So Grandma and Grandpa were in Chicago visiting with the Big City dwellers and thought it might be fun to get in on a little of this Wii action with the grandkids. After all, they're only 6 and 7, how good could they be?
There was great anticipation as Fuzz, Player, Squakasaur and Zander lined up for the first match. Engines roared, smack talk echoed from the speakers of iPhones and they were off.
There were certainly moments when the races were interesting (for the first 100 yards) and times that the boys felt threatened by the experience and skill of the Ft. Wayne driving team (on the starting line). The races were close (until the end of the first lap) and sweat poured from the boys brows (from all the celebrating), but in the end it was the little Cheek boys (terror on wheels team) that made their entry (through the gate they built)to the world of Mario Kart Wii know to all on this day. They look forward to the next challenge (beatdown) and hope that the City Folk can bring their A game (only game) again.
In fairness, Squaky and Zander were defeated a couple times. It was usually b/c their Dad wanted to get into the action. The boys, being well aware of records, point accumulation and the thrill of winning, did not let Dad play for long. If only there were scholarships for Wii play, I might open up the game for practice during the week. But, for now it's a weekend only event, looked forward too so much that Friday has been re-named Super Wiiday in our house. Ahhhh... to be 6 again.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Fun Weekend
Another sign that Spring is here in full.....reverse migration. Yes, all you poor folks still dealing with cold NE weather making your way down South to enjoy a taste of what's to come, albeit months from now, in your world. We, of course, love this part of spring as much and more than any part of the year less our first beach day. The first beach day is a cherished and celebrated event that puts the entire family in a great mood in light of the many trips that lie ahead. Anyway, back to friends and family.
My folks firmed up plans this week for their visit in late April. Jennifer's folks were on the phone finalizing plans for their Easter pilgrimage to Daytona with Nancy and Larry. And, we had a surprise visit from our good friend Jeff. Although we razed him about leaving the better 2/3rds of his family in DC, that was apparently not his doing and promised a return trip with Mer and Sam. I told him the more clients he can pick up in FL, the better. We love the company. We enjoyed sharing the hustle of a Cheek family weekend with him and look forward to seeing the whole family in months to come.
Little else to comment on, my March Madness bracket, picked in the waning minutes of time prior to tip off of the first game and with "0" research has proven strong through the first couple rounds. Not a minute of reading led me to believe I would yet again have a slightly rough go at it this year. I'm not known for making it too far past the sweet 16 with any hope of winning. I think this bodes well for the "throw a dart" method used for this years analysis. I will admit I was a homer in some areas, mostly in the finals picking UNC (rough choice given I pretty much bet chalk to the end). Go Heels. Still remember a few trips to UNC from the burg hoping to extend a weekend with Kipp to watch UNC play in the championship game. That was decidedly driven by my desire to be on campus when such a big game was celebrated. What a party that must be! I wouldn't know since it never happened during my college tenure. Regardless, with no connection to any other school, it was an easy pick.
Busy weeks ahead, but little going on in the family. Steady diet of soccer, hockey and swimming for us. Mix in a little zoo and that takes care of it. Keep your fingers crossed that I might sneak out to hunt a redfish or two. Catch up with everyone again soon.
My folks firmed up plans this week for their visit in late April. Jennifer's folks were on the phone finalizing plans for their Easter pilgrimage to Daytona with Nancy and Larry. And, we had a surprise visit from our good friend Jeff. Although we razed him about leaving the better 2/3rds of his family in DC, that was apparently not his doing and promised a return trip with Mer and Sam. I told him the more clients he can pick up in FL, the better. We love the company. We enjoyed sharing the hustle of a Cheek family weekend with him and look forward to seeing the whole family in months to come.
