My house is pet-free for the first time in about 20 years.Over the last several months, we had been dreading the day when Bailey, our 13-year-old black lab, would die. I was privately hoping to find him one morning or one afternoon passed away in our house. I knew the end was near for him,… Read more »

They might not have loved the 5 a.m. wake-up call but the boys had a great time crabbing the back bays last Saturday.I took Beckett, who was then 4, crabbing for the first time five years ago with our friend “Mr. Brad.” Although I clearly remember the experience and the 10 keepers we caught that… Read more »

Sometimes you just have to force kids to do what they don’t want against their will.The problem with coercion is it oftentimes appears cruel and mean while it’s taking place. That bothered us for many years, but we are over it now because we know what’s best for our sons. If they won’t trust us… Read more »

This whole passage of time concept while raising kids is bewildering to me.When it comes to children growing up, many parents say they wish they could stop time because it’s flying by, wonder how their kids are growing so fast right before their eyes and contemplate how certain monumental moments in time could possibly be… Read more »

What kids find and don’t find entertaining always amazes me.There we were on the beach Sunday and the US Navy’s Blue Angels were flying overhead. No matter how many times I see it, I love watching the performers in the OC Air Show from the beach and ocean.My kids don’t share my amazement in the… Read more »

The close of the school year always comes with mixed emotions.There’s the finality of it all and the fact the kids will essentially say goodbye to the teachers they have been with on a daily basis for the last nine months. There’s sadness because these folks become family members.After all, they are talked about and… Read more »

Rarely do I brag on my kids here, but in this case I can’t help it after an amazing week for Beckett.More often than not this space contains the things that drive us up a wall with ourchildren. While those things certainly exist on a daily basis,over the course of the last week, Beckett has… Read more »

Sleepovers are like clouds — no two are the same.We have hosted about a dozen sleepovers at this point. Each one has been different with a commonality being the next day everyone is exhausted in the house from less sleep than usual.I don’t have any crazy sleepover stories. For the most part, all the boys… Read more »

It’s fun watching the evolution of my sons’ relationship.I say it’s evolving because the rapport between them is always changing at their ages.After noticing that he seemed to be resentful toward Carson, 7, Pam and I had some long talks with Beckett, 9, about how important he is and will always be to his little… Read more »

Beckett turns 9 today.How’s that possible? I assume that’s a question we will ask ourselves every year for the rest of his life. I presume all parents question how time has flown over the years and Pam and I are always amazed at the pace of how our kids are growing up.This period of reflection… Read more »