There’s a few places in our house that’s looking a little too quiet these days.
For years, those brightly colored trucks, puzzles, oversized stuffiees with threadbare noses—they were everywhere. They were the soundtrack of our days: the zoom of a car hitting the wall, the clack-clack of giant Lego bricks scattered across the living room, and the squeak of a well-loved toy undergoing yet another wrestling match.
But then our boys—now 11 and 8—grew. Not in leaps or bounds, but in these gentle pushes: deeper conversations, strategic video-game moves, jokes caught in mid-air that I have to chase to understand. Between folding laundry and coaching football, I noticed those baby toys starting to pile up.
Giving them away felt… like giving up a part of our story.
It feels silly, doesn’t it? The sight of that plastic race track makes me smile and then pause: wasn’t that the one Oliver made us watch him race while we were trying to watch a movie? Then I see the Radio Flier that Jax and Ollie used to race everywhere— I’m hit with memory after memory of small hands clutching these toys as if they were truly the most important things in the world.
Of course they’re not too old for toys—not really. Kids don’t come with an expiration date on imagination. But those toys, they were for the tiny hands that are throwing fastballs on the baseball field. Those were the baby-safe blocks now replaced by dialogue about science projects and football playbooks.
Letting those toys go doesn’t feel practical—it feels profoundly emotional. It feels like a goodbye, even though I know what’s coming after this is so much bigger, better, and more wonderful.
I’m reminded that the things that mattered most weren’t the toys themselves, but those moments: the giggles as the Mighty Pups climbed the Paw Patrol Towers, the walks up the street in a push cart where Oliver stuffed acorns, rocks and sidewalk chalk, the bubble lawnmower Jax used before he learned to ride my tractor and the way those stuffed animals made a busy home feel warm, cozy, alive.
So yes—I’ll sort those toys, bag them up, drop them off, and maybe even help someone else’s kids play with them… but inside, I’ll carry every memory. Because growing up does mean saying goodbye to some things. But it doesn’t mean forgetting what made them magical in the first place.
Here’s to the next chapter—and maybe, someday, rediscovering that same magic in the toys that are just right for now.
Here’s to hoping these toys will give another family the same type of memories they helped us made all these years!
Oliver’s coaches nominated him for athlete of the year:
“Oliver plays with heart bigger than any trophy. He cares more about teammates than himself, reminding us why we fell in love with sports.”
What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?
What inspires him most isn’t wins or stats—it’s the love he has for the game and the people in it. He’s the first at practice, the last to leave, and hugs every coach and teammate like family. Oliver was asked by coaches to play up with much older athletes for tackle football and is one of the youngest on the state travel baseball team— but it’s his heart, not his age or talent, that makes him unforgettable.
Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?
I asked Oliver this question specifically: His response, “I love playing catch with you dad. You always tell us about playing catch with Pop (my grandfather). Playing catch with you makes me feel like I get to play catch with your Pop even though I never got to meet him. I love when you tell me about Rickey Henderson & Ken Griffey, Jr. Thanks for telling me about Pop, I love him for making us both love baseball!”
What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?
This basketball season, with time running out, Ollie had a clear opportunity to score again. As he got to the hoop, he saw a teammate who hadn’t scored all season. Without hesitating, he passed the ball so his teammate could score at the buzzer. After, I asked him about it, he said, ‘We win as a team and I love helping everyone.’ That selfless act, prioritizing team & uplifting a teammate, shows the kind of athlete and person he’s becoming. To me his leadership and character makes me most proud.
8.29.25: OK… TOP 5!?????… and currently he’s in second place! Maybe, just maybe this is a thing? The best part though is knowing that the votes that Oliver is getting are in turn supporting cancer research.
8.21.25: Ollie made it into the TOP TEN! Thank you to everyone who has supported Ollie on his athletic journey and through this process. He loves making everyone proud and Steph and I couldn’t be prouder!!!
8.14.25: Another great accomplishment. Oliver is now made it through to the TOP 15 of his group!!!
8.7.25: So incredibly proud to announce Oliver has made it through to the TOP 20 in his group!!!
