Nico Grooves
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Monday, April 27, 2009
Nico Grooves
Nico Grooves
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Everything Must Go!
Did I mention that right before the kids went to Charleston for Easter I tried getting Nicholas to crawl over to his toys? He seemed to want to move, but that coordination thing just wasn't really happening. After an hour of stretching to reach his toys or rolling to them I gave up. BUT when they got home Monday guess who was full on scooching his little butt EVERYWHERE??? Yup that's right...me. And Nico. But more Nico actually.
On a sadder note homeboy has been stricken with more than his share of ear infections and fever. It's been a terrible schedule of getting somewhat healthy by the end of the weekend only to get something from the daycare by Tuesday or Wednesday. The daycare has been both a blessing and a curse for us. When will it get better for the little guy?
On a sadder note homeboy has been stricken with more than his share of ear infections and fever. It's been a terrible schedule of getting somewhat healthy by the end of the weekend only to get something from the daycare by Tuesday or Wednesday. The daycare has been both a blessing and a curse for us. When will it get better for the little guy?
Michelle Wie Ain't Got Nothing On You, Isa.
Sunday nights are reserved as a family night for us. It's not much, but I'll take it. We decided to head over to Fun Spot to let Isa get some ride time in, but were quickly disappointed to ind out she didn't meet any of the height requirements. As a Plan B we let her try her hand at Putt Putt at Pirate's Cove nearby. She seemed to enjoy it, but didn't get that she had to hit the ball with the club. She seemed more content chasing the balls around and tossing them down the course.
Here Nico boy shows his big sis proper technique.
Here Nico boy shows his big sis proper technique.
Easter Weekend
This Easter weekend was different than years past. El was planning a big weekend with her sisters for Emily's Bridal Shower and Lalaine's Baby Shower. At the same time. As for me I was looking forward to some time to do things I've been missing. My older brother seemed like he was needing some time off, too, so we planned on having a guy weekend here in Orlando. On my agenda I wanted to take the boat out, go to the beach and basically kick back. He wanted to hit some bike trails, see some of Orlando's kitschier attractions and also unwind. Sounded solid enough for me so we made a plan.
He arrived early Thursday morning via Greyhound bus so we were all able to have a quick breakfast before Ellen and the kids left for Charleston. I, on the other hand, had to still go to work for at least half a day. By 2pm I was out of there and heading home. The day started out easy enough. We just chilled most of the day trying to get my new wireless network up and running again since by base station had died. Big plans of Hard Rock Casino that night were cancelled. His early morning trip and my work day had left us pretty tired.
He arrived early Thursday morning via Greyhound bus so we were all able to have a quick breakfast before Ellen and the kids left for Charleston. I, on the other hand, had to still go to work for at least half a day. By 2pm I was out of there and heading home. The day started out easy enough. We just chilled most of the day trying to get my new wireless network up and running again since by base station had died. Big plans of Hard Rock Casino that night were cancelled. His early morning trip and my work day had left us pretty tired.
By Friday afternoon we were heading over to the Gulf of Mexico to hit the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, an eight mile stretch, that was supposedly Tampa's best bike trail. On the spur of the moment we hit Dinosaur World off of I-4. It's been something I was always curious about and Rick was down for a little juvenile entertainment.
The next day we were up earlier and decided to keep up with our theme of low-budget sightseeing and headed over to Old Towne Kissimmee so Ricky could check out the low brow theme park he had read in my blogger previously. I forgot that there was a vintage car show every Saturday so I was able to take some pictures of the sweet rides there. My eye wandered over to a late 60's black Corvette Convertible. If I was able to restore an older car this was it and the one I saw was exactly what I had in mind.
It certainly felt good to get in the cool water, but it got cold pretty quick. We spent a good two hours there and packed up the gear. For dinner we headed further south to Indian Rocks Beach to check out a dinner spot called, Rock Salt Grill. Great find! I gotta take El here one time. We had no problem getting a table and our server was great. A couple of beers and a some fresh seafood later we drove back to Orlando. A great day overall and a better start to our weekend.
Earlier we swung by Orange World. Odd, but it was something we remembered from our childhood - drinking fresh squeezed orange juice out a plastic orange shaped cup. We had hoped to score these beauts, but alas, it was not to be sold anymore. It looked like the place opted out of the old school souvenirs for crappy ass "Orlando" tee shirts that you could get from just about anywhere for $1.
Once back Rick wanted to get his old man nappy time in so I decided to be productive and do some work in the master bedroom as a surprise for Eleanor. I ended up putting new window treatments, painting the backwall chocolate brown and putting up a textile accent on the opposite wall. Two hours later it was done and looking good. Even with free time on my hands I still managed to do work. I'm a glutton for punishment. I was hoping to take the boat to the lake for a spin and maintenance, but the weather started to get a little grey so once again we worked on the wireless network again. We got out again for dinner at Logan's and the rest of the night was spent chilling at the house so I could tidy up before El got home Monday.