Little else to comment on, my March Madness bracket, picked in the waning minutes of time prior to tip off of the first game and with "0" research has proven strong through the first couple rounds. Not a minute of reading led me to believe I would yet again have a slightly rough go at it this year. I'm not known for making it too far past the sweet 16 with any hope of winning. I think this bodes well for the "throw a dart" method used for this years analysis. I will admit I was a homer in some areas, mostly in the finals picking UNC (rough choice given I pretty much bet chalk to the end). Go Heels. Still remember a few trips to UNC from the burg hoping to extend a weekend with Kipp to watch UNC play in the championship game. That was decidedly driven by my desire to be on campus when such a big game was celebrated. What a party that must be! I wouldn't know since it never happened during my college tenure. Regardless, with no connection to any other school, it was an easy pick.
Busy weeks ahead, but little going on in the family. Steady diet of soccer, hockey and swimming for us. Mix in a little zoo and that takes care of it. Keep your fingers crossed that I might sneak out to hunt a redfish or two. Catch up with everyone again soon.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Soccer Superstar
Alex scored his second goal of the season yesterday. Our kid that "loves soccer", which we've always interpreted as loves getting a treat after the game and trophy at the end of the season, may have taken a new step. His goal included a couple dribbles, a blocked first shot, and a second shot over the head of the defender into the net. I gave him a standing O! Nothing better than a proud papa! We're proud of him no matter how he plays, but it sure is fun when does something cool.
Spring is in the air
A couple weeks ago it was just a promise of things to come. This weekend we celebrate the 2nd Sat and Sun of 80 degree highs and 60 degree lows. As expected the lawn will need some attention, but that also means the remainder of the landscaping is starting to come out of it's "cold" weather shell! Funny we live our lives so in tune with our surroundings. No coincidence that the pool heater has been pumping the natural gas the last two weekends as well. We enjoyed a full day of soccer, skating and swimming with friends yesterday. Today will likely be a zoo day followed by more swimming and Wii.
The warm weather gets Dad in a good mood as well since the dolphin (mahi) and tuna should be working their way in our direction. Itching to get offshore. Ahhh, if we could just get a little rain. The combination of three months in a dry air cycle, the addition of hot sun and you get very, very dry Florida.....fire season is here. Only a couple small ones to date, but keep your fingers crossed, it's shaping up to be a potentially bad spring.
The spare bedroom is also warming up for the spring season, a few bookings are on the calendar, but there's always room for more. If you're around, drop us a line and check out a night at the Cheek's B&B
The warm weather gets Dad in a good mood as well since the dolphin (mahi) and tuna should be working their way in our direction. Itching to get offshore. Ahhh, if we could just get a little rain. The combination of three months in a dry air cycle, the addition of hot sun and you get very, very dry Florida.....fire season is here. Only a couple small ones to date, but keep your fingers crossed, it's shaping up to be a potentially bad spring.
The spare bedroom is also warming up for the spring season, a few bookings are on the calendar, but there's always room for more. If you're around, drop us a line and check out a night at the Cheek's B&B
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Kayak Day
Jennifer, the always wonderful Mom that she is, gave me a hall pass last Sunday to take advantage of a couple hours of the perfect kayaking weather in Florida right now.
I dumped the boat in around 6:45 in the Banana River (second body of water you pass over between our house and the beach) and paddled North. The relatively cool water temps still keep things quiet in the morning. Think about how motivated you are to get out of a warm bed into the cold house at the crack of dawn. Fish are no different. They all stay put until the sun climbs and gets the flats "heater" turned on. So, I was ready for long paddle and didn't mind that there was little to fish for in the first couple hours. There's always so much to see in the Lagoon. This time of year we become the equivalent of the Miami Airport, but for bird immigration. Thousands of birds flying overhead all morning long. The greatest show was a covey of ducks that had a white underbelly with black top wings. They don't glide well, so there is rapid flapping. The sun was just right so when they opened their wings, they blended into the sky and disappeared. On the down flap the black wing flashed. There were probably 500 birds and you can imagine the sight. It was sparkling.
I was lucky to paddle past a couple of white pelicans, strange visitors to the Space Coast. Their smaller cousins, the grey variety, are most common and always around. The much larger whites are common 30 miles to the South, but we are definitely a N boundary for the bird. Don't get your global warming ire up. Although they are rare, they've been taking spring vacations to our waters for many years.
