Each boy has their 'pose.' For Alex, it is the head tilt. He is doing it in this picture. He does it in a lot of pictures. If he is aware of the camera, he instantly tilts his head.
Michael's pose is completely different; he stands on one leg, crosses the other and sticks out his arm to lean against something. Sometime he leans against air, just so he can strike the pose. We have no idea where either of them came from, but we are certain it says something about each of them -- What? We have no idea!
RAP
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
40th annual Dublin Frog Jump
On Saturday, we attended the 40th annual Dublin Frog Jump; it may not have been straight out of the pages of Samuel Clemens, but it certainly was fun for the boys. Alex declined to participate in the Frog Jump directly, but instead embraced the festival atmosphere.
On the other hand, Michael was an enthusiastic participant in the event, just as Tom or Huck would have been. Of course, it helps when you win, and win he did. He was undefeated in the three rounds of the preliminaries. Because of his victories we had to return in the afternoon (no way we would hang out there -- it was too hot!). He won the opening round of the finals, but faltered in the semis. He still did well enough to get a prize and the fun was free!
R
On the other hand, Michael was an enthusiastic participant in the event, just as Tom or Huck would have been. Of course, it helps when you win, and win he did. He was undefeated in the three rounds of the preliminaries. Because of his victories we had to return in the afternoon (no way we would hang out there -- it was too hot!). He won the opening round of the finals, but faltered in the semis. He still did well enough to get a prize and the fun was free!
R
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Alejandro
It is well documented that Michael's enthusiasm for his baseball games waxes and wanes, but what has not been explained is how his brother's zeal for those contest is always at apogee. If you think about it, why wouldn't it be? Each outing Alex gets to play with his best friend, share in the team post-game snack and go to Coldstone at the conclusion of the game if Michael has given his all. He gets all the good stuff without ever having to stand in a hot, dusty field for 2 hours. It will be interesting to see his enthusiasm level next year as he awaits for his opponents to hit the ball off a tee in 94 degree weather.
R.A.P.
R.A.P.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Where A Pitch Becomes a Hit
Look closely at the bat; that little white thing next to it is the ball. This image has captured the moment of contact, where a pitch becomes a hit.
Baseball season is almost over, and I think that is a good thing. You won't have to see anymore baseball pictures or hear anymore baseball antedotes, and we won't have to go to anymore games. After a month of rest, Michael will begin flag football. I don't know how he will do, but I suspect that once he begins real football he will do well. He is much more instinctive about football than any other sport. We have been playing with a nerf football in the backyard and when there is a fumble, look out! Michael will pry it from your hands like there is no tomorrow (much to Alex's consternation)!
RAP
Baseball season is almost over, and I think that is a good thing. You won't have to see anymore baseball pictures or hear anymore baseball antedotes, and we won't have to go to anymore games. After a month of rest, Michael will begin flag football. I don't know how he will do, but I suspect that once he begins real football he will do well. He is much more instinctive about football than any other sport. We have been playing with a nerf football in the backyard and when there is a fumble, look out! Michael will pry it from your hands like there is no tomorrow (much to Alex's consternation)!
RAP
Friday, June 24, 2005
Camaraderie
Even though Michael will often tell you that he is not crazy about baseball, methinks he doth protest too much. To support my case, here is an image of Michael sharing a moment of camaraderie with a teammate. I thinks he likes baseball, and, in particular, I know that he likes getting people out. What he, and most of the kids do not like, is the fact that the games go about 2 hours. I agree with him, and I am going to suggest to the league to shorten them by an inning; as in most things, you should always leave them wanting more.
RAP
RAP
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Double Hot Dog Power
For Alex, the pool and snocones used to be like peas and carrots. However, snocones now have competition. Alex has been eating hot dogs like they are going out of style at the pool. He still gets a green snow cone with every visit, but often he is getting two hot dogs (double hot dog power).
Eating food is not enough for Alejendro though; now he is growing it himself. He (and his mother) have a vegetable garden with pumpkins, onions, tomatoes, sunflowers and watermelons. He waters it everyday and can't wait for the harvest this fall.
R.A.Patton
Eating food is not enough for Alejendro though; now he is growing it himself. He (and his mother) have a vegetable garden with pumpkins, onions, tomatoes, sunflowers and watermelons. He waters it everyday and can't wait for the harvest this fall.
