Alex's personality is one that seeks the limelight. He finds a way to get close to the action, and he wants to be near the center of attention. Michael, on the other hand, does not. He just does what he wants, and tries to have fun along the way; sometimes ends up in the middle of everything, but if he doesn't, he is none worse for the wear.
This weekend was Jake's 2nd birthday and he was everyone's focus; however, Jake's focus was Michael. The word "Michael" was the one that flowed most freely from his lips; wherever Michael was, he wanted to be. When I woke Jake up for his party, his first word was "Michael" (his second word was "Book"). Michael may not seek attention, but by being Michael he gets more than he wants, and he gets it from those he wants it from.
RAP (4.29.2008)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Emperor's Newest Clothes
Forgive me my tardiness; spring has brought us a full calendar of soccer and baseball games and practices. In addition to those, I have been archiving photos, postcards and video, which has been time consuming. On top of that, someone had a birthday last weekend.
This year's celebration was only a 3 day birthday weekend celebration (some years it is a birth week), but it still was a rousing success. Jenny received (or will get from Bill and Kassi this weekend) everything she desired. From her boys she was graced with tickets to the see The Police, Lemon Gels, an iPod Shuffle and a 111 (3 boys x 37 years) dollar gift certificate to The Emperor's Newest Clothes. It is her favorite local boutique, and you can see it with your own eyes on the front of this card; clearly, Michael and Alex are very attentive shoppers.
RAP(4.25.2008)
This year's celebration was only a 3 day birthday weekend celebration (some years it is a birth week), but it still was a rousing success. Jenny received (or will get from Bill and Kassi this weekend) everything she desired. From her boys she was graced with tickets to the see The Police, Lemon Gels, an iPod Shuffle and a 111 (3 boys x 37 years) dollar gift certificate to The Emperor's Newest Clothes. It is her favorite local boutique, and you can see it with your own eyes on the front of this card; clearly, Michael and Alex are very attentive shoppers.
RAP(4.25.2008)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Innate Abilities
People like to focus on Alex's innate abilities: he is very smart and charming. While being blessed with gifts and talents is wonderful, and it is better to have them then to not have them, it doesn't tell you who someone is. Yesterday, Alex made an interesting choice that somewhat illustrates who he is and can become; he created a book club, and used his charm to recruit four members.
Their inaugural selection is "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" by Roald Dahl. He does not know this, but his grandmother Molly worked as an assistant editor in New York as a young lady, and her office was a hotbed of children's fiction. At the time the works of Maurice Sendak, Dr. Suess and Mr Dahl floated in and out of the office. Those gentlemen would have been smart and creative no matter what they did or did not do, but in using their gifts they become great authors. Alex is smart and charming, but more importantly he is using those abilities; in this case, as a leader.
RAP (4.21.2008)
Their inaugural selection is "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" by Roald Dahl. He does not know this, but his grandmother Molly worked as an assistant editor in New York as a young lady, and her office was a hotbed of children's fiction. At the time the works of Maurice Sendak, Dr. Suess and Mr Dahl floated in and out of the office. Those gentlemen would have been smart and creative no matter what they did or did not do, but in using their gifts they become great authors. Alex is smart and charming, but more importantly he is using those abilities; in this case, as a leader.
RAP (4.21.2008)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Even the best of friends may need some space occasionally
Michael and Alex are very close, as tight as any brothers I have known. Last week, Alex came to the "Kool Kid" party in honor his brother. During the Q&A session, Alex had his hand up for a long time, and Michael would not pick him. Eventually Mrs. Givens selected him, and as he started to speak, Michael said very sweetly, "Alex, I would like to hear what you have to share." After a short, dramatic, pause he continued, "at home!" Everyone was rolling. It shows you that even the best of friends may need some space occasionally.
Fear not, Alex has his own things too, the most recent one being Chess Club. In addition to learning to play, they also learn about the history of the game; recently Alex learned about Alexander Kasparov. Soon after that lesson the instructor called upon Alex, but Alex quickly cut him off and interjected "call me Alexander!" That one has none of his father's ego! RAP (4.16.2008)
Fear not, Alex has his own things too, the most recent one being Chess Club. In addition to learning to play, they also learn about the history of the game; recently Alex learned about Alexander Kasparov. Soon after that lesson the instructor called upon Alex, but Alex quickly cut him off and interjected "call me Alexander!" That one has none of his father's ego! RAP (4.16.2008)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Book Pusher
Alex had his classmate, Taka, over for an afternoon of chess, art and baking. It was Wednesday so I had picked up my books (nerd) and the 2-4 books a week that the boys read. It is a thrill to see them drop everything for a new comic or prose book and tear into it. As long as they have this desire, I will feed it.
