First Concert

Run Alex Run
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

I try to expose the kids to a variety of things, and the latest foray into broadening their horizons was their first real, as opposed to our 4th of July parties, concert. It was a small festival featuring an array of small, alternative, artists (honeyhoney, ism, darker my love, tickle me pink, vhs or beta, etc.) that offered the kids the full concert experience.

They hung out at the second stage, they were in the pit and they lounged on the lawn. They didn't get it all (they still don't get why I was trying to get they to say "Hello, Cleveland" and "Play Freebird," but most people wouldn't), but it gave me confidence that we could take them to a bigger show; Michael likes the Foo Fighters.

So what did they think? Michael liked the music (we all liked honeyhoney); Alex liked that they served White Castles.
RAP (8.28.2008)

Impossible to Discount Any Longer

On The Bus
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The first day of school made it impossible for Michael to discount any longer that his best friend, Jon, moved to Baton Rouge this summer; as he tried to sleep, an uncontrollable sadness swept over him as the loss become unignorable.

Talking about school yesterday, Alex used the phrase, "the friends I know." You can easily read into that that he understands everybody else are simply friends he doesn't know yet. Michael is not like Alex, and is instead is similar to me; his way is to have a few, very close friends, but as rewarding as that can be it also carries a significant penalty when you lose one.

As an adult, I can minimize the impact of distance in the modern world, but that doesn't help you when your friend isn't at your lunch table or hanging out at recess. The only hope I could offer him last night was the idea that if we returned to Mardi Gras once more this year, I bet Jon would come see us. The idea of hanging out with Jon during the carnival parades made him happy, and it also made it more likely that we will once more return to New Orleans in February.

RAP (8.27.2008)

A Good, Well-Rounded Kid

Barfly
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael is a good big brother, and his leadership inspires Alex; I contend that Michael's love of reading has encouraged Alex to become the great reader he is, and I would also argue that Michael's innocence preserve Alex's. That may seem a little silly; the older child keeping the younger one more innocent, but Alex is more worldly and streetwise than big brother.

One may worry that Alex could lose his individuality to Michael's lead, but I assure you Alex is his own man. Sometimes Alex guides Michael; it was his drive to play football that encouraged Michael to go it a shot. Also, Alex has his own interests as demonstrated by the past weeks of chess and cupcake camp. I am pleased with how his well rounded, eclectic tastes have mixed with his brother's stewardship; Alex Patton, a football playing, chess enthusiast, baker, bookworm who is worldly wise, but is wise enough to linger in the golden days of childhood seems like a good, well-rounded kid to me.
RAP (8.22.2008)

"You Have a Wonderful Boy"

Here We Go
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Recently, while checking out at the Krogers on Bridge Street, Michael vanished. Jenny was momentarily panicked, but her fears passed as soon as she found him several registers away. It turns out that Michael had spied an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair and, being Michael, offered to assist him unloading his groceries onto the belt. The man accepted, and by the time Jenny caught up with him they were almost done. She was about to lecture Michael, but that was short circuited when the gentleman spoke. In a most sincere way, he told her, "You have a wonderful boy."
RAP (8.19.2008)

A Future in Politics

Ever Social
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Before Alex was born, I predicted that he would be able to be elected to office if he so chose; as time passes, and his skills and personality are revealed, my chatter seem more and more like a premonition. The most recent foreshadowing came Monday when Alex informed us that he organized the kids at chess camp so that they shared their snacks with each other. That evening Chris Obert was caught raiding his pantry by his mother; he was inspired to bring more items to share (Chris also now wants braces because Alex has them!). On Tuesday the fever peaked, as one little girl, whose name Alex does not even know, got carried away during the feast of Alex and enthusiastically told the others, "we need people like Alex to end world hunger." After which she proclaimed, "if he were to run for president, I would vote him!" A hearty cheer erupted as the lunch room morphed into scene reminiscent of parliament as the others kids loudly added their "me too"s! By the way, have I ever told you that if Alex wants one, I think he has a future in politics?
RAP (8.18.2008)

Inspired by Their Expedition to the Water Slides

Pure Delight
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Inspired by their expedition to the water slides on the other side of the Scioto, the boys built one of their own. By built, I mean cobbled together PVC pipes and garden hoses on our swing set slide. Of course their is nothing Rube Goldberg about such a construction in a child's mind's eye; from their perspective it is a glorious creation that will only grow more magnificent as time passes.

The neighbor kids joined in the fun, but at the core of it was Michael and Alex, Alex and Michael. They are different people, but perfectly matched. I say it over and over again, but the best gift we have ever given Michael was Alex. One day, we won't be here, but it makes me happy to know that in those days they will have each other.
RAP (8.15.2008)

The Company of Good Friends and the Perks of Age

The Gang
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last Friday the boys made their inaugural trek to Zoombezi Bay. It is adjacent to the Columbus Zoo, on the other side of the dam, placing it all of a quarter mile from our house. One would think that they would have made it early this summer, but as always, the boys lives are full.