Once back Rick wanted to get his old man nappy time in so I decided to be productive and do some work in the master bedroom as a surprise for Eleanor. I ended up putting new window treatments, painting the backwall chocolate brown and putting up a textile accent on the opposite wall. Two hours later it was done and looking good. Even with free time on my hands I still managed to do work. I'm a glutton for punishment. I was hoping to take the boat to the lake for a spin and maintenance, but the weather started to get a little grey so once again we worked on the wireless network again. We got out again for dinner at Logan's and the rest of the night was spent chilling at the house so I could tidy up before El got home Monday.
By Sunday Rick was packing up and I whipped up lunch of Blackened Steelhead Trout with Lemon Dill Butter, whipped sweet potato and sauteed veggies. I got Bailey a haircut and finished up my chores for the day and took Rick to the terminal for his overnight drive back to Atlanta. Afterwards, I met up with a buddy, James, in Winter Park to grab a bite and hang out. By Monday it was back to work and Ellen arrived home just as I got home from the office. She seemed pleasantly surprised by the clean house and moreso by the newly updated bedroom.
It was nice to see the kiddies again, who seemed to have a good time visiting their grandparents in SC. Apparently El had thrown a successful shower for her two sisters, the kids got to spend Easter with family and the drive went over well. I'll link her blog once she gets down to finishing it...if she does finish it. The gauntlet has been thrown down, El...
Although I didn't get to do all I had hoped to (who knew Ricky was such a little girl about getting on a boat?) it was still nice to "stretch out" and break out of my routine. I did miss everyone and it was a nice reminder about enjoying what we have available to us. This year is, hopefully, going to be a turning point for the family and I hope to indulge in the nearby (and not so nearby) attractions that surround us.
It was nice to see the kiddies again, who seemed to have a good time visiting their grandparents in SC. Apparently El had thrown a successful shower for her two sisters, the kids got to spend Easter with family and the drive went over well. I'll link her blog once she gets down to finishing it...if she does finish it. The gauntlet has been thrown down, El...
Although I didn't get to do all I had hoped to (who knew Ricky was such a little girl about getting on a boat?) it was still nice to "stretch out" and break out of my routine. I did miss everyone and it was a nice reminder about enjoying what we have available to us. This year is, hopefully, going to be a turning point for the family and I hope to indulge in the nearby (and not so nearby) attractions that surround us.
Reliving Childhood Memories.
It's a pretty rare moment that we can, as a family, do something other than run errands and clean the house. As luck would have it Eleanor got called off from work Saturday morning (overstaffed at the hospital which is unusual since they are constantly short of people). I took full advantage of the situation and packed up the family quickly we headed over to SIlver Springs. As a small boy my parents took my brother and sister there when we lived in Jacksonville. The one thing that stood out in my mind were the glass bottom boats that allowed you to see all the spring's inhabitants in crystal clear water. When Rick visited last week I was hoping we'd make it out there, but I think he was wanting to do something closer to home base. No biggie.
We got on the road right before noon heading north up 27. The day was incredible. A sunny day with a cool breeze and light traffic allowed us to take our time up the Florida backroads. A few technical snags with baby gear and impromptu shopping slowed us down an hour or so, but eventually we got to Silver Springs around 1:30.
5 o'clock came too quickly and we didn't have time finish the whole park, but I'm not so sure if Isa would've been interested in seeing the albino gators or Silver Springs' Largest Ball of Mud. All that mattered is that I got to relive some of my childhood memories and share them with my family. We decided to have dinner there since it was still daylight and nice out. After a short drive we settled on a bbq place called Oakwood Grill. The service was fast, the food good and the people very nice. Isa and Nico got their share of compliments from passersby and staff alike. It felt like we weren't even in Florida anymore, but somewhere else in the true south. Even the quick drive home was nice. Everyone feel asleep as the sun dipped down and I was able to look back at our perfect day out.
Next stop...another fond memory from my childhood...Marineland in Palatka...
Next stop...another fond memory from my childhood...Marineland in Palatka...
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Pals
Just by chance I logged into the video surveillance at Isa and Nicholas' daycare to see how they were doing and I was pleasantly surprised to see her holding hands with two other little girls playing well. I've been kind of unsure about how she was doing socially. Usually when I drop her off she always seems a little shy and quieter than she is at home. It was nice to see her social skills improving. I've already seen growth in her behavior around other people. As a baby she was always kind of unhappy around people other than El and I, but since her stays here she has warmed up to other people ("Peace out homies!).
Nicholas on the has also become quite the ladies' man. Every day that I have picked him up someone is bestowing kisses upon kisses to him or threatening to take him home with her. He takes it all in stride flirting right back with smiles and cooing. He gets that from me - I still do that when the fairer sex kisses up on me. I've seen him on just about woman's lap at the Children's Academy right down to the receptionists getting more than his share of fanfare.
Well I'm glad that they are certainly adjusting well. We are, too.
Nicholas on the has also become quite the ladies' man. Every day that I have picked him up someone is bestowing kisses upon kisses to him or threatening to take him home with her. He takes it all in stride flirting right back with smiles and cooing. He gets that from me - I still do that when the fairer sex kisses up on me. I've seen him on just about woman's lap at the Children's Academy right down to the receptionists getting more than his share of fanfare.
Well I'm glad that they are certainly adjusting well. We are, too.
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