The "I Love You" Game

That Boy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

As she dropped the boys off at school this morning, Jenny informed them that she "loves them to pieces." Being boys, they immediately took that notion and turned it around into an ever escalating, competitive frenzy to find smaller pieces to love:" love you to bits" ... "to ashes!" ... "to dust!" ... "to atoms!" A bit ornery, but sweet.

On this same morning, Michael shared with me that he dreamed of Suzanne last night; she came over, but there was a rocket in our backyard. He had to chose between a trip to the moon and playing with her. He chose her. One day, in a few years, they boys will most likely play a competitive "I love you" game with a girl who is not there mother. I venture that it will be more sweet, less ornery, and instead of trying to find smaller pieces, it will be about comparing it to the greatest things they can imagine.

RAP (2.25.2009)

The Unwritten, Byzantine Rules of 3rd Grade Lunch Room

Last Friday Michael took Suzanne to see Coraline, and although they are just friends, he was very excited. The best part of the evening was how he skipped back to the car after dropping her off at her doorstep. He insisted on picking up and dropping her off alone, which pleased me. The whole exercise is to make ensure that he feels comfortable around girls and not become one of the boys who line the gym walls at dances, too intimidated to engage with the fairer sex.

Alex tends to take his cues from his big brother and seems to have learned that it is all right to talk to girls, even if you must circumvent the unwritten, byzantine rules of 3rd grade lunch room. Alex wanted to have lunch with Michelle, but there are only self regulated boy only and girl only tables; a mingling of the existing table would be tantamount to walking away from a double dog dare. Not one to be intimidated by the way things are, Alex found an empty table and made it a new table, one that was boy girl, and had lunch with a friend.

RAP (2.12.2009)

Cornerstone

The Snowfort's Cornerstone
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the joys of parenthood is hearing the echos of your childhood memories as your kids share in things that you used to do, and you remember things that you have forgotten. Two Wednesdays ago, the boys finally got the snow day they had invoked so much voodoo to achieve, and they built a snow fort. Having built one or two in my day, I passed on tips such as using a little water to help freeze the bricks.  

This past Wednesday there was no such snow, and, alas, they would have to go to school. As they prepared, they were asked what they were looking forward to that day. Without hesitation, Michael exclaimed, "Comics!" One of the joys of parenthood is seeing your children grow up and share in the enthusiasms that you have. 

RAP (2.9.2009)

On Thick Ice

On Thick Ice
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We like to go with the flow of the seasons and enjoy what each has to offer; instead of fighting the current by longing for the amenities of other times and places. So the confluence of a lush snowfall and a warm winter day led us to hike the Indian Run Falls trail on a sunny, Sunday afternoon.

It was a beautiful and tranquil experience; the highlight for the boys was walking on the frozen creek bed. It was no more than a foot a half deep at this point and it was solid ice. So while our favorite tributary of the Scioto roars in Summer or wears its finest in Autumn, only in winter can we achieve a sort of grace and walk on water.
RAP (2.3.2009)