Their first encounter with the new water slides, pools and attractions was in the company of the Chesters. Even though we don't socialize with them frequently, each time is joy. I have snapshots of Michael and Jack in strollers together (at the Zoo), making him Michael's oldest friend. Lizzie is a firecracker and gets along with Alex very well, and little Anna is just adorable. Michael, Jack, Alex and Lizzie were allowed to roam the grounds freely as long as they stayed together. This was big for Jenny, and only came to pass due to Judy's wise tutelage. That wisdom allowed the boys to not only experience the company of good friends, but also some of the freedom of getting older.
RAP (8.14.2008)

Lessons Aren't Just for Kids

Take A Knee
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Football has started, and as I hoped, it is not easy; they are being worked hard, and they are persevering through it. At the end of the day, I have no doubts that they will be better for it. It is my hope that it can teach both of them a some things.

Michael needs to learn to pay attention more and learn to act with more urgency; their is no better feedback system than getting (safely) hit to aide in that.

Alex needs to learn to not take the easy way out, and I think he is getting there. Just being out in the evening sun for two hours voluntarily is a very good thing. There is a lot to be learned in choosing a harder path that has a small payout for a lot of investment.

The lessons aren't reserved for the boys though. After I witnessed Alex stand straight up during tackling drills, I was showing Michael how to improve his form. However, Michael fired out low, hard and tackled well. I need to remember they are different boys, with dissimilar strengths and weakness that are need of diverse lessons. I hope and believe that his foray into football has lessons for both, and perhaps for me also.
RAP (8.13.2008)

Get off the Sidelines

A Chorus Line
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Once upon a time, the boys, or at least Michael, danced freely with me, and even at parties. However, on Saturday night dancing the night away was not their heart's desire. I didn't want to let that stand, because in life you have more fun if you are out there doing instead of being glued to a chair.

Knowing that it is something that they would enjoy once they took the initial plunge, I sought to send them out on the dance floor. Of course, this was not a situation where you could just push them into the pool and get it over with (although I did try that by gently suggesting that they migrate away from the sidelines). My solution to let them save face and to increase the enticement factor was to let them "dance" in their socks. This allowed for slippy, slidey fun that was a gateway to the parquet and allowed me to witness an evening of fun as I watched glued to my chair.
RAP (8.6.2008)

A Good Childhood and a Solid Foundation

Thar She Is
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael and Alex have extensively traveled across America for such young lads; in the last 18 months the list includes New Orleans, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Hawaii among others locals.

It is not just the breadth of their experiences, it is the depth. In our most recent trip they have seen old friends of theirs and of ours, gone to Comic Con and the seashore, experienced a Dodgers' victory on a crisp night and Universal Studios on a sunny day, all while slipping into a Southern California world entirely alien to their own. I am exhausted just chaperoning their lives. As their father I can give them a good childhood and a solid foundation; I hope that these sojourns, and the experiences from them, we have escorted them on contribute to both.
RAP (8.6.2008)

Snoopy For President!

In Synch
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

As we disembarked from the high speed, technological marvel known as "The Mummy" at Universal Studios Hollywood, Alex and Michael remarked that they could not find the "Snoopy for President" sign. I thought "Huh?" but moments later it came back to me.

Last summer, when we visited Universal with their cousins, the boys were reluctant to ride such a fearsome attraction. Being "The Mummy," it was ominous and foreboding, so I changed the narrative by suggesting that one of the ride engineers left an Easter Egg: one of the ghastly ghouls was holding up a sign that proclaimed "Snoopy For President." It worked. They rode it last year and liked it, and did not even flinch about riding it this year. I guess when you are looking for a silly beagle, things just aren't as scary.
RAP (8.5.2008)

One More Time

One More Time
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It has been a Simpsons' trip; first we met Matt Groening, and now we have experienced the just opened Simpsons ride at Universal Studios. The boys loved the Kwik-E-Mart and were tickled as pink as the Lard Lad donut that we bought there. As amusing as it was, it was merely an appetizer for the main event: the new attraction that took over the old Back to the Future ride. As you waited in queue, they showed much of a Simpsons episode where they skewed amusement parks, but sprinkled in footage that was exclusive to the ride.

Once we boarded the vehicle it was comic mayhem as Sideshow Bob tried to destroy the Simpsons. As you would expect the ride ends with the family on the couch, but on this particular journey it was peppered with laughter than the usual smirk generated by the opening. The boys liked it so much, that we had to catch a repeat later that day.
RAP (8.4.2008)