Weather That Defines What a Summer Day Is

Surfs Up
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It has been very hot and humid in recent days, weather that defines what a summer day is. Weather that makes you stay out of the sun in the middle of the day, and jump in the pool at the end.

Soon it will cool off a bit, and school will start. Then the sun will recede a bit more, and we will celebrate some birthdays. Then it will get colder once more, and a jolly fat man will be visiting us. Soon after that, I will write to you and tell you about how cold it is outside, and how the newly fallen snow defines a winter day. We will go sledding on that day, but today we will go swimming.
RAP

All Expenses Paid Trip to Fabulous Wyandot Lake

Life Of The Party Raft
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

This was the first year that our longtime friends, the Chesters, were able to attend our Independence Day Festivities. It was obvious that they were having a great time at the party, but just to remove all doubt about their level of enjoyment, they graciously took Jenny and the boys on an all expenses paid trip to fabulous Wyandot Lake (much better than a lifetime supply of Rice-a-roni)!

It was a lovely afternoon; Alex was king of the Wavepool, and Michael went down the waterslides with Jack and on the Roller Coaster with Lizzie. It was a great thank you, a thank you that deserves a thank you of its own!
RAP

Movie Trailers

Activity Book
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the fun things about taking the kids to the movies is seeing their reactions to the trailers. After the silence following the preview for Zorro, Alex yelled out, in no uncertain terms, that he had, "to see that!"

Although most trailers inspire his interest, there are one that miss. We saw one for an animated comedy ghost story that Alex said he might want to see. He never says he does not want to see it, he just says maybe, reserving judgement. Still the hedging on it shows that he is starting to develop his own taste and discriminating eye. >R>>RA>>>RAP

Shared Passions

Kid Pack
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Saturday afternoon we went to see 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' It was surprisingly good. Why would I go see a film that I did not expect to be good? Movies are an enthusiasm that we share with Michael and Alex, and I think it is important to cultivate as many shared passions as possible. I did not want to see it, but they did, and that was good enough.

Overall it is a better movie than the one from the 70's. It is less psychedelic and told well. However, the 70's version had far better musical numbers, and Gene Wilder's understated 'know it all' Willy Wonka was superior to Johnny Depp's 'mentally addled' Willy Wonka.
RAPatton

Totem Pole

Totem
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Unfortunately, the camera was in some weird mode when this picture was captured (it has several modes and you choose one with a wheel at the top; sometimes that wheel turns on its own). If it was captured in a 'normal' mode, I think this would have been one of my favorite images of the year. Michael was doing his spider-man thing, climbing up the doorway, and out of the blue Alex decided to make a totem pole. Jenny commanded me to capture the moment, and I did, but I wish I would have checked the mode first.
>>R. A. Patton

No One is a Stranger to Alex

Water Ballet
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

No one is a stranger to Alex; whenever we leave the pool, inevitably we hear about Alex's new friend. If we ask Alex their names, he usually responds, "I don't know." The individuals really aren't important, it is the interacting with people in general that is.

Obviously, Michael and I are not like that with regards to people. However, I think that I share something similar in my need to always being connected to what is going on; it is not optional, I have to consume information, and I think that is similar to Alex's compulsion.
RAP

Skater Dude

Skater Dude
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

As of late, our Michael has been a demon on wheels. Recently, he has rediscovered that he is quite capable of riding his bike without assistance and without training wheels. He has been taking his trusty bicycle on 3-4 rides a day, taxing his mother to keep up. He awoke this morning and went straight for his bike; by 7AM he was riding on the paths. This is a pretty normal behavior that has been delayed a bit, but all things come in their own time. And with the Tour de France going on, it is clearly time for boys to ride their bikes.
R