Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Best Gary Coleman Impersonation


Minty Fresh
Originally uploaded by Jagrap
One thing you can always count on is Alex being a ham to the camera. Michael and I often shy away; when we try to pose, often look like the victims of an industrial accident.

Not our Alex. He sees a camera, he poses. Often it looks a bit artificial, but he still seems to look good. However, even though Alex always poses for the camera, that does not mean that he will always share a smile. When he is displeased, he will still ham it up for the camera but with his lip sticking out doing his best Gary Coleman impersonation.
RAP

Monday, May 30, 2005

The Nefarious Phillies and the Ghost of Leatherlips


Ready
Originally uploaded by Jagrap
Thursday Night we had a game against the nefarious Phillies. They knew they were out gunned, out classed and out of luck, so it seems that they made a deal with the ghost of Leatherlips. Each May Leatherlips pours rain down on the Memorial Tournament, but with some coaxing from the dastardly Phillies, our game was rained out after the first inning.

While in the center field, Michael fielded a ball swiftly and gently tossed it to second base. It would have been a great play, if the second baseman was paying attention. At the bottom of the inning, Michael hit the ball, but the curse of the lefty struck. It went straight to the first baseman. Despite that, he would have made it if he would have run through the base. Instead he slowed down and got tagged. We will work on it this weekend and then nothing will stop us (Evil Laugh Here)
~ RAP

Friday, May 27, 2005

Contrasts


New Hair Cut
Originally uploaded by Jagrap
A few months back Michael had saved enough money to purchase a small "Captain Underpants" doll. I have noticed that he has been sleeping with it every night; he cradles it between his right arm and chest, like you would a baby. What is interesting about this is that Alex has been sleeping with "Big Bear", but "Big Bear" is the one that has Alex in his arms!

That is not the end to the contrasts of their sleeping styles. Alex insists on having two night lights and the closet light on, whereas Michael is happy without such illumination. Furthermore, Michael goes to bed without complaint or delay, where as Alejandro drags it out -- he needs hugs, he needs milk, he needs you to lay down with him. The irony is that once Alex is done delaying, he is out like a light, but Michael is often awake for an hour or so; occasionally you will catch him with a flashlight reading a book, but eventually he quietly succumbs to the sandman.
RAP

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Thoughtful Thinker


Thoughtful Thinker
Originally uploaded by Jagrap
Each year, Eli Pinney holds an assembly and recognizes all students for something that they excel at. Many of the awards are pretty generic: "Good Friend", "Most Improved Reader" etc. Honestly, I find some of them condescending, and they make we wonder how the "Walk and chew bubble gum at the same time" award was excluded.

Last year, Michael received "The Love of Learning" award, and this year he was selected for the "Thoughtful Thinker" award. I hold that those are two of the better ones a parent could wish for there child. Furthermore, I think that aptly describe our Michael in a lyrical prose.
RAP

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

No one is a stranger to Alex


Contemplation
Originally uploaded by Jagrap
Alex has completed his third year at Little Shepherds, and is ready to enroll in Kindergarten this autumn. It was an emotional moment for Alex, and in my mind's eye I always pictured him standing up and giving a speech like this: "I would like to thank all the bears who made this possibly; Big Bear, Baby Bear, Cuddly Bear...." He didn't make that speech, but that does not mean I still can't hold on to the image.

While Jenny was gone, Cinda took Alex to lunch one day with her friend Jill. They were both so charmed by him; through her observations, Jill concluded "That no one is a stranger to Alex." During their time together, Alex repeatedly walked up to people, and found a way to talk to them like they were old friends. I wouldn't say this talent is effortless, that would belittle his skill and that fact that he intiates each contact. What I would say is that this behavior appears completely natural and he he makes it appears effortless.
RAP

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Amy's Organic Turkey Chili


Line Drive
Originally uploaded by Jagrap
Baseball has calmed down a bit in recent days; we are only having one game a week, for the next two weeks, before settling into a two game a week pattern that will prevail into July. Michael has continued to make contact with the ball, but he has been hitting it down the first baseline (as I predicted), causing him an occasional problem getting to base.

Another new thing with Michael is that he expanded his palette with "Amy's Organic Turkey Chili" today. The Verdict: it was a good. He liked it quite a bit and said it was unlike anything he had ever tasted before.
~R

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Just Browsing


Just Browsing
Originally uploaded by Jagrap
In Jens absence we have spent a good amount of time in the company of books. We went to the bookstore Friday night, the Library Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon we made a sojourn to the comic store. Michael was reading a Disney "Scrooge Duck" (Donald's Rich Uncle) comic book this weekend, so I thought I would take him and let him pick out another. Instead of another Disney tale, he chose something called "Owly;" it is very innocent, and is in black and white.

Alex picked "Monkey Versus Robot." Even thought it was more action than Michael's, it was a good selection for him. It was made for young readers and had very few words, but it made him feel like he was reading "a long book."
RAP