Earlier this month, Beckett had back-to-back nights of fun.Back in June, Pam and I attended a conference in Washington DC organized by a non-profit group formed by a group of parents with kids sharing Carson’s diagnosis – a rare genetic disorder called 7q11.23 duplication syndrome. The name is complicated, but he basically has extra copies… Read more »

There’s not much I can say new about Surfers Healing.For those who don’t know, Surfers Healing is a traveling camp that provides children with Autism and other developmental disabilities the opportunity to go surfing under the caring and professional guidance of surfers. Carson, our younger son at 8, fits into the category of eligible participants.Surfers… Read more »

(Editor’s Note: The following is a reprint from December of 2009. The writer is on assignment in Ocean City having a “staycation.”)Nineteen months ago, life, as I knew it, changed forever when my son Beckett was born, and it gives me great pleasure to report the birth of our second son last month.Of course, it… Read more »

I think two records were set this week at the White Marlin Open.Officially, the tournament eclipsed its previous high in prize money with more than $5.4 million up for grabs for fishermen. Unofficially, I think Beckett set a new record for most questions asked at the weigh scale on Tuesday. Since I’m certain there’s no… Read more »

Carson is a fire bug like his dad.Unlike me, however, he can’t control himself when it comes to a bonfire. He wants to build it as tall as possible as quick as possible, so he can sit back and marvel over it.Last Friday night, we hit the beach on Assateague for a bonfire. As is… Read more »

“I would rather be at Vacation Bible School.”That’s what Beckett leaned over and said to me at The Freeman Stage last week during a production of Mary Poppins by Clear Space Theatre.While he seemed to be enjoying the performance early on, he’s 10 years old and it was a bit on the long side for… Read more »

It’s fun to watch my sons around young kids these days.Carson has little interest in directly engaging with them, while Beckett prefers the parents give him some one-on-one time alone with their kid. He doesn’t say it but step aside I got this sums up his approach.During a recent gathering, Beckett took a special interest… Read more »

It’s funny how kids push parents to new limits.I am not necessarily referring to the limits of pure insanity from all the craziness that comes with raising kids. While there’s certainly plenty of that madness to go around and test the patience, I’m referring more to how my kids provide me with new experiences through… Read more »

It takes me a couple days to recover from big weekends.Three days spent in Williamsburg bouncing between Busch Gardens and Water Country qualifies as one of those types of weekends. Come Monday I was sore and exhausted from 45,000 steps, according to my FitBit.One of the highlights of the weekend was an Andy Grammer concert… Read more »

Although it divides the family, I enjoy spending one-on-one time with my sons.Last Saturday happened to be one of those days. With Pam taking Carson to a birthday party in Ocean City, Beckett and I spent most of the day together. After swimming in the pool and playing soccer, we ventured to the block party… Read more »