The Greatest Show on Earth

Sunday, February 24, 2008 And it really was just that. It also doesn't hurt that we had FRONT ROW tickets. Due to a good friend's mistake, we were able to go to the Ringling Brothers circus in Atlanta on Sunday. Center ring, front row--you could notbeat it! We had five tickets, so we traded Baby Max for the Griner boys (since we couldn't fit all those carseats in one car) and hit the road with three 3-year-olds. You might think this was crazy, but they were all so excited that they behaved like perfect little angels. I'm sure it helped that there were plenty of threats from both sets of parents! The kids dined on sno-cones, popcorn and cotton candy (I know, parents of the year awards are on their way) and enjoyed the poodle act the most. Jack's and my fav were the tigers and the elephants, although those two acts made us a little nervous that close up. Afterwards, the starving children requested chips and dip (AKA--the parents needed a margarita) so we let the evening linger on into supper.

Enjoying Some Free Time

February 19, 2008 Nothing new is going on in the Patrick household. And I LOVE it!!! After more than three months of basketball games and practices, StarLab pick up, doctor's appointments, medical scares, etc, I am more than thrilled to have some "quiet" time. Step one (after a long holiday weekend of little more than hanging out) was to take some time and get a haircut. My stylist, John Robert was tickled today as I made him work backwards: first he washed, then I added that I would like color, so he colored, washed again, cut then styled, then I added that I would like bangs, so he cut again. He was a great trooper to accomodate someone so scatterbrained. Last night, we enjoyed some time with our next-door neighbors, whom we have sadly not seen much in the last several weeks. And the rest of my weeks plans--nothing! I can't wait!

Happy Valentine's Day

February 14, 2008 Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends and family.

Little Jack-in-the-Box?

February 12, 2008 It's been a fun week so far. Max has really begun to walk well this week. We are struggling with an ear infection and a couple of rashes that the doctor thinks are allergic reactions, but overall, all is good. Kinsey had her Valentine's party at school Tuesday as well. Her favorite was making a Valentine's visor.

Party Fit for a Princess

February 9, 2008 Today Kinsey and I went to a precious birthday party of her friend Mary Claire. It was a princess dress-up and even Princess Belle was there. There were gowns, glass slippers, gloves, jewelry, make-up, dancing and don't forget the tea party! The little girls all looked gorgeous and I think they had a little fun along the way! I know I did!

Happy Guy!

Just Lion Around

February 3, 2008 Yesterday, we went to Greenville to go visit Laura again. Wow, is she doing great! They released her to come home yesterday and she was glad to be back in her own bed with her family surrounding her. She will be on IV antibiotics for another week and then they'll re-evaluate her progress.

As for my crew, 2 out of four are down for the count with bronchitis and ear infections. The boys don't feel so hot today (despite the grins in the pictures) so Kinsey and I went to my school together to set up an inflatable planetarium that I will be using with my students this week. Maybe I can post a picture of it later. She played on one of the library computers while I set the thing up, then we both went inside to try it out. She was very impressed and wanted to call her friends right away to tell them to come over and get inside, too.

This will be a busy week for me as my basketball team enters the playoffs. We finished the season 2nd in our division, but have a good chance of winning the tournament. Keep your fingers crossed!

Go Diego Go!

February 1, 2008 Laura is doing sooo much better in the last few days. She is very tired and as expected, showing some frustration, but the doctors think she may even be able to go home in the next few days.

On a much lighter note, we took Kinsey to see Go Diego Go Live at the Fox Theatre in ATL last night. What a time! Each child was given a Baby Jaguar mask and the goal was to find the jaguar's growl that had been stolen. Kinsey has now mastered her Baby Jaguar growl after last night.