Easton Santa

Easton Santa
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Each year we choose to visit Santa at Easton; one of the interesting things about his visits to this location is that he keeps his appearance the same from year to year. At other sites he tweaks his look as time goes by to the degree you would almost guess that it is a different person in the red costume. Why would St. Nick choose to alter his facade at all the various places? Maybe he is trying to avoid someone (owes someone money? the henchmen of the international Wolverine Conspiracy? the IRS?).

This may seem silly, but the fact that he uses so many aliases (Father Christmas, Chris Cringle etc.) supports this theory. If he is trying to avoid some nefarious ner-do-well, it is nice to know that he feels safe enough in Ohio to maintain his constant appearance.
RAP (12.26.2006)

Open The Presents

Open The Presents
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last Thursday, Michael had an allergic reaction to a food we were trying on him. At first we thought it was the flu, and if it was, he could not go to school the next day. This devastated him, because on that Friday (a week before school is out!?!) was the class Christmas party. We think of Michael not needing people, but the prospect of missing the party made him very sad. I stayed home from work to watch him Friday, and we decided, in time for the party, that it was a food reaction and not the flu; Michael got to go to the party and had a raucous good time.
RAP (12.21.2006)

Wii would like to play!

Surprise
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Christmas is only a week away and the kids are quite excited. They both are holding out for Santa to get them a Wii, but now they have a new hope: on TV they see these commercials where two eccentric Japanese men show up at your house and say "Wii would like to play!" Of course, they give you a Wii, play the games with you and everyone has a good time. So now Alex is hoping for either the Wii guys OR Santa to show up. I am pulling for old St. Nick.
RAP (12.19.2006)

Creatures of Faith

Lucky Buckeyes
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The boys are doing well lately, both excited that Christmas is on it's way. Their are dreams of sugar plum fairies and Wii's dancing in their heads. They both know that the Wii is unavailable, but they both have absolute faith that Santa, the big man, can get it for them. It is wonderful to be around such creatures of faith, and who understand the world much better than the skeptics that dominate it.
RAP (12.15.2006)

The Golden Boy

The Golden Boy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

On Saturday, we took the boys to see their first Ohio State Basketball game; it was the valiant Buckeyes versus the nefarious Vikings of the geographically challenged Cleveland State. If seeing the home team defeat those neerdowells was not enough, this game was also Greg Oden's first start.

It is thought that he is this generations of Kareem Abdul Jabar or Shaquille O'Neal. I have to tell you, Greg was the real deal. He went 8 for 8, blocked a lot of shots and looked good doing it and Michael and Alex were there to see it. The big surprise of the game was Alex's enthusiasm (usually it is Michael); very few moments went by without him screaming "defense!" or "let's go Bucks!" RAP (12.13.2006)

Domino Contraption

Domino Contraption
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Whenever the weather is inclement, the kids have indoor recess. When Michael has indoor recess, he bypasses the books, computers and games and builds "Domino Contraptions." This has being going on for a while, and he has gotten quite enthused by it. Last night he drew this one, and today he put the do not disturb sign on his door and took an hour and half to build it. All that work for a few fleeting moments of watching it work may seem silly, but I am happy that he can set a goal and enjoy the journey it takes to make it real.
RAP (12.8.2006)

Mario Strikers

MarioStrickers
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

This morning between 3 and 4 AM Santa got in line at Toysrus in an attempt to procure a Wii (this year's hot toy that a certain dynamic duo wants). Even though it was below freezing, it was not too cold at first. However, the hour before day break was brutal. The word was that their were 30 of the coveted items in stock; Santa was approximately the 30th in line (you could not count how many people were in the tents ahead of us).

It turned out 42 units were available and the jolly old elf triumphed again. Some like to think Santa gets kids whatever they want no matter how they behave, but do you really think that he would wait in the cold wee hours of the morning for kids who naughty?
R.A.Patton (12.5.2006)

Note Change Photo to Jenny at zoo

MAP

MAP
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael seems to be doing very well lately; spying on him in class you can see he is raising his hand and listening. Also, he signed up to read in front of the whole class. If he is not afraid of public speaking, we are not going to tell him he should be!

