Even though I am a native Floridian (kind of) there are a bunch of places in our state that I have never been too. Both
Melanie and I have some kind of Gypsy blood in us because we love to go 'bye bye' and take a road that we've never been
on before. This time we took the roads that led to Sarasota. We had a great time walking around St. Armand's Circle
and playing in the Gulf on Longboat Key. But our favorite part was learning about Sarasota being the wintering home for
many Amish people. We went to a traditional Amish home cooking restaurant called Yoder's. Melanie had the meatloaf,
I had the pot roast and I think the girls had chicken and dumpling. It make's me hungry just writing about it. Melanie has
always had an intense fascination with the Amish and Mennonite people. She doesn't think their lives are strange. It's
more of a deep respect for their choice to live so simply and committed to their heartfelt beliefs. Melanie and I talk about
what it would be like to live that way. It's cool to think about, but I don't think we'd last more that 3 hours.
Melanie and I have some kind of Gypsy blood in us because we love to go 'bye bye' and take a road that we've never been
on before. This time we took the roads that led to Sarasota. We had a great time walking around St. Armand's Circle
and playing in the Gulf on Longboat Key. But our favorite part was learning about Sarasota being the wintering home for
many Amish people. We went to a traditional Amish home cooking restaurant called Yoder's. Melanie had the meatloaf,
I had the pot roast and I think the girls had chicken and dumpling. It make's me hungry just writing about it. Melanie has
always had an intense fascination with the Amish and Mennonite people. She doesn't think their lives are strange. It's
more of a deep respect for their choice to live so simply and committed to their heartfelt beliefs. Melanie and I talk about
what it would be like to live that way. It's cool to think about, but I don't think we'd last more that 3 hours.
Amarige is taking swimming lessons. Unfortunately she is learning the slowest out of the three. That is mostly because
her sisters like to baby her and swim around with her on their backs. I am also taking it easy on her because of the
traumatic experience that learning to swim was for the two older girls, Aviles especially. Melanie and I enrolled Aviles in
that Infant Swimming Research program. Now don't get me wrong, I think it is an awesome program and I am sure it
has saved many babies lives. But when I watch the videotape we took of her at those lessons, I feel like we should be
guilty of child abuse. I remeber Aviles trying to float on her back and the teacher splashing water in her face and Aviles
screaming, "Mommy, Daddy. Help Me! Help Me!" And I am there at the side of the pool doing everything I can to keep
from jumping in the pool to help Aviles and show that teacher what it feels like to be splashed in the face. Melanie
actually could not watch. Alaila took lessons from a friend and Amarige is going to the Oveido Community Pool for
lessons. We are trying the fun approach with Amarige. But the unfortunate thing is, she's having to much fun with mom
at the pool to be bothered with learning to swim. If she doesn't get better soon, she might be the oldest kid in the Infant
Swimming Research program next summer. I'll just make sure to leave the video camera at home.
her sisters like to baby her and swim around with her on their backs. I am also taking it easy on her because of the
traumatic experience that learning to swim was for the two older girls, Aviles especially. Melanie and I enrolled Aviles in
that Infant Swimming Research program. Now don't get me wrong, I think it is an awesome program and I am sure it
has saved many babies lives. But when I watch the videotape we took of her at those lessons, I feel like we should be
guilty of child abuse. I remeber Aviles trying to float on her back and the teacher splashing water in her face and Aviles
screaming, "Mommy, Daddy. Help Me! Help Me!" And I am there at the side of the pool doing everything I can to keep
from jumping in the pool to help Aviles and show that teacher what it feels like to be splashed in the face. Melanie
actually could not watch. Alaila took lessons from a friend and Amarige is going to the Oveido Community Pool for
lessons. We are trying the fun approach with Amarige. But the unfortunate thing is, she's having to much fun with mom
at the pool to be bothered with learning to swim. If she doesn't get better soon, she might be the oldest kid in the Infant
Swimming Research program next summer. I'll just make sure to leave the video camera at home.
Today we celebrated Aviles' birthday and the day was a great one. It was a hot summer day perfect for a pool party. We
just saw the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, At World's End, so Aviles wanted a Pirate themed party. So that's
what we did. Complete with the parrot pinata (barley missed some of those swings). BTW, thanks Cory! All of Aviles'
girlfriends came over to help her celebrate. I have a hard time remember a lot from my childhood. Memories come in fits
and starts. But from my 9th birthday in Allentown, PA., my memories are vivid from there on out. You know what that
means don't you? That means if Aviles' memory works at all like mine, then whatever mistakes I make as a father from
this point on, she will remember for the rest of her life. That's a lot of pressure. Anyhow, we had a lot of fun and I don't
think I did anything embarrassing that she'll remember. Ha Ha.
just saw the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, At World's End, so Aviles wanted a Pirate themed party. So that's
what we did. Complete with the parrot pinata (barley missed some of those swings). BTW, thanks Cory! All of Aviles'
girlfriends came over to help her celebrate. I have a hard time remember a lot from my childhood. Memories come in fits
and starts. But from my 9th birthday in Allentown, PA., my memories are vivid from there on out. You know what that
means don't you? That means if Aviles' memory works at all like mine, then whatever mistakes I make as a father from
this point on, she will remember for the rest of her life. That's a lot of pressure. Anyhow, we had a lot of fun and I don't
think I did anything embarrassing that she'll remember. Ha Ha.
We are so excited to be part of the Geneva community that we decided to spend our 4th of July by going to the Geneva 4th
of July Parade and Community Barbecue. I even volunteered to direct traffic. We have spent the last 10 years or so
visiting different 4th of July parades around the area and our whole family agreed that the Geneva was by far the best. It
was full of hometown spirit, lots of animals, old cars and a fun country feel. After the parade was over we went to the
community center to participate in a cake-walk and eat barbecue. The girls even got to hold snakes and kiss a camel. In
fact the camel ate one of Aviles' loose teeth. There were lots of horses all painted red, white and blue in the parade,
which the girls loved of course. We hope to include our horses Spirit and Cookie next year.
of July Parade and Community Barbecue. I even volunteered to direct traffic. We have spent the last 10 years or so
visiting different 4th of July parades around the area and our whole family agreed that the Geneva was by far the best. It
was full of hometown spirit, lots of animals, old cars and a fun country feel. After the parade was over we went to the
community center to participate in a cake-walk and eat barbecue. The girls even got to hold snakes and kiss a camel. In
fact the camel ate one of Aviles' loose teeth. There were lots of horses all painted red, white and blue in the parade,
which the girls loved of course. We hope to include our horses Spirit and Cookie next year.
Quote OTM: No pessimist
ever discovered the secret of
the stars, or sailed to an
uncharted land, or opened a
new doorway for the human
spirit. - Helen Keller
Movie OTM: Rory O'Shea
Was Here
Song OTM: Where
Happiness Lives - Magnet /
On Your Side
ever discovered the secret of
the stars, or sailed to an
uncharted land, or opened a
new doorway for the human
spirit. - Helen Keller
Movie OTM: Rory O'Shea
Was Here
Song OTM: Where
Happiness Lives - Magnet /
On Your Side
