Happy Holidays

Here’s hoping that the holidays find you and yours healthy and happy. I grabbed this photograph – haven’t been taking many photographs lately – of the boys on the morning of the last day of school before the winter break. I was fortunate to get them both to sit still even for this snapshot… though even as I was pressing the shutter I couldn’t help thinking about Sam getting ready to go to college next year and how things will change around here. I am incredibly excited for him and the adventure he is about to embark on, and am also very much looking forward to road trips and visiting him – wherever he ends up. Happy holidays 🙂

H1N1

About a month ago I took Jack to the local civic center to get the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu vaccines. As we sat in the crowded room waiting for the nurse to prepare his vaccinations, there was a teenage girl sitting at the next table getting her shot and screaming like someone was cutting her arm off. Jack sat on my knee patiently waiting for the nurse to get his shot ready, and we both wondered what the big deal was.

He was such a brave little man as he was given the seasonal flu vaccination as a shot, and the H1N1 as an inhalant. No tears, but I know the shot wasn’t the most pleasant thing. Vaccinated against two types of flu, we headed home to get some ice cream and watch Spongebob.

As soon as we got home though, the nurse had called to say that Jack had accidentally been given two doses of the seasonal flu, and that he had not in fact actually received the H1N1 vaccine. We bundled up and climbed back into the car to return to the scene of the shot – with me knowing full well that getting a second shot in one day was not going to be a pretty sight. Jack handled the second shot – in the other arm – really well. A few tears were shed, but nothing that a few stickers and the promise of ice cream couldn’t calm.

One month later and he needed his H1N1 booster today. Lori took him to the civic center (“sick center” in Jack’s language), and he was once again a real trooper. No tears this time around, and he was quite the model patient. Not a photograph of him running from the needle… just one from a happier time earlier in the year.

Mohawk

Things can be a little slow around here on Sunday mornings – cartoons and choosing breakfast cereal is about the extent of the excitement to be had in our house. However, that is also when Jack usually gets creative in finding something to amuse himself with, and this morning was classic.

After breakfast we realized that things had become pretty quiet. We called for Jack to let us know where he was and what he was up to, and when there wasn’t an immediate response, we knew something was up.

Not knowing what kind of mischief he had been involved in, we prepared for the worst. That’s when he came wandering down the stairs with scissors in hand, a big grin across his face, and arms outstretched asking “What? What did I do?”

We couldn’t help but laugh. He had found a pair of kiddie scissors – the ones kindergarteners use to cut colored paper with – and declared that he wanted to give himself a mohawk haircut. During his time alone, he had positioned himself in front of the upstairs bathroom mirror and done his best Vidal Sassoon impression. Oh well… goodbye bangs!

Sunday morning

Rainy Sunday morning activities… as soon as he realized that the flash could stop him in mid-air, he couldn’t get enough of posing for the camera and then running around to see himself on the screen. It was a fun way to spend some time this morning.

The artist

I was just reading an article on CNN about Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk on how schools kill creativity, and it got me thinking about Jack as he starts out on his school career. I remember watching the TED talk when it was first published, and at the time it absolutely resonated with me. It was one of those moments where someone had very articulately expressed much of what I already believed, but would never have been able to put into words. I forwarded the link for the video to everyone I knew, encouraging them to “see the light” as I had. Not sure if it had as much impact with others as it did for me, but at least I tried.

I purchased and devoured Sir Ken’s book “The Element – How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything” as soon as it was made available. His words, thoughts, and ideas about how traditional schooling (and life in general) sometimes get in the way of enjoying fulfilling and meaningful activities struck me as being so obvious. Everyone should have their “thing” that they do… and if you don’t yet know what it is… find your thing and dive deep into it.

Jack has been very fortunate in his “academic” career to date, first as part of a wonderfully imaginative Montessori classroom setting, and now in kindergarten he is part of a sweet, creative, and caring public school environment. I hope that he is always encouraged to be creative in expressing himself, and that the ability to tell his story in different ways is forever nurtured.

Who knows… maybe painting will be his “thing” 🙂

The Blue Hill Fair

The Blue Hill Fair is what a fair should be like. A great atmosphere, good food, cool rides, lots of farm animals, and a chance for me to continue my streak of always winning a prize at the water gun booth… what more could you ask for? This is our favorite fair. It seems more intimate with smaller crowds, yet there is always a wide variety of things to do and see… and the weather always seems to be nice. This year was no exception.

