October Update

We started off a long weekend early this month with a trip to my Uncle's ranch (when I go up in February Miranda refers to it as Redneck weekend). Athena was so excited she stayed awake the entire trip (we arrived at 11 pm!)The next morning we fed the horses and saw the bull. Athena found the tire swing and after a few slow turns was ready for adventure! My little redneck girl climbed on without shoes and in her tube top and went for what seemed like hours. We'd hose her off for meals and back she'd go for more time on the tire swing!! She also had her first driving experience in a golf cart. As she howled 'Get out of the way crazy driver' she drove all over the pasture (a couple times I thought we would end up upside down!) I drove her past the horses and bull then the bull decided we should be penned up and blocked our exit...after 15 minutes I finally persuaded him to relocate (actually he got tired of me bothering him and wandered out of the path). We camped again and got up early to fed the horses (Cloe loved Athena she followed her all over (maybe it was the apple slices...who knows for sure.) Athena got a little nervous when they got too close but found it amusing when they followed us back up to camp.


Next Athena, grandmom, and mom took a girls only trip to Sea world. they fed the dolphins, went behind the scenes to see the penguins (Athena got to go into an enclosure and pet one). They ate lunch right next to Shamu, they were so close...(how close were they)...they were so close that Shamu splashed their table when he swam by!! They enjoyed the whole day and had dinner at the Luau Dinner show. Again they had great seats right up on stage! Miranda's next jig is as a travel agent, she planned this whole trip (she even got a great rate at the Sea World hotel). They came back and Athena had to be hauled out of the car, she was worn out!!

Daddy's turn for some fun...finally a Bucs game at night! After 3 seasons of 1 o'clock games and 90+ degree temps we finally had a night game with comfortable temperatures! (we barely needed ice in the cooler)
So after working 3/4 of a day I met up with Faz and we started our game day preparations (read between the lines people),we met up with Seth (not pictured due to inappropriate tong placement) and headed over to the game (we left St. Pete at 430 for the 815 game)because of the RAYS ALCS game 7 traffic wasn't bad and spirits were soaring. The game was in full swing with Rays updates coming in from everywhere. Funny when the Bucs go 3 and out and the crowd cheers "let's Go Rays". The stadium was crazy with the Bucs winning and the Rays leading the Red Sox late in the game.
After the Bucs game ended we started to file out when the last inning was put on the jumbo tron!! Faz,Seth, and I quickly went back inside to watch the Rays knock off the Sox (sorry Mary, I still love you..lol)
The crowd was so loud you could almost hear us at the Trop!! Faz and I headed to Fergs after dropping Seth off (someone had to work in the morning..too bad for you Seth) that place was INSANE. After celebrating with all our new Rays friends we called it a night and headed home for some much needed rest for our vocal chords. LET'S GO RAYS!! LET'S GO RAYS!!

Buccaneers Preseason Game

Athena, mommy, and I went to the Buccaneers versus Jacksonville game Saturday night. No rain from FAY but a nice breeze helped keep it pleasant out. It was Athena's first game!! She was a little disappointed because daddy worked, so tailgating was cut short (kid likes to tailgate. Wonder where she gets that from?)As we made our way to the stadium Athena commented on all the people wearing 'Buc's stuff'. She was amazed at the size of the Buc's stadium. When we got near the gate I showed her the ramp we had to walk up..'mommy said we can use the escavator.'
We found our seats and on the way up found the cotton candy man...what a lucky break!!! Although it was difficult we managed to move the crack cocaine for kids out from in front of her face for one picture...LOL As you can see it's as big as her head.
Notice the sky? My wife thought we were going to get soaked..once again I was right- no rain (I posted that so everyone knows I'm right once in awhile!!)


Her favorite part was being able to yell. It didn't matter when or what just yelling. (I am in phase one of heckling instruction). Before coming down from the sugar high, Athena asked when she could go again... Athena crashed on the way home (good thing we left during the third quarter and that she wasn't tired).

First day of Kindergarten

Monday, August 18Th 2008, the day I have been waiting for all summer has finally come!! (Just kidding, Athena, this was probably more difficult for me to deal with).
Athena's first day as a big kid at school! Our day started out at 0630 and we were dressed, fed, and had our hair and teeth brushed by 0710 (school starts at 0745). We waited for mommy and then left for the long 4 block journey to school (yes we had to drive...the truck)We arrived at school at 0720 and saw Mrs. Campbell going into the school. (She saw Athena and commented on how early we were.) So we walked out back and took some pictures. Soon Betsy arrived. Betsy is Athena's best friend from last year. The two girls met some of their new classmates and were reminded of how it felt being the new kid who didn't know anyone..they said hello and promptly ignored the new girl.


We saw Anthony, Josh, Kaiden (who refers to Athena as his girl friend), and the rest of the class. This was the first time they got to line up like the big kids (they had a practice run last year but they didn't have uniforms so I'm sure it didn't count). As you can see Athena is a little excited about her return to school. She was a little bummed out because school was cancelled on Tuesday due to TS Fay. But all is well again and our routine is back the way it should be..Athena went over to see Nana and Pop Wednesday and was teased all afternoon (she loved every minute, asking me on the way home, "Why do all the boys in this family tease me?")


We've managed the first four days with only mom and dad screwing up things by forgetting to send in a couple of things. ("Dad, I almost needed that today. don't forget again.") Well hopefully we won't screw up to much more and emotionally scar Athena's delicate Psyche.