Let the games begin! This is the first big stop on Ollie’s baseball journey: 8U travel team… LET’s Go Grizzlies!!! So excited for this kid and his friends to dominate! I’m lucky I get to coach this great group of boys!!!
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Season Ending Totals for Oliver in his first year of Travel Ball against kids MUCH older than him:
17-27 (.630 AVG); 11 RBI; 6 R
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GAME 1:
I hate losing, but I love learning. Our boys learned a lot today. I am extremely proud of how they put things together in their first Travel All-Star Game EVER. We got destroyed in our first game 10-2 against a much more experienced travel team.
Oliver went 1-2 with a single. I am so proud of Oliver for what he has taken on this season. He’s the funny guy, but he’s turning into a leader on this team!
Thanks to all the fans (families) who came out to cheer us on!
GAME 2:
Another tournament game in the books! We were much improved from our first game. Even though we lost, the boys had fun and played hard and smart!
Ollie went 2-2! Two hits with an RBI and made a great play in the field at second base! I love watching this kid play!
Also: HUGE SHOUT OUT TO JAX who literally did play by play and color commentary from the pressbox!
“Wow he was called out!??? I’m not sure what the umpire was seeing there!!!”
GAME 3
What a game tonight for the 8U Seabreeze team! Our bats finally broke out scoring 10 runs on the night. While we lost, we actually played the A team from the town that we lost to in Game 1 and played them better!!! We are making progress.
Ollie went 2-3 with 2RBIs and a run! Scoring all the way from first on a short double, it’s a cool feeling waving your own son home as you’re watching watching his face as he is flying by you at thirdbase! I FELT LIKE A TURNSTILE OUT THERE WAVING PLAYERS HOME!!!
Tonight the boys broke out the bats and broke out of their shells. The excitement from the bench was infectious and the fans kept the spirits high! (Also, another superb performance from Jax on the play-by-play!)
Superstars all around tonight!!! I really wish my grandfather was around to see this!!!
GAME 4:
Short handed, playing a much better, more experienced team, in 90* humidity (and a fourteen year old umpire whose brother was on the team we were playing)… we lost, but did hold our first lead of the season thanks to some timely hitting in the early innings.
Oliver went 2-3 with an RBI to put us up for the first time all season. His third at bat was a screaming line drive that would have been a double if not for a nice play by the third baseman. He made another great play in the field at shortstop with his partner in crime Connor. They are turning into a dominant defensive force in the middle infield (sort of).
GAME 5:
We “RUN MERCIED” our first team in the third inning yesterday! I can not tell you the screaming and jumping up and down from the kids and families when the ump called the inning! I swear, you would have thought we won the World Series! It felt good to put things together… move players along the bases and get big hits when we needed them! Though we lost the game, this was definitely a BIG step for the boys!
Oliver went 2-3 (his out came on a hard line-drive, so he is making good contact even on outs). He played catcher and came a few inches from making a great tag on a play at the plate. It was one of the most exciting games so far this year!
UPDATE GAME 6:
Yuck. We aren’t going to talk about this game or the umpire again.
Ollie went 0-1 with a hard ground out in the first and didn’t bat again.
UPDATE GAME 7:
The single most thrilling game this year and by far one of the most exciting games I’ve ever been part of as a coach and/or parent. We held our first lead of the tournament, scored five runs in an inning and batted through a the lineup four times.
All you can ask for is a chance to win. We came into the bottom of the sixth down two and came up just a run short. Ollie came up down one with runners on first and second and did his job and moved the runner into scoring position with a sacrifice ground out. The game ended on the next at bat with the tying run on third and winning running on second. A loss stings, but this was one of the best losses I’ve ever been part of (if that’s possible).
Ollie went 3-4 with three RBIs and a two runs. His first two hits were absolutely crushed into the outfield. His second hit was a bomb over the centerfielder’s head and Ollie pulled into second base with a double!
Look at the ball (top of the picture) absolutely crushed off the bat!
GAME 8:
Ollie was 1-2 with a single and fly out. He was an absolute vacuum in the field. He looked like Brooks Robinson at third. As far as the game… YIKES. Quite a step back for the boys today. This is one of those games you live and learn.