In addition, he has been in one of his creative periods lately. The night we bought our Christmas tree he wrote a short story that was pages and pages long about a Hamster named Hammy. Furthermore, Jenny talked to his art teacher this week and he raved about Michael's ideas, praised his drawing and suggested a class down at CCAD for him.
RAP (12.4.2006)

Treelot Attack

Treelot Attack
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We wanted to wait until December 1st to get our tree, but the weather persuaded us to go last night. As you can tell from the pictures, it was warm and dry last night; my car said it was 67 degrees when we purchased our tree. The temperate will remain high today, but it will share the day with a monsoon. The arrival of December tomorrow is properly decorated with a few inches of snow! So far the biggest fans of the Christmas tree are the kittens, they are in love with it. I wonder what they will think once we decorate it Friday night. RAP(12.1.2006)

The Nefarious International Wolverine Conspiracy

Birthday Morning
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

A certain pariah of Alex's acquaintance thinks that Michigan's fight song exclaims "champions of the west!", but she likes to pretends it says "champions of the world!" I told Alex he needed to correct her and explain to her that final line is "cesspool of the world!"

Actually Alejandro needs no help with the lyrics to that song; in all seriousness, he believes that the name of the their fight song is "Hail, to the Victims." I thought about correcting him, but then I realized he was correct and anyone who claims differently has been brainwashed by the nefarious International Wolverine Conspiracy.
RAP (11.28.2006)

Keen Observations

Precision
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Through out his life Michael has had some incredibly keen observations, ideas that are beyond his years, and really make you wonder how his mind works. Tonight, as I was putting him to bed, we were joking around, and then he looks off into the distance and states that time slows down as you go faster. That is absolutely correct according to the theory of relativity. What I want to know is how he knows that. He can't provide an explanation, but no matter where that idea come from it is idea that not many 9 year old ponder before they go to sleep.
RAP (11.24.2006)

Happy is a good way to start off being 7

Presents
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex had a fabulous birthday weekend. The party was a joyful celebration, and it felt like he recieved presents for 4 straight days. His favorite present was the "Super Smash Brother Brother Melee" game. What they are opening in this image is a pokemon action figure set; I found it on eBay and I think it made him quite happy. Happy is a good way to start off being 7.
RAP(11.22.2006)

Pin The Nose On Brutus

Pin The Nose On Brutus
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex continued the tradition of having a Buckeye Pep Rally Birthday Party with one major new wrinkle: it was a sleep-over. Like those previous, it was a huge success; we have even had parents calling to tell Jen that their kids said it was on the best time of their lives (all 6 or 7 years of it!).

Most of the games stayed the same, with the exception of replacing the Michigan pinata with a "fumble drill." First I lectured the boys on how important fumbles are in the game in football, then I poured a bag of candy out on the floor and yelled "Fumble!" We did that three times, and on the last attempt I had to juke all around the room before I fumbled; it was many of the kids favorite game.
RAP (11.21.2006)

Perfect to Play Pretend on the Swingset

Deep Thought
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

There have been many gray days this fall. I leave the lights off in my office, prefering to let the sun illuminate it. But on the days that the sun does not come in through my windows, it feels like perpetual morning.

There have also been several sunny days this autumn. Some have been cool, but some have been warm. Just last week we were all wearing shorts, but not on this day. This day it was sunny, but a bit cool and perfect to play pretend on the swingset.
RAP (11.16.2006)

The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe

The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last week Alex's class took a field trip to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on the stage. It may have been at Jerome Coffman high school instead of the great white way, but that did not diminish it, and it was a rousing success. This selection of play was most fortuitous for Alejandro, because it is his favorite movie. I am not certain what about the story appeals to him, and I am not certain he knows either, but he loves it. We will see if that translates to reading the other books.
RAP (11.14.2006)

Travel Plans

Niagara Falls
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

This is an older photo, from Niagara falls last month. The trip to the Canadian border was worthwhile. Now the boys have been to Mexico and Canada. Eventually I would like to take them overseas, but I when I asked where to go with our frequent flyer miles in 2008/2009 they voted for Hawaii (we have enough airline miles, and right now I am accumulating hotel miles).

