Alex's personality is one that seeks the limelight. He finds a way to get close to the action, and he wants to be near the center of attention. Michael, on the other hand, does not. He just does what he wants, and tries to have fun along the way; sometimes ends up in the middle of everything, but if he doesn't, he is none worse for the wear.
This weekend was Jake's 2nd birthday and he was everyone's focus; however, Jake's focus was Michael. The word "Michael" was the one that flowed most freely from his lips; wherever Michael was, he wanted to be. When I woke Jake up for his party, his first word was "Michael" (his second word was "Book"). Michael may not seek attention, but by being Michael he gets more than he wants, and he gets it from those he wants it from.
RAP (4.29.2008)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Emperor's Newest Clothes
Forgive me my tardiness; spring has brought us a full calendar of soccer and baseball games and practices. In addition to those, I have been archiving photos, postcards and video, which has been time consuming. On top of that, someone had a birthday last weekend.
This year's celebration was only a 3 day birthday weekend celebration (some years it is a birth week), but it still was a rousing success. Jenny received (or will get from Bill and Kassi this weekend) everything she desired. From her boys she was graced with tickets to the see The Police, Lemon Gels, an iPod Shuffle and a 111 (3 boys x 37 years) dollar gift certificate to The Emperor's Newest Clothes. It is her favorite local boutique, and you can see it with your own eyes on the front of this card; clearly, Michael and Alex are very attentive shoppers.
RAP(4.25.2008)
This year's celebration was only a 3 day birthday weekend celebration (some years it is a birth week), but it still was a rousing success. Jenny received (or will get from Bill and Kassi this weekend) everything she desired. From her boys she was graced with tickets to the see The Police, Lemon Gels, an iPod Shuffle and a 111 (3 boys x 37 years) dollar gift certificate to The Emperor's Newest Clothes. It is her favorite local boutique, and you can see it with your own eyes on the front of this card; clearly, Michael and Alex are very attentive shoppers.
RAP(4.25.2008)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Innate Abilities
People like to focus on Alex's innate abilities: he is very smart and charming. While being blessed with gifts and talents is wonderful, and it is better to have them then to not have them, it doesn't tell you who someone is. Yesterday, Alex made an interesting choice that somewhat illustrates who he is and can become; he created a book club, and used his charm to recruit four members.
Their inaugural selection is "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" by Roald Dahl. He does not know this, but his grandmother Molly worked as an assistant editor in New York as a young lady, and her office was a hotbed of children's fiction. At the time the works of Maurice Sendak, Dr. Suess and Mr Dahl floated in and out of the office. Those gentlemen would have been smart and creative no matter what they did or did not do, but in using their gifts they become great authors. Alex is smart and charming, but more importantly he is using those abilities; in this case, as a leader.
RAP (4.21.2008)
Their inaugural selection is "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" by Roald Dahl. He does not know this, but his grandmother Molly worked as an assistant editor in New York as a young lady, and her office was a hotbed of children's fiction. At the time the works of Maurice Sendak, Dr. Suess and Mr Dahl floated in and out of the office. Those gentlemen would have been smart and creative no matter what they did or did not do, but in using their gifts they become great authors. Alex is smart and charming, but more importantly he is using those abilities; in this case, as a leader.
RAP (4.21.2008)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Even the best of friends may need some space occasionally
Michael and Alex are very close, as tight as any brothers I have known. Last week, Alex came to the "Kool Kid" party in honor his brother. During the Q&A session, Alex had his hand up for a long time, and Michael would not pick him. Eventually Mrs. Givens selected him, and as he started to speak, Michael said very sweetly, "Alex, I would like to hear what you have to share." After a short, dramatic, pause he continued, "at home!" Everyone was rolling. It shows you that even the best of friends may need some space occasionally.