GAME 8:
I’m still not ready to completely accept that the end of the season is here, but our 8u Grizzlies’ Seabreeze team ended their season with a 17-16 loss which has a LARGER ASTERISK than Barry Bonds’ homerun record. Oliver “The Ultimate Warrior” Fragola (who in his last game of the seasons went 3-4 with 5 RBIs and 2R) came to bat with the game on the line, down three with the bases loaded and knocked in two runs to bring the game within one, however the game ended there “time limit rule”. These kids’ commitment was unwavering and their resolve and hard work to improve each day was more than i could have ever imagined. I am proud to be their coach, I am proud to have grown with them and I am proud of the frienships and bonds that have been forged from this travel baseball season.
Thank you to Steph for allowing me to be gone six nights a week and to be cranky when things weren’t going our way. Thank you to the parents for trusting me with your children and trusting me with their baseball development. Thank you for coach Meg for getting me on board, and a special shout out to the Pepperbush Crew. Thanks for dealing w me and Joe (thanks for all the feedback, you’ll always be Coach Joe to me!!!)… and thank for getting my third base coach arm “wave them home” working!!!
But most of all thank you Oliver for teaching me more than I could ever teach you; thank you for showing me that coaching could be just as rewarding as being an athlete on the field; thank you for showing me how sports can be about fun and laughter just as much as winning… while reminding me that winning is important too! Thank You for being you, Oliver, a true ALL-STAR!!!
*One of my favorite pictures of the tournament. Clapping for my son who reached first after singling home two runs he knocked in! In one of the biggest spots all summer, Oliver came to bat and came through and had one of the biggest hits of the season. It should have resulted in a win… But Win or lose… I couldn’t be more proud of my son as a baseball player, leader and little boy!!!
Oliver’s Official Rookie Card
Season Ending Totals:
17-27 (.630 AVG); 11 RBI; 6 R
“If my uniform doesn’t get dirty, I haven’t done anything in the baseball game.” -Rickey Henderson
Oliver picked up a pack of 1988 Topps cards today. Today’s break was special not just for the Tom Glavine rookie card he pulled, but his first experience with baseball card pack gum! what’s your favorite Oliver quote from this break!!??
“OLLIE STOP!!!!” he’s doing something stupid. IE: Throwing the diving toys back into the pool when I asked him to take them all out.
“Oliver!???!!!!” (Note the sense of worry with the question marks) = He cant be found. IE: We thought he was in the pool, but he’s nowhere to be seen. He actually around the side peeing on the azalea bush.
“OLIVER!!!!” = He’s acting like an ass. IE: He’s screaming on a Sunday morning when the neighbors are trying to enjoy their coffee on a beautiful day on their deck.
“OLIVERRRRRRRRRRR!” (note the emphasis on the last sound). = He’s now screaming at the top of his lungs after you’ve already screamed his name multiple times. IE: he continues to scream while in the pool even after your neighbors have text you that they can hear your child screaming and you yelling at your child from five houses up the road.
I’m not the easiest guy to get along with! I’m definitely not the best at cheering you on… I think I make you nervous. But one thing I am great at… IS BEING SO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU!!!
I’ve watched you grow into a confident leader on your baseball team. I’ve watched you cheer on your team when no one else is. Today I watched you pick up a teammate who tripped and carry his bag for him when he was hurt. Then watching a teammate strike out, you were the first one to meet her at the dugout and give her a high five and a hug and tell her not to worry!
You my friend are everything I have ever hoped you would be as an athlete and person. You Jackson have something NOT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE… compassion, humor and leadership.
I watched you this year work on your swing… let me tell you something, baseball is the hardest sport in the world to play! Ted Williams who is considered one of the greatest, if not THE GREATEST HITTER in the history of baseball said, “The hardest thing to do in baseball is to hit a round baseball with a round bat.” And Deion Sanders (who played nine seasons in MLB including for the Yankees, while also having a Hall of Fame NFL career at the same time) when asked the hardest thing to do in all of sports, he said “Hitting that baseball.”
For some context, remember you have been a switch hitter for six years! That means you take half as many swings as your friends and teammates, because you have to practice swinging both righty and lefty! Switch hitting, Something NOT ONE OTHER PERSON IN ALL OF A, AA, AAA leagues can do! NOT ONE!
