tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386240842012-01-25T04:38:14.213-05:00Being a father isn't always easy, but then again, neither is fantasy football.Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-14652092253175966072012-01-13T15:46:00.003-05:002012-01-13T16:25:12.867-05:002012-01-13T16:25:12.867-05:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com6I never lose anything, other than loads of money in annual fantasy sports leagues, so when the girls and I were packing up to bring a picnic-style lunch to my wife's office and I couldn't find my keys, I reacted like this. Let me explain: The day...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/hWj3tspQu80" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2012/01/curious-case-of-missing-keys-csi-klems.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-13394133111993695782011-12-31T10:57:00.006-05:002011-12-31T22:38:46.721-05:002011-12-31T22:38:46.721-05:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com14I'm worn out. Completely worn out. I'm not sure whether it's lack of sleep, dehydration or Nintendo thumb, but 2011 really beat me up. I have more aches in my bones than ever before and I'm pretty sure that the only one sleeping at naptime these days is...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/jqEp-U8b2l8" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-2012-is-going-to-be-amazing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-64868516817380508532011-12-16T14:04:00.004-05:002011-12-16T14:36:26.947-05:002011-12-16T14:36:26.947-05:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com2Santa Claus North Pole cc: mrs.claus@gmail.com Dear Santa, How's it going at The North Pole? Participated in any flash mobs this year? Based on the increased number of Christmas specials on TBS, I'd have to think you have royalty checks overflowing...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/PZWqlwx-7_Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-letter-of-recommendation-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-70612611773978807442011-12-01T23:49:00.006-05:002011-12-02T10:11:05.153-05:002011-12-02T10:11:05.153-05:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com5When people dream about having babies, they only think about the fun things, like squeezing their cheeks and using them to practice ventriloquism. They don't spend much time focusing on the tough parts of parenting, specifically changing diapers. From...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/bUccXmvcRes" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/12/5-levels-of-dirty-diapers-how-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-37371173793527654462011-11-24T12:22:00.000-05:002011-11-24T12:22:07.097-05:002011-11-24T12:22:07.097-05:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com1I'm thankful for a lot of things, including great friends, a caring family, loyal blog readers and very, very kind commenters. I asked my girls what they are most thankful for this Thanksgiving, and they dug deep in their hearts and both agreed that it...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/MSSSxKIkq6c" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-thanksgiving.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-54631781275141980702011-11-16T01:32:00.011-05:002011-11-22T14:41:55.903-05:002011-11-22T14:41:55.903-05:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com19Too many things are often left unsaid, like "I love you" or "I appreciate you" or "I admit it, Toy Story 3 made me cry." In the wake of losing my Dad and my sister-in-law, I've been left completely shaken, worried that something could happen to me (like...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/lkm7x5btXMk" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/11/if-i-die-tomorrow-i-want-you-to-know.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-77497968510137438962011-10-31T14:21:00.003-04:002011-10-31T15:26:49.855-04:002011-10-31T15:26:49.855-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com16Thanks to Disney, Halloween is not scary anymore. It's true. Nearly every little girl under the age of 9 turns down the chance to dress as something spooky, like a witch or a ghost or your mother-in-law, and instead chooses to be something cuddly like...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/yhCTEmWV2PI" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/10/did-disney-ruin-your-halloween-too.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-45504449491018030402011-10-13T10:02:00.000-04:002011-10-13T15:35:57.064-04:002011-10-13T15:35:57.064-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com3My house is overflowing with Toys. Dolls, blocks, doctor kits, Tinkerbell phones, Mr. Potato Heads, magnetic letters for the fridge—you name it, I've stepped on it. Our house holds so many Toys that we are considering buying a second house just so we...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/LIDoPsFMFpM" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/10/dads-vs-toys-which-do-kids-prefer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-40787665685498824842011-10-03T16:35:00.000-04:002011-10-03T16:35:59.622-04:002011-10-03T16:35:59.622-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com2Stress is the worst. It causes your hair to change colors. It causes you to feel so sick to your stomach that you can't eat and yet, somehow, gain weight at the same time. It makes you want to haul off and slap someone whether they deserve it or not—and...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/ch51E6JxrGA" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/10/parenting-and-stress.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-82762756849715030442011-09-29T18:55:00.000-04:002011-09-29T18:55:38.056-04:002011-09-29T18:55:38.056-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com0Hey Life of Dadders ... I was recently featured on The Parent du Jour as part of their "A Dad a Day" project. They asked me some pretty tough questions and I answered them as well as I possibly could without sounding like a complete...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/ZekHHbvy_L4" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/09/parent-du-jour.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-62804740514958210692011-09-15T20:27:00.000-04:002011-09-16T07:58:21.651-04:002011-09-16T07:58:21.651-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com3I have Opening Day traditions and Christmas traditions and Softball traditions (like enjoying the sweet, sweet taste of a Strikeout Beer 1), but I've never really had a "First Day of School" tradition. Both of my parents were scrambling to get me and my...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/Lt1t_yszkW4" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-day-of-school-traditions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-27644236804019536312011-09-03T12:55:00.000-04:002011-09-15T13:36:26.871-04:002011-09-15T13:36:26.871-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com7You've witnessed a lot of firsts in your child's life—the first time she walked, the first time she talked, the first time she sneezed in your mouth. Your heart melted the morning when she first said "I love you," and you cried the first afternoon that...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/daY0hneKCb4" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2010/09/4-lessons-preschool-teaches-dads-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-62587516597275925442011-08-31T22:01:00.005-04:002011-11-07T16:47:42.634-05:002011-11-07T16:47:42.634-05:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com18My daughters are incredibly lucky because they have three amazing aunts. They have my wife's youngest sister, Aunt Melanie, who is a professional photographer and is constantly taking great pictures of our kids. They have my sister, Aunt Jennie, who is a...