Summer Field Trip

Monday morning Athena and I headed over to her friends house to pick up Lauren. Both girls were excited to go to the Fire Station (thanks Uncle/Great Uncle Van !) and the Police Station (thanks cousin Jason). We arrived at Pass-a-Grill Fire Station at about 1030, within 15 minutes both girls had donned their firefighter gear and were headed to the trucks!!Firefighters Steve and Chris and Lt. Van (insert Forest Gump joke here)helped the girls into the Engine truck and talk to each other on the head phones. after checking out both trucks inside and out we removed the heavy fire suits and went inside to see where the firemen live. Both girls decided that having beds at work was pretty cool. Firefighter Steve moved the Engine outside and put the ladder all the way 'up to the sky'!! Then he climbed up,after he returned to Earth both Athena and Lauren got to help put the ladder back down. Back inside we put on our badges and take home fire hats thanked all the firemen and went down the beach to see the police station.

Next door to the Police Station is the most awesome distraction to the five year old the community pool with all the slides and water jets. Fortunately we were able to avoid a melt down and entered the police station. We met Deputy Chief Dean and he should us the whole building (even the classrooms where the policemen meet.) The most exciting part was when we went into the 'tool room' and Lauren and Athena got to pick out giant stuffed animals. Then we asked if we could see the jail if no bad guys were in there. (they were very concerned with the bad guys) Luckily, the bad guys had all been relocated to a long term residence.

We saw how the police finger print and take the bad guys pictures...watch the birdie. We also saw the jail (plexiglass and metal doors no bars like in the movies.) While we in booking we had a surprise visitor..The Police Chief! He was a little bust so he did not stay long but thanked us for coming by and teased us about Action Jackson! Lastly we went to see where the police cars are kept and took some pictures on the motorcycle and next to the police truck.

School's out

WE MADE IT!!!! Athena completed her first full year of school, and more importantly she loved every minute of it (especially the last week-field trip to Great Explorations and a 'water day' outside!!) Athena has made some new friends (the first week being the new kid was rough-but she came through unscathed!!)eight weeks of vacation...wow what I could do with eight weeks off...sleep!! and finish my honey-dos...oh well back to reality.

Athena, also got a rock star make over before Mother's Day. (Miranda had to redo the hair to show everyone on Sunday, she was quite a sight at Mass!!)

We are all a little sad for school to be over, I offered to drop Athena off on Friday but she preferred to hang out with daddy ( yeah I'm a grade A SUCKER). So we went to breakfast with mommy then let her get some sleep, and Athena and I went and mowed our lawn, Nana and Pop's front yard, and Lisa's yard-Athena made sure the pools were all up to par!! (If anyone sees my parent's yard please tell them to fire their yard man-I've been trying since last summer and it isn't working!!LOL) Athena has big plans for this summer...eight weeks until schools starts is all I can think about...More summer updates to follow. To all our new (and old) friends have a great summer.

St. Patrick's Day 2008

Athena was decked out for St. Patrick's Day (she was the only one dressed for the day from head to toe!!) One of the bright spots to her day was when NANA came to her classroom and told them a story about Leprechauns, and brought in stickers and a leprechaun to color. On the way home we had to search for Leprechaun footprints (green stains on the sidewalk from the pollen.) We had a quiet afternoon and then went to Nana and Pop's house for corned beef and beer!! We returned home not to long after bedtime and settled in for another exciting day..the class Easter party is Tuesday!!

Gasparilla 2008

Athena and her friend Lauren getting ready for the Children's Gasparilla Parade Saturday morning (1/19/08). Both girls were very excited, especially Lauren who was going on the float for the first time!! Athena, the grizzled old vet, has been on 3 previous runs...as you can see her enthusiasm has not subsided. Oh the anticipation!!!



Miranda is putting the finishing touches on the girls 'tattoos'. As you can see Athena wants nothing to do with the camera. The wind started picking up closer to the start time (4 pm.) But the kids are ready, beads-check, flowers- check, smiles-check, face tattoo-check, float moving-still waiting.








Unfortunately for the girls the parade was cancelled before they got started. So donning their ponchos they hit the road and headed for the car. (this picture actually made it into the Tampa Tribune Sunday morning metro section. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jan/20/me-it-was-a-swash-out/?news-breaking) Although the parade was cancelled both Lauren and Athena had a great time...when I walked up to meet them they were both grinning from ear to ear telling me how sad they were because 'it got cancelled.' All in all, it was a fun time. A Special thanks to Lauren's family for letting her go and adjusting on the fly to all the changes!!! (Next year will be smoother.....I HOPE)
Athena still will not let us remove her tattoo

Christmas

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Athena really enjoyed Christmas this year, not sure if it was because of the understanding or the fact that she now owns her own toy store conveniently located in our home!!! We really enjoyed spending the holidays with our family. Christmas Eve at Aunt Cindy's (Athena still swears it is Barbies house), was jam packed with family friends and presents for the kids...and Santa should up again this year!! I thought Athena and Hailey would explode if Santa did not greet them first.

Athena stayed up until the Ball dropped in Times Square and then was irritated with me that I did not take her to see the fireworks!! We celebrated the New Year with Mommy via the telephone since Mommy had to work overnight. (By the way, Athena slept until 1130 the next morning). We had a nice dinner together before Mommy ad to go to work again. And Athena got to spend the night with Nana and Pop (they still think shes sweet ALL the time)

Athena loves going to Nana and Pop's house because her best friend lives two doors down. Lauren is 5 and she and Athena hit it off immediately. They will be going to school together next year. The girls had a play date at Lauren's house the other day and it was 'sooo much fun Daddy!' Lauren's poor mom was included in dress up and who knows what else they coned her into...