In all of Major League Baseball there were only 17 people who could switch hit last year! ONLY 17 of 974 Major League Baseball players can do what you do (thatsmeans 957 Major League Baseball playerS CAN NOT do what you CAN do!!!).
With that being said not many players have what it takes to be a leader, a hard worker and a great teammate. I’m happy you are working lefty and happy watching you get more comfortable at the plate. I’ve never told you this, but I stopped playing baseball in high school because I never really was a good hitter. I know what it’s like to stand in the batters box and be nervous. Everyone who has ever played baseball has felt that way!
I love watching you play baseball. I am so happy when you are out there on the field! Most importantly though, I want you to be happy too! Maybe it doesn’t seem like it, but I am so proud of you. I want you to be successful and maybe I don’t tell you enough… but you are successful. You are a leader, a great player and someone who I would want on my team every single day of the week.
As a former first grade teacher and now the parent of our second first grade child… It’s pretty simple if you ask me:
All emptied out of our first grader’s backpack the day after a four day vacation (in which he was sent to school with a completely clean and organized bookbag.
When I sat and held Buster as he passed away and then did the same for Max, I said I’d never do it again. I had been trying to write this for a week now and I couldn’t figure out exactly what to say, but then I read Stephanie’s post and realized I didn’t need to write anything, because she already said it so perfectly.
“You never know after losing a pet when you will be ready to replace them. It’s been 1.5 years since Buster and almost 1 year since Max. Once we saw this girl we knew it was time ❤️. We surprised the kids with a road trip to Maryland and they had no idea! When we finally met Wednesday Jax said he was so happy that he was confused why he was crying! Oliver has called her Buster at least a half dozen times… then again he’s also called her ‘Girl and Sunday’ ❤️ We will always remember Buster and Max, but we are ready to make new memories 🐶”
Eight going on EIGHTEEN! Seriously, when I woke up this morning I feel like you had a full beard and were reading the Wall Street Journal. It’s insane to me how much you have grown. You are such an exceptionally hard worker, a fierce, fierce friend and most importantly a loving big brother.
Eight years after you were born and we (mom and I) are still amazed by you every single day. Yes, you drive us crazy, there is a lot more talking back and many, many more “No’s” than all those years ago, but we wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Covid has put a damper on so much of your childhood, but you continue to persist. Masks, virtual learning, vaccinations and social distancing are as much part of your birthday as cake and balloons. Yet, here you are… eight years old and still making the best of everything.
I’ve watched you pick up your brother when he falls, then push him back down five minutes later, then pick him back up again! I’ve watched Oliver have a meltdown and you try to calm him, then laugh. (Always with him, never at him… just like a big brother should do and I would know!)
You have become such a leader in your school and among your friends. You know right from wrong and always make sure to advocate for anyone that needs help.
Mom and I want nothing more than you to be happy, healthy and grow into a caring, kind and respectful young man… and if the past eight years are any indication… then you’re already there!
Happy Birthday, Jackson. We all love you very much!
This blog entry will Chronicle (pun intended) a father and son’s continuation of the first time reading the Harry Potter series together. We finished Book One and Two and now will move onto Book Three: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (my personal favorite of the series). I’ll update it after each chapter so that I can capture the most memorable moments. Come back often and check in on our progress and leave us a note or some feedback!
I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I know Jax and I will.
Chapter 1: Owl Post
The excitement is building and we are officially at the point where the second one book ends Jax is ready for the next book. Ollie came along for the ride of chapter one tonight too, but only made a few pages deep before he was off with visions of Cornish Pixies dancing in his head!
A short chapter (for a late night before school after a long weekend is just what Madam Pomfrey ordered. Harry finally gets to enjoy a birthday as he gets some pretty cool gifts including what Jax would describe as, “the book that wants to eat Harry!” (Care of Hagrid). Jax brings up an interesting point… Hagrid has some really cool pets (Norbert, Fang, Fluffy, Aragog and now the Monster’s Book of Monsters).
…and the answer is no Jax, we can not get a three headed dog… and we can definitely not get a dragon 🙄
Chapter 2: Aunt Marge’s Big Mistake
About to get to a phenomenal part of the book (and one of the better done parts of the movies) and Oliver is already snoring next to us. I love that he is so interested in the books, or maybe it’s just soaking up special time with his big brother and dad? Either way, Aunt Marge is about to get blown up like a hot air balloon!
