Michigan Month

The Horse Shoe
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It feels like Michigan week has begun in October this year, as if it had been upgraded to Michigan month. At work, people are watching the "Bomb Ann Arbor Now" video, you walk down the hallways and you hear people sing Ohio State songs like Christmas carols.

When I was taking Alex to his final soccer game we listened to the classic "Tedd Ginn did Everything" (Alex's favorites) and then changed the station; on this new frequency we heard a bizarre rap song based on "I don't give a damn about the whole state of Michigan." This phenomena is not localized to Ohio either. CBS Sportsline has a countdown clock to the game. ESPN's Gameday does too and they even spent an entire segment breaking down the game this weekend!
RAP (10.31.2006)

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last weekend we stayed at Niagara Falls; in the background of the photo you can see two of the three falls, the American and bridal falls. The Canadian side of the falls is very nice, reminiscent of the Chicago along Lake Michigan.

Another way it was like the home was how people would say "Go, Bucks" when they saw the Ohio State logo on my shirt. A few blocks from the falls it turns into a weird tourist trap where you can see 4-D dinosaurs, Lego villages, Guinness Book of World Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not, wax museums and a whole lot more. The best of the bunch was a "Hershey" store; after a few moments in the store Alex proclaimed "I'm in heaven!"
RAP (10.26.2006)

Jenny's Wish was Finally Granted; She Became a (fairy) Godmother

Three Smiles
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Jenny's wish was finally granted; she became a (fairy) godmother last weekend in Buffalo. Jacob played his part perfectly as the god son, handling the long day, attention and the water without complaint. In addition, our guys behaved admirably, which was important as they were in the second row for an hour long ceremony. Being out of town all weekend provided me with 48 straight hours were I did not work, which was kind of odd; for the last two months I have been working at least 5 hours each Saturday and Sunday. Instead, I ended up driving 6 hours on Friday and Sunday!
RAP (10.26.2006)

Favorite Present

Favorite Present
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael's party was the Sunday before the 17th, but we, as a family, always celebrate his birthday on the morning of the day. Before sunrise on Tuesday the 17th, Michael was ripping through paper, tearing open envelopes and diving into bags. It was a happy morning for him, and for his brother; Alex understands that Michael's birthday is his and vice versa with respect to new toys.

Both boys took two of the cubes from cube world that Michael received to school that day and having the hot new item made them "cool"; Michael came home telling Jenny how popular he was, and a mother in his class called to find out where to get them.
RAP (10.25.2006)

Michael's Party

The Watcher
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

You did not receive an invitation to Michael's party this year, because there were no fancy invitations; just the ones that Magic Mountain gave us. It is not what I would have chosen, but it was not my choice; it was Michael's. He was very happy with his party. They rode go carts, played video games and (drum roll, please) engaged in laser tag. The really good thing about the party is that hopefully it will help him bond with some of the guys in his new class. There were a lot of new faces at his party and perhaps they will transmute into new friends.
RAP (10.20.2006)

Shawnee Falls

Shawnee Falls
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The past three days, Jen has been feeling better, well enough, in fact, to allow us to finally stroll through the new Shawnee Falls park. I had walked it in the spring, but Jen, Michael and Alex had never seen it before. It has quite impressive views especially considering it runs right through old Dublin. We entered at the post office and excited at the library. Actually Jen and the kids excited at the library, I hiked back to the car to pick them up at the library. Jen is better, but I thought it best not to push our luck.
R.A.Patton (10.18.2006)

Dawn's Early Light

Dawn's Early Light
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last week the annual Dad's and Donuts morning was held at Eli Pinney. It may look early in this picture, but usually, I would have been at work for an hour and half by this time. This biggest surprise of the day is four seperate little girls came up to us and said "Hi, Al-eexxx!" No boys came up to us for either boy (although we sat with Michael's best friend), but these four little girls did seek Alex out. :)
RAP (10.17.2006)