Beautiful Day

Today was such a gorgeous day. The weather was absolutely perfect! The icing on the cake was that my honey got to spend the day with us. So, so nice. We went to Clearwater Beach and just walked around enjoying the day. This nice family from Indiana asked us to take their picture, in turn, they offered to take ours! The only downer of the day was when Bayflight had to come airlift someone to Bayfront Medical Center. We later heard people talking about a drunk college boy who dove off the peer into two feet of water head first. It didn't sound good. My heart sunk for his parents back home in the heartland getting that phone call on a Sunday afternoon. Terrible.

On the other hand, I just got news from Britany today that she received a letter inviting her to join The National Honor Society! Yeah Britany!!

Chug-A-Chug Choo-Choo!

We bought Christopher this train set for Christmas and Colin FINALLY had some time to put it together over Easter weekend. I'm telling you something...Christopher LOVES this toy. But it is definitely a boy thing because he seems to get so much more joy out of it when Daddy plays with him. Hmm. Could it be that Daddy showed him how to make it jump the tracks and crash? Or is it that he and Daddy like to lay the little people down on the tracks and laugh HYSTERICALLY when the train smashes into them!

I tried to imagine the girls at that age, playing with the same toy, except being horrified when it crashed or upset if it ran over the little people. I picture them putting their hands up to their cheeks saying "no, no".

Boys will be boys. I just sit back and smile.

Easter Sunday 2008

Happy Easter! Today was a relaxing day. We didn't wake up in time for church, however, I still put on my new "Easter Dress" and went out for breakfast with my two guys. (Breakfast at 12 noon!) We have this little diner we love to go to and they serve breakfast all day. Christopher flirts with a couple of the cute waitresses there. He is turning into the restaurant mascot.

Nana and Papa came over for the traditional ham dinner and we relaxed, chatted and ate while listening to a beautiful CD that Colin got me for my birthday. It's a collection of romantic opera songs. Then Dr. Chan headed to the hospital(s) for rounds and Christopher went down for a nap.

Ho-Hum...Another Holiday came and went....

Perseverance

Patrick is obsessed with Derek Jeter. His world revolves around Derek Jeter. So, it's no surprise that while he was down here for his spring vacation, Colin took him to see a Yankees spring training game at Legends field. It is also no surprise that Patrick insisted on arriving at least two hours early and staying at least two or three hours afterward in order to "stalk" the players for autographs.

However, when we all went to the International Plaza yesterday, I thought it was a bit much for him to spend the entire visit there on the prowl for Derek Jeter. "C'mon Patrick", I'd say. "What are the odds that Derek Jeter will just so happen to be at the mall today?" Colin's cousin Winnie even scolded him a bit at one point telling him that he was too obsessed with Derek Jeter.

He is tenacious though. Without embarrassment, he stopped at several stores, restaurants and kiosks to inquire about his hero. Low and behold someone told him that he had been at the mall the previous day at a restaurant called The Bamboo Club. Without hesitation, he ran off to the restaurant to inquire within about the whereabouts of his favorite short stop. The story was confirmed. He had indeed enjoyed a meal there the day before with none other than Tiger Woods. "Sure" I thought.

"Okay. Someone is messing with this kid. Give me a break". I didn't want to burst his bubble so I smiled politely and said "Wow!". Predictably enough, as we were leaving, he asked Colin if he could check the restaurant one last time. With a sigh, Colin said "Yes, but HURRY. We're leaving". Winnie and I kept walking past the restaurant, anxious to get to the van and sit down.

As I passed by a large picture window, I just casually glanced into the restaurant, mainly to see if I could spot Patrick bugging the hostess again. That's when I almost fell over. There he was. Big as life. Sitting RIGHT in front of the window. Yup, Derek Jeter opening wide to take a bite of something. Winnie and I instantly looked at each other and said in stereo, "Oh, my God. There he is!"

Luckily, I always carry my camera in my purse and Colin ran to a kiosk to borrow a sharpie. Not only did Patrick get his cap signed by Derek Jeter, but his dinner companion, NY Yankees catcher, Jorge Pasado as well. Mr. Jeter was also gracious enough to pose for a picture with his number one fan!

Naturally, I owed Patrick an apology, which I delivered with a wide smile!

My First Bike!

Christopher got his first real bike recently. Every day, when I would have to bring him through the garage to the van, he would attempt to climb on the big kids bikes. As I would take him down off of the bike, explaining to him that it wasn't safe, I would also add "Daddy will buy you a bike". After hearing that, he started saying "Dadda, baby, bike". Colin found this great little bike in a catalog. It has a pole attached to the back so that Mommy and Daddy can do the steering. It is great! I guess I'll never get him back into his stroller now!

Time To Say Goodbye....

I didn't do too badly this morning. At least I didn't break down in front of them bawling hysterically!! I couldn't hold it together when they pulled out of the driveway though.

I am staying positive and making plans to see them in April!!

:-]

One More Day Until Another Goodbye...