May 31, 2005 9:25 AM

They only needed one ski this weekend...

Never again will I allow myself to think that if I don't make my bed before going on vacation and I happen to die while gone, that people will make fun of me. Five minutes before leaving for the lake on Saturday morning I was making my bed and threw my back out. I went down like a sack of potatoes! Tom made the ultimate sacrifice and stayed home with me, leaving Joey and Mark to take the kids to the lake. Apparently it was the greatest ski weekend of their lives and I only get to relive it through pictures.

I laid flat Saturday, Sunday and Monday and here I am Tuesday morning still really hurting. I have a little high school fundraising to do this morning and then I'm going back to bed. Olivia started summer camp early this morning and I don't need to pick her up until 3 or so. It's pouring rain today and I'm guessing the boys will be haunting me soon about wanting to be driven someplace, but I don't think I'll be up for any driving.

Check out Tom's excitement!

I had to post three pictures today so I wouldn't be out done by Dave. Syd is so cute!!!

Picture of the day

Tommy is a hit on one ski

Simon dropping his ski

Olivia getting ready to drop hers

May 26, 2005 9:46 PM

This has been one of the longest weeks of my life.

I made two quilts, one for each of Olivia's school teachers, I chaperoned an all night party at Wet and Wild for the high school, got Simon to his scout swim test and hosted a cake decorating/swimming birthday party for Olivia and 10 of her friends. WHEW!

Wet and Wild was a blast and I can't wait to do it again next year. The kids were all so well behaved and the weather was perfect. Simon passed his swim test for summer camp ( no surprise) and is excited to head to Alabama at the end of June.

Olivia's party was a huge success and all of her friends had a great time today. They swam in the pool, ate, swam, decorated cakes, swam, opened presents and swam. They were all exhausted when they left here and were on a sugar high, plus the each took home a cake loaded with candy. Olivia got some fun gifts and she really enjoyed spending the last day of school with her girlfriends.

Tonight we went to the Shriners annual Shrimp and Corn boil, and I don't need to tell you how yummy it was, but believe me when I say it was great. We passed Simon off to Nana and Pop for a few days and tomorrow I'm going to a local country club to sign Tommy up for a golf summer camp.

Loved the outcome of American Idol last night, and I can't wait to buy her album. Rascal Flatts rocked!!!!!

Picture of the day

Olivia and her friends in the pool

5/26/05

Blowing out her candle on her cupcake tower

5/26/05

Cake decorating

 parties rock!

5/26/05

May 22, 2005 11:05 AM

Tom made it home from LA yesterday, we were all glad to see him and he was glad to be home. He brought the kids some fun gifts, to them that is always the best part of his business trips.

Joey, Mark and Joanne came over last night for dinner and then we all went and saw Monster in Law. I was nervous about going, I hadn't seen many positive reviews, but it was a fun movie and we spent two hours laughing. The movie's I'm looking forward to the most are Batman Begins, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

I'm hoping that by the time Tom gets up it won't be too hot and humid to play tennis, if not we'll have to wait until tonight.

Simon gets home today from his latest scout trip and we are all looking forward to seeing him.

Got some good/bad news about my Holland trip yesterday. My cousin Rulond was one of the people I was really looking forward to seeing in Holland, the last time I saw him I was a sophomore in high school. He won't be able to see us while we are there because he is now working/living in England. The good news in all this is he has offered us his house to stay in the entire time we are there. His family lives in a quaint town called Volendam and we are so excited to have a permanent address while we are there.

Picture of the day

Olivia before her dance recital and two days before her broken leg

6/2/01

May 19, 2005 11:22 PM

Isn't it ironic.....

Tom has been to almost every one of Simon's baseball games this season, he's out of town tonight and Simon had the game of his life! Simon hit a major fly ball out to right field that dropped two feet in front of the fielder and he safely made it to base. His next at bat he decided to go golfing! (haha)  Fast forward to the end of the game.......................The game is in the last inning we are winning 4-3 and they have two outs, if we can keep them from scoring we win. A ball was hit to right field, Simon judges the ball, moves two feet forward and catches the game winning ball.  Pandemonium breaks loose and the whole team dog piles on Simon, what a fantastic game. SIMON ROCKS!

