Easton Santa

Easton Santa
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Each year we choose to visit Santa at Easton; one of the interesting things about his visits to this location is that he keeps his appearance the same from year to year. At other sites he tweaks his look as time goes by to the degree you would almost guess that it is a different person in the red costume. Why would St. Nick choose to alter his facade at all the various places? Maybe he is trying to avoid someone (owes someone money? the henchmen of the international Wolverine Conspiracy? the IRS?).

This may seem silly, but the fact that he uses so many aliases (Father Christmas, Chris Cringle etc.) supports this theory. If he is trying to avoid some nefarious ner-do-well, it is nice to know that he feels safe enough in Ohio to maintain his constant appearance.
RAP (12.26.2006)

Open The Presents

Open The Presents
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last Thursday, Michael had an allergic reaction to a food we were trying on him. At first we thought it was the flu, and if it was, he could not go to school the next day. This devastated him, because on that Friday (a week before school is out!?!) was the class Christmas party. We think of Michael not needing people, but the prospect of missing the party made him very sad. I stayed home from work to watch him Friday, and we decided, in time for the party, that it was a food reaction and not the flu; Michael got to go to the party and had a raucous good time.
RAP (12.21.2006)

Wii would like to play!

Surprise
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Christmas is only a week away and the kids are quite excited. They both are holding out for Santa to get them a Wii, but now they have a new hope: on TV they see these commercials where two eccentric Japanese men show up at your house and say "Wii would like to play!" Of course, they give you a Wii, play the games with you and everyone has a good time. So now Alex is hoping for either the Wii guys OR Santa to show up. I am pulling for old St. Nick.
RAP (12.19.2006)

Creatures of Faith

Lucky Buckeyes
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The boys are doing well lately, both excited that Christmas is on it's way. Their are dreams of sugar plum fairies and Wii's dancing in their heads. They both know that the Wii is unavailable, but they both have absolute faith that Santa, the big man, can get it for them. It is wonderful to be around such creatures of faith, and who understand the world much better than the skeptics that dominate it.
RAP (12.15.2006)

The Golden Boy

The Golden Boy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

On Saturday, we took the boys to see their first Ohio State Basketball game; it was the valiant Buckeyes versus the nefarious Vikings of the geographically challenged Cleveland State. If seeing the home team defeat those neerdowells was not enough, this game was also Greg Oden's first start.

It is thought that he is this generations of Kareem Abdul Jabar or Shaquille O'Neal. I have to tell you, Greg was the real deal. He went 8 for 8, blocked a lot of shots and looked good doing it and Michael and Alex were there to see it. The big surprise of the game was Alex's enthusiasm (usually it is Michael); very few moments went by without him screaming "defense!" or "let's go Bucks!" RAP (12.13.2006)

Domino Contraption

Domino Contraption
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Whenever the weather is inclement, the kids have indoor recess. When Michael has indoor recess, he bypasses the books, computers and games and builds "Domino Contraptions." This has being going on for a while, and he has gotten quite enthused by it. Last night he drew this one, and today he put the do not disturb sign on his door and took an hour and half to build it. All that work for a few fleeting moments of watching it work may seem silly, but I am happy that he can set a goal and enjoy the journey it takes to make it real.
RAP (12.8.2006)

Mario Strikers

MarioStrickers
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

This morning between 3 and 4 AM Santa got in line at Toysrus in an attempt to procure a Wii (this year's hot toy that a certain dynamic duo wants). Even though it was below freezing, it was not too cold at first. However, the hour before day break was brutal. The word was that their were 30 of the coveted items in stock; Santa was approximately the 30th in line (you could not count how many people were in the tents ahead of us).

It turned out 42 units were available and the jolly old elf triumphed again. Some like to think Santa gets kids whatever they want no matter how they behave, but do you really think that he would wait in the cold wee hours of the morning for kids who naughty?
R.A.Patton (12.5.2006)

Note Change Photo to Jenny at zoo