Their new comic books were on the counter when Jun, Taka's mom, arrived and she went nuts when she saw them. She loves manga comics and feels that most of what is that is available in the U.S. is sub par. Sensing an opening, I slipped on my pusher hat, and she left with a ton of material tailored to Taka's ability. He is a 1st year in multiage class; whereas Alex can read Harry Potter, Taka is not as advanced. They left with wordless works like "Gon" and "Owly," humorous original graphic novels like "The Mighty Skullboy Army" and "Bumper Boy loses his Marbles," and traditional American comics such as "Tiny Titans." All beloved titles, but they do not do anyone good on our shelves; books are meant to be read and we will see them again after they have been loved.
RAP (4.15.2008)
Their new comic books were on the counter when Jun, Taka's mom, arrived and she went nuts when she saw them. She loves manga comics and feels that most of what is that is available in the U.S. is sub par. Sensing an opening, I slipped on my pusher hat, and she left with a ton of material tailored to Taka's ability. He is a 1st year in multiage class; whereas Alex can read Harry Potter, Taka is not as advanced. They left with wordless works like "Gon" and "Owly," humorous original graphic novels like "The Mighty Skullboy Army" and "Bumper Boy loses his Marbles," and traditional American comics such as "Tiny Titans." All beloved titles, but they do not do anyone good on our shelves; books are meant to be read and we will see them again after they have been loved.
RAP (4.15.2008)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Man of the Hour
Reading and writing are emphasized on in the Dublin Schools, and Michael's teacher took advantage of the completion of his thirty fifth issue of Kool Kid to honor Michael. I would guess this would be to inspire his classmates to create, but no matter the reason, Michael was very happy to celebrate this milestone.
It had the trappings of a great party; Jenny made gluten-free cookies shaped like Kool Kid's skateboard, there was chocolate milk for all, and Alex was excused from his class so he could attend. Essentially, the kids ate and listened to a reading; after Michael completed his oration, it even became hands on, as the kids broke off in pairs and consumed them. During this time you could hear kids shouting across the room things such as, "Who has issue 14?" To which Michael turned to his mother, and with a smile said, "Wow. This is amazing. I can't believe they're so interested."
RAP (4.14.2008)
It had the trappings of a great party; Jenny made gluten-free cookies shaped like Kool Kid's skateboard, there was chocolate milk for all, and Alex was excused from his class so he could attend. Essentially, the kids ate and listened to a reading; after Michael completed his oration, it even became hands on, as the kids broke off in pairs and consumed them. During this time you could hear kids shouting across the room things such as, "Who has issue 14?" To which Michael turned to his mother, and with a smile said, "Wow. This is amazing. I can't believe they're so interested."
RAP (4.14.2008)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Storyteller
Michael's teacher, Mrs. Givens, wants him to write a poem and enter it in a Scholastic writing contest. She has been going on and on about how she loves how he thinks, how it is so out of the box and how it is so creative and different than the other children she has had; if she only knew!
Tomorrow she is throwing a class party in honor of the completion of his 35th issue of Kool Kid. That reward has motivated him, but I believe with his enthusiasm he would have made it eventually, just at a slightly slower pace. With her admiration and encouragement, I think that he has been very fortunate to have had her this year.
RAP (4.10.2008)
Tomorrow she is throwing a class party in honor of the completion of his 35th issue of Kool Kid. That reward has motivated him, but I believe with his enthusiasm he would have made it eventually, just at a slightly slower pace. With her admiration and encouragement, I think that he has been very fortunate to have had her this year.
RAP (4.10.2008)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Lava!
Lava; it is the stuff of myth, the lifeblood of the earth. It is what children imagine as they play pretend and hop from couch to chair. It is something that we all know of, but few have seen.
In our finals days on the island of Hawaii we descended to where the lava had covered the road on it's march to the ocean. We parked our cars, backing into our spots so as to allow a quick evacuation if needed, and then marched over a recently cooled lava field towards the Pacific. Right before the sea, there were a few trees where you could hear crickets and birds, making you realize how quiet and desolate our hike over the black igneous rocks had been. The final leg was difficult, having to cross over uneven terrain, but the reward was impressive; three separate streams of lava flowing into the ocean, creating billowing plumes of steam. As magnificent as it was during the late afternoon, watching these rivers of creation illuminate the night was breathtaking.
