It has been widely speculated that Alex will be quite the party animal one day, and to many images such as this feel like foreshadowing. His hyper-social nature combined with his ability to work a room seems like a natural fit with the idea that he will be the big man on campus.
He may be all that, but I don't know if will be tied to the excesses we associate with such a role. If anything, Alex is the child who knows when to stop. He will always ask for a sweet, but usually shares it with those around him. He will most certainly reach for a root beer, but rarely finishes it.
RAP (5.30.2008)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Camera Advice
My advice to anyone purchasing a camera is to acquire one that fits easily into your pocket. An amazing camera that can do almost anything does nothing if it is not with you when you need it.
Monday, after visiting the cemetery, we journeyed to Whole Foods; as we checked out, I went to sit with the boys on a wooden bench. Without much delay, horseplay ensued. Alex was sitting on my lap and Michael was lying across the bench. I was tickling, making odd remarks about pandas and generally being incorrigible. As the smiles and giggles were I unleashed, I realized that this was a moment that I would like to preserve. While tickling with one I had, I used the other to reach into my pocket and find my Canon 890 IS and was able to capture an amazing moment.
RAP (5.28.2008)
Monday, after visiting the cemetery, we journeyed to Whole Foods; as we checked out, I went to sit with the boys on a wooden bench. Without much delay, horseplay ensued. Alex was sitting on my lap and Michael was lying across the bench. I was tickling, making odd remarks about pandas and generally being incorrigible. As the smiles and giggles were I unleashed, I realized that this was a moment that I would like to preserve. While tickling with one I had, I used the other to reach into my pocket and find my Canon 890 IS and was able to capture an amazing moment.
RAP (5.28.2008)
Friday, May 23, 2008
And This Is Our Social Child!
Typically the stills from my camera are captured in closer proximity to the boys, but this one was taken at a distance for a reason; I wanted to highlight how isolated Alex chose to make himself. We were at one of Michael's baseball games and Alex found a place away from the hubbub, because he wanted to read the volumes of Bone that had just arrived. And this is our social child!
I am very happy at the love of reading we have cultivated in them. We loan things from the library, but as long as they read it, I will buy them almost anything. The author of Bone, Jeff Smith, has an exhibition at the Wexner Center for the Arts, and he is also hosting a night of Looney Tunes cartoons (a big influence on his work) in 2 weeks. We are planning to take the boys to both, to further stoke their enthusiasm and imagination. RAP (5.23.2008)
I am very happy at the love of reading we have cultivated in them. We loan things from the library, but as long as they read it, I will buy them almost anything. The author of Bone, Jeff Smith, has an exhibition at the Wexner Center for the Arts, and he is also hosting a night of Looney Tunes cartoons (a big influence on his work) in 2 weeks. We are planning to take the boys to both, to further stoke their enthusiasm and imagination. RAP (5.23.2008)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Could Have Done Better
Last Sunday my niece, Elizabeth Hanna Patton, became my god daughter. Poor girl, she could have done better.
It was a nice ceremony, and during it she was in my arms. Her face indicated a displeasure with the water on her head, but she did not cry. Michael spent most of the service with Jake in the children's room, but somehow came bolting in at the right moment to witness the ceremony. He wanted to be with Ellie during her baptism, but we told him "no." However, we do think he would be a good god father one day; like I said, she could have done better.
RAP (5.22.2008)
It was a nice ceremony, and during it she was in my arms. Her face indicated a displeasure with the water on her head, but she did not cry. Michael spent most of the service with Jake in the children's room, but somehow came bolting in at the right moment to witness the ceremony. He wanted to be with Ellie during her baptism, but we told him "no." However, we do think he would be a good god father one day; like I said, she could have done better.
RAP (5.22.2008)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tooting My Own Horn
Everyone knows that Michael is Jacob's favorite; it is practically every third word uttered from the cherub's mouth. Despite this, when we arrived at Jake's house Saturday afternoon a certain red headed boy bolted by Michael and made a B-Line for a certain camera man.
I call my brother "Uncle Billy" in front of my children, and often do the same in front of Jake; originally this was due to laziness, but now there is an element of mischief. To compound this identity confusion, little children often call all adult males they like "da-da," and Jake does this to me. So I am "da-da" and he is "Uncle Billy." Uncle Billy is not amused by this; he believes there is only room for one "da-da" in this town. After the baptism, Jake was playing near Bill while we talked, and then he burst into tears. Bill tried to console his oldest, but he would not have it; Jake bolted towards me yelling "da-da!"
