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)