Bachelorhood

Free Comic Book Day
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our first days of bachelorhood were kicked off with an epic struggle between our beloved Orioles, and the nefarious White Sox (arch enemy of the CUBS!). Michael went 2 for 2; his first hit was a line drive that went past the first baseman, and the second went in the same direction, but was more like a bunt. Both hits got him to base. In addition to his batting, he also displayed some fielding heroics; while playing second base a ball came at him swiftly; he fielded it cleanly, and then tagged the runner going to first base.

There was no game Friday night, but we still managed to enjoy ourselves. We dinned at Johnny Rockets, played at GameWorks and visited the movie theatre. We saw "Kicking & Screaming." Not a particularly good film, but the kids liked it. During the climax, Michael was singing "We are the Champions," and both danced in the aisles as the credits rolled. ~RAP

Osmosis

Batter Up
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

By the time Alex starts T-Ball next year, he will have a very good understanding of what to do, and how to do it. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't always pay attention at practice or at the games; there are too many other interesting things to do. However, he is there, and just by being there he seems to pick up things, as if by Osmosis.

Alex had his kindergarten visit this week. Mrs. Hamby (and the kids in her afternoon kindergarten) were very impressed with Alex's Math skills. They did a word problem which Alex was able to parse and solve. Essentially, they were asking 10-5, which he knew instantly. I've never really sat down and taught Alex math, but he has always been there while I've worked with Michael he has always been there. He seems to have picked it up through Osmosis.
RAP

Making of an Invite

Laugh Riot
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our tables for the Independence Day Celebration have been acquired, and now it is time to turn our attention to the invitation. In honor of the entertainment (Huey Lewis & the News), I am going to do it as a newspaper. This should allow Jen to flex her journalistic muscles as she aides me with the copy.

This image is one of the rejects from the set taken for the lead story in the invitation. It has all the classic elements to excel as an invitation photo: the patriotic t-shirt, Michael, Alex and smiles. We have already prototyped it out and hope to have magnets ready this weekend.
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The Orioles

Line Drive
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It is spring, and in recent years that means baseball. Michael has a new team this year, The Orioles, in a coach pitch league. Practice has been going on for a month, but there has been an absence of pictures because I am helping coach the team this season; with my wealth of baseball knowledge, it is the blind leading the blind. To make things worse, I know more than the head coach. Ouch.

It is a mixed league of first and second graders. Most of the kids are good, but a some don't listen at all, and a few of the second graders have attitude problems. We work through it because this a recreational league and their is a pretense that practice is fun. It is frustrating to see kids not try, but malice is much more iritating. One kid slide tackled another at second base the other night, and he knew what he was doing. He better not do anything like it again.
RAP

Garfield Magic 8

Gameboy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Today the boys were chatting with their Aunt Kassi on the phone. Around the corner, Jenny could hear the boys giggling as the conversation went on, so she resolved to listen in, and discover what was so funny. Between laughs, she could hear the boys saying stuff like "When Cats Fly!" It turns out, unbeknownst to Kassi, they were answering each of her inquiries with a Garfield Magic 8 ball. No matter her question, a very random, wisecrack would be the response. Kassi was very perplexed, and the boys were very happy with their silliness. At the end of the conversation Alex told Kassi what they had done. He said with a grin, "She didn't laugh."
>>>>RAP

Smile, you are on Aisle 5

Shoppers
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

In 2004 the manager at Wal-mart had to have a chat with me about taking pictures in their store. In 2005, the Manager of Wild Oats had to talk to me about taking pictures in their store. Apparently, taking pictures in places that sell food is Verboten throughout the civilized world. Treasure this picture, it was taken inside a grocery store, and we may never see its like again.
Smile, you are on Aisle 5,
RAPatton

Space Grizzlies!

Alex
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The kids have been so excited lately at the grocery store because of the Star Wars Episode III marketing effort. That is right, a marketing effort has them excited. As we cruise through the store, they bubble over in excitement as they spy a new product. Wildly, they exclaim something like "Star Wars Cheetos!' This is despite the fact that Michael can't eat Cheetos, and Alex doesn't like them, but boy were the overjoyed to see them.

Alex has taken a fondness for the gentle giants of the Star Wars universe, the Wookies. He see these 7 foot tall hairy behemoths not as some alien with a penchant for screaming; he sees them as "Space Grizzlies!" After all, they look like bears and are from outer space; Grizzlies are brown bears and these "space bears" are always brown, therefore they are "Space Grizzlies!" Cheers,
RAP