Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The boys loved Mardi Gras, and if nothing else it was a chance to wear their Halloween costumes once more! We might go again one year, I don't know. It is a lot of fun for the wee ones. My dad's project in San Francisco is a bit fortuitous with my speech at the same time. It will be fun for the boys to spend time with their grandparents on vacation; the last time we did that was all those years ago in Orlando .
RAP (2.27.2007)

Patton Kids

Patton Kids
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

To some Mardi Gras is synonymous with debauchery of the basest sort, but not to the Patton boys; to those lads it is associated with stuffed animals, warm weather and a good read. Michael is reading Harry Potter 5 right now, and is about halfway through it's 900 pages. Alex is reading a series of Magic Treehouse books, the same ones Michael used to consume. What I am most pleased about is that they choose to read for fun in their spare moments, such as the time before a big parade.
RAP (2.26.2007)

The Whole Driveway

The Whole Driveway
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Being an industrious lad, Alex grabbed a snow shovel on a recent day off from school and then he proclaimed that he would shovel the "whole backyard." A little elbow grease later Alex retracted his statement, not because it was too much work, but because he did not know where to shovel the snow to! By the time this card ships we will be in New Orleans where the forecast does not include snow or shoveling.
RAP (2.20.2007)

Double Brother

Double Brother
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We finally had a big snowstorm. Big enough for Eli Pinney to be closed, large enough for Ohio State to close and even of such immensity to keep me home from work. With all this snow, it was imperative that we go sledding once more. The picture on the front was the grand finale of the adventure: the double brother. Alex was very skeptical of trying it, but in the end, the coercion paid off as he loved it. With their combined weight they were able to get all the way to the wall where they bounced off. It was a short trip though, because our mathematician forgot his gloves; I guess that he somehow forgot sub-freezing temperatures did not compute for him. So he got my gloves, and my hands got cold.
RAP (2.16.2007)

This Is A Hard Hat Area, I am Going To Have To Ask You To Leave.

This Is A Hard Hat Area
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last week were the boys first "snow days" in recent memory. There was not too much snow, but it was certainly cold. So the boys got 2 days off and 2 late start days.

With that time off, Jenny took them to a movie, they read, built marble roller coasters and played with the Wii. The Wii even inspired them to go the Bowling alley; their scores were better on the Wii than in real life, but I think the fun was equal.
RAP (2.14.2007)

Lost In The Super Market

Lost In The Super Market
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Jake was a good boy when he visited us; there was a minimum of fussing and he slept through the night. I think Ohio agrees with him.

As his god mother, Jenny is always excited to see him. Michael likes him too and at times he even catches Alex's fancy. His hair is going to stay red, and his eyes blue, but I don't see him walking before a year. Every time I would try some pre-walking play he seemed befuddled. Good thing he can crawl like the wind.
RAP (2.13.2007)

Ammenable

Ammenable
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael and, especially, Alex like to the play video games. But left to their own devices they have been choosing another pastime more frequently; the prefer to play pretend together. They have several pretend games, some home grown, some imported from friends and some extrapolated from their video games. The like to be left alone when they engage in this play, but Jen and I do catch glimpses into their world now and then.
RAP(2.9.2007)

Enguard!

Enguard!
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Even though Jake was with us, we still made it to the Eli Pinney Winter Festival. Michael and Alex shot balls, jumped on jumpy things, played putt putt and got animal balloons. Jake just watched. It was a fun evening for all involved.

Alex obtained a balloon polar bear with a honey jar. The balloon maker was quick to point out that was a unique request. Michael got a sword and is ready for adventure.
RAP (2.1.2007)