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...

Athena's Christmas photo with Santa

Athena made her annual trip to see Santa and this year she was very sure of herself and the Christmas process!! She went right in and sat with Santa took her picture (she was all smiles!!)Then she told him what she would like for Christmas (luckily for us she changed her mind from the $270 pony.)

Miranda has been busy shopping (like she needed an excuse) and I have been little to no help at all (no surprise there..lol)

We wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Indians and Shopping and more

November started out quiet and gained momentum. We start out with a little 'Daddy' fun. My friends and I decided to go to a western club and I tried my hand at the mechanical bull...you can see for yourselves how I did.
Next Athena's class and the EC3 class celebrated the first Thanksgiving. Athena and her classmates were the Indians (Native Americans for you PC types) and the EC3 class were the Pilgrims (or Pre-Americans). They enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving feast of PB&J, with juice boxes and cupcakes...No wonder the English settlers decided to stay!! Then came Thanksgiving Day, and more importantly, I am told, BLACK FRIDAY. All I know about this day is that i have money when it starts and a room full of stuff when the women return. (No I do not attend the sacred ritual). It seems that my bride along with thousands of others have this need to shop all day Friday after Thanksgiving...why you might ask, because....wait for it.....IT'S ON SALE!! Anyway, Athena had her fill of this day as well... Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year.