Michael wants to surf. He needs to become a stronger swimmer first, but I do not doubt that he has the balance to do it. On the other hand, Alex is scared of volcanoes and insists that we stay on island without an active one!
RAP(11.10.2006)

Teacher Conferences

New Jackets
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Both boys had excellent teacher reviews. Alex's teacher is in love with him; she likes how smart he is and she enjoys his mischievous side, although they are going to curb it.

Michael's two teachers could not stop gushing about how smart he is. Most kids problem is that they write too little in their assignments; Michael's trouble is that he has multiple ideas to choose from to start with, and then writes huge run on sentences. It is nice to have teachers that appreciate him this year.

RAP (11.7.2006)

An Enchanting Time

Rocking And Rolling
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Autumn is truly an enchanting time; the air is crisp, the scents are stirring and the trees are an explosion of color. Many of our days this fall have been cooler than normal, and more of them have been filled with rain than typical, but still, it has been lovely. Michael and Alex love to rake the leaves in the front yard. They even thought of making it into a business, but mostly they just want to play in them.
RAP (11.2.2006)

Michigan Month

The Horse Shoe
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It feels like Michigan week has begun in October this year, as if it had been upgraded to Michigan month. At work, people are watching the "Bomb Ann Arbor Now" video, you walk down the hallways and you hear people sing Ohio State songs like Christmas carols.

When I was taking Alex to his final soccer game we listened to the classic "Tedd Ginn did Everything" (Alex's favorites) and then changed the station; on this new frequency we heard a bizarre rap song based on "I don't give a damn about the whole state of Michigan." This phenomena is not localized to Ohio either. CBS Sportsline has a countdown clock to the game. ESPN's Gameday does too and they even spent an entire segment breaking down the game this weekend!
RAP (10.31.2006)

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last weekend we stayed at Niagara Falls; in the background of the photo you can see two of the three falls, the American and bridal falls. The Canadian side of the falls is very nice, reminiscent of the Chicago along Lake Michigan.

Another way it was like the home was how people would say "Go, Bucks" when they saw the Ohio State logo on my shirt. A few blocks from the falls it turns into a weird tourist trap where you can see 4-D dinosaurs, Lego villages, Guinness Book of World Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not, wax museums and a whole lot more. The best of the bunch was a "Hershey" store; after a few moments in the store Alex proclaimed "I'm in heaven!"
RAP (10.26.2006)

Jenny's Wish was Finally Granted; She Became a (fairy) Godmother

Three Smiles
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Jenny's wish was finally granted; she became a (fairy) godmother last weekend in Buffalo. Jacob played his part perfectly as the god son, handling the long day, attention and the water without complaint. In addition, our guys behaved admirably, which was important as they were in the second row for an hour long ceremony. Being out of town all weekend provided me with 48 straight hours were I did not work, which was kind of odd; for the last two months I have been working at least 5 hours each Saturday and Sunday. Instead, I ended up driving 6 hours on Friday and Sunday!
RAP (10.26.2006)

Favorite Present

Favorite Present
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael's party was the Sunday before the 17th, but we, as a family, always celebrate his birthday on the morning of the day. Before sunrise on Tuesday the 17th, Michael was ripping through paper, tearing open envelopes and diving into bags. It was a happy morning for him, and for his brother; Alex understands that Michael's birthday is his and vice versa with respect to new toys.

Both boys took two of the cubes from cube world that Michael received to school that day and having the hot new item made them "cool"; Michael came home telling Jenny how popular he was, and a mother in his class called to find out where to get them.
RAP (10.25.2006)

Michael's Party

The Watcher
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

You did not receive an invitation to Michael's party this year, because there were no fancy invitations; just the ones that Magic Mountain gave us. It is not what I would have chosen, but it was not my choice; it was Michael's. He was very happy with his party. They rode go carts, played video games and (drum roll, please) engaged in laser tag. The really good thing about the party is that hopefully it will help him bond with some of the guys in his new class. There were a lot of new faces at his party and perhaps they will transmute into new friends.
RAP (10.20.2006)

Shawnee Falls

Shawnee Falls
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The past three days, Jen has been feeling better, well enough, in fact, to allow us to finally stroll through the new Shawnee Falls park. I had walked it in the spring, but Jen, Michael and Alex had never seen it before. It has quite impressive views especially considering it runs right through old Dublin. We entered at the post office and excited at the library. Actually Jen and the kids excited at the library, I hiked back to the car to pick them up at the library. Jen is better, but I thought it best not to push our luck.
R.A.Patton (10.18.2006)