Picture of the day

Carbone Family

5/14/05

The happy couple

5/14/05

Simon after his track meet

4/6/05

May 18, 2005 6:53 PM

Keep your eye on the ball

My conscience caught up with me today and I've decided to throw Olivia a birthday party. We will be having it next Thursday ( the last day of school), and she is inviting every girl in her class (14). I'm guessing only about half will show up, but that will be fine with me. I'm kind of doing a repeat party, we are doing a cake decorating party, like I did in Utah years ago, but then all the girls will bring swimsuits and can hang in the pool. I always feel guilty about Olivia having a summer birthday and getting ripped off from a normal birthday party, during the summer it's out of sight out of mind with school friends. I'm currently printing the invites and Olivia will address the envelopes and take them to school tomorrow.

Today I finally gave in to Michele and went to tennis lessons with her, surprise surprise surprise I totally held my own. Of course I didn't have a cute tennis outfit or a visor or the perfect body......... but I ROCKED!!! I took a summer tennis course when I was about 12 and that was the last time I've played, but today I showed up and had a blast. These ladies meet once a week and split the fee for the tennis pro, today's hour only cost me $6.50, not too shabby. I can't wait for next week and Michele and I are going to start hitting balls a few times a week on my neighborhood court.

Did anyone catch Keith Urban last night on the American Country Music Awards??? He is too hot to handle!!!!!!!!!!! I know I'll take heat from Tom for saying that, but it's worth it!

Picture of the day

You can stay at the YMCA

5/14/05

Olivia and Grandpa playing in the water

5/12/05

Two beach girls

5/11/05

May 17, 2005 7:45 PM

So tiny

My good friend Edie (who is 34 weeks pregnant) was hospitalized last week indefinitely, and I've spent a few days with her at the hospital. I went up this morning for our schedule day, and  ran into her husband in the elevator and he informed me that Henry Christian Fleming had been born at 7:30 this morning, he weighed in at 4 pounds 12 ounces. He is in ICU but that was expected and is breathing on his own with a little help from an oxygen tube. Edie should be released in time to see her oldest son graduate high school (next Tuesday).  Mom and baby are doing great. Tomorrow I will finish making Hank's quilt.

Tom and my parents left at 5:15 this morning and everyone made it to their destination safely.

Olivia received her FCAT results today and we were once again blown away by her math abilities. She scored in the 97% in the nation in math and 87% in English, we are so proud of her!

Eagerly awaiting American Idol tonight and I'm also taping the Country Music Awards, I'm a freak.

Lindsay and Charles set their wedding date for December 17th, South Carolina here we come!

Simon competed in the District Finals for track yesterday and did awesome, his grandparents were thrilled to be able to attend the race. Simon accomplished something no other Carbone has, run 800 meters (1/2 mile) at full speed without stopping. (3:12 was his time)

Picture of the day

Vera and I

5/14/05

Awww.....they were so cute

5/14/05

May 16, 2005 9:05 AM

Long Weekend

I wanted to give you a few more details from the Bar Mitzvah on Saturday night. We got to the Orlando Science Center around 7 pm and immediately went outside for an adult cocktail hour while the kids went inside to their own amid the exhibits. While outside people were allowed to ride one of those two wheeled thingies around. (check picture) After awhile we were ushered into the dining area which was actually one of the dinosaur exhibits and there were dinosaurs all around. Eric was carried in on a platform via the dancing girls and once that happened the night never stopped. The dancing was amazing and the whole family had a blast, we sat with our friends Vera and Mark and some newer friends Shirley and Mark.

Sunday we hosted a brunch celebrating Tommy's Confirmation, this was a great success. Everyone loved the food and sitting out by the pool wasn't too shabby either. We all piled into cars and headed to Simon's baseball game where he proceeded to play the whole game, get three hits, make one incredible bunt and score! The kids played in the pool almost the whole day and by last night we were pooped.

My dad and Greg are golfing today, my mom, Tom and I are headed to Olivia's awards day at school and later this afternoon we are headed to the district wide track meet to watch Simon run. Whew

 I reserved my rental car for Utah and I'm only mildly concerned about where all our luggage will go, I wasn't concerned at all about it until my dad pointed the potential problem out to me, ignorance is bliss.

Picture of the day

Simon and David

 "working it"

5/14/05

Simon taking a spin

5/14/05

May 15, 2005 10:29 PM

Dancing King

We had a wonderful time last night and ended shutting the place down at midnight. The kids loved the dancing and Tom is was tempted to throw Simon a Bar Mitzvah..... just for the party!

