As is my want, we spend around an hour and half at the pool about 4 evenings a week. I prefer to go in the early evening when the sun's rays must traverse enough of the atmosphere that its touch is warm to the skin, but not strong enough to require immersing our bodies in protective chemical concoctions. The boys split their time between the pool and the new splashground. Most of my pool time is used in the hot tub, but I usually finish in the shallow end hurling the boys through the air in acrobatics so familiar they each have their own moniker (the elevator, the helicopter, space train rocket chair etc.).
The pools have relaxed their rules, and now the kids are allowed to bring toys, the most popular of which seem to be squirt guns. Alex tells me the water on the splashground is very cold compared to the pool, so he refills his rifle from the pool. After all, you want your targets to be comfortable.
RAP (6.17.2008)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Don't Look Back
"Don't look back" is a piece of pop philosophy the permeates our literature and culture. In addition to being advice on how to live our lives, it is a also a good maxim to practice while trying to advance from home to first base.
Every kid on Michael's team does the same thing to their detriment. As they run to first base they watch their hit. Some of the time, like this instance, that costs them; Michael was a step short of arriving at first safely. If he had run head down, he would have made it, but the siren's song of the ball skipping through the infield was too much.
RAP (6.16.2008)
Every kid on Michael's team does the same thing to their detriment. As they run to first base they watch their hit. Some of the time, like this instance, that costs them; Michael was a step short of arriving at first safely. If he had run head down, he would have made it, but the siren's song of the ball skipping through the infield was too much.
RAP (6.16.2008)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thunderball
Last Friday night, I traveled with the boys downtown to enjoy Ian Fleming's James Bond in "Thunderball." Much like Bond, we had an obstacle in achieving our goal; it seems that my wallet was not on my person when we pulled into the garage under the statehouse.
This is exactly the kind of subterfuge I would expect of the nerdowells at S.P.E.C.T.R.E., but like Bond, I would not be defeated by their machinations. We lacked an Aston Martin tricked out by Q, but we were able to journey to Dublin and back swiftly. With only moments to spare, we hurried down the rows of red velvet seats of the grand Ohio Theatre while the organist was triumphantly playing our hero's theme.
RAP (6.13.2008)
This is exactly the kind of subterfuge I would expect of the nerdowells at S.P.E.C.T.R.E., but like Bond, I would not be defeated by their machinations. We lacked an Aston Martin tricked out by Q, but we were able to journey to Dublin and back swiftly. With only moments to spare, we hurried down the rows of red velvet seats of the grand Ohio Theatre while the organist was triumphantly playing our hero's theme.
RAP (6.13.2008)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Where He Has Always Belonged
After our sojourn to the Wexner Center we decided to walk around campus with the boys. After all, it is important for them to know that The Ohio State University is much more than a football stadium. Before our trek down The Oval to Mirror Lake began, we were hemmed in near the Wex by the procession of Medical School Graduates.
At that point, the boys whipped out their books and immediately lost themselves to pages they were already intimate with. Of course, I reached for my camera. What amazes me about this picture is how right Michael looks so there; it is as if losing himself to his books on a college campus during a sunny day is where he has always belonged.
RAP (6.10.2008)
At that point, the boys whipped out their books and immediately lost themselves to pages they were already intimate with. Of course, I reached for my camera. What amazes me about this picture is how right Michael looks so there; it is as if losing himself to his books on a college campus during a sunny day is where he has always belonged.
RAP (6.10.2008)
Monday, June 9, 2008
Jeff Smith Bone and Beyond
Thursday night we took the boys to the "Jeff Smith Bone and Beyond" exhibit at the Wexner Center for the Arts. The boys have thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Smith's books; as we toured the gallery they inspected each panel and would dig out their copies to show us how each panel eventually looked. They were very much engaged.
In addition to the Bone gallery, we enjoyed Mary Heilmann's "To Be Someone", Jane Hammond's "Fallen" and the obligatory respite in the gift shop. While playing with a giant Fone Bone doll, we learned that this particular one was owned by Mr. Smith himself. I am not as quick as I once was, but this particular time I recognized the opportunity before us. We had the boys each write a note to Jeff Smith, and then left it in the back pack of his doll. I hope he likes them. :)
RAP (6.9.2008)
In addition to the Bone gallery, we enjoyed Mary Heilmann's "To Be Someone", Jane Hammond's "Fallen" and the obligatory respite in the gift shop. While playing with a giant Fone Bone doll, we learned that this particular one was owned by Mr. Smith himself. I am not as quick as I once was, but this particular time I recognized the opportunity before us. We had the boys each write a note to Jeff Smith, and then left it in the back pack of his doll. I hope he likes them. :)
RAP (6.9.2008)
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wildman
The advent of summer means many things: school's out, little league baseball, trips to LA and afternoons at the pool. Our pools were upgraded this winter, one added a waterslide and the other a splashground (a playground with water canons, fountains and all manner of contraptions that can get you wet). We have wasted not time, in exploring these new amenities, but are still enjoying our old favorites such as the diving boards.
One concern is this year we have a new concessionaire at the pools, and while they are offering many new items they took away our beloved harbinger of summer, the snocone. I have had a word with them, and as they realized the profit you could reap selling ice with a tiny bit of syrup, I had the feeling that snocones would not be absent for too many more days. Good thing too, it is supposed to be 95 tomorrow!
(6.6.2008)
One concern is this year we have a new concessionaire at the pools, and while they are offering many new items they took away our beloved harbinger of summer, the snocone. I have had a word with them, and as they realized the profit you could reap selling ice with a tiny bit of syrup, I had the feeling that snocones would not be absent for too many more days. Good thing too, it is supposed to be 95 tomorrow!
(6.6.2008)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The Cookie (Dough) Monster
Sunday night I made my cookies for the first time since 2002, when they charged the Buckeyes to a national championship. It is difficult to make them without consuming the dough along the way, and eating the cookies once complete, which would wreck my girl-ish figure.
However, enough was enough; Alex, my budding chef, wasn't even aware that his father made the world's best chocolate chip cookies. I ma happy to report that has been rectified, and even if this batch wasn't my best, they were still good, at least Alex thought so.
(6.5.2008)
However, enough was enough; Alex, my budding chef, wasn't even aware that his father made the world's best chocolate chip cookies. I ma happy to report that has been rectified, and even if this batch wasn't my best, they were still good, at least Alex thought so.
(6.5.2008)
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