We've Got Him

We've Got Him
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We just returned from seeing my parents in San Francisco. It was a good trip, and overall I think my dad is liking his job in Oakland now that my mom is coming to stay with him. It is not an ideal situation, but it could be worse. The city offered a lot to do for the boys and they ate it up; when I have speeches there in the future, I may have to bring them once more.
RAP (3.30.2007)

That Boy

That Boy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We made it back from San Francisco safe and in one piece. I am operating on only a few hours of sleep, but c'est la vie. The boys are getting to be really great travelers; they have their books, games and each other; that combination seems to never let them become restless during our long travel days.
RAP (3.29.2007)

Snowflake Hammock

Snowflake Hammock
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Unfortunately, the boys bedtime was much earlier than the programming department at CBS might surmise, and Michael and Alex missed Ohio State's epic 20 point comeback last night. It is really unfortunate, because that is what I want them to get out of sports: to never give up! I never gave up. When we cut the lead to 17 right before half time, I told Jen we were going to win, but that is me. After all, you know what the kids in Alex's kindergarten used to say: "Alex's dad says never give up!"
RAP (3.26.2007)

Captain Ron

Aqua Alex
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

By the time this arrives, you will have probably have heard this story, but I want to preserve it for posterity. One of the captains of the Ohio State basketball team is a senior guard named Ron Lewis. He is from Columbus, but started out his collegiate career at Bowling Green. As good as he is, the press is much more enamored with our all world freshmen.

Ohio State was losing to Xavier in the NCAA tournament the other day by 9 points with less than 3 minutes to play; I looked at the boys and told that "its gonna be tight," and it was. We did not tie the contest until the final 2 seconds when Ron Lewis hit a 26 foot three pointer to send us to overtime. We were very excited, but I tried to temper the boys enthusiasm a bit by telling them that we would have to play overtime without the big guy (he fouled out).

Alex looked right up at me and said, "That's all right, we've got Captain Ron!" I thought it was adorable, and I passed it on to the people at Ohio State. On Monday morning I am told that "Captain Ron" looked at my message and "he had the biggest smile!" RAP (3.20.2007)

Gonna Get You

Gonna Get You
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Something has happened this spring that we thought might never happen; Michael has taken to going out all over the neighborhood and playing with kids. The new factor is a 4th grader named Matthew who lives at the end of Brigham Court. This weekend, Michael was out playing a neighborhood wide game of cops and robbers while his "more social" brother stayed home. This week Michael and Matthew have been riding their bikes on the Muirfield paths to a stream where they sit and skip rocks. These days have been a long time coming and are very encouraging.
>>> RAP (3.15.2007)

Crouching Michael, Hidden Dragon

Crouching Michael, Hidden Dragon
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We are in the middle of a food revolution with Michael at the moment. The problem with milk has always been the protein casein. So if you can get a milk product that has no casein he should be all right. What we have been trying on him (and Jens by extension) is clarified butter (called Ghee overseas). It is butter (milk fat) that has had all other components removed. Gourmet chefs use it to cook because it does not burn. So far so good. Jenny loves it on popcorn and soon, I may try to bake with it.
RAP (3.14.2007)

Chili

Chili
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

By request, I have been making chili for the boys once more. I brewed it all autumn (to me it is a seasonal food) and let up on it in January. They both like it frito pie style; Michael likes the traditional fritos, whereas Alex enjoys the Scoops variety. By the time February rolled around the boys insisted I start making it again. In fact, while Jenny was in Arizona, they had me make it for them for breakfast!
RAP (3.13.2007)

Historian

Historian
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Putting Alex to bed the other night he was telling me that the hibernating season is almost over for his bears; he says they are about to wake up! I hope so, we are ready for winter to be over. It has not been a bad winter, but it has been enough for us to welcome spring. We will be in the 50s for the foreseeable future, so we may have already escaped. Soon will be green days filled with bike rides, baseball practice and bears stirring from long naps.
RAP (3.9.2007)

Rue Bourbon Michael

Rue Bourbon Michael
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We have not taken very many pictures since Mardi Gras, so brace your self for more photos from New Orleans. Not very much is happening with us lately, but I did climb a tree for the first time in 20 years; Michael's Mardi Gras Frisbee was stuck up high in the tree in the front yard. After trying to knock it down with a baseball I scaled the tree. I was actually kind of impressed with how easy it was for me. I guess it was like riding a bike.
RAP(3.6.2007)

Whats In My Ear

Whats In My Ear
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael has had a streak of good luck lately; he won lunch with his teacher and he has also won a stuffed animal at school from a reading raffle. All the kids in his class were very excited when they heard his name over the loudspeaker. Let's hope his luck continues, because I think we are ready to try clarified butter on him. Clarified butter is butter that has been refined to be only fat. This would exclude the protein he is allergic to, casein. Keep your fingers crossed!
RAP (3.5.2007)

Rue Bourbon Alex

Rue Bourbon Alex
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

March came in like a lion this morning; we awoke to the sound of thunder shaking the house and lightning illuminating the landscape. In February, the boys had been spoiled by several snow days and late start days, and Alex was thinking that maybe, kinda, possibly the Thunderstorm would lead to a late start day. I had to break his heart and bring him back to reality; people go to school, even in the rain!
RAP (3.2.2007)