Picture of the day

The kids and I before the big event

5/14/05

Tom and I dancing, this may never be seen again

I was hoping that my husband loved me enough to let me keep his picture posted, congrats to those of you who caught it before it was pulled

5/14/05

May 14, 2005 12:44 PM

Call animal control

This dog is driving me nuts!

We are getting ready for the Bar Mitzvah  (this is where it will be held) today and Simon is currently at the Synagogue watching Eric be "Bar Mitzvah-ed". Last night he went  to a similar deal and stayed for a dessert buffet, and today lunch will be served. He looks so handsome in his evening clothes, today he wore a red bow tie with his suit.

Picture of the day

After ripping up Lola's bed, Tiki takes a well deserved nap

5/13/05

May 12, 2005 12:48 PM

Click your heels three times......

We are headed to Utah and the kids and I couldn't be more excited! Tom is being so wonderful/kind/generous and booked us flights for three full weeks. We will be there July4-25, and are looking to hang out with as many friends and family that our schedules permit. We are going to miss Tom but can't thank him enough!

Yesterday I took Olivia over to Cocoa to hang with her grandparents and when I talked to her last night she had had a full day. They rode on the waterslide, went to the beach and did some boogie boarding, went out to eat, watched Lemony Snicket and played two rounds of mini golf. WHEW! Today will be a repeat of yesterday and they are bringing her home tonight and will stay for dinner.

Sunday is Tommy's long awaited Confirmation party, I've had to change it from a lunch to a brunch in order to accommodate Simon's 1 pm baseball game ( they will forfeit if he doesn't show). I enjoy making Brunch and have already bought some yummy food.

Picture of the day

 Representing

5/7/05

Getting some air

5/7/05

I too would jump for joy if I looked like this in a bikini

5/7/05

May 9, 2005 8:59 PM

Rock Lobster

I spent a wonderful day at the beach with my parents. They are visiting from Utah and are staying at the Ron Jon Resort and it is gorgeous. We took the tram from the hotel to the beach and all went swimming in the ocean. My dad crapped out after an hour and my mom and I stayed and baked. We decided to go back and hit the pool area and ended up riding the water slide and hanging out on the lazy river. The day was perfect, and I have a sunburn to prove it. Tomorrow I'm driving back over and we are headed to Joey and Mark's boat for a tour, then back to the resort to swim. I will definitely thrown on some sun block, after I buy some! All I know and care about is how tan I'll be in my fancy dress at the Bar Mitzvah this weekend.

Picture of the day

Princess

5/7/05

Spare

Heir

May 9, 2005 8:30 AM

And the question is...............

We had a fantastic time in South Carolina! The graduation ceremony was great, the party was great, the whole "will you marry me" part was great, oh wait let's back up.

We got to South Carolina at 12:30 AM Saturday morning and found out we had connecting rooms with the Sheronicks, this caused a little party. We got up early took pictures and headed to the graduation. The ceremony went off without a hitch and Lindsay looked lovely. We headed back to the hotel to change clothes and then it was off to the pool party celebration at Lindsay's condo. The food was great and we enjoyed hanging with the cousins all day. Lindsay's darling boyfriend Charles popped the question and of course Tom and I were sitting outside eating and missed the whole thing! He was a good sport and reenacted the scene so we could get pictures. The ring is gorgeous and we know that you will have a long and happy life together.  Congratulations guys!!!! Can't wait to head back up to South Carolina for the wedding!!!!

Sunday we got up had a big family breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then headed to Savannah for the day, where they were having their annual "Seafood Festival". We did some shopping and bought some pralines and other goodies. We then got back on the road and headed home. Got home late last night and hung out with Tom's high school buddy Rick and his wife Shannon. I'm headed over to Cocoa for the day, my parents are here and we are hitting the beach!

Picture of the day

Tom and the graduate

5/7/05

Will you?

YES!

