Trouble

Trouble
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One thing I have been doing really well is picking out books for the kids. Recently I have hit home runs with "The Mighty Skullboy Army," "Kid Gravity" and "Oddly Normal." It is not enough to make a kid read (which I do that also), but you have to find stuff they want to read. I found those books from a combination of reviews and a BookList Top 10 list. Jenny is a stickler about making the kids obey their bedtimes, but I must say there is nothing that makes me happier than seeing the kids are up late reading a book.
RAP (4.20.2007)

Frontier Brotherhood

Frontier Brotherhood
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

When his teacher inquired what he did during spring break, Michael responded that he "watched movies." I assure you that they did more than that; they went to the zoo, visited Kenton and even went up to the Olentangy Indian caverns. Both boys loved the village and enjoyed prospecting for gold (in this case pyrite, fool's gold), but they went separate ways in their enjoyment of the caves. Michael loved them, whereas Alex was a tad acrophobic.
RAP (4.16.2007)

Hunt aftermath

Hunt aftermath
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We celebrated Easter today. The boys received a boon comprised of many things, including shirts, bears, books and, of course, candy. One interesting thing about the day is that Michael explained to his mother (who did not know) that eggs are associated with Easter because Jesus was reborn, and eggs are a symbol of birth. I am glad that he figured that out. Overall nothing exciting happened, we just spent time together.
>> RAP (4.12.2007)

Oddly Normal

Bear Boy 2
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It was very cold and wet Saturday morning, but we persevered through it so that the boys could play their first soccer games of the season. Alex scored the first goal for his team. When asked if he was excited, he said no, and that he scored a goal every game. The night before I went to the gym and the kids brought their gameboys and books to entertain them as I sweated away. Instead of playing games, Alex read his new book "Oddly Normal," the entire time. I was very pleased with his choice!
RAP (4.17.2007)

Meet The Robinsons 3D

Meet The Robinsons 3D
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Since my speech was in close proximity to the boys spring break, but did not intersect it, they spent that week off in Ohio. Many of their friends were gone off to warm weather, but not all. We kicked off spring break by taking Michael's best buddy, John, and his brothers, to see Disney's "Meet the Robinsons" in 3D. It was a good movie, not a great one, but all the boys loved it.
RAP (4.11.2007)

Go!

Go!
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Five minutes before the Annual Muirfield Easter hunt began, the heavens opened up and the rain poured down. Of course, it finished about 15 minutes after the festivities were completed, but that did not deter the hearty sons and daughters of Ohio. They hunted with verve and moxie, undeterred by the elements. As a reward for their efforts there seemed to be many more eggs per child than usual. RAP (4.10.2007)

Chinatown

Guardian 2
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

I think that the boys really enjoyed Chinatown; it was certainly different from anything else they had ever seen. Being boys they had to have the wooden swords. My co-worker Cathy, whose is Chinese, says that is exactly what her boys acquired in Chinatown too, so it seems to be universal to juvenile males everywhere. What was more unusual was Alex's choice of a rock with the Chinese inscription for "prosperity" on it. He liked it so much that he took it school and then whipped up a frenzy of enthusiasm where all the kids made their own in a craft project.
RAP(4.5.2007)