Michael went away to camp Wednesday with the rest of the kids on his 6-2 team. He has always wanted to go away to a camp, so this was a thrill, and he was up at 5 AM packed and ready to go, even though he didn't need to be to school until 8 AM. This trip is a long standing tradition in our school district, and I went as a counselor while I was in high school, so I know just what to expect for him. The night walk, the bonfire, the hiking through the hills of southern Ohio and the cabin exposed to the elements without heat. I think he will have a very good time as he embraces his increased freedom as he goes from a boy to man.
The day before he left, I won a contest to fly out to see the Foo Fighters tape a show. The Foo Fighter's are one of the bands that Michael really likes, and I pursued it with the idea of taking him. When I told him the news he was excited, but I had to disclose that there was a catch: the trip would have me away for Beggars Night (The City holds it on a different night than Halloween when it is on a Friday or Saturday night). Upon hearing the news he said he could go, because he, "wouldn't miss trick or treat for anything in the whole world." It seems even with his new independence, he hasn't discarded his childhood and the wonders it holds yet.
RAP(10.23.2009)
Friday, October 23, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Like you, but better
I've enjoyed the boys' birthday celebrations over the years; Alex's beat Michigan birthday bash has been great, and Michael's costumed Halloween mini-raves are fantastic fun. Apparently, last year's party was particularly epic, because I keep hearing about it months later; I guess that is what happens when you have 22 boys spend the night, more LED and Glow toys than one can imagine, and an inflatable obstacle course. Although the one thing I keep hearing about is how the kids loved the human piñata; that is when yours truly sprints around holding a bucket of candy on my head as they try to keep up and shake it out of me. I did that 3 or 4 times to squeals of delight.
For this year's celebration, Michael chose to have his party at Movie Tavern, a bistro that combines stadium seating with waiter service; what more can a 12 year old ask for? They find the concept amazing. We invited 11 of his friends and took in Where the Wild Things are. It was a bit chaotic, and our first waiter was fired after the first half hour (not by us, but by them), but he, and they, had fun. It is a bit more reserved than he has had in the past, but still light years ahead in sociability than what I used to do although mine was in the same vein; For my 12th I took one friend to see Mel Brook's To Be on Not to Be. But isn't that what you want for your sons, to be like you somewhat, but better?
RAP (10.19.2009)
For this year's celebration, Michael chose to have his party at Movie Tavern, a bistro that combines stadium seating with waiter service; what more can a 12 year old ask for? They find the concept amazing. We invited 11 of his friends and took in Where the Wild Things are. It was a bit chaotic, and our first waiter was fired after the first half hour (not by us, but by them), but he, and they, had fun. It is a bit more reserved than he has had in the past, but still light years ahead in sociability than what I used to do although mine was in the same vein; For my 12th I took one friend to see Mel Brook's To Be on Not to Be. But isn't that what you want for your sons, to be like you somewhat, but better?
RAP (10.19.2009)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
We're on a Mission From God
As their father, it is my responsibility to ensure that the boys are culturally educated. This effort has included trips to museums far and wide, concerts and screenings of films that have cultural importance. One such film that captured their imagination, and tickled their funny bones, was "The Blues Brothers." Recognizing how it resonated with my set of brothers, I suggested that this Halloween they should go as Jake and Elwood. On October 31st, out amongst the sea of princess, zombies and Pokemons an iconic pair might knock on your doors and utter "we're on mission from God" instead of "trick or treat." Don't worry about them lingering though, because you never know who might be chasing after them.
In addition to applauding their choice as one of excellent taste, I am also proud of myself in that I was able engineer them to select these costumes. After all, how often do you get your kids to beg to buy them a suit? Perhaps, I should start talking about how great James Bond is, because I'd bet they look great in a tuxedos holding chocolate milks that were shaken, not stirred.
RAP (9.29.2009)
In addition to applauding their choice as one of excellent taste, I am also proud of myself in that I was able engineer them to select these costumes. After all, how often do you get your kids to beg to buy them a suit? Perhaps, I should start talking about how great James Bond is, because I'd bet they look great in a tuxedos holding chocolate milks that were shaken, not stirred.
RAP (9.29.2009)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Run After Each Other
Michael had his first middle school dance last Friday night, although it is more like a giant party than a traditional dance. In addition to pseudo-dancing to the music played by the DJ in the school's gym, there was foosball, ping pong, guitar hero and other games along with a massive amount of junk food. I know this, because Alex and I snuck in before the party concluded to see how things were going.
As soon as I walked in the door, I spied my old offensive line coach and we chatted for a bit. He told me that the "dances" were hilarious, and that, for the most part, they boys and girls "ran after each other" and maybe "by the final song they would get in a dance." When we caught up with Michael we found him hanging out with Sterling and Nathan, both kids that are on his football team; he just met these kids a few weeks ago, and this type of camaraderie generated is a big part of the payoff of being on the team.
Of course, these events aren't all about male bonding; the entire school was there, including his friend Suzanne. I would have talked to her, but she and Michael were literally running after each other as the final few songs blasted in the gym that night. They didn't dance, but this was only his first opportunity.
RAPatton (9.16.2009)
As soon as I walked in the door, I spied my old offensive line coach and we chatted for a bit. He told me that the "dances" were hilarious, and that, for the most part, they boys and girls "ran after each other" and maybe "by the final song they would get in a dance." When we caught up with Michael we found him hanging out with Sterling and Nathan, both kids that are on his football team; he just met these kids a few weeks ago, and this type of camaraderie generated is a big part of the payoff of being on the team.
Of course, these events aren't all about male bonding; the entire school was there, including his friend Suzanne. I would have talked to her, but she and Michael were literally running after each other as the final few songs blasted in the gym that night. They didn't dance, but this was only his first opportunity.
