When I worked late at the grocery store in high school, often I would buy a bag or two of candy before walking home. The next day I took it school with me and I'd toss Skittles, Starbursts, Peppermint Patties and the like around in my Honors English class when Mr. Rogers had his back turned; as soon as his back turned, hands all across the room would go up, candy would zoom across the air, and generally we all had a good time. Mr. Rogers was in on it, and occasionally a Reese's peanut butter cup headed in his direction.
I believe that little celebrations in life are important and as such I like to make Fridays a bit more special for the boys, so I often sneak a surprise into their lunches for that day. During Lent it has been Easter Candy, mini-Cadbury eggs in particular. I also add the a bit of wisdom each time: "It's nice to share." I see it a bit as a candy dish, and it never hurts to have a candy dish at your desk. Well, it has grown and now Fridays are special for more than just our boys. It has turned out to make Fridays special for me once more as I hear Michael, in particular, tell me that he shoots them around the table, harkening back to a time that doesn't seem so long ago.
RAP (3.18.2009)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
There Is Nothing To See Here
The boys report cards arrived yesterday, and it was as you would expect, nearly perfect in both cases. As such, it did not tell me much about them, but their is an academic activity lately that has done a fine job at illustrating facets about the boys.
As a way to promote their overall growth I've decided to have the boys commit to memory a few things. in exchange for a trip to the candy store. In this first iteration, Alex chose Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle" and Michael chose Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." This was what you would expect: Alex chose something passionate, whereas Michael displayed his affinity for Mr. Lincoln. Alex has been very diligent and is essentially done, but Michael is taking longer (as part of the dynamic, they are only rewarded when both complete their task); this is interesting in that Michael has a fantastic memory, but Alex has out worked him. Michael works very hard on his passions, but not as much on other tasks, whereas Alex can be directed. It is something that we need to continue to work on with him.
The most intriguing thing about this exercise has been to see that Michael has a natural cadence, and reads and recites his piece with rhythm, but Alex does not. "Rage, rage" erupted from his mouth, running together with the words like an explosion and in the process lost all of its poetry. This was something that I did not expect, but we have used recent days to teach him where to place emphasis, which has been a nice bonus of this task, and I believe is a skill that might serve him well.
RAPatton (3.11.2009)
As a way to promote their overall growth I've decided to have the boys commit to memory a few things. in exchange for a trip to the candy store. In this first iteration, Alex chose Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle" and Michael chose Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address." This was what you would expect: Alex chose something passionate, whereas Michael displayed his affinity for Mr. Lincoln. Alex has been very diligent and is essentially done, but Michael is taking longer (as part of the dynamic, they are only rewarded when both complete their task); this is interesting in that Michael has a fantastic memory, but Alex has out worked him. Michael works very hard on his passions, but not as much on other tasks, whereas Alex can be directed. It is something that we need to continue to work on with him.
The most intriguing thing about this exercise has been to see that Michael has a natural cadence, and reads and recites his piece with rhythm, but Alex does not. "Rage, rage" erupted from his mouth, running together with the words like an explosion and in the process lost all of its poetry. This was something that I did not expect, but we have used recent days to teach him where to place emphasis, which has been a nice bonus of this task, and I believe is a skill that might serve him well.
RAPatton (3.11.2009)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Guitar Heroes
I like to expose the boys to a wide variety of experiences, as a way to help them understand their world; they help make you who you are, and be able to see the depth behind things that seem simple. Late Sunday afternoon I was able to finagle some passes for the sound check of Airborne Toxic Event, who were playing a sold out show that night. I thought this would be something interesting for the boys to see; after all, how often will the boys be able to hang out with rock stars?
The boys have never been to an indoor concert and were very pleased from the get go when they noticed that were playing Cartoon Network up at the bar; Michael proclaimed, "You're right, this is a cool place!" We ended up talking the violist, drummer and lead singer. The lead singer in particular talked to the boys about sports, doodling, school and guitars. Later, he pulled Alex up on stage during the sound check and tutored him on guitar, letting him work the floor pedals and offering sage advice like "the great thing about punk rock is you don't have to be in tune." But it wasn't all rocking out; in the 2 and half hours we were there, the boys watched them setup their equipment, tune it, set their marks and a variety of other things that they may not have realized were involved in being a guitar hero.
RAPatton (3.3.2009)
The boys have never been to an indoor concert and were very pleased from the get go when they noticed that were playing Cartoon Network up at the bar; Michael proclaimed, "You're right, this is a cool place!" We ended up talking the violist, drummer and lead singer. The lead singer in particular talked to the boys about sports, doodling, school and guitars. Later, he pulled Alex up on stage during the sound check and tutored him on guitar, letting him work the floor pedals and offering sage advice like "the great thing about punk rock is you don't have to be in tune." But it wasn't all rocking out; in the 2 and half hours we were there, the boys watched them setup their equipment, tune it, set their marks and a variety of other things that they may not have realized were involved in being a guitar hero.
RAPatton (3.3.2009)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The "I Love You" Game
As she dropped the boys off at school this morning, Jenny informed them that she "loves them to pieces." Being boys, they immediately took that notion and turned it around into an ever escalating, competitive frenzy to find smaller pieces to love:" love you to bits" ... "to ashes!" ... "to dust!" ... "to atoms!" A bit ornery, but sweet.
On this same morning, Michael shared with me that he dreamed of Suzanne last night; she came over, but there was a rocket in our backyard. He had to chose between a trip to the moon and playing with her. He chose her. One day, in a few years, they boys will most likely play a competitive "I love you" game with a girl who is not there mother. I venture that it will be more sweet, less ornery, and instead of trying to find smaller pieces, it will be about comparing it to the greatest things they can imagine.
RAP (2.25.2009)
On this same morning, Michael shared with me that he dreamed of Suzanne last night; she came over, but there was a rocket in our backyard. He had to chose between a trip to the moon and playing with her. He chose her. One day, in a few years, they boys will most likely play a competitive "I love you" game with a girl who is not there mother. I venture that it will be more sweet, less ornery, and instead of trying to find smaller pieces, it will be about comparing it to the greatest things they can imagine.
RAP (2.25.2009)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Cornerstone
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)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
On Thick Ice
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)
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)
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