Dawn's Early Light

Dawn's Early Light
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last week the annual Dad's and Donuts morning was held at Eli Pinney. It may look early in this picture, but usually, I would have been at work for an hour and half by this time. This biggest surprise of the day is four seperate little girls came up to us and said "Hi, Al-eexxx!" No boys came up to us for either boy (although we sat with Michael's best friend), but these four little girls did seek Alex out. :)
RAP (10.17.2006)

Hay Ride

Hay Ride
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex has had some good days, and been in good spirits in recent days. He has been hamming it up for the camera, making him shine in our reduced photo opportunities. I think the ratio of Alex to Michael good pictures is running 3 to 1 lately; this type of lopsided-ness in the quality of pictures used to happen with more frequency when they were little, but this is the first time it has been like this in years. I hope you like smile; you might be seeing a lot of it.
RAP (10.12.2006)

Photographer

Photographer
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our days have been busy, but we were able to steal a few hours Sunday morning to make our annual pilgrimage to Lynd's Fruit Farm. The kids really wanted to go through the corn maze, but the operators said it would take an hour and I could not take that extra time. Perhaps we will find a maze closer to home near the end of the month. Once more, Michael took his camera with him and snapped up pictures of this and that. He is starting to get excited for his birthday!
RAP (10.11.2006)

It Means I Went to Work Late that Day

Off To School
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Whenever you see pictures like this, it means I went to work late that day. I like to take pictures of the kids leaving for and coming home from school, but Jen, not so much. At this point I would say that Alex's transition to all day school has gone well. Michael seems to be doing ok, even asked kids that he did not know to play tag on the playground the other day; something unusual for him.
RAP (10.6.2006)

Bumper Boy

Bumper Boy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael's books du jour have been his "Bumper Boy" books. They are about a kid who plays marbles (and sometimes loses his!) and his friends. Alex also enjoys these books and has been reading quite a bit lately; I have been getting him these collection of Garfield strips, "Fat Cat Packs", from the library and he has been adoring them. One day he read they for an hour and half.
RAP (10.4.2006)

Not So Sick

Not So Sick
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It has been a rough week for Alex, but things turned around today (Sunday). On Tuesday, his teacher sent a note home saying she suspected that Alex was sick; low and behold we had to keep him out of school for the rest of the week because he was sick.

The climax to our odyssey came Friday night when his pediatrician sent him down to Children's Hospital in the early afternoon. Despite having the doctor call ahead, and arrange care for us, we waited a long time, and did not get home until past 11. The good news is that Alex is better, the bad news is Michael is sick, but he seems to be weathering it better.
RAP (10.3.2006)

A New Gifted Coordinator

Shooter
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

There is a new gifted coordinator at Eli Pinney and she is doing things a bit differently; most important of which is that she has created a pre-gifted gifted program that Alex has been selected for. It will focus on Math and is tied to some sort of competition. We also found out that the test that Michael takes to get into the gifted program is scheduled for when we are in New Orleans. Wonderful. I am sure we will be able to reschedule it.
RAP(9.28.2006)

Take It To The Goal

TakeItToTheGoal
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Soccer is in full swing, and all I can say is that Jenny and I can't wait for it be over. Alex's team lost 12-0 nothing Saturday. It was not pretty, but Alex liked kicking off and corner kicks.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Michael's team dominated their opponent. Michael played his responsibility well; most of the time he stays on the periphery, but there was one sequence where he went in and had about six good kicks on the ball. His efforts ultimately let a member of his team score. He is having fun and Alex likes the snacks; what more could we ask for?
RAP (9.27.2006)

The Bear Expert Video

Ready For School
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last Tuesday, Alex's teacher used the hotline to have the principal come to their class, post haste. That does not sound good does it. The foreshadowing gets worse, Alex was the reason that Mr. Bates was called in to the class.

