Foreshadowing?

Life Of the Party
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It has been widely speculated that Alex will be quite the party animal one day, and to many images such as this feel like foreshadowing. His hyper-social nature combined with his ability to work a room seems like a natural fit with the idea that he will be the big man on campus.

He may be all that, but I don't know if will be tied to the excesses we associate with such a role. If anything, Alex is the child who knows when to stop. He will always ask for a sweet, but usually shares it with those around him. He will most certainly reach for a root beer, but rarely finishes it.
RAP (5.30.2008)

Camera Advice

On Dad's Lap
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

My advice to anyone purchasing a camera is to acquire one that fits easily into your pocket. An amazing camera that can do almost anything does nothing if it is not with you when you need it.

Monday, after visiting the cemetery, we journeyed to Whole Foods; as we checked out, I went to sit with the boys on a wooden bench. Without much delay, horseplay ensued. Alex was sitting on my lap and Michael was lying across the bench. I was tickling, making odd remarks about pandas and generally being incorrigible. As the smiles and giggles were I unleashed, I realized that this was a moment that I would like to preserve. While tickling with one I had, I used the other to reach into my pocket and find my Canon 890 IS and was able to capture an amazing moment.
RAP (5.28.2008)

And This Is Our Social Child!

Leave Me Alone, I Am Reading
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Typically the stills from my camera are captured in closer proximity to the boys, but this one was taken at a distance for a reason; I wanted to highlight how isolated Alex chose to make himself. We were at one of Michael's baseball games and Alex found a place away from the hubbub, because he wanted to read the volumes of Bone that had just arrived. And this is our social child!

I am very happy at the love of reading we have cultivated in them. We loan things from the library, but as long as they read it, I will buy them almost anything. The author of Bone, Jeff Smith, has an exhibition at the Wexner Center for the Arts, and he is also hosting a night of Looney Tunes cartoons (a big influence on his work) in 2 weeks. We are planning to take the boys to both, to further stoke their enthusiasm and imagination. RAP (5.23.2008)

Could Have Done Better

Goof
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Last Sunday my niece, Elizabeth Hanna Patton, became my god daughter. Poor girl, she could have done better.

It was a nice ceremony, and during it she was in my arms. Her face indicated a displeasure with the water on her head, but she did not cry. Michael spent most of the service with Jake in the children's room, but somehow came bolting in at the right moment to witness the ceremony. He wanted to be with Ellie during her baptism, but we told him "no." However, we do think he would be a good god father one day; like I said, she could have done better.
RAP (5.22.2008)

Tooting My Own Horn

Wild Cards
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Everyone knows that Michael is Jacob's favorite; it is practically every third word uttered from the cherub's mouth. Despite this, when we arrived at Jake's house Saturday afternoon a certain red headed boy bolted by Michael and made a B-Line for a certain camera man.

I call my brother "Uncle Billy" in front of my children, and often do the same in front of Jake; originally this was due to laziness, but now there is an element of mischief. To compound this identity confusion, little children often call all adult males they like "da-da," and Jake does this to me. So I am "da-da" and he is "Uncle Billy." Uncle Billy is not amused by this; he believes there is only room for one "da-da" in this town. After the baptism, Jake was playing near Bill while we talked, and then he burst into tears. Bill tried to console his oldest, but he would not have it; Jake bolted towards me yelling "da-da!"

RAP (5.20.2008)

Goodbye Mr. Spalding

Goodbye Mr. Spalding
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael's golden glove continued into his second game; he was at third and the batter hit a high pop fly. Michael charged the ball, but it appeared to me that he was underestimating where it was going to land. To complicate things further, the pitcher charged out towards third. Michael blocked it all out, and snagged the ball at the last second to applause.

He is also doing well at the plate. He was 2 for 3, including the shot you see on the cover. Look at the top left corner and you will see the ball streaking away; Goodbye Mr. Spalding. Michael likes to run slowly to first while he watches where his ball goes (just past third; as a consequence he only made it turned out to only be a single, but it should have been a double. The most important thing is that he is having fun, which is much better than it was last season.
RAP (5.19.2008)

Don't Cook Without Me!

Assembly Line
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Some children can't wait to get up for Saturday morning cartoons or for Christmas presents, but for Alex it is cooking. Friday night, he made Jenny promise not to start cooking before he was awake, but "allowed" her to set the table if she so wished.

At 6:15, with his eyes still closed, Alex sprinted, like a drunken sailor, from Michael's bedroom to the kitchen, clutching baby and three of his bears. For the next few hours, Alex prepped, baked, iced, mixed and planned his first communion luncheon. The three bears were with him the entire time, traveling from the island to the counter and back again over the morning. After all, who better to tell Alex that this dough was too lumpy, his cake too warm and this amount of icing was just right.
RAP (5.16.2008)
P.S. I should have chosen an image where the bears are visible. They are in the barstools watching diligently in this shot.