on a chair. Each kid will then know exactly where everything can be found, and you’ll know that it’s clean and ready to go.

4. Place clean and empty water bottles by the kitchen sink in preparation for filling the following morning.

Follow these four simple guidelines for a less stressful day of soccer fun. I promise that 8AM game won’t be quite so hair raising. Have fun! Play hard!

Last night Son #2 had a soccer game. He plays in a local U8 rec league, and his team has been having a pretty rough season. They throw the teams together at random, and there’s a good bit of variation in talent across teams. Last fall he was on a great team that went undefeated, but this spring his team is winless. It’s partly due to inexperienced kids and partly due to an inexperienced and soft spoken coach. Regardless, he’s been having fun. But last night just about put me over the edge… [more]