Alpha And Omega

Alpha And Omega
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

In this picture you can see the end of an era. Michael was a handful of pages from completing the last Harry Potter novel. It was an odyssey that spanned 7 books and over 3,000 pages. Much like a tale spun by J K Rowling, the end is not just the end; it is also a begining. In this bottom of this same picture you are witnessing Alex at the very start of the same journey into the world of J. K. Rowling.
RAP (7.31.2007)

Harry Potter Party

Harry Potter Party
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

You can either watch things happen, or you can be part of it, so last Friday we went to the Harry Potter party at Borders: it was called the Grand Hallows Ball. There were debates, trivia contests, balloon animals and gifts. We walked in a bit after nine and left right before one. Despite all the activities, what we did most was read (who would guess you would do that in a bookstore!). Jen read Fables, I read Sam & Twitch and Michael and Alex read many things, but mainly Simpsons Comics. Ironically we did not get Michael's book there; instead, after tired of waiting in line, we ran into Kroger on the way home.
RAP (7.27.2007)

Outflank Them

Outflank Them
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

More so than at any time previous, this is the era of the swing set. As illustrated by this photograph, the boys have been playing with, and around it, all summer. One of the most common things they do is engage in "pretend." Often when the do, Alex paces intently, thinking while staring at the ground; his voice is usually louder during these spells and it feels as if it is amplified further by his talking with his hands. They move all the place in dramatic gestures as he explains the stories from the recesses of his imagination. RAP(7.25.2007)

Reading Harry Potter

Reading Harry Potter
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

At about 11:45PM on Saturday night, after everyone had settled down for a mid-summer's nap, I checked in on the boys and discovered that not everyone was asleep. There was a small portable light on in Michael's bed. He was secretly staying awake and reading his brand new Harry Potter book with his faithful feline by his side. He has done this in the past, and I can't get mad at him for it; after all the reason I was awake was I was also reading my new copy of Harry Potter!
RAP (7.25.2007)

Wild Man

Wild Man
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The first day of Indian Village Day Camp seemed to be a bit of letdown for the boys. However, since then they have loved it. In particular they have enjoyed fishing (Michael caught 2) and archery (Alex likes it, just like I used to). Within minutes of arriving Alex already he had two friends. He shared his cupcakes at lunch with them. However, he did not have enough to share with his new ***best*** friend. RAP (7.20.2007)

Float On

Float On
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Due to our schedules, I have not been able to go to the pool as often as I would like. Jen and the boys have been able to enjoy it during the day, but with all the things going on I have not been able to get there in the evenings. After Michael's big hit the other night, we celebrated at the pool. It was a lovely evening, and it hit the spot after a hot day.
RAP (7.18.2007)

The Big Hit

The Big Hit
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

If Michael had never taken a swing all year, he would have walked about 95 percent of the time; in fact, at one point, he had walked at over 20 straight at bats. It was killing his desire to play, so we said no more, and had him start swinging at the pitches once more.

At first he was rusty and had a tendency to bail out of the batting box, but now things seem to be getting better. At his team's playoff game, Michael had a nice RBI in the middle of the game which turned out to be important at the end since it was a close contest. His team won, and he contributed, but he was happiest about earning his way to first.
RAP (7.17.2007)