Gonna Get You

Gonna Get You
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Something has happened this spring that we thought might never happen; Michael has taken to going out all over the neighborhood and playing with kids. The new factor is a 4th grader named Matthew who lives at the end of Brigham Court. This weekend, Michael was out playing a neighborhood wide game of cops and robbers while his "more social" brother stayed home. This week Michael and Matthew have been riding their bikes on the Muirfield paths to a stream where they sit and skip rocks. These days have been a long time coming and are very encouraging.
>>> RAP (3.15.2007)

Crouching Michael, Hidden Dragon

Crouching Michael, Hidden Dragon
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We are in the middle of a food revolution with Michael at the moment. The problem with milk has always been the protein casein. So if you can get a milk product that has no casein he should be all right. What we have been trying on him (and Jens by extension) is clarified butter (called Ghee overseas). It is butter (milk fat) that has had all other components removed. Gourmet chefs use it to cook because it does not burn. So far so good. Jenny loves it on popcorn and soon, I may try to bake with it.
RAP (3.14.2007)

Chili

Chili
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

By request, I have been making chili for the boys once more. I brewed it all autumn (to me it is a seasonal food) and let up on it in January. They both like it frito pie style; Michael likes the traditional fritos, whereas Alex enjoys the Scoops variety. By the time February rolled around the boys insisted I start making it again. In fact, while Jenny was in Arizona, they had me make it for them for breakfast!
RAP (3.13.2007)

Historian

Historian
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Putting Alex to bed the other night he was telling me that the hibernating season is almost over for his bears; he says they are about to wake up! I hope so, we are ready for winter to be over. It has not been a bad winter, but it has been enough for us to welcome spring. We will be in the 50s for the foreseeable future, so we may have already escaped. Soon will be green days filled with bike rides, baseball practice and bears stirring from long naps.
RAP (3.9.2007)

Rue Bourbon Michael

Rue Bourbon Michael
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We have not taken very many pictures since Mardi Gras, so brace your self for more photos from New Orleans. Not very much is happening with us lately, but I did climb a tree for the first time in 20 years; Michael's Mardi Gras Frisbee was stuck up high in the tree in the front yard. After trying to knock it down with a baseball I scaled the tree. I was actually kind of impressed with how easy it was for me. I guess it was like riding a bike.
RAP(3.6.2007)

Whats In My Ear

Whats In My Ear
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael has had a streak of good luck lately; he won lunch with his teacher and he has also won a stuffed animal at school from a reading raffle. All the kids in his class were very excited when they heard his name over the loudspeaker. Let's hope his luck continues, because I think we are ready to try clarified butter on him. Clarified butter is butter that has been refined to be only fat. This would exclude the protein he is allergic to, casein. Keep your fingers crossed!
RAP (3.5.2007)

Rue Bourbon Alex

Rue Bourbon Alex
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

March came in like a lion this morning; we awoke to the sound of thunder shaking the house and lightning illuminating the landscape. In February, the boys had been spoiled by several snow days and late start days, and Alex was thinking that maybe, kinda, possibly the Thunderstorm would lead to a late start day. I had to break his heart and bring him back to reality; people go to school, even in the rain!
RAP (3.2.2007)