I love Children's Theatre!

Arianne writes:

So it has been an interesting few weeks with the new Neverglades cast. We have had our ups and downs but I think we are finally getting to the best part! I have actually enjoyed getting back into the shows again. Part of me even wonders why I settled for the office to begin with. I started to compare the two seasons to each other and I had to stop... I love them both for different reasons. But this time its just a little bit different. I feel more at ease, like I know what I am doing. I feel as though the first time I did this show I was just "doing" the show... now I feel the kids connecting. Some days the kids are right there with me trying to save every last tree! And I attribute that to the cast... we just go out there and have fun! Drama aside now...we just have fun! Everyday it's fun going to work. I accept that Lucky will try to break me on stage and come out saying his lines in a dialect (or another language). I don't try to top it, break it, change him... I just have fun! I know that Cindy will be a fabulous fill in for Lucky as we secretly look at each other wondering what our next line will be and where it will come from... but some how we always get through the scene. Fawad will milk his Captain Crash for as long as he can... and I catch myself laughing at his adorable nature. And... Laura (Piggy) will always try to win the kids over being the bad "Piggy" but in the end we work together to make sure those kids get the message - "one tree does make a difference".

With only a few more days left I am sad to see it all end and I hope that we all come back again to bring this fabulous tale to life. And I just want to say thank you to the four of them... Thank You for making Children's Theatre what it should be... Educational while having loads of Fun!

Never Everglades call of duty called once again!

Pulled out of Bird retirement Arianne quickly had to relearn lines from 3 seasons ago to enter the world of Dudley R Spoonbill (her first show with FTF).

For those of you that don't know the story of Dudley and Never Everglades.... here is a brief rundown...

The Florida Everglades are in danger and it's up to junior Flown Ranger Dudley R. Spoonbill to save them. Join in the fun as a young Floridian Roseate Spoonbill named Dudley tries to save his bird friends from danger as they migrate south for the winter. Dudley must use Florida's natural resources and landmarks to guide the flock. There's just one problem: the Three Little Pigs are tearing down the Everglades as fast as they can! Dudley's hilarious adventures in the Everglades bring him face to face with all sorts of far out fairy tale characters who have lost their homes thanks to the destructive pigs. Dudley must use every ounce of determination and cunning to outsmart the swine and save the Everglades homes of his friends and lead hundreds of birds to safety.

Needless to say Arianne is sooooo excited to be putting the pink bird suit on once again...

Signing my life away!

For the past month an a half there has been a lot of stress, frustration, anger... and today I finally got to drive that all away.

When the prelude was stolen on my birthday I felt like our entire financial plan was turned upside down. We would now have a car payment. We need to think about where we were living. The debt we wanted to get out of will be there for a tad bit longer.

Since I saw the movie "Italian Job" I have wanted a Mini Cooper. And today I went to the dealership, with the settlement from the Prelude, and looked for a new car.

I am still not ok with getting a new one. I loved the Prelude. I still want to drive that car.... But I finally get the chance to say... that's MINE! I bought that! :) We could have gotten something more practical or less in cost. But I am thankful that Kevin insisted on getting this car. I will enjoy driving it as much as I enjoyed driving the Prelude. Kevin drove me to the dealership and told me I had to pick one out! That we were not leaving with out a Mini Cooper.

After looking at all of the cars on the lot I noticed that Kevin kept looking at the Blue one in the show room. It was an S model. It had everything that I wanted (except for XM radio) and even included things I didn't want. It was a demo car with some miles on it... but it still looked brand new. I kept looking at it... I really wanted a red, black, or white one... not BLUE! But the more I stood there looking at the car... it made me smile! I couldn't help but feel happy! They kept asking if I wanted to sit inside it... and I just said no. I was stuck looking at it's blue. And for the first time since the prelude was taken I wasn't angry looking at a car... I just raised up my hands and said in my best game show voice "SOLD"! That car was coming home with me!

On the way home I saw a black Honda Prelude... I thought it was mine... my heart skipped a beat... I held my breath... but for the first time I felt torn. I wanted my car back... but I didn't want to give the Mini up! I watched it drive away.

After I got home I started to read my cars info and realized this car was supposed to be mine. This car (that I now call Emma) arrived at the Miami Port on my Birthday!

Food and Wine Festival at Epcot

As Amanda and Eddy hit Epcot - Arianne, Pam (mom), Kevin and Wayne (dad) were left to try out the yummy treats and tasty adult beverages the International Food and Wine Festival had to offer and babysit the kids.









First Stop: Germany for Lunch and Beer











Tyler liked the Polka Music


















Jayden liked the food!

A quick stop off in Italy for old times sake and a cannoli...













Arianne and Mom near the Ireland Station enjoying some Honey Wine... yummy! (note: Self photo taking picture)












Even Dad had a good time enjoying all the yummyness...

