Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Tooth Fairy


From the very beginning, our family has had an interesting relationship with the Tooth Fairy. The promise of one of her visits brings much excitement to the house, and occasionally some concern. The Tooth Fairy is not necessarily known for her reliability. Sometimes her memory is faulty. Generally she pulls through in the end though.

Our very first encounter with the Tooth Fairy came many years ago. When Fuller was in Kindergarten, after much crying over the blood and pain, he lost his first tooth. We had explained all about how fun it was to loose teeth and how the nice Tooth Fairy would bring him something in exchange for that tooth. He seemed interested. However, Fuller has always been the kind of kid who over thinks things. By the time bedtime rolled around he was quiet and tearful. He finally said that he didn't want the Tooth Fairy coming in his room while he was asleep, and could he please put his tooth under my pillow instead. We finally convinced him that it would be all right, and that he had nothing to worry about. When he finally fell into a nervous sleep, we made sure she came right away. In the morning he was thrilled with his crisp $1 bill, and I think a little relieved that he survived having a "stranger" come in his room while he was sleeping.

Since then she has made many trips to our house. She even took a detour to Grandma and Grandpa's house once when a tooth came out during a sleep over. She's also received many little notes from us over the years. We've had to write her notes because teeth have been lost before we can get them safely under the pillow. And every now again the boys have each had trouble with wanting to let a tooth go. They have each at some point written to her, asking if they can please keep their tooth (but still get money of course.) I'm not really sure why they've wanted to keep some teeth but been happy to let others go, but we have a very nice Tooth Fairy and she honors all requests. Well, except for the ones asking her to raise her rates.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Track Season


Seventh grade track season has come and gone. Fuller has continued to try different events and figure out which best suit him. This year he tried discus, shot put, running on a 4X400 relay team, and running the 1500.

He decided discus wasn't his thing. His best distance was 46'8". Although he admits he never really practiced that event, so he could have improved that with some effort. His best shot put distance for the season was 25'11".

His main event that he's done well at the last two seasons was the 1500. He's definitely more of a distance runner than a sprinter. He's got long legs and good stamina.

He showed great improvement during the season. At the first meet he ran it in 6:10, and by later in the season he ran a personal best of 5:32. He was disappointed with his 7th place finish at districts(since 1-6 got ribbons) but we were proud of him. He's decided to try cross country in the fall, so I'm sure his times next year will improve even more.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Competition

When we moved here 5 1/2 years ago, one of the things we promised to Fuller was that we would get a basketball hoop. There was no place to put one at our old house, and his excitement about getting one helped soften the blow of moving. Over the years that hoop has seen some serious play. As Fuller gets older, those games out in front of the house have gotten increasingly intense.


Rowan doesn't like to be left out, so when they play they make him the honorary referee. He has no real say in the game, which is a good thing since most of the time he doesn't even watch it.

There have been some fun pick up games with friends.


And they let Grayson be on a team when they need another player. He's getting to be pretty good so no one complains about getting him.

It's great when there are friends around to make the games more exciting,

but the real competition is between father and son.

Paul knows that his days of being able to beat Fuller are numbered. And those numbers are rapidly dwindling.


So for now, Paul likes to show that he's still got "it"

And teach the boy a thing or two.