RAP (4.8.2008)
In our finals days on the island of Hawaii we descended to where the lava had covered the road on it's march to the ocean. We parked our cars, backing into our spots so as to allow a quick evacuation if needed, and then marched over a recently cooled lava field towards the Pacific. Right before the sea, there were a few trees where you could hear crickets and birds, making you realize how quiet and desolate our hike over the black igneous rocks had been. The final leg was difficult, having to cross over uneven terrain, but the reward was impressive; three separate streams of lava flowing into the ocean, creating billowing plumes of steam. As magnificent as it was during the late afternoon, watching these rivers of creation illuminate the night was breathtaking.
RAP (4.8.2008)
Monday, April 7, 2008
Kilauea Eruption
Something we were fortunate to witness in Hawaii was the continuing eruption of Kilauea on the big island of Hawaii. The explosion (first explosion in 84 years) that kicked it all off preceded our arrival by a few days, but as you can see the volcano was still actively venting; it was emitting sulfur dioxide at toxic levels and as such part of the park was forbidden, but we still saw more than most people ever will.
RAP (4.7.2008)
RAP (4.7.2008)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
DolphinQuest (sounds like a bad TV Show)
There were many wonderful things Michael and Alex experienced in Hawaii; from the erupting volcano to the black sand beaches to the Caribbean blue ocean on Oahu's northeast shore they saw many things that I hope will stay with them. Of the things they saw and did the item at the top would have had to have been swimming with the dolphins at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
It was truly an engaging experience that I would recommend to any parent for their children. It consisted of an hour in a classroom and 45 minutes in the water. They fed them, pet them and were the "victims" of some pranks executed by these clever creatures. The gags were all in good fun, usually involved a splash and invariably created a smile that I hope will last for years.
RAP (4.3.2008)
It was truly an engaging experience that I would recommend to any parent for their children. It consisted of an hour in a classroom and 45 minutes in the water. They fed them, pet them and were the "victims" of some pranks executed by these clever creatures. The gags were all in good fun, usually involved a splash and invariably created a smile that I hope will last for years.
RAP (4.3.2008)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
At the end of the Road
When we explored the north coast, we really weren't going anywhere, just exploring a new place. It is lush, green and beautiful with a charming little village. We were content with our sojourn, but then we saw this. It was amazing. We had seen pictures of it, but we did not know that was what was awaited us at the end of the road. It was absolutely stunning. We caputured many photographs, not realizing that we would get closer. Where the road ends, there is a hiking path down to a black sand beach. It was a long way down, but well worth it. The hike up took some exertion, but was not too excessive.
I motivated the boys to give their best effort by offering Hawaiian Ice or ice cream if they made it to the top without complaint. Michael started slow, but by the end he was like a mountain goat, sprinting the last sections. As Alex was huffing the last 400 yards up, between pants you could hear him say "ice cream." In the last 100 feet between pants he switched to "water." Don't be too hard on him; the three of us beat his mother and grandfather up by a good 10 minutes.
RAP (4.2.2008)
I motivated the boys to give their best effort by offering Hawaiian Ice or ice cream if they made it to the top without complaint. Michael started slow, but by the end he was like a mountain goat, sprinting the last sections. As Alex was huffing the last 400 yards up, between pants you could hear him say "ice cream." In the last 100 feet between pants he switched to "water." Don't be too hard on him; the three of us beat his mother and grandfather up by a good 10 minutes.
RAP (4.2.2008)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Kindness of Strangers
On our way back from the lava flows, a stranger helped us by lighting our way with his flashlight. This was very much appreciated because Nana should have never have attempted to walk on the uneven dry lava in the wake of her recent knee replacements; it took effort by both my father and me to keep her from harming her new parts.
Everyone was grateful and surprised by his generosity of spirit, but I also pointed out that I bought a lady a book the day before, on the return from the black sand beach. It was not a big deal; she was short and wanted to return to get it. I think I came off as me- too-ish, but I was trying to make a point that while kindness should never be expected, it should also not take you by surprise.
RAP (4.1.2008)
Everyone was grateful and surprised by his generosity of spirit, but I also pointed out that I bought a lady a book the day before, on the return from the black sand beach. It was not a big deal; she was short and wanted to return to get it. I think I came off as me- too-ish, but I was trying to make a point that while kindness should never be expected, it should also not take you by surprise.
RAP (4.1.2008)
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