Even on Labor Day weekend, we were able to roll right into town and find a parking space right across from the main entrance. The aromas wafting through the air were irresistible, so as soon as we arrived we headed straight for the food. Italian sausages with peppers and onions for Sam and I, and hot dogs and french fries for Lori and Jack. Bellies filled, we then started to explore.

Jack isn’t really a big fan of the rides at the fair, and Sam shows absolutely no interest in them. With a little encouragement though, Jack usually finds something that he wants to do, and after some deliberation he decided on the little mechanical carousel with all sorts of cars, trucks and buses to drive. Still somewhat shy… luckily parents are allowed to ride along sometimes!

Every year at the fair I have been able to win a prize for either Sam or Jack at the booth where you shoot the water guns at the target to make the thingy rise until you hear the bell. I always win, and on this occasion I had no reason to believe I wouldn’t do so again and add to the tradition. At $3 per person with a dozen people all playing at the same time, even when they give out the “big” prizes it isn’t hard to see how these booths make money! Jack and I paid our money, settled in and took aim in readiness for the start of the contest. The starting bell rang, and away we went. Totally focused on a maintaining a steady hand and hitting the tiny target, you can imagine my surprise when at the end of the contest the guy didn’t call out my number as the winner. I had lost… for the first time ever!

Shocked… we immediately paid a visit to the Dough Boy stand. What a treat… with a little dash of cinnamon and a big dash of confectioner’s sugar. Now it was time to get back to business… a tradition needed to be upheld. I was ready to return to the scene of the disappointment, and with a level of focus never before seen, I prepared to restore my reputation and reclaim my place as a perennial prize winner and water gun champion. You can see the results in the video below!

The agricultural part of the Blue Hill Fair is always amazing. Everything is so accessible, with cows, goats, pigs and all other kinds of farm animals readily available for viewing and petting. Lori is the one who really enjoys the animals, but Jack also gets a kick out of being around all of the livestock. Rumor has it that E.B. White based the story of Charlotte’s Web on the happenings at Blue Hill Fair, and if you have ever been there you can easily imagine that connection. There was even a Zuckerman’s Farm tent at this year’s fair with all of the favorite storybook characters to enjoy.

Feeling a little peckish after the sausages (no, really), we sampled some of the wonderful cotton candy that was on offer. A big blue bag full of the good stuff didn’t last very long though! So many choices for food… one of the main reasons we like to go to the fair.

French fries were also tasted again – for quality control of course – and passed with flying colors, and everyone’s ice-cream and the root beer float that I had was excellent. Fruit smoothies were later added to the menu as we wandered throughout the grounds enjoying the atmosphere waiting for Jack to decide what game he would like to play… he ended up fishing for a rubber ducky and winning his own prize. How we all love that plastic noisy trumpet he picked!

With prizes in hand, and starting to feel the effect of the sausages, hot dogs, french fries, dough boys, cotton candy, french fries x2, fruit smoothies, root beer float and ice cream… we conceded that it was time to leave the fair. Before heading home though, we decided that it would be fun to make the short hike up the elevated landform that this town and fair was named for… Blue Hill.

The late summer weather was superb… sunny and 70 degrees all day with a nice ocean breeze, and when we climbed the wooded trail and emerged onto the hillside with a gorgeous view of Blue Hill Bay, we all agreed that this had been a great way to end the day. Summer is now unofficially over, and here in Maine it won’t take long for the colder weather to try to stake it’s claim. Today though, everything was perfect, and as we made our way down the hillside and through the open meadow we agreed that this had been a summer that we would each remember forever.

Future Plans

Sam was waiting with Jack at the bus stop this morning when out of the blue he shared with him what he wanted to be when he grows up. He was very excited to share his future plans with his big brother, and apparently he wants to be a fireman, a doctor and a builder! As adults we sometimes think too rationally, so when Sam mentioned to him that it sounded like he was going to be pretty busy, he explained…

“It will be OK. On Wednesdays I will be a fireman, on Thursdays I will be a doctor, and on Fridays I will be a builder.”

– Jack Patterson (5)

He then tipped his head to one side and looked at Sam as though he really should have known better. How silly of him not to have realized that solution 🙂

First Day of School

It seems like only yesterday that Sam was preparing for his first day of school, and just look at him now! This morning marked the start of what should be a busy senior year in high school for him as he continues to work hard and tries to figure out what college he is going to attend. Boy does time fly!

