Father-Daughter Date

For Father's Day, I wanted to do a special "trip" with each kid. For Layna, I wanted to take her out on her very first date. We started off with some special new shoes (that she insisted on wearing with the dress ...whatever, her date!).

She wanted to take a picture of me, too!

We started out at the Cheesecake Factory!

She went straight to the dessert case -- my kinda girl!

I told the hostess we were on a special date and I wanted a booth, so she hooked us up in the corner (and if I lifted Layna up, she could see over the wall into the kitchen -- which she LOVED!).

More photos by Layna


Getting ready to eat!


We started with a fried mozzarella appetizer


She loved it!


Then it was on to some yummy pizza


I got a couple kisses before dessert!

Finally, the moment had come -- dessert!! Truth be known, the whole reason Layna chose the Cheesecake Factory is to have strawberries with whipped cream. Here... they... come!

Could she be any happier??


Apparently so!

After dinner, we went to Barnes & Noble to read some books, one of Layna's favorite things to do.

A self-portrait, taken on the way to B&N


Looking for something special


One (of many) books read that night


On our way home with a special treat!

We had an excellent time. In fact, I think date-night should become a more regular event. Such fun!!

Monday Monday, so good to me!

Although Dad-day Mondays are always chock-full of errands and shopping and cleaning and other chores to get ready for the week, I typically try to think of something fun to do with the kids. This past Monday was especially fun -- we made cake pops! I'm not sure what inspired me to try these out, but I got the hankering for a project and this is what came to me. Brayden chose a chocolate-chocolate combination pop, while Layna chose a vanilla-on-strawberry combo. They turned out pretty well, although the sticks seemed to slide through too easily (meaning I couldn't cover them completely in chocolate or they'd fall apart on me). I've since discovered that dipping the sticks in chocolate before inserting them in the cake balls prevents this problem... but I digress. Let's get to the pictures!!

Ready to mix


A little taste (nothing wrong with raw eggs!)


This is how she would "check" on the cake in the oven

After the cakes baked and cooled, we broke them into a large bowl and crumbed them up, then mixed in icing before rolling them into balls.

Crumbing the strawberry cake


Mixing in the icing

After the cake balls chilled in the frig, they were dipped in chocolate and sprinkled (for character!).

The kids were excited to take their pops to school and share them with their friends.

But wait, were you wondering where Brayden was during of this?? Well, the boy has discovered his first computer game! (Yes, we held out getting any digital games until now...) We got a classic for him to play on our old desktop, so he's been glued!

I think Nicole and I played this when we were kids!




Back on, first thing in the morning... too funny!

Some family love

Yes, more beach pictures... they keep coming!! Here are some of the family love we enjoyed during our vacation.

Let's Fly a Kite!

One of the highlights of our time at the beach was watching Brayden fly a kite for the first time! He was in heaven! Check out the pictures, and then enjoy the video -- just pure joy.

Like a pro!

Teaching his little sister

Daddy wasn't quite as successful with the "other" kite

Anna Maria Island

We spent a week with the extended Girata family on Anna Maria Island, south of Tampa. As I wrote earlier, I can't really get myself organized enough to tell the story of the week in pictures, so I'll just continue the random posting!

Matthew caught this little puppy just off the beach!


Burying Brayden




Done!