Fortunately, the principal was not required to pass out any punishment, all he had to do was watch a Bear Expert Video made by Alexander O'Donovan Patton. The kids watched it for a second time as the principal witnessed it for the first and they all loved it. In fact his class watched it again on Wednesday, even though they never watched any other kids project more than once.
RAP (9.26.2006)

The Last Splash

The Last Splash
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Summer is over now, the pool has been replaced with school as the temperatures have cooled. We will miss summer, but it's time was over and we are happy to have the fall come on. Each season has it's flavor and one of fall's is chili with football. So far we have experimented with a chili recipe each football Saturday. This last weeks was a bit too spicy. This week we are going to tone it down a bit and add a little lime juice to complement the fresh cilantro.
RAP (9.15.2006)

Alex is One Smart Panda

Alex
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex is one smart panda; we gave him the old riddle about have two coins that added up to 30 cents, with the caveat that one of them is not a nickel. Instantly Alex solved it, realizing that "the other one" was a nickel. Likewise, he learned in his first soccer game that he prefers to play defense, because there is not as much running involved when you protect the goal. That is our Alex!
RAP (9.14.2006)

His Enthusiasm in Unabated

Scrum
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We were concerned how Michael would handle soccer. Would he listen enough? Would he get into the middle of the action? Yes and Yes. Michael was in some sort of wing position and stayed in his relative place the whole time, much better than anyone else did. The whole time he played his responsibility and back peddled I kept thinking he would be a good DB. When the ball came to his zone he went into the scrum, made a few stops and broke his thumb. Do not fear, his enthusiasm in unabated.
RAP (9.13.2006)

Soccer

Soccer
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

With autumn falling into our lives soccer has become part of our lives. Alex had practice last night, Michael has it tonight, and tomorrow and on Saturday we have three games. The last time we tried soccer, the boys did not get it. However, they seem to get it a bit more now, and even enjoy it.

Our big chore now is deciding Michael's party; he wanted a lazer tag party, but it closed down. So now we are deciding between a soccer, movie, Magic Mountain, Pump it Up or Dave and Buster's. party.
RAP(9.8.2006)

Chili for All

Busstop
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

To some degree everyone in our family likes chili. Michael loves it, Jenny likes it and Alex tolerates it. The problem is that we do not eat the same chili, because the one I make has wheat as an ingredient.

So this weekend, I made a chili from scratch that we all could have. We bought everything fresh and organic; the kids helped me mix our new chili powder as if they were in a science lab. Overall, everyone ate it and liked it, but it was not great. This week we are going to change our mixture a bit: get rid of the cinnamon and up the pepper.
RAP (9.6.2006)

First Day Of School

FirstDayOfSchool
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Today was the first day of school, and it seems like it went well. Alex loved it all, but he should; he has the teacher we wanted, and all his friends are in there with him. Michael's also seemed to have a good day. He played soccer at recess with his best friend, John. We were bummed to see they were in different classes, but are happy to know that is not the end of their friendship. We are going to make a special effort to encourage this friendship outside of school, and even have the boys first sleep over penciled in.
RAP (9.1.2006)

True North

The Cub House
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

After shopping for our groceries, we decided to eat lunch at Whole Foods. While Alex was eating his cheese pizza he pointed out which direction was North, South, East and West. He was correct on all four; Jen kept trying to figure out how he knew it, but as far as I can tell he knew what the directions were at our house and was able to transpose those in his mind to Whole Foods. Both boys understood the trick is to know where North is, but Alex actually knew where North was.
RAP (8.30.2006)

Home

Coming Home
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The boys made it home safely this week; Alex with his bears, and Michael with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (which, I would like to add, he finished on the flight). It is good to be home. Home is more than a place though, it is an idea, a state of mind. I could have taken the boys to Tae Kwon Do anywhere in America this morning, but it would not be the same. Where else could I turn on the on the radio at 9:35 am Saturday morning and be blessed with the replay of the Ohio State Miami 2003 Fiesta Bowl? Where else would I have hit the button and be popped into the the end of the first over time, and stay with it all the way to the end? It is good to be home.
RAP (8.29.2006)

We Can Be Heroes

We Can Be Heroes
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

While we were in L.A., we went to the local Science and Industry Museum to see the Science behind Marvel Heroes. It seemed to reinforce the science concepts we saw at the Star Wars science exhibit, especially the concept of magnetic levitation for Michael. Speaking of Michael, his Captain America Shirt (the one we got him for taking his super soldier shots) was a big hit; I had people ask me where they could get it for their husbands and sons.
RAP (8.23.2006)

Meet You Halfway

MeetYouHalfway
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex gets lots of credit for Alex-isms -- his observations of the world that are amusing, and show us a different perspective of reality. Alex does have a lot of them, but he also spends a lot more time with his mother than Michael does, which allows her to observe them and pass them on. Michael has been in school all day, so Jen does not spend as much time with, but last week while swimming Michael had a Michael-ism.

