Sometimes all it takes to be a cool dad is to be a geek. My boys love that I can get into what interests them: Pokemon, Minecraft, etc. They love it when I play with them, and when I get excited about what they love.

And then sometimes, it has nothing to do with being a geek. All it takes is to be with them, and to help them get through whatever they're going through.

I am standing here in front of a fire with my 5 year old. It is 3 in the morning, and we've had quite the ordeal.

I woke up after my son burped in my face. Except it didn't sound or smell like a burp. I'm a little slow and didn't realize what was happening until he had thrown up all over himself and sleeping stuff.

I somehow managed to get him outside of the tent we were sleeping in before he made more of a mess. Then we struggled to get his shoes on, and raced over to the bathroom (which happened to be a nice one with automatic sinks).

I washed his arms and face and removed his shirt. I happened to have his blanket, which was miraculously unscathed. After wrapping him up in the blanket,we started our march back to camp.

A nearby camper from our neighborhood had started a small fire for us, and provided us with wipes to help us clean up. I removed the offending sleeping stuff from the tent and helped my son get warm by the fire. I was so glad that he didn't listen to me when I told him to get in his pajamas last night.

Now, we are sitting by the fire waiting to see if he has any more food trying to escape his digestive system. We already tried going to bed but he decided he needed to throw up again, and luckily escaped getting anything but nature dirty.

As I sit here contemplating what has transpired, I remember my son telling me twice that he loved me as I served him. I realize that being a cool dad doesn't always require geeking out with the kids. Sometimes all it takes is to be with them and help them through whatever they need.