Wines we tasted at this years events that we liked:

Ireland - Bunratty Meade Honey Wine

China - Dragons Hallow Chardonnay

Italy - Cecchi Chianti Classico 

South Africa - Fairview Sauvignon Blanc & Goat Door Chardonnay

Japan - Ozeki Dry Sake

     

Jayden and Tyler go to Universal Studios

No Trip to Universal Studios is complete without your silly JAWS hat!















Even with all the excitement of the parks Jayden still finds time to say "I love you" to his little brother!
















"So much excitement... must take nap... on Dads head..." - Jayden

Short Visit with Great Friends

We were able to catch up with Alison and Fred (and the kids) before they had to leave for home. Even though we only got to see each other for a little while... we had a great time talking and showing off the nephews.

Jayden and Tyler's first photo session together

Jayden and Tyler get their first picture taken as Big Brother and Little Brother. Meatball does as great job of taking care of String Bean.

Off we go to Little Bean Town... (aka Tampa)

This year for our annual Red Sox baseball game we headed back to Tampa’s Tropicana Field.

Kevin and I got up early this morning and headed out of Kendall before traffic got bad. Today was the first day of school for Dade and Broward Counties so traffic was going to be more insane than normal. By the time we got to Weston we were both craving some food and this was the last stop before driving across Alligator Alley. Thank goodness I remembered doing Nick Tickle at an elementary nearby so finding the local Starbucks was not hard to find at all.

We sat outside eating our muffins and drinking our coffee. It was such a beautiful day but the heat would start cranking in a bit. Today was the first day Kevin and I have actually been able to just sit and enjoy each others company since we went on vacation in July. As tempting as it was to sit there all day, we gathered ourselves up and headed towards Tampa. We decided to go the rest of the way with the top up so we didn’t end up sunburned and able to talk to each other. (** the sound is really my only complaint to the S2000).

Along the way I made the mistake of telling Kevin about how every time we drive down this road for tour I’ve never seen an Alligator. So what does Kevin start doing? Looking for them… I pointed out the birds, the sawgrass, and signs of the fires that have been taking place because of the drought. An amazing site to see but sort of boring to drive down. Thank goodness for the XM Radio.

Anyway we finally get to Tampa and it’s time for Lunch. I get this great idea that this will be a great time to introduce Kevin to Ybor City (an area outside of downtown Tampa). One of the hardest parts about being on tour is only telling Kevin about the places we go… so its nice to actually be able to show him some of them too. After every Tampa Theatre performance the cast always head to Ybor for lunch. The only problem was that once we found Ybor I couldn’t find the restaurant. We walked up and down the streets and I just could not figure out where it was. I realized that after those shows I must be tired and just follow the crowd. Anyway…. We finally find it…. the Columbian House. Lunch was really good. Our waiter started asking us if we were here for the game tonight… we said yes… he ended up being a Yankee Fan… we decided not to hold that against him. After lunch I take Kevin around to the Cigar shop that I always visit when I am here and he picks up a few cigars to celebrate the Red Sox win.

Then we decided to go check in at the Hard Rock Casino. We have wanted to stay at the one in Hollywood since we first visited but never found the time. The hotel room was amazing. The bed was HUGE and fluffy! This was defiantly making our little trip away a nice one. One really cool thing we got during check in was a CD of music. After we got settled in it was time to meet up with Jeff (Kevin’s partner in crime at Outback). So out the door we go… trying hard to keep Kevin focused on going out the door and not heading to the poker tables... :) Thank goodness there were other Red Sox fans there to remind him why we were there.

We meet up with Jeff at Leroy Selmons a really good southern BBQ restaurant that was on the Outback comp list... The food here is down home food that makes my heart (& stomach) ache to be back in the Carolina's. I ended up getting this HUGE drink (a Tampa Tea) that I can only describe as a concoction Dr. Jekyll would make.

After dinner we headed to the game.

Soon after arriving I started to wonder if we were still in Florida. There were so many Red Sox fans. We had such a great time. I sat on Kevin's right (after learning at a previous game I will be ignored if on the left side- when sitting on the third base line).

First Pitch for our team! Go Red Sox!

Yeah, I think Jonathan heard you guys that time...

The best player in the whole wide world Jason Varitek... according to Arianne

Jeff and Kevin at the Game.

Welcome to the world Baby Tyler!

Happy Birthday Jayden!

My little Meatball is growing up... today Jayden turns 1! I just wish I could have been there to spoil him with birthday gifts, encourage him to put his cake all over his face, and wear silly little birthday hats!

Jayden turns 11 months old

"Yeah, I'm so cute! My Aunt Arianne just wants to eat me up... that's because I am a little Meatball!" - Jayden

Ok so I know its not the 31st February just has to put a wrench in the whole thing doesn't it! So today I am celebrating Jayden turning 11 months. It's almost your birthday... my little Meatball!