He Could Go

He Could Go
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

In addition to back yard football, the boys have started flag football. So far it has been fun. Michael catches pretty well and takes good pursuit angles, whereas Alex has lots of enthusiasm. They play indoors at Sports Ohio, and I think they will also play again in the winter session. In addition, I think they will take some baseball classes there this winter, so it is a good thing they like being there, because we may be there a lot! RAP (11.28.2007)

Brace Face

Brace Face
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex's braces have been relatively easy and painless so far. I am very impressed with the process; you can visibly see that they are straighter already, and he does not complain too much. There are some foods he can't eat, but in our house that is nothing unusual. Plus, it is only for a year, and then they come off (until they come back on again in middle school). So this time next year, his braces will be gone and hopefully his teeth will be straighter!
RAP (11.28.2007)

Party Time

Party Time
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It seems like we have been talking about Alex's party for a while, because much like his mother's, it spans multiple days. On his actual birthday, Jen made, and brought, brownies to the school. Alex did not eat them, but was very happy to be passing them out to his various teachers. For his class, Jenny provided mini-frosties from Wendy's. They were a big hit, and she likes that they stand out over the mundane birthday fare of cupcakes and cookies.
RAP (11.23.2007)

Ohio

Ohio
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex's party was a success once more; the Buckeye spirit was overflowing and the next day there was another triumph in Ann Arbor. In fact, Ohio State has never lost after an Alex beat Michigan party. The kids played games, ate cake, watched movies and spontaneously broke out into cheers and songs. Their school got smart and sells beat Mich-Again shirts now and as you can tell more than half the attendees bought them. RAP (11.20.2007)

Tree-ed

Tree-ed
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last March, in San Francisco, Alex was jumping on the bed and Michael's DS came off and got a slight crack on it. It still worked, but was visibly damaged. Michel never complained and carried on. For his birthday, we got him the new version to replace it and he loved it. However, Alex loved it even more and word on the street is that he is getting one for his birthday also (even though his is fine). I have decided to give the their DSs to the maid's kids; they are very nice and Michael and Alex like them.

So I told Michael to give them to Blanca this week, but not to let Alex know (Alex does not get his new one until next week). Michael agreed and carried out my orders, but he went a step further. He found out that the games cost around 30 dollars each, and he gave Blanca 30 of his own dollars to her so that she could buy her kids a game to play on the systems. I am very proud of my oldest son.
RAP (11.19.2007)

Here Here

Here Here
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We have been very busy lately, and as a consequence there have been a dearth of new pictures, so I have used an image from Alex's birthday invitation photo shoot. They do not make a kid's Tressel vest so we had to use a polo one and use computer magic. Thank heavens for computer magic!

With respect to Alex's party, most of the hay is in the barn; it should be a good time. Alex is doing well with his braces, but isn't thrilled with the dietary restrictions that come with them -- welcome to Michael's world!
RAP (11.16.2007)

Tree Football

Tree Football
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Some autumn days are warm, and some are cool, but most are pleasant to be outside. Two Sundays ago the boys and I were throwing the football in the yard, but then I had to go inside and clean. When I came back I witnessed the birth of tree football. Essentially your receiver is stationary and up in a tree; the quarterback runs around, making noises and heaving the ball up in the air to said receiver. The main thing is that it was fun! RAP (11.14.2007)

Gameboys

Gameboys
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Superficially this looks like a pretty antisocial group of kids, but in truth they are interacting before your eyes. They are using the wireless capabilities of their DSs to create a picture using a program called Pictochat. Through technology they were all working on the same image at the same time. I don't understand why, but they were. I never saw it, but Michael used the word surreal to describe it. Apparently their picture reminded him of something he did in art, but this time they are doing it together in a cooperative manner.
RAP(11.9.2007)

Gas Station Game

Gas Station Game
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

I had thought that the days of the gas station game had departed, but since Jake was with us I figured we could try it once more. Michael and Alex had fun, but more importantly little Jake was radiating belly laughs each time I popped up at a new door yelling "boo!" It is nice to see to that the game trancends beyond Michael and Alex, especially since they cheat now; they were locking doors and moved around in unbuckled seat belts. Jake, however, just enjoyed the moment.
RAP (11.8.2007)

Bear Bucks

Bear Bucks
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex is growing up and starting to adopt more adult passions, but he has not left his inner child behind. He gets excited for the Buckeye games, but he still loves his bears, so he dresses them up and has them watch the game with him. Honestly, no matter how much he protests, I do not think he is much of a spectator yet; he would prefer to play football outside over watching it, but he pretends to want to watch, and in AA they say that the first step to becoming is pretending.
RAP (11.6.2007)

Fancy Bath

Fancy Bath
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The next time you see Alex he will have braces on his teeth. They look good and so far the transition hasn't been bad. Observing that Michael has gotten more birthday money as he gets older, Alex wants to know if anyone wants to give him an advance on his 100th birthday. If you do, you know where to reach him. We have started planning his birthday, I had to go get him a Tressel vest yesterday for the invite. RAP (11.1.2007)