R.A.Patton
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Faster Than The Human Eye
Jenny has been to our last two baseball games and they have been the Orioles worst two games of the season. Truly wretched. We are going to allow her one more game, but if our performance is poor once more, she will be banned! I know that sounds harsh, but we are doing it for the children. For the children!
Michael's game Wednesday was not too bad. He got on base twice out of four times, and made a spectacular fielding play that had everyone on their feet cheering for him. A diabolical Red Sock hit a low fly ball that looked like it would be a multi-base hit. Michael stuck out his glove and caught it before it hit the ground; he was out!
I am proud of him, but I will be the first to say he got lucky; it was terrible technique. Despite that, the credit goes to the player in the field, and not to those who will tell you how the doer of deeds could have done them better.
RAP
Michael's game Wednesday was not too bad. He got on base twice out of four times, and made a spectacular fielding play that had everyone on their feet cheering for him. A diabolical Red Sock hit a low fly ball that looked like it would be a multi-base hit. Michael stuck out his glove and caught it before it hit the ground; he was out!
I am proud of him, but I will be the first to say he got lucky; it was terrible technique. Despite that, the credit goes to the player in the field, and not to those who will tell you how the doer of deeds could have done them better.
RAP
Friday, June 17, 2005
Ups-a-Daisy
Do not fear for Alex; a half second after this photo he is splashing down feet first. What you see is evidence of Alex's remarkable emotional growth the past few months; he is no longer afraid of the aquatic gymnastics that his brother has embraced for so long. Far from it, after each feat he rushes back, as if he will suffocate from a lack of oxygen, to do it again and again.
This picture is of Alex doing "the Gymnastics Flip." He lays flat on his back, and I flip 270 degrees. He enjoys that maneuver, but he prefers the "Space Train, Rocket Chair," where he rolls up in a cannonball, and is launched on ballistic trajectory across the pool. These types of fun and games demonstrates that Alex has obtained a faith and trust in others, such that he is able to temporarily surrender his fate knowing he will always land safely.
RAP
This picture is of Alex doing "the Gymnastics Flip." He lays flat on his back, and I flip 270 degrees. He enjoys that maneuver, but he prefers the "Space Train, Rocket Chair," where he rolls up in a cannonball, and is launched on ballistic trajectory across the pool. These types of fun and games demonstrates that Alex has obtained a faith and trust in others, such that he is able to temporarily surrender his fate knowing he will always land safely.
RAP
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Difficult Duty
Jenny has returned safely to Ohio, and we are all glad that she is home. It was hard without her, let me tell ya. As a single parent, I had to work about 10 hours less a week. Also, without her assistance I had to eat more convince foods, such as pizza, instead of the salad that I usually eat each day.
Furthermore, I had to spend more time doing recreational activities to keep the kids entertained; I was forced to go to library, dragged to the swimming pool and was obligated to take the local cinema. Oh the horror! It was difficult duty, but I think I pulled through and even got a tan!
R. A. Patton
Furthermore, I had to spend more time doing recreational activities to keep the kids entertained; I was forced to go to library, dragged to the swimming pool and was obligated to take the local cinema. Oh the horror! It was difficult duty, but I think I pulled through and even got a tan!
R. A. Patton
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Golden Glove
Even if baseball picture fatigue is setting in, I am certain that you will like this snapshot. I took this picture over the photographer's shoulder on picture day, and I will be surprised if was able to do better. The game went well, Michael went 2-4 and was able to get a runner out at third early in the game. He did make a few errors in the field, but overall did very well. Second and Third base are positions which he seems pretty natural and comfortable at; soon I am going to give him a shot at catcher.
~ "Coach" Patton
~ "Coach" Patton
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
A Very Competent Mathematical
Alex continues to show flashes of a very competent mathematical mind. Just for fun, I introduced the concept of negative numbers to the boys. From their first moment of introduction, Alejandro seems to intuitively grasp the concept. He may not always be able to do the math, but he understands that adding a negative to a positive is subtraction. In addition, he seems very good at understanding relative direction. Last night in the car he noticed that we were going East and from that he was able to deduce the correction direction his Mom was in (North-West; she was in Detroit).
RAP
RAP
Friday, June 10, 2005
The Rainbow Connection
Michael was having a rough game Wednesday against the diabolical Athletics; his head was not in the game, and he even struck out. Because of our schedule, and the weather, we have not been able to practice at home lately, and it showed; the first time he was at the plate, it was like he had never had any instruction at all. He was standing straight up with his feet all over the place.