He told Jenny that it was too bad that this Hotel was not around when God was around. Jenny was confused, so Michael explained it would have been a nice place to be born. So Michael thinks that the nativity should have happened at the Ritz instead of in a barn.
RAP (8.22.2006)

Two Brothers

Two Brothers
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Jenny's Uncle Bill is a Magician, and that allows him to be a member at a club in Los Angeles named the Magic Castle. With his membership he took us to a brunch there on Sunday (children are only allowed in on Sunday). Being a fancy place, we had to dress up, and that means pictures!

Since Michael has read two Harry Potter books and is in the middle of the third this was a good time to see a magic show. The kids were very impressed with the card tricks, magic pianos and slight of hand.
RAP (8.18.2006)

Welcome To LA

WelcomeToLA
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Micheal's reading prowess continuess to increase. Last week he read "Harry Potter: The Chamber of Secrets" in a handful of days. He started it on the weekend before we left and finished all the 347 pages by Thursday. The great thing is he is now interested in another reading challenge, and was even up for "Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban," but we have decided to steer him towards something else in order to broaden his horizons. Perhaps Judy Blume's "Ramona the Pest" or "Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing". Whatever we choose I am certain he can do it.
RAPatton (8.16.2006)

Dodgers win!

Dodgers win!
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael loves the Dodgers, so each summer we try to attend a Dodgers game . This yearI tried to get tickets to see them defeat the nefarious Giants, but I had to settle for tickets to watch them crush the odious Rockies. After seeing the game, "settling" would be the wrong term; the Dodgers won the game at the bottom of the 9th when Kenny Lofton's double created the game winning RBI to break the 3-3 tie. What you see in this picture was the moment of jubilant celebration as the speakers blared "I love LA" and the crowd (including our guys) went wild.
RAP (8.15.2006)

Triumph

Triumph
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

I had been moving around this morning finishing packing and getting reading for work. Finally, a tad before 7, I came back out into the great room and the lights were on. I looked at the couch and their was Michael reading "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." It is a 330 page book and he is halfway through; he only started Sunday. Jenny and I were talking last night and think that Michael might already read faster than Jenny! Not only does it do it quickly, he retains it and enjoys it!
RAP (8.14.2006)

Banshee

Banshee
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last Sunday we went to the Irish Festival. We went early because they had mass (in Gaelic and English), it was free if you entered before 11am and it was going to be a hot day. Despite our efforts to avoid the heat, it was so warm we bypassed most of the kids activities.

To hide from the heat, we ducked into an Irish Magic Show. Michael really wanted to be picked, but fate had other ideas. However, Alejandro was able to be a volunteer for "Tears of the Banshee." Actually, I think it was Alex trying to figure out how the trick worked that black-balled Michael; Alex was supposed to hold a sign flush to a funnel, so as to catch the Banshee's tears that streamed out. Alex, being a curious young man, kept separating the poster and funnel because he wanted to see the banshee cry.
RAP (8.11.2006)

Can We Dig It

Can We Dig It
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex has had many one liners lately, but unfortunately I can not remember any now. The important thing is that his wit and wisdom are not waning at all. He always has a zinger or two ready, and usually they provide some sort of insight. Alex prefers to have others read to him, but he is reading quite well for his age. Some of it is memorization of favorite books, but he read the subtitles on the TV the other night.
RAP (8.10.2006)

Water Warriors

Water Warriors
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The last week of July/first week of August is typically the hottest time of year, and 2006 has been true to form. In addition to cooling off at the pool there are other options, and on this hot, hazy day Michael and Alex went to the Homestead Park with their friends and their squirt guns. If you inspect the image you can see that Alex's shirt is soaked which either makes him the big loser (got hit the most), or big winner (was smart enough to allow himself to be hit to cool off!). Michael chose the smartest path; bathing suit only. It was cool as it could be, yet dries fast.
RAP (8.9.2006)