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...