During a 15 minute lightning break we had a talk, and we got his head back in the game. After which, he had a wonderful inning at third base. Early in the inning a line drive was hit towards him. In a single motion he scooped it up and threw it to first. It bounced to first because of the distance, but it made it there.
Later that inning, the bases were loaded. Crack! A ball is screaming towards the hole between short and third. Michael slid to the right and scooped up the ball. Without hesitation he ran to third to force out the runner. It was clearly a play to feel proud of, and the crowd let him know with a round of applause.
R
During a 15 minute lightning break we had a talk, and we got his head back in the game. After which, he had a wonderful inning at third base. Early in the inning a line drive was hit towards him. In a single motion he scooped it up and threw it to first. It bounced to first because of the distance, but it made it there.
Later that inning, the bases were loaded. Crack! A ball is screaming towards the hole between short and third. Michael slid to the right and scooped up the ball. Without hesitation he ran to third to force out the runner. It was clearly a play to feel proud of, and the crowd let him know with a round of applause.
R
Thursday, June 9, 2005
Tomagochi - 'never give up!'
While we were out doing errands Monday night, Michael asked for a 'Tomagochi.' It is virtual pet; you take care of it, and it grows and plays with you. In addition, it has the ability to interact with other 'Tomagochi,' through an infrared port. My first inclination was to setup a system where he could earn it over a few weeks. However, as he continued to describe it, I realized that it came with a social opportunity that would expire in 2 days when school was out. Apparently, it is all the rage on the playground, and kids have even self formed 'Tomagachi' Clubs.
He said he saw them at Walgreens, so we went there first. They were sold out. Then we went to a CVS, Drugmart and another CVS; none were in stock. Finally, I went to the source: Toys 'R' Us. Michael's first words when we found the 'Tomagochi' were 'never give up!,' and that made it all worthwhile. We talk about continuing to strive in the face of failure on a regular basis, but I believe it reinforced their conviction in the idea by seeing it payoff :)
R.A.Patton
He said he saw them at Walgreens, so we went there first. They were sold out. Then we went to a CVS, Drugmart and another CVS; none were in stock. Finally, I went to the source: Toys 'R' Us. Michael's first words when we found the 'Tomagochi' were 'never give up!,' and that made it all worthwhile. We talk about continuing to strive in the face of failure on a regular basis, but I believe it reinforced their conviction in the idea by seeing it payoff :)
R.A.Patton
Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Alex is taking to water like... well, like Michael does
We have been going to the pool quite a bit this summer. Michael loves it every bit as much as he ever has, but the big surprise is that Alex is taking to water like... well, like Michael does.
Historically, Alex went to the pool for the snocones; he still loves his snocones, and now he has expanded his pool diet to include hot dogs, but it is clear that he wants to be there to play in the water. I think the new zero entry to the pool has helped (Alex says "It's like a beach!"), but that cannot explain his new found enthusiasm for being catapulted across the pool, doing cannonballs and swimming underwater.
RAP
Historically, Alex went to the pool for the snocones; he still loves his snocones, and now he has expanded his pool diet to include hot dogs, but it is clear that he wants to be there to play in the water. I think the new zero entry to the pool has helped (Alex says "It's like a beach!"), but that cannot explain his new found enthusiasm for being catapulted across the pool, doing cannonballs and swimming underwater.
RAP
Monday, June 6, 2005
Nefarious, Odious or Dastardly
Last Tuesday we had another epic contest on the diamond, and in this game I doubt anyone would challenge my use of words such as nefarious, odious or dastardly to describe our opponents. The coaching staff of "Reds I" were a bit sportsmanship challenged.
For this dispatch, that does not matter; what is important is what Michael did. In his first two hits the curse of the lefty struck once more. He hit line drives that went straight to first base. At that juncture I changed his stance; I dropped his left foot back and moved his right foot forward relative to the plate. The results of this strategem were encouraging: his next two at bats his hits allowed him to get to base.
RAP
For this dispatch, that does not matter; what is important is what Michael did. In his first two hits the curse of the lefty struck once more. He hit line drives that went straight to first base. At that juncture I changed his stance; I dropped his left foot back and moved his right foot forward relative to the plate. The results of this strategem were encouraging: his next two at bats his hits allowed him to get to base.
