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)