RAPatton (9.16.2009)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Footsteps
Even though Michael has moved on to Middle School, Alex remains at Eli Pinney and even has one of his brother’s previous instructors, Mrs. Archer. For a younger sibling it often seems that you are often walking in someone else’s path, which can be comforting but also constricting.
A great thing about Alex is that he is one who, for the most part, leverages the trail blazed for ahead to his advantage. He sees what is to come and takes what he likes. For instance, Michael now has a study hall; Alex likes the idea, and even though he has no significant amount of homework, has embraced the concept, and has decided that he is going to start a study hall of his own, after school one day a week. Being a social creature, he has already roped in Kami and Jane to join him.
As much as he loves, admires and looks at Michael’s choices for guidance, Alex isn’t quite a follower. He doesn’t so much rebel against his brother as choose his own path as shown by his choice to play guitar, his preference for action over comedy in entertainment and his social nature. In Alex’s case, there is no doubt that he admires his brother but following in his footsteps doesn’t mean he doesn’t make his own along the way.
RAP (9.15.2009)
A great thing about Alex is that he is one who, for the most part, leverages the trail blazed for ahead to his advantage. He sees what is to come and takes what he likes. For instance, Michael now has a study hall; Alex likes the idea, and even though he has no significant amount of homework, has embraced the concept, and has decided that he is going to start a study hall of his own, after school one day a week. Being a social creature, he has already roped in Kami and Jane to join him.
As much as he loves, admires and looks at Michael’s choices for guidance, Alex isn’t quite a follower. He doesn’t so much rebel against his brother as choose his own path as shown by his choice to play guitar, his preference for action over comedy in entertainment and his social nature. In Alex’s case, there is no doubt that he admires his brother but following in his footsteps doesn’t mean he doesn’t make his own along the way.
RAP (9.15.2009)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A Good Start
Michael started middle school last week and things seem to be going pretty well. It is a big change, but he has stepped into those shoes and they seem to fit; perhaps I should say it was the reading glasses that fit, because the same pair he refused to wear last school year suddenly became part of his wardrobe as he rushed over to see Suzanne at the bus stop.
He is on the same "team" (6-2) as some of the kids from his football team and has been having lunch with his teammates Sterling (a sweet, big, happy kid who wears red cleats) and Nathan (a new kid from Centerville). He enjoyed his homeroom teacher, Mrs. Honeycutt, is especially excited about Tech Lab (an afternoon class where they learn about computer animation, graphic design) and thinks his science teacher Mr. Baker is "really funny."
The greatest hallmark of change came after the first day of school, when he wasn't even home. I had rushed home to change after my workout, so I could go watch him, and his brother, at football practice, when the door bell rang. It was Suzanne. She let me know it would be OK for Michael to ask her to go to one of his games or a choir concert, and if he wanted to, he could watch her tennis match or come to her concert. It seems that middle school is off to a good start.
RAP (9.3.2009)
He is on the same "team" (6-2) as some of the kids from his football team and has been having lunch with his teammates Sterling (a sweet, big, happy kid who wears red cleats) and Nathan (a new kid from Centerville). He enjoyed his homeroom teacher, Mrs. Honeycutt, is especially excited about Tech Lab (an afternoon class where they learn about computer animation, graphic design) and thinks his science teacher Mr. Baker is "really funny."
The greatest hallmark of change came after the first day of school, when he wasn't even home. I had rushed home to change after my workout, so I could go watch him, and his brother, at football practice, when the door bell rang. It was Suzanne. She let me know it would be OK for Michael to ask her to go to one of his games or a choir concert, and if he wanted to, he could watch her tennis match or come to her concert. It seems that middle school is off to a good start.
RAP (9.3.2009)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Shepherd and Rockin' Sheep
As the dawn of their teenage years approaches, I expect that music is going to become more important to the boys, as it often does at that age. As their father, it is my responsibility to shepherd them as they discover their musical taste to help them discover the better material and avoid the musical junk food. I've always had them listen to what I listen to, and that has shaped them to this point. One of my happier moments was when a very small Michael charmed the sales girls at Vroman's Bookstore singing "Molly's Chambers" as I checked out years ago.
This past year I've decided that they are old enough to start attending live shows. They've had a pretty good time, enjoyed some of the performances and they liked hearing from all the enthusiastic (and drunk) concert goers about how "cool" it is that they are there. To this point, we've only taken them to outdoor shows, so as not to damage their hearing, but I've been able to take them to meet a few bands for smaller acoustic sets at indoor locations. One such opportunity happened Monday afternoon of last week when I was able to introduce the boys to the lovely Emily Haines and James Shaw of Metric; it was quite a thrill, and, I hope, a memory that will last. It was a good way to cap off the summer, but school has started and with it homework. Yesterday, Michael had to fill out a questionnaire as part of his choir homework. I glanced over it, and when I saw that he wrote "Alternative" for his preference in music, I smiled.
RAP (8.27.2009)
This past year I've decided that they are old enough to start attending live shows. They've had a pretty good time, enjoyed some of the performances and they liked hearing from all the enthusiastic (and drunk) concert goers about how "cool" it is that they are there. To this point, we've only taken them to outdoor shows, so as not to damage their hearing, but I've been able to take them to meet a few bands for smaller acoustic sets at indoor locations. One such opportunity happened Monday afternoon of last week when I was able to introduce the boys to the lovely Emily Haines and James Shaw of Metric; it was quite a thrill, and, I hope, a memory that will last. It was a good way to cap off the summer, but school has started and with it homework. Yesterday, Michael had to fill out a questionnaire as part of his choir homework. I glanced over it, and when I saw that he wrote "Alternative" for his preference in music, I smiled.
RAP (8.27.2009)
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