Next came the largest school of manatee I've ever seen. Must have been 30 of them eating the seagrass and generally just hanging out. Fun to sit and watch until one curious, 200# mammal bumped my kayak....makes you remember how small you are. Gentle creatures can still unnerve you. I spent most the rest of the morning enjoying watching others fish, something mesmerizing about watching the rhythm of a couple fly fisherman wind and throw. Flats boats poled along the shore, mostly just scaring up stingrays and puffer fish (always plentiful in the river). I paddled back as the wind started to pick up. I hit one of my favorite canals, and as usual there were schools of small seatrout patrolling the docks. Unfortunately, a pair of dolphin made reservations for the same restaurant that morning. I couldn't get more than two into the boat before they showed up and wrecked the buffet. Is is fairly amazing to watch two dolphin corner a school of fish and chow down. They, like their friends the manatee, made some curiously close runs by my kayak to let me know seating for people is limited at this location. I managed a couple more fish and headed home. Good call as the wind picked up again and paddling became work. As many of you always hear, fishing is so much more than catching fish. Days like this one move the purchase of a boat way up on the priority list. The only improvement to the morning would have been sharing it with the boys.
What an amazing day.
I dumped the boat in around 6:45 in the Banana River (second body of water you pass over between our house and the beach) and paddled North. The relatively cool water temps still keep things quiet in the morning. Think about how motivated you are to get out of a warm bed into the cold house at the crack of dawn. Fish are no different. They all stay put until the sun climbs and gets the flats "heater" turned on. So, I was ready for long paddle and didn't mind that there was little to fish for in the first couple hours. There's always so much to see in the Lagoon. This time of year we become the equivalent of the Miami Airport, but for bird immigration. Thousands of birds flying overhead all morning long. The greatest show was a covey of ducks that had a white underbelly with black top wings. They don't glide well, so there is rapid flapping. The sun was just right so when they opened their wings, they blended into the sky and disappeared. On the down flap the black wing flashed. There were probably 500 birds and you can imagine the sight. It was sparkling.
I was lucky to paddle past a couple of white pelicans, strange visitors to the Space Coast. Their smaller cousins, the grey variety, are most common and always around. The much larger whites are common 30 miles to the South, but we are definitely a N boundary for the bird. Don't get your global warming ire up. Although they are rare, they've been taking spring vacations to our waters for many years.
Next came the largest school of manatee I've ever seen. Must have been 30 of them eating the seagrass and generally just hanging out. Fun to sit and watch until one curious, 200# mammal bumped my kayak....makes you remember how small you are. Gentle creatures can still unnerve you. I spent most the rest of the morning enjoying watching others fish, something mesmerizing about watching the rhythm of a couple fly fisherman wind and throw. Flats boats poled along the shore, mostly just scaring up stingrays and puffer fish (always plentiful in the river). I paddled back as the wind started to pick up. I hit one of my favorite canals, and as usual there were schools of small seatrout patrolling the docks. Unfortunately, a pair of dolphin made reservations for the same restaurant that morning. I couldn't get more than two into the boat before they showed up and wrecked the buffet. Is is fairly amazing to watch two dolphin corner a school of fish and chow down. They, like their friends the manatee, made some curiously close runs by my kayak to let me know seating for people is limited at this location. I managed a couple more fish and headed home. Good call as the wind picked up again and paddling became work. As many of you always hear, fishing is so much more than catching fish. Days like this one move the purchase of a boat way up on the priority list. The only improvement to the morning would have been sharing it with the boys.
What an amazing day.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Beach Pictures
What a fun evening! Jennifer "won" a picture session with a local photographer at a charity event for the Zoo last year. So, last night we headed up to Indialantic and we cashed in the family shoot on the beach. Afterward, the boys enjoyed running around and checking out all the cool stuff washed up on the beach. It has been at least 3 months since they've played in the ocean, so to a 6 and 7 year old, everything is new again! After the beach trip we headed over to LongDoggers (shack across the street from the beach with tables) and enjoyed Beer and Burgers (Milk and Soda for the boys). Here are some pics we took.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Let Spring begin?
