Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 05:44PM I've always thought that Ty looks just like he did when he was a baby, just a bigger version! So, now, with his two front teeth (and two bottom teeth) missing I can't help, but be overwhelmed with remembrance every time he looks at me with that toothless grin. So, although Ty wants his two front teeth for Christmas (among a million other things), I am in no rush!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 05:20PM Tree decorated. Gingerbread house built. Lights twinkling. Stockings hung. Letters to Santa sent. Christmas Cards ordered. And, shopping done. Unemployment has its advantages! :)
Friday, December 10, 2010 at 12:16PM Both boys played soccer this fall and had a blast! Although the schedule was somewhat grueling for their loyal fans, every Saturday they had a full house at both games. We couldn't tell you how many wins or losses each racked up, but the fact that they looked forward to each and every game tells us that this was the first of many soccer seasons to come!
Friday, December 10, 2010 at 12:15PM 
Wil has been asking for a drum set for sometime now. So, while visiting Uncle Nicky a few weeks ago he asked for an impromptu drum lesson. Nicky is a talented, second-generation drummer (my Dad, of course, is the first) and Wil knew it would be time well spent! He had a blast beating the heck out of his uncle's electric drums and it was bearable for all of us since his headphones we're firmly in place!
Dad, just a warning: Wil knows you have an acoustic drum set in the basement and he's gunning for it upon our next visit!
Who knows, maybe we have a third-generation drummer on our hands!
Friday, December 10, 2010 at 12:14PM Not sure who came up with that saying, but it's really not all that easy when you think about it ... especially at five years old! But with a lesson or two from Grandma and Grandpa Fulton, Wil had it down pat! Since Wil moves at his own pace his new skill set has slowed our morning routine down considerably, but the look of pride on his face upon completion is well worth the extra time we devote to carefully aligned, double-knotted sneakers each morning.
Friday, December 10, 2010 at 11:43AM 
Meet Ty and Wil's cousin Connor. Do not be fooled by his sweet face or innocent demeanor. This 8 year old from North Carolina is the most powerful weapon in mine and John's parenting arsenal. More influential than Santa Claus, the threat of a 2 hour time out or even a monetary bribe, Connor holds the key to getting our boys to do almost anything.
If they don't want to wear something we've picked out for them, we simply say "Did you know that Connor wore this shirt when he was in first grade?" Arms up, shirt on!
Or, if they don't want to go to soccer practice, we say, "Did you know that practice is how Connor became such a good soccer player?" Cleats on and we're out the door!
We call it playing the Connor card. It's slightly manipulative and it may not work forever, but for now we are using our nephew for everything he's got!
Thank you, Connor!
