Much like their mother's birthweek extrvaganza, the kids' birthday celebrations are now spread over multiple days. Not the 7 or 8 days their mother gets, but 2 days is still more than one. Michael's multi-day festival of fun started with his party on the 16th. Next was his true birthday, which was kicked off by the opening of presents at dawn. The celebration concluded with cupcakes (gluten-free) with his classmates at the end of the school day. It took two days to celebrate 8 years, but every second was worth it.
RAP
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The Pumpkin Hunt
One of my favorite innovations for Michael's birthday party is the 'Great Pumpkin Hunt;' it's an Easter Egg style hunt, but with plastic pumpkins instead of plastic eggs. Inside each pumpkin in our patch (aka the backyard) is a small toy or candy provided by the Oriental Trading Company. Most of what is inside is junk (in my opinion), but don't tell that to the children! From my perspective, I think the adrenaline rush of the competition is the real prize for the kids. It is quite a sight to see them take off in frenzied, chaotic rush.
R
R
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Alex has an October birthday, in addition to his November birthday
One of the benefits of the proximity of the boys ages and enthusiasms, is that Michael's birthday presents make Alex very happy. After all, they pretty much share everything, and any gift for Michael is a gift for Alex. As witnessed in this image, this present from Uncle Billy made Alex very excited; I think he exclaimed, "'We' got the T-Robo!" It seems that Alex has an October birthday, in addition to his November birthday!
RAP
RAP
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Less than 72 hours, but they were Good Hours
Our final day in Orlando was our pool day; we swam, slid and played water volleyball. Afterwards, Jenny and the boys road a swan paddle boat that Michael had wanted to sail since the first morning we arrived.
That mid-morning we ventured to Downtown Disney (DTD) for breakfast (no way we were eating at breakfast at the hotel again -- 66 dollars on the first day was more than enough!). While walking at DTD we came across a LEGO store and the boys had a blast. They built, played and admired all the creations around them. That concludes the recap of our trip; it was less than 72 hours, but they were good hours.
RAP
That mid-morning we ventured to Downtown Disney (DTD) for breakfast (no way we were eating at breakfast at the hotel again -- 66 dollars on the first day was more than enough!). While walking at DTD we came across a LEGO store and the boys had a blast. They built, played and admired all the creations around them. That concludes the recap of our trip; it was less than 72 hours, but they were good hours.
RAP
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Thing 1, 2, 3 And 4
Our vacation was only three days long, so their was no time to relax! On our second day in Florida, we voyaged to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. It was a really good park, full or attractions that we had never seen before. Again, the first ride of the day was rough for Michael; it was the Spider-man ride and it was very cool. 3D villains all around you; when they use flamethrowers you get hot, when they jump on your vehicle it shakes. It was tres cool.
After that, Michael loved every ride (even the ones that were much scarier than Spider-man) even roller coasters that went high and fast. In fact he wanted to ride the Dr. Doom ride that went 200 feet in the air; thankfully he was too small. Alex was scared to go on some rides, but we pressed him into it, and he loved them. He especially enjoyed 'The Flying Unicorn,' a simple fast roller coaster for kids. Both boys claim they enjoyed the Dr. Suess and Jurassic Park Islands the most. It was a fun day, and I suspect in a few years we will be back.
RAP
After that, Michael loved every ride (even the ones that were much scarier than Spider-man) even roller coasters that went high and fast. In fact he wanted to ride the Dr. Doom ride that went 200 feet in the air; thankfully he was too small. Alex was scared to go on some rides, but we pressed him into it, and he loved them. He especially enjoyed 'The Flying Unicorn,' a simple fast roller coaster for kids. Both boys claim they enjoyed the Dr. Suess and Jurassic Park Islands the most. It was a fun day, and I suspect in a few years we will be back.
RAP
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Epcot
We arrived a tad before midnight on Tuesday, but that did not stop us from sailing over to Epcot as soon as I completed my rehearsal Wednesday morning. Michael was bit tired and got freaked out on Soarin'; he really should not have, and later admitted that it was fun. He should have gotten freaked out on Test Track, but that ended up being his favorite attraction. He also dug the World of Energy because it had Bill Nye the Science Guy, who Michael finds amusing.
I had to leave them in the middle of the day to give my speech; they hung around the park for a while and then returned to the hotel for a break (we were on the Disney property). After my speech, we returned to the park and focused on the country exhibits. The boys loved Mexico, but weren't crazy about Norway. Both adored the fireworks and lasers; Michael kept saying 'Amazing!' as the sky was illuminated.
RAP
I had to leave them in the middle of the day to give my speech; they hung around the park for a while and then returned to the hotel for a break (we were on the Disney property). After my speech, we returned to the park and focused on the country exhibits. The boys loved Mexico, but weren't crazy about Norway. Both adored the fireworks and lasers; Michael kept saying 'Amazing!' as the sky was illuminated.