Fear not, Alex has his own things too, the most recent one being Chess Club. In addition to learning to play, they also learn about the history of the game; recently Alex learned about Alexander Kasparov. Soon after that lesson the instructor called upon Alex, but Alex quickly cut him off and interjected "call me Alexander!" That one has none of his father's ego! RAP (4.16.2008)
Fear not, Alex has his own things too, the most recent one being Chess Club. In addition to learning to play, they also learn about the history of the game; recently Alex learned about Alexander Kasparov. Soon after that lesson the instructor called upon Alex, but Alex quickly cut him off and interjected "call me Alexander!" That one has none of his father's ego! RAP (4.16.2008)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Book Pusher
Alex had his classmate, Taka, over for an afternoon of chess, art and baking. It was Wednesday so I had picked up my books (nerd) and the 2-4 books a week that the boys read. It is a thrill to see them drop everything for a new comic or prose book and tear into it. As long as they have this desire, I will feed it.
Their new comic books were on the counter when Jun, Taka's mom, arrived and she went nuts when she saw them. She loves manga comics and feels that most of what is that is available in the U.S. is sub par. Sensing an opening, I slipped on my pusher hat, and she left with a ton of material tailored to Taka's ability. He is a 1st year in multiage class; whereas Alex can read Harry Potter, Taka is not as advanced. They left with wordless works like "Gon" and "Owly," humorous original graphic novels like "The Mighty Skullboy Army" and "Bumper Boy loses his Marbles," and traditional American comics such as "Tiny Titans." All beloved titles, but they do not do anyone good on our shelves; books are meant to be read and we will see them again after they have been loved.
RAP (4.15.2008)
Their new comic books were on the counter when Jun, Taka's mom, arrived and she went nuts when she saw them. She loves manga comics and feels that most of what is that is available in the U.S. is sub par. Sensing an opening, I slipped on my pusher hat, and she left with a ton of material tailored to Taka's ability. He is a 1st year in multiage class; whereas Alex can read Harry Potter, Taka is not as advanced. They left with wordless works like "Gon" and "Owly," humorous original graphic novels like "The Mighty Skullboy Army" and "Bumper Boy loses his Marbles," and traditional American comics such as "Tiny Titans." All beloved titles, but they do not do anyone good on our shelves; books are meant to be read and we will see them again after they have been loved.
RAP (4.15.2008)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Man of the Hour
Reading and writing are emphasized on in the Dublin Schools, and Michael's teacher took advantage of the completion of his thirty fifth issue of Kool Kid to honor Michael. I would guess this would be to inspire his classmates to create, but no matter the reason, Michael was very happy to celebrate this milestone.
It had the trappings of a great party; Jenny made gluten-free cookies shaped like Kool Kid's skateboard, there was chocolate milk for all, and Alex was excused from his class so he could attend. Essentially, the kids ate and listened to a reading; after Michael completed his oration, it even became hands on, as the kids broke off in pairs and consumed them. During this time you could hear kids shouting across the room things such as, "Who has issue 14?" To which Michael turned to his mother, and with a smile said, "Wow. This is amazing. I can't believe they're so interested."
RAP (4.14.2008)
It had the trappings of a great party; Jenny made gluten-free cookies shaped like Kool Kid's skateboard, there was chocolate milk for all, and Alex was excused from his class so he could attend. Essentially, the kids ate and listened to a reading; after Michael completed his oration, it even became hands on, as the kids broke off in pairs and consumed them. During this time you could hear kids shouting across the room things such as, "Who has issue 14?" To which Michael turned to his mother, and with a smile said, "Wow. This is amazing. I can't believe they're so interested."
RAP (4.14.2008)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Storyteller
Michael's teacher, Mrs. Givens, wants him to write a poem and enter it in a Scholastic writing contest. She has been going on and on about how she loves how he thinks, how it is so out of the box and how it is so creative and different than the other children she has had; if she only knew!
Tomorrow she is throwing a class party in honor of the completion of his 35th issue of Kool Kid. That reward has motivated him, but I believe with his enthusiasm he would have made it eventually, just at a slightly slower pace. With her admiration and encouragement, I think that he has been very fortunate to have had her this year.
RAP (4.10.2008)
Tomorrow she is throwing a class party in honor of the completion of his 35th issue of Kool Kid. That reward has motivated him, but I believe with his enthusiasm he would have made it eventually, just at a slightly slower pace. With her admiration and encouragement, I think that he has been very fortunate to have had her this year.
RAP (4.10.2008)
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