RAP (5.20.2008)
Monday, May 19, 2008
Goodbye Mr. Spalding
Michael's golden glove continued into his second game; he was at third and the batter hit a high pop fly. Michael charged the ball, but it appeared to me that he was underestimating where it was going to land. To complicate things further, the pitcher charged out towards third. Michael blocked it all out, and snagged the ball at the last second to applause.
He is also doing well at the plate. He was 2 for 3, including the shot you see on the cover. Look at the top left corner and you will see the ball streaking away; Goodbye Mr. Spalding. Michael likes to run slowly to first while he watches where his ball goes (just past third; as a consequence he only made it turned out to only be a single, but it should have been a double. The most important thing is that he is having fun, which is much better than it was last season.
RAP (5.19.2008)
He is also doing well at the plate. He was 2 for 3, including the shot you see on the cover. Look at the top left corner and you will see the ball streaking away; Goodbye Mr. Spalding. Michael likes to run slowly to first while he watches where his ball goes (just past third; as a consequence he only made it turned out to only be a single, but it should have been a double. The most important thing is that he is having fun, which is much better than it was last season.
RAP (5.19.2008)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Don't Cook Without Me!
Some children can't wait to get up for Saturday morning cartoons or for Christmas presents, but for Alex it is cooking. Friday night, he made Jenny promise not to start cooking before he was awake, but "allowed" her to set the table if she so wished.
At 6:15, with his eyes still closed, Alex sprinted, like a drunken sailor, from Michael's bedroom to the kitchen, clutching baby and three of his bears. For the next few hours, Alex prepped, baked, iced, mixed and planned his first communion luncheon. The three bears were with him the entire time, traveling from the island to the counter and back again over the morning. After all, who better to tell Alex that this dough was too lumpy, his cake too warm and this amount of icing was just right.
RAP (5.16.2008)
P.S. I should have chosen an image where the bears are visible. They are in the barstools watching diligently in this shot.
At 6:15, with his eyes still closed, Alex sprinted, like a drunken sailor, from Michael's bedroom to the kitchen, clutching baby and three of his bears. For the next few hours, Alex prepped, baked, iced, mixed and planned his first communion luncheon. The three bears were with him the entire time, traveling from the island to the counter and back again over the morning. After all, who better to tell Alex that this dough was too lumpy, his cake too warm and this amount of icing was just right.
RAP (5.16.2008)
P.S. I should have chosen an image where the bears are visible. They are in the barstools watching diligently in this shot.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Between Two Flashes
The professional photographer taking the pictures of record during this photograph spent all of 30 seconds with Alex before he declared, "too bad this kid doesn't have any personality." Alex's first communion went well, but Alex did not like the taste of the wine. I showed up an hour and 30 minutes ahead of time to capture a visual history, but unfortunately the chaperones sat right in front of me.
The process began with a photo opportunity and it also concluded with one; this time it was the group picture of all the newly communed. The professional took three official shots before the over zealous parents were allowed to take theirs. Of course, we did not let even a microsecond go after the final shot before we started clicking; Alex said that all the flashes looked like fireworks.
RAP (5.15.2008)
The process began with a photo opportunity and it also concluded with one; this time it was the group picture of all the newly communed. The professional took three official shots before the over zealous parents were allowed to take theirs. Of course, we did not let even a microsecond go after the final shot before we started clicking; Alex said that all the flashes looked like fireworks.
RAP (5.15.2008)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Catch
It seems that each year Michael makes some sort of unexpected catch that compels everyone watching spontaneously applaud. This season he made his signature miracle catch during the first game of the spring, which made it even more of a surprise.
It was the top of the 5th inning and Michael was playing shortstop. Crack! A blur, low to the ground goes screaming towards the outfield hugging the earth like a newborn following their mother. Then, almost as soon as it started, it was over. Michael, with reflexes much faster than my eye, extended his glove and snagged the ball from the air. The ball was never higher than 5 feet above the earth, and it never hit the ground; the batter had just become the second out of the inning. There was a moment of silent disbelief, followed by the crowd bursting into applause as if his team had just won the pennant. Michael tried to play humble by saying it "was as easy as pie," but his huge grin betrayed the pride and happiness he was experiencing.