Now it is Jack’s turn to officially begin the process of formal learning as he starts out today as a brand new kindergartner! It was eleven years ago that Sam started at the same school that Jack is now attending, and as Jack rode the bus there this morning I couldn’t help but wonder how he was going to adapt to his new surroundings.

Sam spent four wonderful years there with caring, experienced, and exceptional teachers who got him excited about learning. He naturally and easily enjoyed going to school, and we could not have wished for a better start to his time spent in school. Methinks Jack will like it there too.

The first day of school can be quite intimidating, with lots of new experiences, new people, and new situations to deal with. For a five year-old it can certainly be a daunting day. The staff at Jack’s new school have done everything they can to help smooth the transition from home to school… earlier in the summer they offered an open house day for the kids to come see their new school, an opportunity for parents to meet and talk with the staff and teachers, we received some great suggestions for making the first day of school one to remember, and just before school officially started Jack had a chance to ride the bus and even spend some time in his new classroom.

By the time this morning rolled around you could tell he was excited, but because of all the efforts that had been made to make him feel comfortable and ready for this day, he didn’t seem to be too nervous. He was dressed and ready to go way earlier than he needed to be, and the new red backpack was filled and worn around the house most of the morning.

We dropped him off at the bus stop and he was quite the pro when it came to climbing onto the big yellow school bus and finding a seat for the ride to school. A quick wave and a smile is all we got, and it was nice to see him so confident as he started out the day. Lori and I both remarked how we couldn’t believe this day had arrived already… seems like yesterday when he was just a baby.

I can still remember my first day at school, and let’s just say that I wasn’t quite so ready to let go of my mother’s hand… it is funny how some memories stay with us for so long. No such worries on this day for Jack… he was raring to go, and I am sure he will have all sorts of great stories to tell us about his first day at school. Can’t wait to meet him at the bus stop this afternoon!

Swimming and Diving

Jack had been somewhat slow to take to the water. He loves the tub, but every time he was in a pool he was understandably cautious about getting in too deep. Just recently though, Sam and Lori had been helping him become more comfortable at Granny and Grandpa’s pool in New York. He was now willing to explore the pool by himself without having to hold onto an adult, but to date he still wore his “floaty” device.

Just yesterday we were invited to enjoy some pool time at a friend’s house, and as expected Jack wanted to bring his floaty device along. Playing with two great kids, Griffin (6) and Sam (4), who were very much at home in the pool really encouraged Jack, and before long he was having a great time without his floaty.

The two pool veterans were soon jumping in from the side… not something Jack had even contemplated doing yet. With a little coaxing… and I mean very little actually… Jack plucked up the courage to jump in while holding hands with me. Once he realized that he had nothing to fear, he of course was then very keen to do what the other kids were doing.

Seems like just yesterday that he would hardly set foot in the pool at all, and now all of a sudden we have a five year old who can’t get enough of jumping into the pool! How soon they grow up!

Barney

We lost Barney today.

Losing a family pet is always difficult, but losing Barney is especially hard. He was the most gentle, loving and affectionate cat a family could ever ask for. Ever since he and his little sister Maggie joined us way back when Sam was in kindergarten, he has always been around, offering nothing but love. We found Barney lying still on the grass at the side of the house this afternoon, and though we don’t know what happened to him, we hope that he passed away peacefully.

Back in February of 1998, Sam was only five years old when Barney #1 was hit by a car. He had dashed out between two huge snow banks in pursuit of a squirrel crossing the road. Barney #1 had been with our family for eight years, and he was immediately and sorely missed by all. About a month after the accident though, Sam and I went up to Old Town to pick out a new kitten from a litter that belonged to a work colleague. There were four kittens total in the litter, and two had already been spoken for. Neither Sam nor I could bear the thought of either of the remaining two little kittens being left on its own, so that evening we arrived back home with two new additions to our family… Barney and Maggie.

Over the past 11 years these two have provided us with many laughs and much love. Big brother Barney always looked out for his little sister, and we would often find the two of them cuddled together for warmth and companionship somewhere in the house. Sam took the photograph included in this post as they lay together on his bed one day. Maggie will miss her big brother.