May 6, 2005 9:50 AM

Happy Mother's Day

Legacy of an adopted child

Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not remember the other you call Mother. Two different lives shaped to make you one. One became your guiding star the other became your sun. The first one gave you life and the second taught you to live it. The fist gave you a need for love the second was there to give it. One gave you a nationality the other gave you a name. One gave you a talent the other gave you aim. One gave you emotions the other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile the other dried your tears. One sought for you a home that she could not provide the other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied. And now you ask me through your tears the age old question unanswered through the years. Heredity or environment which are you a product of? Neither my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of love. Author unknown

Happy Mother's Day to all my mothers. xoxox

Picture of the day

The women who mold my life

6/12/02

May 5, 2005 6:27 PM

I've been a video game widow for 12 years and I can't wait for his latest "crunch" time to be over with. Once a year Tom's and my relationship comes to a crashing halt and it takes the rest of the year to get it back on track. He works 80 hour weeks and sometimes we don't see him for days. It's a horrible time for everyone involved, Tom looks like death walking, the kids go through dad with-drawl and I go nuts being the only parent in the home. Tom tries his best to stay involved with the kids and makes sure he calls daily to help them with homework or to say good night.  I'm hoping that with his new job this will be the last time our family is ripped apart.

 I wish my fellow game widows luck, and hope that your husband will one day escape............. like Tom has.

Picture of the day

Olivia and her best cheer friend Kiara

4/3/05

May 4, 2005 8:22 PM

I spent 4 1/2 hours at the elementary school today serving at the teacher appreciation luncheon. I also spent a large portion of the day sewing a quilt and working on the high school fundraiser.

Tom's work schedule is now in overdrive and we haven't seen him in a few days, boo hoo!

Simon's track meet and Olivia's tennis were both cancelled due to severe rainstorms, they were disappointed but my newly laid sod wasn't.

Check out Tom's site for a better picture of the boat.

Picture of the day

The heir to the royal Carbone throne

4/29/05

The boat after being loaded onto the flatbed truck

4/30/05

May 4, 2005 7:55 PM

Tommy is feeling better today, and has made it to 7:30 PM with no major incidents!

Picture of the day

Nana, Pop and Kids

4/29/05

Tommy and Father Ben

4/29/05

May 2, 2005 4:55 PM

Tommy successfully received his Confirmation on Friday night. The ceremony was beautiful and we loved having Nana, Pop and Uncle Joey there. It was the first time I have been to a Mass where a Bishop lead the mass and spoke. When he walked down the aisle wearing his red gown and "Pope hat" I was really blown away. Here was this great holy man standing close to me and I literally could feel the presence of God surrounding him. He gave an awesome talk and reminded each child to stay true to themselves and not let peer pressure get to them. During the ceremony each candidate went forward and the Bishop anointed their head with oil and blessed them. After the ceremony Tommy was able to meet with him and have his picture taken, Simon and Olivia were also able to meet with him.

Saturday started early with breakfast for everyone and then the family split for the day. Pop took Simon and Tommy to Cocoa Village and fishing, Tom went to work and Nancy, Olivia and I went shopping, and we emptied out Nordstrom's. Olivia went to a birthday party at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground and claims it was the best weekend of her life. Nancy and I eventually got to Cocoa and Joey's house for the boat move. We missed the 10 story crane hoisting the 25,000 pound boat over the cement wall and placing it on the flatbed truck, but were glad we didn't see it swaying in the air. At midnight the police came and shut down Cocoa Village and moved the boat towards the water. This was a long, exciting and interesting process, and we didn't get home until 5:30 AM Sunday morning. Sunday was spent trying to catch up on sleep and doing chores around the house. Olivia got home from her party around 6 and is sporting a new hair wrap, it looks really cute. As a family we went out to dinner last night at the China Buffet restaurant, this is where the weekend got really interesting.

Tommy was eating a steamed mussel and accidentally ingested a large piece of shell,  causing him considerable discomfort and pain. After consulting with a Dr in our neighborhood Tommy and I headed out to Arnold Palmer's Children's Hospital. He had a chest x-ray where they couldn't locate the shell and sent us home with instructions to call in the morning if he was still in pain. Fast forward to 6 am this morning and Tommy was still in pain, I called the Dr and they sent us to another hospital to have an endoscopes done. They knocked him out for about 20 minutes and stuck a probe down his throat, I was able to watch the procedure and it was fascinating. We didn't find a shell but did find some scrapes in his stomach indicating the shell made it down there. We also found some ulcers in his stomach that he is now being treated for. WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an exciting weekend. Tommy and I came home from the hospital and both took a nap. Tonight is Simon's baseball game and Tiki's doggy training class.

Picture of the day

The family

4/29/05

Tommy with the Bishop

4/29/05

The picture quality is bad, but if you look closely you can tell the boat is mid air, hovering over the water

5/1/05