Big Bear, a reserve member of the Justice League

Bye Dad
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Those two goofballs in the window are Michael and Alex. On the day Jenny had surgery, I got the kids ready for school and decided to take pictures.

While I was working on the class videos on Sunday, Alex stumbled on a Justice League Marathon on Boomerang and watched it on and off for the rest of the afternoon. When Jenny and I were putting Alex to bed, I asked him if Big Bear was a reserve member of the Justice League. He responded with a big smile, so I continued. I told him that they call him whenever their is a Bear specific problem. I told him, using my Yogi impersonation, that there seems to be a bear that "is stealing Pic-a-nic baskets!" and that this looks like a job for Big Bear! His sleepy grin was from ear to ear as he drifted off into dream land.
~R. A. Patton
P.S. Alex says he doubts that Big Bear is in the Justice League, because he sleeps alot.

"I just love history!"

Going To School
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

On the way home from Whole Foods Saturday Michael was telling us about a research report he was doing on Guatemala, when with a grin of delight he blurted out, "I just love history!" He then continued, but addressing his brother, "Alex, you are so lucky, when you are 2nd grad you get to learn about history too!" He continued on and on about how great history is as his smile grew so much that it was almost as broad as his mother's in response to his words.
RAP

Indiana Jones

Quack Quack
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

This winter we have started to encourage the boys to watch more adult movies by having family movie nights. In recent days we have watched the three Indiana Jones movies, and have discovered that Alex loves Indiana Jones. He said that 'Temple of Doom' was his favorite movie of all time and is considering being Indy for Halloween (We bet he will be one of the Super-Mario brothers)!

Michael preferred 'The Last Crusade' because of it's connection to Arthurian lore; the Magic Treehouse books he enjoys are tied to the legends of Arthur and Merlin. Jen is happy because now the boys want to ride the Indiana Jones ride the next time we go to Disney (which means we get too also)!
RAPatton

His Followers Followed Even When He Was Wrong

Egg Hunt
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Monday night we had our first Phillies (Michael's Team) practice and on Tuesday night we had our first one for the Cubbie Bears (I wonder who is on that team?). I am coaching the Cubs, and was flying solo our first practice; Jens said it went well.

It was a little surprising how much of a leader Alex is. Every time I asked a question he was the first and most vocal to answer. When I asked the kids to run to a place, they would run as a pack and follow Alex. And like a true leader, his followers followed even when he was wrong (he and his posse ran to 3rd when I said go to short stop)!

After practice I acquired for Michael and Alex popsicles from Whole Foods to make the practices a bit more rewarding; when I was a kid going to Sonic for slushies afterwards was always my favorite part of little league practice!
RAPatton

Not Bad, Just "Misunderstood"

Fastest Boys Alive
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael won a "Shadow the Hedgehog" doll at the birthday party yesterday, and he slept with it last night. As the name Shadow implies, the character's activities are not always on the up and up. Jen questioned Michael about that as she tucked him in and Michael explained that Shadow is not bad, just "misunderstood."

When she moved on to Alex's room, he debriefed her on his life plan; he wants to be a stay at home dad who lives at our house. Jen tried to explain that one day he will live with his family in his own home and that set him off into tears. Soon Jenny calmed down our little Peter Pan and he joined his brother in Neverland.
R. A. Patton

Ice Age 2

Movie Night
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Friday night we took the boys, Michael's best friend, John, and his twin brother, Luke, out to see 'Ice Age 2.' All the boys enjoyed it. As I mentioned recently, Michael's social life has been much better in 2006 than any other time of his life. He has been invited to 4 birthday parties in 4 weeks and now has a best friend. Michael enjoys this social success, but was OK without it; his mother, on the other hand, has always been very concerned about his social success and is very happy for him.
RAP

Not Doing Things Until They are Ready

Sky Surfer
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

One of the things the boys are very good about is not doing things until they are ready. Alex used to never want to be hurled through the air, or go head deep in the ocean, but now he can't imagine not doing it on vacation. Likewise, Michael may appear to be a daredevil, but has always chosen to do only the things that he thinks he can do. If he thinks he can do a flip, he can; If he does not, good luck trying to make him do it.

On this trip, Michael decided he was ready for a waverunner. I was not crazy about the idea, but he persuaded me. Reluctantly, I decided that on the last morning of our trip we (the two of us) would pay the extortionist prices (the sign said one fee, but the people running it wanted twice as much, they just had not updated it yet) and go for it; however fate interceded and their was a high surf warning that morning. I got lucky this time, but I am pretty sure Michael will make me go out next year.
RAP