RAP
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Stunned by his Moxie
Our first stop at the Fall Festival was the cake walk; it was early and not every spot was full. Michael won a cake right away; of course he went ahead a made a point to explain that he could not eat it, but he was happy to win anyway.
Alex continued to try, and on one iteration they called number 7 after the music stopped. Ever astute Alex noticed that no one was on number 7. Being a cake enthusiast and quick witted, he ran across the room and jumped on number 7. Stunned by his moxie, they declared him the winner.
RAP
Alex continued to try, and on one iteration they called number 7 after the music stopped. Ever astute Alex noticed that no one was on number 7. Being a cake enthusiast and quick witted, he ran across the room and jumped on number 7. Stunned by his moxie, they declared him the winner.
RAP
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Eli Pinney PTO Fall Festival Fundraiser
Friday night was the big Eli Pinney PTO Fall Festival Fundraiser. It was a success, both for the PTO and for the children who participated. One of the games was a 'hockey shoot.' Alex went first and slowly dribbled the puck up, and slid it through the hole; violating the spirit of the rules, but never the rules.
Despite Alex's example, Michael lined up and did it the way it was supposed to be done. In a frantic blue streak Michael's stick made contact with the pucks and at great velocity and they went through the holes. It was most likely luck, but I did think to myself that maybe he should be playing hockey.
RAP
Despite Alex's example, Michael lined up and did it the way it was supposed to be done. In a frantic blue streak Michael's stick made contact with the pucks and at great velocity and they went through the holes. It was most likely luck, but I did think to myself that maybe he should be playing hockey.
RAP
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Angler
Last week Alex caught his first fish in his angling course; this week he moved to the head of the class as he caught a whopping 7 fish. Despite his lack of mastery in the lingo of the angler (he never says 'Arrrr' or 'Landlubber'), he is becoming a force that all the beasties of the deep fear. As his skills increase, so does his fame; the parent fish tell their guppies stories of Alex Patton to scare them when they are naughty. Beware little fish, their is a new angler in town.
RAP
RAP
Thursday, October 6, 2005
Lots of Good Days Since School has Started
Michael has had lots of good days since school has started, and we have been able to cut back on the overall levels of supplements and therapy. That has been nice, because he has less and less free time as he gets older. He seems to have a best friend, Connor, this year. Which is good; what is bad is that Connor seems a bit bipolar and Jekyll and Hyde-ish.
Michael's invitations have hit the street and the kids seem pretty excited, because the word has gotten out about how much fun last years was. We have a lot of work ahead of us to equal last year's celebration and between then and now I have to keep working all the time, prepare for my speech and spend three days in Florida!
RAP
Michael's invitations have hit the street and the kids seem pretty excited, because the word has gotten out about how much fun last years was. We have a lot of work ahead of us to equal last year's celebration and between then and now I have to keep working all the time, prepare for my speech and spend three days in Florida!
RAP
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Dads And Donuts
Last week we participated in the Eli Pinney's "Dads and Donuts." Michael could not have a donut, but that is alright because Alex had two. He washed them down with chocolate moo, and it was good.
Don't cry for Michael, Agentina; he had a banana, orange juice and some dark chocolate discs that we brought from home for him. The boys saw many of their friends (those with lastnames from M-Z), and after socializing we cruised on over to their classrooms (they are two doors away from each other). Alex enjoyed showing me his classroom, but I think he would have rather had a third donut!
RAP
Don't cry for Michael, Agentina; he had a banana, orange juice and some dark chocolate discs that we brought from home for him. The boys saw many of their friends (those with lastnames from M-Z), and after socializing we cruised on over to their classrooms (they are two doors away from each other). Alex enjoyed showing me his classroom, but I think he would have rather had a third donut!
RAP
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Lynd's Fruit Farm
Since it was the Ohio State bye week, we made our annual pilgrimage to Lynd's Fruit farm. It was spectacular autumn day; blue sky, crisp air and a bright sun. They seem to add something at Lynd's each year; now they stop during the hay ride, so that everyone can pick their own snack. Michael liked that idea; he ate his own apple and Alex's. They also built giant slides, which Michael and Alex both enjoyed many times.
After we harvested our pumpkins and apples (Red Delicious, Gold Delicious and Jonathan Smith), we went to the Cap City Dinner in Gahana. They have a gluten free menu, and Jenny had her best meal in a year (her words, not mine). What is great about this trip, is that they boys gain an intuitive understanding that what they eat comes from the earth and sky, and just doesn't just magically appear in produce aisle.
RAP
After we harvested our pumpkins and apples (Red Delicious, Gold Delicious and Jonathan Smith), we went to the Cap City Dinner in Gahana. They have a gluten free menu, and Jenny had her best meal in a year (her words, not mine). What is great about this trip, is that they boys gain an intuitive understanding that what they eat comes from the earth and sky, and just doesn't just magically appear in produce aisle.
RAP
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