His Followers Followed Even When He Was Wrong

Egg Hunt
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Monday night we had our first Phillies (Michael's Team) practice and on Tuesday night we had our first one for the Cubbie Bears (I wonder who is on that team?). I am coaching the Cubs, and was flying solo our first practice; Jens said it went well.

It was a little surprising how much of a leader Alex is. Every time I asked a question he was the first and most vocal to answer. When I asked the kids to run to a place, they would run as a pack and follow Alex. And like a true leader, his followers followed even when he was wrong (he and his posse ran to 3rd when I said go to short stop)!

After practice I acquired for Michael and Alex popsicles from Whole Foods to make the practices a bit more rewarding; when I was a kid going to Sonic for slushies afterwards was always my favorite part of little league practice!
RAPatton

Not Bad, Just "Misunderstood"

Fastest Boys Alive
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael won a "Shadow the Hedgehog" doll at the birthday party yesterday, and he slept with it last night. As the name Shadow implies, the character's activities are not always on the up and up. Jen questioned Michael about that as she tucked him in and Michael explained that Shadow is not bad, just "misunderstood."

When she moved on to Alex's room, he debriefed her on his life plan; he wants to be a stay at home dad who lives at our house. Jen tried to explain that one day he will live with his family in his own home and that set him off into tears. Soon Jenny calmed down our little Peter Pan and he joined his brother in Neverland.
R. A. Patton

Ice Age 2

Movie Night
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Friday night we took the boys, Michael's best friend, John, and his twin brother, Luke, out to see 'Ice Age 2.' All the boys enjoyed it. As I mentioned recently, Michael's social life has been much better in 2006 than any other time of his life. He has been invited to 4 birthday parties in 4 weeks and now has a best friend. Michael enjoys this social success, but was OK without it; his mother, on the other hand, has always been very concerned about his social success and is very happy for him.
RAP

Not Doing Things Until They are Ready

Sky Surfer
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the things the boys are very good about is not doing things until they are ready. Alex used to never want to be hurled through the air, or go head deep in the ocean, but now he can't imagine not doing it on vacation. Likewise, Michael may appear to be a daredevil, but has always chosen to do only the things that he thinks he can do. If he thinks he can do a flip, he can; If he does not, good luck trying to make him do it.

On this trip, Michael decided he was ready for a waverunner. I was not crazy about the idea, but he persuaded me. Reluctantly, I decided that on the last morning of our trip we (the two of us) would pay the extortionist prices (the sign said one fee, but the people running it wanted twice as much, they just had not updated it yet) and go for it; however fate interceded and their was a high surf warning that morning. I got lucky this time, but I am pretty sure Michael will make me go out next year.
RAP

Fearlessness in the Ocean

Here I Come
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the interesting things about our trip to Miami was to observe the kids fearlessness in the ocean. Even Alex regularly ventured in chin deep, and would return to the sea even after getting his mouth washed with saltwater. When he was younger Alex liked to be knocked down by the waves close to the seashore, but now he likes to venture a few feet out letting the waves carry him up. With glee he has his mouth barely above water and his feet lifted above the seabed.
RAPatton

He "is Full of Happiness."

I Can't Believe It
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the things that is interesting about Michael, is that overall he is a very happy person. In fact, in February, as he was going to sleep he told Jens that he "is full of happiness." To an extant you have to wonder if his happiness may curtail his achievements; if he is already happy, he won't need accolades or accomplishements to increase his well being. If that is true, then some of his compulsiveness is a good thing; that maybe since he is already happy he needs his compulsive behaviors to accomplish the things he is capable of.
RAP

Norton has never been to Miami

Bear Boy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The boys did well last week visiting the ladies of South Florida. They conversed well and, while the adults were talking, entertained themselves. Generally we visited people in the late afternoon, after the boys played by the beach. This allowed for them to be a little less energetic. Of course both drives were at least a half an hour (in opposite directions), so that allowed them to charge up a bit.

Alex took Snowflake to each location, and at Ann's place he and Michael played hide Snowflake and go seek. That bear gets around more than Norton. After all Norton has never been to Miami.
RAPatton