This weekend is supposedly the last bit of "chilly" weather we'll encounter for the year. I'm speaking for the plants of course. We (the people) experienced the last chilly weather with some low 50 degree stuff a couple weeks back. Tonight and tomorrow mark the last sub 50 evening weather we should have this winter. When the evenings don't drop below 60 and the ground warms to that temp, everything springs to life in FL. When the palms start moving, you're there. We planted our herb seeds last weekend along with a sunflower or two. We're trying out a few new things this spring with a couple mangrove trees from seed pods the boys and I collected from the river. We've put together a little orchid garden (up to 4 species now). I'm even trying a little one in a tree. OK, enough of the gardening and rub it in your face warm weather comments. Life's not all flowers and pineapples (did I mention I'm growing one of those,too?)
The boys are in full stride with Soccer, Hockey and Skating lessons taking up much of the weekend. Pics to follow. The beach has tempted us on several occasions, but at 70 degrees, the water's still a little cold. We're taking full advantage of the Zoo, along with thousands of other people. If the new kids area gets any more attendance, we'll have to start limiting entrants.....good things for the zoo during this tough economy.
That's the update for the night. Not much else going on. Looking forward to a full weekend and busy March.
The boys are in full stride with Soccer, Hockey and Skating lessons taking up much of the weekend. Pics to follow. The beach has tempted us on several occasions, but at 70 degrees, the water's still a little cold. We're taking full advantage of the Zoo, along with thousands of other people. If the new kids area gets any more attendance, we'll have to start limiting entrants.....good things for the zoo during this tough economy.
That's the update for the night. Not much else going on. Looking forward to a full weekend and busy March.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wii Showdown II
There's a reason Vegas makes money folks, they know how to pick 'um. Saturday night provided a better showing from Fuzz (aka Aunt Lauren), but in the end, Squaky and Soph/Todo ruled the night. Alex raced as Squakasaur. Brayden, showing some degree of difficulty choosing from his myriad of Miis (there's probably 50+) went to the venerable Soph/Todo. They both did mighty damage to the best Chicago has to offer. Thanks for a great match Aunt Lauren! Whatcha doing next weekend?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Wii Showdown
We finally hooked up and in a 30 minute showdown including about 10 races, the boys made quick work of Aunt Lauren and Uncle Mike. We won't post the score to save the embarrassment. Always ready for another match, but I promise you all, the boys are not getting any worse. It will be a tough match up for any who dare!
Happy News for Childcare!
As we continue to find new and creative ways to keep the boys in safe care for the summer, we are happy to report that we will have live in care this year! Jennifer's cousin Neil who lives in Michigan with his family (I don't know why I'm explaining all this, almost everyone that reads this knows the family!) has three children, Katelin, Samantha and Matt. Sam is 16 and has been babysitting for years. We put two and two together and offered her a job watching the boys and living with us for the entire summer. She was very excited and will be joining us in early June and staying through August. I've know Sam since she was 4 (wow....time really flies), and couldn't imagine a better setup for us this summer. She's just great, and we are very lucky and excited to have her. I think she'll need some boogy board and body surfing lessons, but I know just the right little guys to teach her. Tough job, huh?
Paws-On Opens!
