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.

Ghosts, Goblins, and Ariel

Every kids favorite day is here...FREE CANDY ALL YOU CAN EAT!!!! Athena is ready she attended a party at grandmoms office, next she has a school party, then she gets to trick or treat in two neighborhoods!! (I need some of her candy to keep up)

Athena has also had a busy week in school. She is mastering her writing skills and they are up to the letter "Ff". Along with that they made custom aprons. And many, many pictures/works of art have been brought home. (none of which are allowed to be tossed out. maybe we can create a file folder for them?!?) She is starting to read although she doesn't realize it yet. And she loves to spell! (Bring on the little asian kid in the national spelling bee)

Athena has picked up, the jist, of a daddy expression. She now announces that she's 'put me under the bus'. They're so cute aren't they...LOL

I wish everyone a safe and spooky Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a month!!!

September is here and the fast pace of life is showing no signs of slowing anytime soon. Athena has completed her first month of school. She loves going everyday. She especially enjoys the morning walk to school, where we discover 'jungles' filled with wild animals, and the sounds of other 'creatures' waking up in the early morning hours. Athena is learning Spanish songs and working on her reading and writing (she has her 'caps lock' on and we are trying to teach her to use lower case letters as well as CAPS!!) I heard kids are growing up earlier and earlier, but I think the boyfriend in EC4 is too soon for me. She has a boy named Anthony that chases her around the playground (Anthony is a friend of mines son). Athena has made many new friends and tells us all about the adventures of the day.

Congratulations to my wonderful wife who took her nursing exam and passed with flying colors. (hopefully I can get her working...) After months of hard work Miranda has received her stat license. the dogs are finally safe no Athena and I need to find a safe house.

More good news (at least for me) my TV finally arrived. Well, I had to go get it but it is still at the house. And my Buccaneers won their first home game against the Saints. That was one hot game-92^0 with 75% humidity, on the field it was 100+. And they say summer is over!!