Jack and Sam both adored Barney, and he was always more than willing to reciprocate their love and affection. As I am writing this post, Lori is upstairs reading “The Tenth Good Thing About Barney” to Jack as he prepares for bed. We bought that book for Sam when the first Barney had died all those years ago, and it seemed to help him understand the event. Am hoping it helps this time around too with Jack.

We sometimes joked that we suspected Barney was leading a double life, since he would often be gone for a couple of days in a row, only to come back looking quite well-fed and well-cared for. He had definitely been showing his age lately though. He didn’t seem to wander as much, and he was moving much slower around the house. We knew that this day would eventually come, but we hadn’t expected it to be today.

As hard as it was, I am glad that we found him this afternoon… at least that way we knew where he was, and we were all able to say what was a very sad goodbye. We buried Barney in the back yard this evening, placing a round granite rock near where he was laid to rest, and we planted some pretty yellow Marigolds to remind us where he is.

He was a gentle and very special cat, and he will be missed by us all.

Soccer Storm

There are some 700+ kids playing on 60 teams in the Bangor Soccer Club spring program, and Jack Patterson is a proud member of “The Storm” team. He and his next-door neighbor and best buddy Jack – ayuh, that’s Jack and Jack – love playing together, and they were kind enough to pose for me right after their last game.

We have had a few rainouts this season, and today was a make-up date for one of those days we missed. When Jack was getting his uniform and cleats on before the game, he told me that he was very excited about today’s game. He did however have one concern about the game on this day – with a quizzical look on his face he asked… “Are we really going to have to wear make up?” We call that a Jackism 😉

Speedracer

He’s the fastest kid on four wheels!

Out for a ride around the neighborhood, Jack is getting fairly confident on his shiny red bike. He has pretty much mastered the whole braking thing – with no brakes but using the pedals – and he is becoming more and more willing to push those pedals to go faster and further. As he motors along making his motorbike sounds, he isn’t shy at all about blasting his mini-air horn which of course makes the bicycling idea much more fun. Maybe by the end of the summer he can ditch the training wheels ; )

Go Speedracer!

 

Jack and Chloe

Here’s a photograph from last weekend’s visit to Massachusetts to see the family in Northampton. Jack is always happy to see his cousin Chloe, and she too always seems glad to see him. The two of them had been running and playing in the sprinkler before I grabbed this photograph, and both were very patient as I asked them to pose for the camera. Though not in this image, cousin Isaiah is very photogenic and will be sure to appear in many more images to come. I especially liked this one when converted to black and white.

National Honor Society

Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character… these are the ideals of the National Honor Society. Sam was recently selected to be a member of the Bangor HS chapter, and we could not be more proud of him.

This is a pretty big deal at BHS, and the selection ceremony held in Peakes Auditorium was very nicely done. The kids were individually honored, and then collectively they took their oath.

Jack got a kick out of being with lots of older kids, and he loved seeing his big brother up on stage. As you can see, Sam shared the flower he was presented with, and Jack knew just what to do with it!

Sk8tr Boi

Jack’s best friend next door has been on a scooter for years, and it shows. He is able to do all sorts of tricks, and he is very comfortable zipping around the neighborhood on two wheels. About a year ago, I decided that it was time for Jack to join in the fun, so one Saturday morning he and I took a trip to Target and came home with a shiny new silver and red scooter.

It took him a while to warm up to it, but now that the nicer weather is here he has been spending more and more time scooting up and down the sidewalk. Adding a few stickers to customize the scooter hasn’t hurt, nor has getting him a “cool” new helmet that he loves.

He is getting quite good, and as his confidence has grown he has become quite the scooter expert. He was especially proud of being able to “glide” and use his back break. Watch him go…

Future soccer star!

Serious fun was had by all today. Jack genuinely seemed to have a great time playing in his first soccer game this afternoon, and I know Lori, Sam and I all had a blast watching him play.

He is such a curious little man. He embraces doing things, and lucky for us we get to come along for the ride.

He was up early and was wearing his uniform all morning waiting excitedly for the game to come around. He wore his new cleats all morning too, along with the jazzy shin guards we bought him earlier in the week.

His team is called “The Storm” – and are a great bunch of kids. On the field they play 4 v 4 with no goalies, and as one would expect, there is quite a bit of bunching up.

Hilarious to watch, and classic little kid soccer!