After nearly two years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Zoo's refurnished children's "playground" opened to the public today with great fanfare. The area now makes up a small representation of the Florida coast providing a beach area where kids can dress up as sea turtles and crawl through the sand afterward they can slide into the belly of a whale. We then move to to the lagoon where kids can fish from a shrimp boat (no real hooks, or course), play in the "lagoon flats" right next to the 20,000 gallon aquarium that holds all sorts of coastal fish. Finally we move into the uplands area where you can build forts, camp out, crawl through tunnels and visit the contact yard to get up and personal with armadillos and gopher tortises (along with the standard goats and deer). The boys loved it and it appears to be a big hit with the rest of the children that made it out today. Come visit us and take a look!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Raptors at the Zoo
Two weeks ago the Zoo hosted a traveling Raptor exhibit. The boys and I went over to check it out and were very impressed. Brayden is a huge bird fan as many of you know. It has generally been expressed through his stuffed animals, but it appears he's equally fond of live feathered friends. Here are a few pictures he took (he used an entire memory chip!)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Cheek Creep
Call it creep, croup, colds or whatever. I think when a cold mutates through 4 family members it get's a special spot and name in the "make you feel bad" Hall of fame. Struggling to get through a cold that turned into a fever that turned into runny noses and has now placed a firm grip on "dry cough". Amazing how difficult it is for everything to adapt to less than 150% humidity down here. We go below 100 and skin starts cracking, plants die, grass curls up and everyone walks around drinking water to stay hydrated. Doesn't help having a cold. Must have been those 3 days of "cold" weather....I know, tough life. Hopefully everybody will perk up and we'll have some new hockey videos to post this weekend.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Mr Jack Frost
Not sure how I feel about being friends with jack again.Pretty sure I'm not happy about it....If he kills any of my plants, I'll be very upset. Global Warming, huh?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Still no connection!
Can't quite get the Wii up and running for friend matches. Whenever Lauren and Mike find us, it kicks them off the WFC? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Showdown low-downs....
Couldn't quite get hooked up to challenge the Mario Masters of Chicago last night. The boys were genuinely disappointed the link didn't work and this morning, in his first scratchy throat voice, Alex wanted to know if Aunt Lauren ever got online. Brayden had a similar question as he awoke (an hour later....he's our sleeper). Not sure what it means, but kids' attention is at such a premium it's rarely held for more than a fleeting moment, let alone through the night. Usually onto the next thing. In this case, they were looking forward to the clash with Aunt Lauren and Uncle Mike with great anticipation. I think there will be serious battles on Sunday outside of the realm of the NFL. Stay tuned for Keach v. Squakasaur! The line has Keach favored by 15, but Squakasaur could easily provide the upset if they drive maple treeway or mushroom gorge. Stay tuned
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday....Is that it
How it can only be Wednesday is far beyond my realm of understanding. Long...Long week as the family struggles to catch up with the reality of life again after the holidays. The boys are right back in the thick of it. Brayden goes to Hockey again tonight and remains excited about hitting the ice. Alex is biding time until soccer starts in February with some swimming lessons. Much like his father, he will likely see far more success in sports that don't require a great deal of hand eye coordination.
I'm back in the thick of work and managing through this crisis in real estate. Thank goodness the bank is sound and I am still employed. (check back tomorrow, just in case!), and staying very busy at the Zoo and with my newest endeavor of starting a kayak fishing tournament here in Melb...yes, I'm a glutton for punishment.
Jennifer is back at work and tonight finishes a marathon 3 on, 1 off, 4 on shift. You can only pull so many 12 hr shifts before you lose it.
On a side note, I finally took the advice of numerous friends and family to join facebook. You really should look into it. Fun for all ages and simple to use. You can catch up with friends from years and years ago in 10 minutes. What may be more fun is peeking in friends that you haven't thought of in 15 years just to see what's going on in their life.
That's it for the morning. Way behind on the morning routine.
I'm back in the thick of work and managing through this crisis in real estate. Thank goodness the bank is sound and I am still employed. (check back tomorrow, just in case!), and staying very busy at the Zoo and with my newest endeavor of starting a kayak fishing tournament here in Melb...yes, I'm a glutton for punishment.
Jennifer is back at work and tonight finishes a marathon 3 on, 1 off, 4 on shift. You can only pull so many 12 hr shifts before you lose it.
On a side note, I finally took the advice of numerous friends and family to join facebook. You really should look into it. Fun for all ages and simple to use. You can catch up with friends from years and years ago in 10 minutes. What may be more fun is peeking in friends that you haven't thought of in 15 years just to see what's going on in their life.
That's it for the morning. Way behind on the morning routine.
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