Best Gary Coleman Impersonation

Minty Fresh
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One thing you can always count on is Alex being a ham to the camera. Michael and I often shy away; when we try to pose, often look like the victims of an industrial accident.

Not our Alex. He sees a camera, he poses. Often it looks a bit artificial, but he still seems to look good. However, even though Alex always poses for the camera, that does not mean that he will always share a smile. When he is displeased, he will still ham it up for the camera but with his lip sticking out doing his best Gary Coleman impersonation.
RAP

The Nefarious Phillies and the Ghost of Leatherlips

Ready
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Thursday Night we had a game against the nefarious Phillies. They knew they were out gunned, out classed and out of luck, so it seems that they made a deal with the ghost of Leatherlips. Each May Leatherlips pours rain down on the Memorial Tournament, but with some coaxing from the dastardly Phillies, our game was rained out after the first inning.

While in the center field, Michael fielded a ball swiftly and gently tossed it to second base. It would have been a great play, if the second baseman was paying attention. At the bottom of the inning, Michael hit the ball, but the curse of the lefty struck. It went straight to the first baseman. Despite that, he would have made it if he would have run through the base. Instead he slowed down and got tagged. We will work on it this weekend and then nothing will stop us (Evil Laugh Here)
~ RAP

Contrasts

New Hair Cut
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

A few months back Michael had saved enough money to purchase a small "Captain Underpants" doll. I have noticed that he has been sleeping with it every night; he cradles it between his right arm and chest, like you would a baby. What is interesting about this is that Alex has been sleeping with "Big Bear", but "Big Bear" is the one that has Alex in his arms!

That is not the end to the contrasts of their sleeping styles. Alex insists on having two night lights and the closet light on, whereas Michael is happy without such illumination. Furthermore, Michael goes to bed without complaint or delay, where as Alejandro drags it out -- he needs hugs, he needs milk, he needs you to lay down with him. The irony is that once Alex is done delaying, he is out like a light, but Michael is often awake for an hour or so; occasionally you will catch him with a flashlight reading a book, but eventually he quietly succumbs to the sandman.
RAP

Thoughtful Thinker

Thoughtful Thinker
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Each year, Eli Pinney holds an assembly and recognizes all students for something that they excel at. Many of the awards are pretty generic: "Good Friend", "Most Improved Reader" etc. Honestly, I find some of them condescending, and they make we wonder how the "Walk and chew bubble gum at the same time" award was excluded.

Last year, Michael received "The Love of Learning" award, and this year he was selected for the "Thoughtful Thinker" award. I hold that those are two of the better ones a parent could wish for there child. Furthermore, I think that aptly describe our Michael in a lyrical prose.
RAP

No one is a stranger to Alex

Contemplation
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex has completed his third year at Little Shepherds, and is ready to enroll in Kindergarten this autumn. It was an emotional moment for Alex, and in my mind's eye I always pictured him standing up and giving a speech like this: "I would like to thank all the bears who made this possibly; Big Bear, Baby Bear, Cuddly Bear...." He didn't make that speech, but that does not mean I still can't hold on to the image.

While Jenny was gone, Cinda took Alex to lunch one day with her friend Jill. They were both so charmed by him; through her observations, Jill concluded "That no one is a stranger to Alex." During their time together, Alex repeatedly walked up to people, and found a way to talk to them like they were old friends. I wouldn't say this talent is effortless, that would belittle his skill and that fact that he intiates each contact. What I would say is that this behavior appears completely natural and he he makes it appears effortless.
RAP

Amy's Organic Turkey Chili

Line Drive
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Baseball has calmed down a bit in recent days; we are only having one game a week, for the next two weeks, before settling into a two game a week pattern that will prevail into July. Michael has continued to make contact with the ball, but he has been hitting it down the first baseline (as I predicted), causing him an occasional problem getting to base.

Another new thing with Michael is that he expanded his palette with "Amy's Organic Turkey Chili" today. The Verdict: it was a good. He liked it quite a bit and said it was unlike anything he had ever tasted before.
~R

Just Browsing

Just Browsing
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

In Jens absence we have spent a good amount of time in the company of books. We went to the bookstore Friday night, the Library Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon we made a sojourn to the comic store. Michael was reading a Disney "Scrooge Duck" (Donald's Rich Uncle) comic book this weekend, so I thought I would take him and let him pick out another. Instead of another Disney tale, he chose something called "Owly;" it is very innocent, and is in black and white.

Alex picked "Monkey Versus Robot." Even thought it was more action than Michael's, it was a good selection for him. It was made for young readers and had very few words, but it made him feel like he was reading "a long book."
RAP

First Game Tomorrow Night

Fast Ball
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael has his first game tomorrow night, and I think that he is ready. We have been practicing at home each evening for the last three weeks. At first we concentrated on fielding, but the last two weeks the emphasis has been on hitting the ball.

Last night was Michael's best batting to date. He was hitting about 5 out of 8 pitches, and for the first time they were going up. Line drives may be more practical, but for a little kid, there is a thrill to see the ball take off into the sky. In addition to hitting balls from a machine, we do another drill where I swing a ball around on a rope; last night he hit one hard enough to knock it out of my hands. Also, his baseball acumen is increasing; I told him to use a particular bat because it was wider, and he responded, "Oh, you mean it has a bigger 'sweet spot.'" All is not sunshine though. He is a lefty and as result he keeps hitting it towards first. Since the ball is headed straight for the baseman this may make getting on base a wee bit harder for him.
RAPatton

One day a kid is going to come to the library and be excited to get thenew Michael Patton book!"

