Saturday Night we took the kids to their first (and mine also) Hockey game. It was the Majestic Ohio State Buckeyes Vs. the Diabolic Forces of Evil from Notre Dame. I figured if any Hockey game would be interesting, this would be the one, but I was wrong. It was just as uninteresting as any other Hockey match. It was like watching Soccer or paint dry.
Fortunately, the good people of the Ohio State University anticipated this, and had many things for the kids to enjoy such as this jumpy things, interactive displays and amusing scored board graphics. Throw in a little popcorn and cotton candy and the kids still had a good time, despite the Hockey!
RAP
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Sandwiches For the Homeless
Jenny is continually amazed with the amount of community service projects that are done in conjunction with Eli Pinney; she often remarks that to some extant it almost feels like a religious orientated school. The community service project du jour was making sandwiches for the homeless. They had to make a score at home and another score at school. So with 2 score sandwiches and 6 boxes of plastic bags our boys learned a little bit about helping others.
RAP
RAP
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Two Tribes
December was abnormally cold, but the pendulum has swung the other way, and January has been quite temperate as you can witness in this snapshot. That day it was 55 and sunny. Most days don't go into the 50s, but most have been warm. The 10 day forecast seems to point to continued mild temperatures, but I am certain at some point we will get a big snowstorm.
Due to the mild weather, the boys have been playing outside a great deal; the play the same type of pretend games they play inside; usually Mario or Kirby based. At that moment Alex was rambling on how he was a character from the Mario and was getting Michael some ice cream. Yes, ice cream in Winter; I told you it has been warm.
~RAP
Due to the mild weather, the boys have been playing outside a great deal; the play the same type of pretend games they play inside; usually Mario or Kirby based. At that moment Alex was rambling on how he was a character from the Mario and was getting Michael some ice cream. Yes, ice cream in Winter; I told you it has been warm.
~RAP
Monday, January 23, 2006
The Fastest Michael Alive
Since school was not in session on MLK Day, Michael was able to go to Alex's Locker Soccer class; furthermore there were many older siblings in attendance, so the coach allowed them all to participate. Michael was the fastest there, and surprisingly enough, good at soccer (according to Jens).
This was a bit surprising because the last time he played soccer he was not into it all. He did not lack ability, but instead he just did not 'get it' (I don't get it either); now he seems to 'get it,' most likely due to the Mario Strikers game he plays. Athletically, I am more impressed with the way he runs; his arms and legs are in the ideal position. I had to work a long time to get that right and he seems pretty natural at it.
R
This was a bit surprising because the last time he played soccer he was not into it all. He did not lack ability, but instead he just did not 'get it' (I don't get it either); now he seems to 'get it,' most likely due to the Mario Strikers game he plays. Athletically, I am more impressed with the way he runs; his arms and legs are in the ideal position. I had to work a long time to get that right and he seems pretty natural at it.
R
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Kassi Crop
After a cold December, it has been a temperate January. Not California temperatures, but the mercury did hit 60 the other day. Right now we are concerned that we might have a winter without sledding; there was snow in December, but there was not enough of it. Hopefully we will get at least 1 good sledding trip in this season.
RAP
P.S. This image was christened 'Kassi Crop' because Kassi likes to cut of peoples heads in her photos.
RAP
P.S. This image was christened 'Kassi Crop' because Kassi likes to cut of peoples heads in her photos.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Lego Racers
Clearly the biggest hit at Legoland was the Volvo Test Track where the kids drove their own cars through a Lego world. They had the freedom to drive wherever they wanted, which made it a much better than rides where you have to follow some sort of guide rail.
This philosophy was also carried on in a boat ride that the boys navigated later. At the end of the boat ride, Alex told Jenny that he was "a crazy speed boat driver," which made me smile. Alex is a smart kid, but he is completely in the dark with regard to the origin of that phrase. If you can remember years past, you will recall that Tim Huff first used that phrase to describe Grandpa's driving of a van, and it has been part of the Patton vernacular ever since.
RAP
This philosophy was also carried on in a boat ride that the boys navigated later. At the end of the boat ride, Alex told Jenny that he was "a crazy speed boat driver," which made me smile. Alex is a smart kid, but he is completely in the dark with regard to the origin of that phrase. If you can remember years past, you will recall that Tim Huff first used that phrase to describe Grandpa's driving of a van, and it has been part of the Patton vernacular ever since.
RAP
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The Rose Buffet
One of the nice things about Jenny coming from San Marino is that she has connections to people in the Tournament of Roses. In the past that has led to tickets, and this year it granted us special access to the floats the night before the parade.
After the floats are done and judged our kids were walking (and running!) around and admiring them. This float, the dinosaur one, was their favorite. It was pretty cool; half of it was fruit (which is legal), so we joked that after the parade their would be the Rose buffet.
RAP
After the floats are done and judged our kids were walking (and running!) around and admiring them. This float, the dinosaur one, was their favorite. It was pretty cool; half of it was fruit (which is legal), so we joked that after the parade their would be the Rose buffet.
RAP
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Big Blue
Our recent journeys (which have been the root of my recent tardiness in our correspondence) took us to the original Sea World in San Diego. After a slow start, it turned it out to be a hit. It is interesting combination of theme park rides and wild animals. Michael loved the dolphins and (of course) the whales.
He has had a recurring dream for some time now of riding on a Blue Whale (he calls him Big Blue). At Sea World you actually see the trainers ride the dolphins and Orcas, and while they were not Blue Whales, Michael was quite impressed. Impressed enough that he would consider dreaming of riding on Shamu and friends.
>>> RAP
He has had a recurring dream for some time now of riding on a Blue Whale (he calls him Big Blue). At Sea World you actually see the trainers ride the dolphins and Orcas, and while they were not Blue Whales, Michael was quite impressed. Impressed enough that he would consider dreaming of riding on Shamu and friends.
>>> RAP
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Dinocoaster
Study this card well because this could be you guys in a few years; your dad enjoys being a grandparent, and he is getting to be quite a pro at it. He knows Sea World, Disneyland, California Adventure and Legoland. Give him some time and he will be as knowledgeable about children's destinations as anyone in the Southland.
On the roller coasters he had his arms up and screamed the loudest. It was fun to see the kid in him laugh and play. Take care and enjoy your vist with Joe.
~ Robert
On the roller coasters he had his arms up and screamed the loudest. It was fun to see the kid in him laugh and play. Take care and enjoy your vist with Joe.
~ Robert
Bears and Alex, Alex and Bears
Bears and Alex, Alex and Bears; those two have gone together ever since there has been Alex, and at this vantage it feels like they will be commingled forever. Of course things change, and eventually his fire for Bears may dim, or even be eclipsed by something else. However, I am fairly certain that if that day comes, it too will pass when he has his own children, and they have their own Bears.
RAP
RAP
Turns The Tables
Thank you for opening your house to us and letting us fill your cabinets with food you have no interest in eating and take over your TV room. Thank you, too, of course for going with us to Legoland and Sea World.
Your grandsons have always enjoyed spending time with you, and like all relationships that is not something that just happens; it has taken the effort and care you have invested to make it what it is today. It takes shared experiences and enough time together to get moments like the one in the picture. I know you have been busy and have tons of things to do at year end, but I think that this was the best way you could have used your time and I thank you for it.
RAP
Your grandsons have always enjoyed spending time with you, and like all relationships that is not something that just happens; it has taken the effort and care you have invested to make it what it is today. It takes shared experiences and enough time together to get moments like the one in the picture. I know you have been busy and have tons of things to do at year end, but I think that this was the best way you could have used your time and I thank you for it.
RAP
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