The boys' basketball games are on Saturday; to get them ready I have been taking them to the gym at the Rec Center Friday nights. We practice for an hour, and then go swimming. It is very popular, and their are big bodies all over the court, so we also do drills that don't involve shooting.
I want to encourage and help Michael to run like he is capable. He has always been fast, but he has not been running with good form, and not tapping into his 5th gear. So I corrected their form and had them run a gasser. Alex won, and I wasn't going to have that, so I had them run again and again until Michael won. He had downed a bottle of water and was breathing through his mouth, which I did correct, so he was hurting. More interestingly was that Alex was struggling too, but his fire wouldn't let Michael win just to get it over with. When Michael finally won, he earned it.
RAP (12.23.2008)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
It Isn't What You Have, But How You Use It
Alex's parent-teacher conference was today, and as usual his academics were stellar, with the exception of spelling (wonder where that comes from). Hearing that your child is bright and gifted is nice, but there are a lot of smart people with a myriad of talents.
Mrs. Johnson then told a story about a child who was noticeably suffering from anxiety about going to speech therapy for the first time. "Awex" has been going to it for years, and asked his teacher if he could assure the boy. Permission was granted; Alex walked over, put his hand on his back and told the kid that speech is a lot of fun because Miss Eickholt gives you candy and plays games with you. He also informed him that, "You are lucky. I love it." The boy's anxiety dissipated with those words. Alex doesn't even remember who the kid was, because this wasn't out of the ordinary for him. This is what he does, and who he is.
RAP(11.20.2008)
Mrs. Johnson then told a story about a child who was noticeably suffering from anxiety about going to speech therapy for the first time. "Awex" has been going to it for years, and asked his teacher if he could assure the boy. Permission was granted; Alex walked over, put his hand on his back and told the kid that speech is a lot of fun because Miss Eickholt gives you candy and plays games with you. He also informed him that, "You are lucky. I love it." The boy's anxiety dissipated with those words. Alex doesn't even remember who the kid was, because this wasn't out of the ordinary for him. This is what he does, and who he is.
RAP(11.20.2008)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
My Creation
You never know what will capture a child's imagination, so it is important to expose them to a variety of things. Birthday and Christmas gifts from people less familiar with them are good for this, but what is even better is when the gift isn't even for them; such is the case with a present by the name of "Snap Circuits," Michael received for his 11th.
This simple science kit is designed to allow a child to safely play with electricity has captured Alex's imagination, so much so. that when we were watching TV as a family last week, he was getting frustrated that the commercials weren't long enough for his experiments. He riffled through 50 projects in the book, but has since started designing his own. I certainly did not know that this would so engage him like it did, but fortunately it found its way to him.
RAP (11.19.2008)
This simple science kit is designed to allow a child to safely play with electricity has captured Alex's imagination, so much so. that when we were watching TV as a family last week, he was getting frustrated that the commercials weren't long enough for his experiments. He riffled through 50 projects in the book, but has since started designing his own. I certainly did not know that this would so engage him like it did, but fortunately it found its way to him.
RAP (11.19.2008)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Do You Have Time to Do Know... You Know What?
Saturday night we journeyed to see a sneak preview of the new Disney film, "Bolt," in 3D. We allowed each boy to choose one friend to accompany us. Alex chose Koh, and Michael selected Susanne. We think Michael is sweet on her without even realizing what that is yet, but it wasn't even a proto-date as evidenced by Michael's wardrobe.
Proto-date or not, he had a good time and was jumping up and down in elation as we dropped her off. He told her father that he "had a great time, and I hope she had a great time too." Her dad responded, "Yeah, I am sure she did." Michael's attention then turned back to Susanne, and he said with a sheepish enthusiasm, "Tonight.. do you have time to do know... you know what?" After the jaws were lifted off the ground, it was explained that he was talking about meeting on "Club Penguin."
RAP (11.18.2008)
Proto-date or not, he had a good time and was jumping up and down in elation as we dropped her off. He told her father that he "had a great time, and I hope she had a great time too." Her dad responded, "Yeah, I am sure she did." Michael's attention then turned back to Susanne, and he said with a sheepish enthusiasm, "Tonight.. do you have time to do know... you know what?" After the jaws were lifted off the ground, it was explained that he was talking about meeting on "Club Penguin."
RAP (11.18.2008)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
"Relentless" and "Resilient"
On Sunday Michael's team had an end of the season party at the Iacono's in Shawnee Hills. They talked about each player as they presented them with their trophy; when asked to describe Michael the words chosen were "relentless" and "resilient," and I don't think any two words could make me happier.
In football, as in life, there is always someone bigger, faster, stronger and more talented out there; in Michael's case, a 5th grader competing against kids 1 and 2 years his senior, most were. Those are things you have limited control over, but what you do have dominion over is your effort and attitude. You can go to the whistle, and you can pick yourself up when you are knocked down; you can be relentless and resilient, and that is what I wanted him to learn from football.
RAP (11.12.2008)
In football, as in life, there is always someone bigger, faster, stronger and more talented out there; in Michael's case, a 5th grader competing against kids 1 and 2 years his senior, most were. Those are things you have limited control over, but what you do have dominion over is your effort and attitude. You can go to the whistle, and you can pick yourself up when you are knocked down; you can be relentless and resilient, and that is what I wanted him to learn from football.
RAP (11.12.2008)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Did What We Could Do
Suzanne and her Labrador, Woody, stopped by yesterday afternoon, as she has been in the habit of doing lately. I wanted to make certain that she knew she was welcome, so I sprung into action and did what I could do for kids on a cool, autumn afternoon; I made my hot chocolate adorned with a whipped cream mountain and sprinkled with chocolate shavings.
The afternoon progressed well, and at the end Michael did what you would expect a gentleman to do; he escorted her back home. Upon his return, he did what he could to prolong the evening. He used technology to meet with her on Club Penguin while talking to her on the phone.
RAP (11.11.2008)
The afternoon progressed well, and at the end Michael did what you would expect a gentleman to do; he escorted her back home. Upon his return, he did what he could to prolong the evening. He used technology to meet with her on Club Penguin while talking to her on the phone.
RAP (11.11.2008)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Symmetry
One of the advantages of having the boys read the same stuff I did, or playing the same games I once played, is that it helps create a foundation of shared experiences that will, hopefully, allow us to understand each other as time passes. Their recently concluded first seasons of football has been that to an extent.
Alex's team gathered for the final time this past Sunday at the bowling alley over in Plain City, near the Amish restaurant. I secretly smiled to myself when I learned the location, because after many of my home football games in high school my friends would pick me up after I was showered and dressed, and take me to that very same emporium. I don't recall ever bowling with them; instead, I poured quarters into the pinball machine in an experience much like Michael and Alex just had.
RAP (11.6.2008)
Alex's team gathered for the final time this past Sunday at the bowling alley over in Plain City, near the Amish restaurant. I secretly smiled to myself when I learned the location, because after many of my home football games in high school my friends would pick me up after I was showered and dressed, and take me to that very same emporium. I don't recall ever bowling with them; instead, I poured quarters into the pinball machine in an experience much like Michael and Alex just had.
RAP (11.6.2008)
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