I love how this chapter plays out. Harry is starting to understand the line between the Muggle World and the Wizarding World. Jax loves that Harry says a curse word! Glad this book is playing out to our maturity levels!
Chapter 3: The Knight Bus
There’s a lot to digest in this chapter, but Jax focus is on a new way for wizards to coexist unnoticed with the Muggle world—the Knight Bus, a vehicle that seamlessly navigates through Muggle traffic undetected.
Instantaneously we are both transported back to the summer when Jax met Stan Shunpike and Dre (the shrunken head).
There’s many questions left unanswered in this chapter… why does Harry keep using magic when he doesn’t mean to? (Jax makes a connection to the glass at the zoo here too). How did Sirius Black escape? Why didn’t he get in trouble for doing more magic around muggles?
Chapter 4: The Leaky Cauldron
We met Crookshanks and now all Jax can think about is getting a cat.
Chapter 5: The Dementor
Dad was at a Board of Education meeting so we had a guest reader for Chapter 5! Mom and her “not so great, but tries really hard” Harry Potter voices!
Jax summary of this chapter… and I quote:
“The train stopped when it was pouring rain and then, we were like, ‘what is it?’ Then we flip the page we thought it was a dead Dumbledore with no head, but we figured out what it was. It was a Dementor; they are like a ghost. What they do to you Is they kill you by trying to get all the happy feelings out of you.”
“The Dementors are like, you know sometimes when you feel really, really sad and your heart hurts a little bit? That’s like with the Dementors make you feel like. “
“We also got a new person for the Defense of the Dark Arts: Professor Lupin!”
Chapter 6: Talons and Tea Leaves
Jax considers who this dog really is and why Harry keeps seeing it after in Divination class Professor Trelawney predicts Harry’s death from the Grim. It only took a few chapters before Jax has had enough of Malfoy again.
Chapter 7: The Boggart in the Wardrobe
Two things in this chapter caught my attention in terms of Jax’ reading comprehension and I was thoroughly impressed.
1. When Harry steps up to the Boggart and Lupin immediately jumps in front of him, Jax says, “Lupin must have thought the Boggart was going to turn into Voldemort! You can’t have Voldemort just sitting in your classroom one day!!!”
2. After Lupin jumps in front of the Boggart, Jax is quick to notice the vaguely described “ball of light” (orb) that the Boggart turns into. “That’s weird, what could that be that he’s afraid of?” He asks inquisitively.
There’s nothing better than turning slowly towards him with a sly smile and telling him that he might be on to something and that he’ll find out soon enough!!!
Chapter 8: Flight of the Fat Lady
This is a chapter that I know I’m going to regret reading. Jax knows we don’t call people names or make fun of people for any reason including looks. But of course we know have “The Fat Lady” starring in this chapter and he enjoys reading her name. 🙄
Overall though, the book begins to turn a bit dark here. Jax isn’t scared per say, but he does have a worried look on his face when he finds out Sirius Black attacked the Fat Lady!!!
Chapter 9: Grim Defeat
I always loved this chapter in both the book at the movie. The night after Black’s break-in, all the students sleep in the Great Hall, while the professors, led by Dumbledore, search the castle for Black. I always liked the closeness of the houses, being all together in the Great Hall… in the movie one of my favorite quotes:
Of course Jax focuses in on how funny Sir Cadogan is!
Chapter 10: The Marauder’s Map
This was a super confusing chapter for a young reader. There was a lot of backstory given in the present time with so many intricate details that intertwine the past and present.
It was fun to have a chapter that was a bit confusing to Jax for once. Readers need to struggle… they need to figure out how to grapple with text they don’t understand. This was one of the first times Jax was really confused and I loved listening to his questions to try to clarify his confusion! (Of course I left him hanging!!!)
Chapter 11: The Firebolt
It’s a bit early (I wish) for Jax to start considering the consequences of friendship. He’s so sharp… he is starting to consider the intricacies of the “Golden Trio’s” relationship.
