The Unwritten, Byzantine Rules of 3rd Grade Lunch Room

Last Friday Michael took Suzanne to see Coraline, and although they are just friends, he was very excited. The best part of the evening was how he skipped back to the car after dropping her off at her doorstep. He insisted on picking up and dropping her off alone, which pleased me. The whole exercise is to make ensure that he feels comfortable around girls and not become one of the boys who line the gym walls at dances, too intimidated to engage with the fairer sex.

Alex tends to take his cues from his big brother and seems to have learned that it is all right to talk to girls, even if you must circumvent the unwritten, byzantine rules of 3rd grade lunch room. Alex wanted to have lunch with Michelle, but there are only self regulated boy only and girl only tables; a mingling of the existing table would be tantamount to walking away from a double dog dare. Not one to be intimidated by the way things are, Alex found an empty table and made it a new table, one that was boy girl, and had lunch with a friend.

RAP (2.12.2009)

Cornerstone

The Snowfort's Cornerstone
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the joys of parenthood is hearing the echos of your childhood memories as your kids share in things that you used to do, and you remember things that you have forgotten. Two Wednesdays ago, the boys finally got the snow day they had invoked so much voodoo to achieve, and they built a snow fort. Having built one or two in my day, I passed on tips such as using a little water to help freeze the bricks.  

This past Wednesday there was no such snow, and, alas, they would have to go to school. As they prepared, they were asked what they were looking forward to that day. Without hesitation, Michael exclaimed, "Comics!" One of the joys of parenthood is seeing your children grow up and share in the enthusiasms that you have. 

RAP (2.9.2009)

On Thick Ice

On Thick Ice
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

We like to go with the flow of the seasons and enjoy what each has to offer; instead of fighting the current by longing for the amenities of other times and places. So the confluence of a lush snowfall and a warm winter day led us to hike the Indian Run Falls trail on a sunny, Sunday afternoon.

It was a beautiful and tranquil experience; the highlight for the boys was walking on the frozen creek bed. It was no more than a foot a half deep at this point and it was solid ice. So while our favorite tributary of the Scioto roars in Summer or wears its finest in Autumn, only in winter can we achieve a sort of grace and walk on water.
RAP (2.3.2009)

A Little Bit of Magic

Hark!
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

I think that the boys enjoy school, but the way they coax snow days into existence would make one think they were trying to evade the devil himself. At the hint of a possible snow day, elaborate rituals are invoked; first, and foremost, pajamas are worn both inside out and backwards. Furthermore, while donning this fashion, they dance on their beds, beseeching the universe for snow as our ancestors once did for rain. Being a sort of enchantment, they use an avatar of the cold in their invocations and send ice down the sink and toss ice cubes out the front door. Eventually they must sleep, but their effort is not suspended; under their pillows, where their heads lie, are spoons. Why? I don't know, but there are part of the rites. Perhaps school is awful, or maybe, just maybe, playing in the snow on a day when you are not supposed to be is a little bit magical.
RAP (1.30.2009)

The Coldest Dawn of the Year

The Coldest Dawn of the Year
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Early last Friday morning the mercury plunged to the lowest depths of the year; the fridge would have been balmy at 37, and the freezer would have provided relief at its solitary 1 degree. In the hours before dawn, the temperature's perigee reached -11 degrees.

As cold as it was outside, there was warmth inside our home as Michael and Alex each had a friend spend the night. Christopher and John came over, played games, had a Nerf war and watched movies late into the night. However, we were cautious about the cold, and fortified all four boys with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings just to make sure they stayed warm.
RAP (1.23.2009)

Joy and Delight

Joy and Delight
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

After many near misses, we finally had enough snow to go sledding on Wednesday afternoon. It turns out we weren't alone our enthusiasm, for it felt as if the whole town turned out, braving the nearly undrivable roads.

Michael has always loved the trappings of winter, but in recent years Alex has come on board. I think that is important to embrace each season for what it is; enjoy the storms of spring, the pools of summer, the leaves of autumn and the snow of winter. All of them pass before you know it, so it pleases me to observe they both are enjoying what they have, while they can.
RAP (1.19.2009)

Chop Pong

Chop Pong
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

From the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the merry making of Mardi Gras, the boys have been to many places and done a great number of things in past few years, but that doesn't mean we discount local attractions. Last Sunday we journeyed to the Wexner Center to see a foreign animated film, "Azure and Asmar." It was different from the standard fare, in both style and construction of the narrative. After the show, we escorted them through the Warhol exhibit, highlighting the pieces they knew of, and those we believed they would take an interest in.

Those were good experiences, but the best moment came while doing nothing; as they waited for lunch, the boys used a crumpled paper from a straw, napkins and chopsticks to invent "Chop Pong." You never know what will come of idle time, but I hope that by exposing them to more and more that the possibilities will be endless.
RAP (1.16.2009)