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/Ivs27UrC5ZM" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/08/everyone-needs-aunt-ali.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-48126589631853405502011-08-15T09:43:00.003-04:002011-08-15T10:14:35.416-04:002011-08-15T10:14:35.416-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com8Dads have a lot of responsibilities. We set examples. We squash bugs. We coach third. We check the closets for monsters every night and assure our kids that it's safe to go to bed. These duties earn us love, admiration and respect around the house. They...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/jJwUgxnyDMU" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/08/note-to-dads-who-have-daughters-get.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-70753061267240545482011-08-05T11:05:00.004-04:002011-08-05T11:07:51.299-04:002011-08-05T11:07:51.299-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com6Twister is a dangerous, dangerous game. Don't let the bright colors, the fun spinny do-hickey and the smiles on your kids' faces deceive you. Don't let the fact that it doesn't ask you to do impossible tasks like draw pictures or spell words or add up...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/zXwiXLJBwrA" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-twister-is-dangerous-game-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-2563087701876841782011-07-22T15:25:00.003-04:002011-07-22T21:47:30.280-04:002011-07-22T21:47:30.280-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com6Every summer our backyard transforms from "place we park our cars" into "Club Klems," an exclusive membership-only water park where dreams magically come true and cell phones unintentionally get waterlogged. The hours are very sporadic. Sometimes it's...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/WKSi99U07Uk" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/07/7-essentials-of-backyard-swim-club.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-65968049885863511952011-07-13T21:46:00.001-04:002011-07-14T13:39:58.031-04:002011-07-14T13:39:58.031-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com7This weekend my eldest daughter turns 4. Capital F.O.U.R. This means she's been a part of my life just as long as I was in high school. Just as long as I was in college. Just as long as Joey Votto has worn a Reds hat (which may explain why he's her...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/_QlcS9CtCFc" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/07/when-your-baby-is-no-longer-baby.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-74439338542133019222011-06-30T08:34:00.053-04:002011-07-01T09:29:04.620-04:002011-07-01T09:29:04.620-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com4Holding a baby in your arms is like embracing a fresh bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos. You don't want to squeeze it too hard, you don't want to hold it upside down, you don't want to drop it and, whatever you do, don't lick it. Four years ago I knew...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/V93HI2Tc4ZM" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/06/12-most-common-ways-to-successfully.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-30231400184356226322011-06-13T09:57:00.004-04:002011-06-14T09:10:08.208-04:002011-06-14T09:10:08.208-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com10My life has really changed over the last few weeks. My Dad died. I turned 32. I grew a beard. I shaved the beard. I ate a fresh Cheeto that I found on the kitchen floor only to find out that it wasn't fresh—and it wasn't a Cheeto. But the most profound,...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/G3EsQDRXsNk" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/06/life-changes-so-fast.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-39397671690494188182011-06-08T09:35:00.015-04:002011-07-19T17:52:50.343-04:002011-07-19T17:52:50.343-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com1If it were up to her sisters, she'd have been named Baby Bacon. Luckily, they aren't the decision makers in Klems Manor.<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/8SLUsgrlAQ0" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/06/pitcures-of-mia-marie.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-50655813891366174382011-05-24T08:59:00.001-04:002011-05-24T09:00:02.321-04:002011-05-24T09:00:02.321-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com17Photo courtesy of Loft3 photo&amp;design Team Klems has a new member: Mia Marie Klems was born on May 23 at 4:27 a.m. Her stats: Weight: 7lbs, 9 ounces Height: 20.5 inches Softball Position: 2B Hair: More than we expected. Favorite Movie: Back to the...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/NZ00cUta2GI" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/05/introducing-mia-marie-klems.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-33572691335340900562011-05-19T08:47:00.003-04:002011-05-20T16:58:39.807-04:002011-05-20T16:58:39.807-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com19My Dad unexpectedly passed away last weekend at the young age of 55. Here is the tribute I delivered at the funeral. Thanks to everyone for your love and support—this has been way harder than I ever imagined. A little story most of you probably don't...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/HDpd_mv8_sA" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/05/life-of-my-dad.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-49112149898774855632011-05-13T14:23:00.002-04:002011-05-13T15:16:32.465-04:002011-05-13T15:16:32.465-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com3We are approximately 17 days away from our new baby being here and my wife has yet to pack a hospital bag. When I first started asking her to do it six months ago she said, "We still have time." When I asked her about it yesterday she said, "We still...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/DbjuYZjlOxE" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/05/5-essentials-for-dads-hospital-bag.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-77984169580100721062011-05-06T10:49:00.001-04:002011-05-06T10:50:11.578-04:002011-05-06T10:50:11.578-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com2I just wanted to wish my Mom a very happy Mother's Day. I certainly don't say it enough, but you really knocked it out of the park when you gave birth to me. Who knew you could create this much awesomeness—and this giant of a head. All joking aside, I...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/AudRsdz0eg8" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-mothers-day.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38624084.post-81755002986277618892011-04-29T10:29:00.002-04:002011-04-29T11:12:38.592-04:002011-04-29T11:12:38.592-04:00Brian A. Klemshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259971890941886109noreply@blogger.com4When you're a parent you look forward to visits from all the friendly holiday heroes who bring your kids goodies, like Santa, the Easter Bunny and the one with the red bow-and-arrow who is a little too forgetful for your wife's liking—and is a little too...<br/> <br/> Read more at TheLifeOfDad.com.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/thelifeofdad/~4/Vti-3Py2SRE" height="1" width="1"/>http://thelifeofdad.blogspot.com/2011/04/vomit-fairy.html