Chapter 12: The Patronus
This is exactly what Jax and I picture Harry looked like in this chapter:
EXPECTO PATRONUM!!!
Chapter 13: Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw
Another complex chapter. Jax must have asked 437 questions this chapter.
Is Cho Harry’s girlfriend?
Why does Harry’s Patronus have antlers?
How did Sirius get into the Gryffindor Tower again?
Chapter 14: Snape’s Grudge
Jax is obsessed with the Marauder’s Map. He’s starting to understand how the Invisibility Cloak and the Map are quite the combination for a mischievous group of friends.
Chapter 15: The Quidditch Final
The face Jax makes when Hermione slaps Malfoy is a mixture of admiration, excitement and the knowledge that hitting someone in our household would lose you your iPad for at least two days!
Chapter 16: Professor Trelawney’s Prediction
“Dad, I’m telling you, something is up with this rat!!!!”
Chapter 17: Cat, Rat, and Dog
SPOILER ALERT… When you find out Scabbers has been Peter Pettigrew all along:
Chapter 18: Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
Jax: “Wait a minute!!!! So Mooney?!?? You know who that must be… is it Lupin?!?? The moon? Mooney! It’s not an orb he’s scared of from the Boggart!!!! It’s the moon because he’s a werewolf?!!”
Chapter 19: The Servant of Lord Voldemort
“Wait… no way!!! Did Hermione just kill Snape!!! Well she definitely believes that Scabbers was really Peter Pettigrew.”
What a comment from Jax. For Hermione to perform a spell on a teacher is very, very out of character for her. It goes to show how Jax really gets her character arc.
Chapter 20: The Dementors’ Kiss
This is “low key” one of my favorite chapters in the book. So many things have to unfold just right and it’s incredible how carefully planned this book is compared to the first two of the series. So much had to be meticulously planned in order for the events of this chapter to make sense and for the big reveal of this book to work.
There’s a ton here to unpack… One of the most heart-wrenching moments is watching Jax think that Harry is going to get to live with his godfather and finally get away from those “jerks” the Dursleys. He was so excited (at one point jax even thinks it would be funny if Sirius bits Harry as a dog and they get to live as a dog family).
That’s what these books do to you though. As a reader who is really processing so much information (ie: character traits, and how other characters influence them and the world around them), he is beginning to make emotional connections to some of the characters in the story.
Chapter 21: Hermione’s Secret
From a teacher’s perspective this chapter looks at two main plot points that literally effect the entire series:
Snape’s existential crisis
Dumbledore’s rebellious streak
To Jax it was another HP/Tattoo Connection:
“OMG DAD… that’s a time turner on your arm!!!”
I loved this chapter for how well JK writes the time travel bit. Time Travel can be an albatross to a reader, both confusing and arduous to follow, because it’s one of the toughest literary techniques to pull off well. Time and time again (pun intended) it’s not done well, but she does just enough to help a young reader like Jax make connections to the foreshadowing that takes place throughout this book while keeping the time-space continuum (Back to the Future reference) stable enough for the readers to believe what is happening.
Jax finally realizes the Time Turner is how Hermione kept popping up in/ disappearing from random places and why she was always so tired. He also realizes who actually casts the Patronus Charm to save Harry and Sirius. There’s almost nothing better than how JK foreshadows in this series, the only thing better, watching Jackson figure it out!
Jax is also starting to see how powerful of a wizard Harry is becoming. We were impressed with how hard he worked with professor Lupin to learn the Patronus Charm and how most “fully grown” wizards can’t do it! (The movie does this scene PERFECTLY).
Chapter 22: Owl Post Again
Besides time traveling, freeing Sirius and Buckbeak, not getting caught, Harry getting back both the Maunders Map and his Invisibility Cloak this chapter was uneventful!
The questions begin pouring in… where is Sirius, is Lupin going to be OK? Can Harry use the Time Turner to go back and kill Voldemort before he kills his parents!!??
Then the question I’ve been waiting three books for: “Dad, do we have to wait until tomorrow to start the next book?!??!”
And just like his dad after reading the third book, Jax is absolutely hooked!
POSTSCRIPT: Also, click here for our other alouds:
Sorry Sons: Chronicles of a New Dad 