Summer's Almost over

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. This summer flew by. Athena kept us busy and entertained the entire time. Rolling back the clock a bit, Athena started swimming as soon as the pool was warm enough. In a few short weeks she went from being afraid to put her face in to diving and swimming the length of the pool underwater. She also attended cheerleading and gymnastics camp and now believes she is ready for the professonal ranks.
We celebrated the 4th at Uncle Van (and Patty's)house. Where poor Athena receive no attention from her Dad (probably because I saw her for a total of 20 minutes the entire day since she was busy with her cousins).
Daddy went to Daytona the night before and hung out with the Fox/Rumpf clan at the track.

Athena then started her month (and counting)long birthday celebration. (When did birthday's start lasting more than the actual day?) Anyway, she went to Busch Gardens, Disney, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. during her time in Orlando she actually had her birthday so Uncle Scott took her out for her birthday drink.

I almost forgot the most important day of the summer...if I left this out I would no longer be allowed in the house. Athena and Miranda attended the Jonas brothers concert on Aug. 18th. due to a screw up on the site their seats were stage side. they sat near enough that the opening singer (forgive me I have no idea who it was and have been told numerous times) shook Athena's hand. The Jonas' attempted to high five her but she was too short...so after the show one of them (again no idea who is who) peaked out from backstage and sent a roadie out with a guitar pick for Athena. When she arrived home (I thought she would have been out cold but I was mistaken...big time!) she ran upstairs yelling 'Daddy, Daddy THIS WAS THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!' I then got a recap of the entire nights events, including how the band jumped on stage!
Hope everyone had a great summer and....HORRAY SCHOOLS BACK!!!

Kindergarten Valentine's Day Party

Athena attended her first school dance...she was not at all excited about thee event. Mrs. Campbell had each child dance 3 times..one she arranged, the second was 'ladies choice', and the final was 'boys choice'. Although Shane, (pictured left) was Athena's choice he was unfortunately picked before her turn. She did get to dance with Shane on boys choice. Even though she 'did not want to talk about it', I eventually pried all the events of the day from her (I had to promise not to tease her about it.) I did tell Shane's mother I would have to have a talk with her boy...


I believe this is Dale her first dance partner....the awkward first dance.


The Valentine folder...what goodies does it hold?!? Did anyone else realize that it was uncool (in kindergarten) to use pre-printed Valentines?!? We (and by we I really mean Miranda and Athena) had to handcraft our Valentines...and we were outdone!!! I think some people have too much free time!


Athena and her friends enjoying a Valentines day treat. It's great when school gets them sugared up and sends them home!!

Another milestone

My baby is growing up and losing her baby parts..namely her teeth. Saturday night, January 3, 2009, Athena lost her first tooth. She was eating some gummy candy and it twisted forward. We 'rushed' to the sink and rinsed the gusher (more like a trickle to most of us) of blood away so we could see the tooth. I attempted to remove the tooth, but I could not get two fingers on it, so I asked Athena if she could grab it because my fingers were too big. Not only could she but she pulled her own tooth out!! We washed it and wrapped it up for the tooth fairy. Then the excitement could not be contained!!! We called Mommy at work, Nana and Pop, Grandmom and Granddaddy, Seleste and Scott, and Lisa. We also had to take a picture of the new space in between her teeth. Bedtime was rushed so the tooth fairy would bring her a surprise. The next morning, bright and early, Athena rushed to my room, and in a sound only dogs can hear, exclaimed 'the tooth fairy came and brought me a dollar!!!!!!!!!!'
After, dragging myself out of bed we made a special breakfast of pancakes (yes I can cook) and the phone calls began again as I was informed there were still a few people on the planet that were not made aware of this momentous occasion. so we called Grandma and Great Grandmom and Great Granddaddy. (Both of whom had trouble hearing the soft-spoken Athena on the phone.)To cap off the the big event, Athena's friend called and invited her to the Aquarium Sunday afternoon.

It's been awhile!!

Happy 2009!! A lot has happened since my last post. So I'll attempt to summarize the last few months without boring the (insert your own adj. here)out of everyone. I guess we should start with Thanksgiving. Athena was in her school play of the first Thanksgiving. She was an Indian Princess (all the Indians/Native Americans for those of you pc types-were princesses or chiefs). I heard it was a very entertaining play were no matter what ills befell the Pilgrims, they all survived!!(hey it's a kindergarten play)Athena made the news paper with a couple of her classmates Gabby and Connor. (twice in 5 yrs! I think she is trying for the family record of appearances).


Athena's class also had an apple pumpkin day where they made pumpkin pies to take home! What a treat.



Athena also got to go on a road trip with Aunt Seleste and Uncle Scott to Tallahassee for the game against Boston college. They stopped by cousin Beau's house to visit (and give Seleste and Scott a break from trying to entertain a 5 yr. old.) After playing the Wii and jumping on the trampoline for a few hours they returned to let Uncle Scott take a nap! The game kicked off at 830 pm and Athena wanted to make sure everyone was fresh for the tailgating. According to the report Athena loved all the cheering and yelling, but heckling the BC fans was her ultimate goal!! (the kid is unwavering in her loyalty!) After the unfortunate non-win, she was out before the 10 minute ride to the hotel was complete. The next morning she was on the prowl for BC fans to tell them how she felt about their team. Scott tried,unsuccessfully, to coach her on being a good sport but she was focused on booing someone!!


Christmas came and apparently Athena was so good she received her own Toys r Us!! So much for putting everyone on a budget. We also have every Hannah Montanna item ever produced!! I am so well versed in HM that at the Bucs game on the 28th I actually heard a HM song and knew it...unfortunately I was alone with the knowledge. So sad.

Hope everyone has a safe, happy, healthy 2 0 0 9.

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.