Category: Family & Friends

Ellie spending time with her nearest and dearest

Ellie getting a bike for her birthday [VIDEO]

Many months ago, Mama mentioned to Ellie the possibility of her getting a bike for her birthday and since that day, she has professed to everyone that she “is getting a bike for her birthday”.

So we couldn’t really fail her. We celebrated her birthday a little early since we had family visiting, but her reaction when she got her bike was hysterical. She had this nervous laughter that she couldn’t quite believe she got a bike. She was a bit shaky at first, but within 24 hours she’s already zooming around. Continue reading “Ellie getting a bike for her birthday [VIDEO]”

Enjoying what remains of spring

In Florida, there’s many variations to describe what seasons we have: “Hot and hotter” and “Spring and summer” are just a couple of those.

Whatever you call them, yesterday was “only” 80°F (27°C) with low humidity and a bit of a breeze, so we made the most of it and went on a bike ride before summer arrives and we stay holed up for half the year. Continue reading “Enjoying what remains of spring”

“I want to be…”

Me: “Ellie, what do you want to be when you’re older?”

Ellie: “An American.”

Me: “Well, you’re already an American. What else do you want to be?

Ellie: “Um, a girl.”

Me: “Well, you’re already that too. What else do you want to be?”

Ellie: “I want to be an engineer!”

Ellie’s really getting into building things and learning about how things work lately. Today she’s even going to help me (well, watch and learn) change the oil on my car.

“We are engineers.”

This past weekend I told Ellie that I needed to build a new cat tree that was delivered earlier in the week. She expressed a keen interest in helping me so I held off until she was able to help me.

On Sunday, we joined forces and she helped me out placing the pieces together and even tightening some bolts up. She had a great time and was really proud of herself. She went on to tell Mama that “Me and Daddy are engineers and we built a cat tree!” Continue reading ““We are engineers.””

A date at Tampa International Airport

On Valentine’s Day, I was supposed to take Ellie on a date while Marti took Jack on a date. Ellie and I had agreed to go to the airport because she had shown such an interest in airports after reading her book Ellie’s First Plane Ride where a toy elephant takes her friend toy penguin on a trip to the airport and then on the plane, with photos of them riding the escalators, the monorail and getting their miniature luggage at baggage claim.

However, Valentine’s Day rolled around and I was feeling wretched, and ended up spending all day in bed. So we rescheduled for the following weekend, except Mama and Jack joined us. Continue reading “A date at Tampa International Airport”

A bike ride after work

There are a few months of the year when Florida is quite delightful, starting in about November and lasting until February. Outside of that is just hot and nasty. So when this time of year rolls around, we do our best to make the most of it.

The other night I came home and was greeted at the garage door by Ellie who said:

Daddy, I suggested that when you came home, that we all go on a bike ride together and Jack can come too.

Continue reading “A bike ride after work”