This year, I decided it was time for Master Will to pony up and write his own thank-you notes. Before he got started, we had Thank You Note 101. Surprised? You shouldn't be.So, we went over the rules:1. Say thank you for XXX.2. Tell them how you will/are using the gift.3. Thank them again.He did manage to get them all done. I was very proud. After he hit the sack, I did a cursory editor's review and immediately started laughing. ...

Ha, bet you thought I forgot about you? It's been one of those weeks. I just thought Sunday was the end. It went from bad to worse. Clare got a double ear infection so we got her into the doctor and on antibiotics, only to find out she's allergic to amoxicillin. Lovely. I started running a fever last night...yadda, yadda, yadda...and we're all better today (ever see that Seinfeld episode?)But, enough "woe is me." That really was going to be ...

For me, this is one of the great American holidays. Where else can you play a joke on somebody, anybody, of small or massive proportions and get away with it? It's always been one of my favorite days, but admittedly, the past few years I've been a slacker. Sorry. I do remember one joke in particular that I thought was hilarious. My dad? Notsomuch. It went something like this...I was a sophomore in college. Before leaving for school, my parents ...

Lucky 7, indeed. Last Thursday, all 11 boys from 1B trekked over to Dart Bowl for one fantastic celebration. After last year's craziness (including one little guy who left with a broken arm) we decided to do something smaller, away from our house. But, have you ever seen a hamster in one of those cages, running like a crazy person in the spinning wheel? Well, that was 11 boys getting out of our cars to get to the bowling alley. ...

To quote my dad, "Wowsers, what a rough weekend."We hit the ground running when we got off the plane last Monday. Scott was gone a few nights, working late, and I was busy getting things ready for the party on Thursday. Then...dun, dun, dun, Stomach Virus '08 hit Casa Whitaker and it wasn't pretty. First victim was Anna-Laura on Wednesday evening, followed by John Paul the following night. Clare was numero tres on Friday morning and I brought up the ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL (29ish) AND WILL (7)!My, my, how we've grown...Last year's BIG bash.