Another school year is winding down, as our kids completed fourth and second grades this week. As is the case each year, there’s mixed emotions about school wrapping up. In general, both Beckett, 10, and Carson, 8, had great school years. Specifically, each had different challenges to face at their schools and we are proud… Read more »

Playing Scrabble with Carson is always entertaining. For a second grader, his spelling and vocabulary are impressive. In fact, when we first started playing the game a year ago, he often needed help once the game got underway with working off existing words on the board. He had no trouble coming up with words from… Read more »

For his 10th birthday, Beckett wanted two things — a dirt bike and a sleepover. The first we took care of on his birthday, and two weeks in we are hearing concerns about it not going fast enough. The sleepover idea had to wait a couple weeks for schedules to ease up, but it sounded… Read more »

Measuring progress is a big deal with Carson. When we notice it, it’s encouraging and inspiring because it reminds us how far he has come over the years. When we experience a setback or regression, we are disappointed, but we live day-to-day and that helps us maintain an even keel. To me, progress for our… Read more »

Tuesday was a full parenting day. It was also a work day, but it was a field trip and a special night event that made it memorable. Of course, today, as I write this column on deadline day, I am suffering the consequences of far too much family time and less work time. Good or… Read more »

We are now a family of six. A lady called the office last Monday to place a classified ad for two adult dogs needing a home immediately due to an unexpected and sad life change. Pam took the call and told me about it soon after she got off the phone. I didn’t think much… Read more »

I walked the Boardwalk with Carson for a field trip this week. Since I didn’t think he would be able to walk from the Inlet to the end of the Boardwalk and back, I brought along a couple books I thought we would need to pass the time while his classmates walked. It turns out… Read more »

Sleep begets sleep. There was a time not too many years ago when there was no need for a clock to tell when it was time for bed for my boys, who are now 9 and 8 years old. Everything just went downhill fast and it became known as the bewitching hour. As I assume… Read more »

It only takes few a minutes. That’s how long it took for Pam and I to get back into the parenting groove after a weekend away. Thanks to a wonderful grandmother, who watched the kids for the weekend, we were able to get away for two nights to Philadelphia for a concert and some great… Read more »

While checking out of the grocery store the other day, Carson tried to pull a fast one on me. As usual, we always go to the store at the most crowded time. I know better but that’s how life goes. As Carson and I were waiting in the long line to check out, it was… Read more »