RAP
Friday, June 3, 2005
Memorial Day 2005
We made our annual pilgrimage to the cemetery on Memorial Day. I'd like to stop by more often than once a year, but this last year has been busy. The boys were very excited about the flags; they went to the office and picked them up themselves. Unfortunately the ground was pretty hard, so I had to plant them in the ground.
At the markers, I had each boy say 'Hi,' and share something about themselves. Alex did the bare minimum and moved on. On the hand, Michael made sure that news of Captain Underpants was carried on to the next world. Since he had a captive audience, he went on for quite a while!
RAP
At the markers, I had each boy say 'Hi,' and share something about themselves. Alex did the bare minimum and moved on. On the hand, Michael made sure that news of Captain Underpants was carried on to the next world. Since he had a captive audience, he went on for quite a while!
RAP
First Snocones
Memorial Day weekend is the traditional date that the outdoor pools open in the east; to some this means it is time to dive into summer, but to Alexander O'Donovan Patton it means that snocones have returned to his diet.
This year, the boys have chosen to color coordinate their snocones to their bathing suits. Alex is eating the green flavored one, and Michael is eating the blue flavored one. You may recoil at the idea that colors have a taste, but the snocone flavors clearly do not correspond to any natural taste, leaving color as the only thing that we can use to identify them by.
R.A.P.
This year, the boys have chosen to color coordinate their snocones to their bathing suits. Alex is eating the green flavored one, and Michael is eating the blue flavored one. You may recoil at the idea that colors have a taste, but the snocone flavors clearly do not correspond to any natural taste, leaving color as the only thing that we can use to identify them by.
R.A.P.
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Best Foot Forward
Developmentally, Alex has had a good spring. One encouraging thing that we have noticed is that Alex is playing outside a great deal more than he has in the past. In recent months he has been helping with baseball in the backyard, playing on the swingset and entertaining in the "Fun Club" on a daily basis.
Also, we have noticed that his fear of reading is subsiding. If Alex thinks he cannot do something, he recoils from it, and won't even try. That was the case with reading for a while, but not anymore. Something that has helped him is his enthusiasm for a comic book called "Gon." I bought him an issue and he loved it; now we are ordering back issues from the library to entertain him, and to fuel this fire. It is mostly wordless, but it gets him reading left to right, top to bottom and has made him feel like he can read.
I find the artwork non-aesthetically pleasing, but who am I to judge. He likes it, and the art has won the Harvey Award (which is why it is the library - win an award and they will stock you). No matter what style of art it uses, what is important is that it encouraging Alex to wade into reading.
RAP
Also, we have noticed that his fear of reading is subsiding. If Alex thinks he cannot do something, he recoils from it, and won't even try. That was the case with reading for a while, but not anymore. Something that has helped him is his enthusiasm for a comic book called "Gon." I bought him an issue and he loved it; now we are ordering back issues from the library to entertain him, and to fuel this fire. It is mostly wordless, but it gets him reading left to right, top to bottom and has made him feel like he can read.
I find the artwork non-aesthetically pleasing, but who am I to judge. He likes it, and the art has won the Harvey Award (which is why it is the library - win an award and they will stock you). No matter what style of art it uses, what is important is that it encouraging Alex to wade into reading.
RAP
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
A Full Day of Work and Play
Due to Jenny's trip out west, we are bachelors once more, and oh how we are relishing our bachelorhood. It started with 4 hours in the office; the kids played games, I did work. Truthfully, I was more productive than I am most mornings.
Once we had completed our duties for the day, we headed out to Easton for some fun. First we went to Johnny Rockets for lunch. Once we had savored our meals, we spent 15 minutes at GameWorks. The grande finale was catching Madagascar at the AMC Theater.
The departure from Easton did not mean that our fun was over. When we arrived home, we quickly put on our suits and headed out to the pool. This was the first weekend it was open in 2005, and we were anxious to feel its wet embrace. After we dined on snow cones, we came home and practiced some baseball and ran in the sprinkler. A full day of work and play.
~R
Once we had completed our duties for the day, we headed out to Easton for some fun. First we went to Johnny Rockets for lunch. Once we had savored our meals, we spent 15 minutes at GameWorks. The grande finale was catching Madagascar at the AMC Theater.
The departure from Easton did not mean that our fun was over. When we arrived home, we quickly put on our suits and headed out to the pool. This was the first weekend it was open in 2005, and we were anxious to feel its wet embrace. After we dined on snow cones, we came home and practiced some baseball and ran in the sprinkler. A full day of work and play.
~R
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