RAP (5.13.2008)
It was the top of the 5th inning and Michael was playing shortstop. Crack! A blur, low to the ground goes screaming towards the outfield hugging the earth like a newborn following their mother. Then, almost as soon as it started, it was over. Michael, with reflexes much faster than my eye, extended his glove and snagged the ball from the air. The ball was never higher than 5 feet above the earth, and it never hit the ground; the batter had just become the second out of the inning. There was a moment of silent disbelief, followed by the crowd bursting into applause as if his team had just won the pennant. Michael tried to play humble by saying it "was as easy as pie," but his huge grin betrayed the pride and happiness he was experiencing.
RAP (5.13.2008)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Jenny is a Punk Rocker
For one of Jen's birthday presents I acquired seats at the Police with Elvis Costello concert, and Sunday night was the time to stand next to those seats. We hadn't been able to eat before we arrived in the Arena District and every diner, bistro and restaurant was packed. So we followed my old adage about the more expensive the restaurant, the more likely their would be availability. We ended up at Hyde Park; Jen had the Steak Kosar with an Amaretto Sour, whereas I had a Kobe Hamburger and Diet Coke. Which one of us sounds like the adult and which one watches cartoons?
Jen did indulge her youthful side that evening, by dying a synchronicity blue streak in her hair. It is not something she ever did as a teen, but when you are young you don't indulge your youthful side. You don't have too, you are the youth! It looked good, but more importantly it washed out without a trace. On Monday she needed to be an adult once more.
RAP (5.7.2008)
Jen did indulge her youthful side that evening, by dying a synchronicity blue streak in her hair. It is not something she ever did as a teen, but when you are young you don't indulge your youthful side. You don't have too, you are the youth! It looked good, but more importantly it washed out without a trace. On Monday she needed to be an adult once more.
RAP (5.7.2008)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
I Regret Teaching Mom Chess
A few years ago, while thinking out loud, Alex told Jenny, "We have three geniuses in the family. But you are smart too, because you married dad." Alex was trying to be sincere, not funny or insulting. Fortunately his mother was not offended and instead cracked up; we still laugh at the brazenness of his statements to this day.
You may worry that this shows a lack of respect for his mom, but that is not the case; even if it once was, that has changed, as evidenced by what we over heard as Jen was getting ready for her writers' group. Alex lamented to Michael, "I regret teaching Mom chess; now she can beat me!"
RAP (5.6.2008)
You may worry that this shows a lack of respect for his mom, but that is not the case; even if it once was, that has changed, as evidenced by what we over heard as Jen was getting ready for her writers' group. Alex lamented to Michael, "I regret teaching Mom chess; now she can beat me!"
RAP (5.6.2008)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Skater and Builder
Lately, Taka has been taking Michael and Alex to the Skate park in Powell. Michael is skating well, but his board was a toy, and some of the older kids mad fun of it. Divining this not a temporary phase, we resolved to get Michael a real skate board. Jenny took the boys to the skate shop Thursday afternoon, and Michael picked out the parts to create his one of his very own. Alex intently watched and helped the owners put it together.
You may have noticed that skate boarding is not Alex's thing, but he enjoys going to the skate park. He walks around, glad hands the crowd and always makes several new friends. This particular day, Alex was telling the kids of all ages that he likes to assemble and repair skate boards and if they have a problem, they should come see him.
RAP (5.5.2008)
You may have noticed that skate boarding is not Alex's thing, but he enjoys going to the skate park. He walks around, glad hands the crowd and always makes several new friends. This particular day, Alex was telling the kids of all ages that he likes to assemble and repair skate boards and if they have a problem, they should come see him.
RAP (5.5.2008)
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Columbus Zoo
On Monday, Jenny took our oldest niece, Abby, to the Columbus Zoo. They saw many creatures, including this tiger. We are very fortunate to have one of America's best zoos only a quarter mile from our front door; that proximity has provided many recreational (Winternight Wonderland) and educational (Zoo Kids) opportunities over the years.
The good news is the zoo that Jack (Hanna) built is only getting better. Soon it will quintuple in size with it's new African Safari (you will ride a train through it), Zoombezi Bay water park opens this summer and next year we finally get polar bears! Alex has been pointing towards their arrival for so long, that it does not seem possible that they will be here so soon.
RAP (5.2.2008)
The good news is the zoo that Jack (Hanna) built is only getting better. Soon it will quintuple in size with it's new African Safari (you will ride a train through it), Zoombezi Bay water park opens this summer and next year we finally get polar bears! Alex has been pointing towards their arrival for so long, that it does not seem possible that they will be here so soon.
RAP (5.2.2008)
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