Hilarity Ensued
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We thought that Baseball would keep us busy while Jen was gone, three games scheduled in five days, but Saturday's was washed out. However, we still found plenty to do over the weekend.

We made our weekly trips to the grocery stores, both Krogers and WildOats. We practiced baseball at home and at the batting cages. These were good expeditions, but the highlight of the weekend was our journey to the library. The boys love it there; Alex plays with the computers and Michael loses himself in all the new books. He was particular excited that there was a new Eric Carlisle book: "Mr. Seahorse." Michael was telling Alex all about it as we left, and Alex turned to him and exclaimed, "One day a kid is going to come to the library and be excited to get the new Michael Patton book!"
/////Robert Allen Patton\\\\\

Bachelorhood

Free Comic Book Day
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our first days of bachelorhood were kicked off with an epic struggle between our beloved Orioles, and the nefarious White Sox (arch enemy of the CUBS!). Michael went 2 for 2; his first hit was a line drive that went past the first baseman, and the second went in the same direction, but was more like a bunt. Both hits got him to base. In addition to his batting, he also displayed some fielding heroics; while playing second base a ball came at him swiftly; he fielded it cleanly, and then tagged the runner going to first base.

There was no game Friday night, but we still managed to enjoy ourselves. We dinned at Johnny Rockets, played at GameWorks and visited the movie theatre. We saw "Kicking & Screaming." Not a particularly good film, but the kids liked it. During the climax, Michael was singing "We are the Champions," and both danced in the aisles as the credits rolled. ~RAP

Osmosis

Batter Up
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

By the time Alex starts T-Ball next year, he will have a very good understanding of what to do, and how to do it. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't always pay attention at practice or at the games; there are too many other interesting things to do. However, he is there, and just by being there he seems to pick up things, as if by Osmosis.

Alex had his kindergarten visit this week. Mrs. Hamby (and the kids in her afternoon kindergarten) were very impressed with Alex's Math skills. They did a word problem which Alex was able to parse and solve. Essentially, they were asking 10-5, which he knew instantly. I've never really sat down and taught Alex math, but he has always been there while I've worked with Michael he has always been there. He seems to have picked it up through Osmosis.
RAP

Making of an Invite

Laugh Riot
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our tables for the Independence Day Celebration have been acquired, and now it is time to turn our attention to the invitation. In honor of the entertainment (Huey Lewis & the News), I am going to do it as a newspaper. This should allow Jen to flex her journalistic muscles as she aides me with the copy.

This image is one of the rejects from the set taken for the lead story in the invitation. It has all the classic elements to excel as an invitation photo: the patriotic t-shirt, Michael, Alex and smiles. We have already prototyped it out and hope to have magnets ready this weekend.
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The Orioles

Line Drive
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It is spring, and in recent years that means baseball. Michael has a new team this year, The Orioles, in a coach pitch league. Practice has been going on for a month, but there has been an absence of pictures because I am helping coach the team this season; with my wealth of baseball knowledge, it is the blind leading the blind. To make things worse, I know more than the head coach. Ouch.

It is a mixed league of first and second graders. Most of the kids are good, but a some don't listen at all, and a few of the second graders have attitude problems. We work through it because this a recreational league and their is a pretense that practice is fun. It is frustrating to see kids not try, but malice is much more iritating. One kid slide tackled another at second base the other night, and he knew what he was doing. He better not do anything like it again.
RAP

Garfield Magic 8

Gameboy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Today the boys were chatting with their Aunt Kassi on the phone. Around the corner, Jenny could hear the boys giggling as the conversation went on, so she resolved to listen in, and discover what was so funny. Between laughs, she could hear the boys saying stuff like "When Cats Fly!" It turns out, unbeknownst to Kassi, they were answering each of her inquiries with a Garfield Magic 8 ball. No matter her question, a very random, wisecrack would be the response. Kassi was very perplexed, and the boys were very happy with their silliness. At the end of the conversation Alex told Kassi what they had done. He said with a grin, "She didn't laugh."
>>>>RAP

Smile, you are on Aisle 5

Shoppers
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

In 2004 the manager at Wal-mart had to have a chat with me about taking pictures in their store. In 2005, the Manager of Wild Oats had to talk to me about taking pictures in their store. Apparently, taking pictures in places that sell food is Verboten throughout the civilized world. Treasure this picture, it was taken inside a grocery store, and we may never see its like again.
Smile, you are on Aisle 5,
RAPatton

Space Grizzlies!

Alex
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The kids have been so excited lately at the grocery store because of the Star Wars Episode III marketing effort. That is right, a marketing effort has them excited. As we cruise through the store, they bubble over in excitement as they spy a new product. Wildly, they exclaim something like "Star Wars Cheetos!' This is despite the fact that Michael can't eat Cheetos, and Alex doesn't like them, but boy were the overjoyed to see them.

Alex has taken a fondness for the gentle giants of the Star Wars universe, the Wookies. He see these 7 foot tall hairy behemoths not as some alien with a penchant for screaming; he sees them as "Space Grizzlies!" After all, they look like bears and are from outer space; Grizzlies are brown bears and these "space bears" are always brown, therefore they are "Space Grizzlies!" Cheers,
RAP