Homework

During summer my kids get booklets to practice their academic skills.  Arionna was working on a Timeline assignment where major events in her life occurred.  This was such items as "when I learned to ride a bike", "when I learned to walk", etc.  She asked, "Dad, could you help me fill this out?"

We spent the next 20 minutes filling out the chart and talking about her timeline.  What it was like when she lost her first tooth.  Who her favorite teacher was in First Grade.  Really good bonding time.

At end of the day Arionna hands the book over to Marie, "Here Mom, I did the timeline!  Oh, and Dad helped, so if its wrong it is his fault."

10,000 Year Kiss

Arionna was eight and it was bed time.  Arionna wanted her mother to give her a hug so she went upstairs and gave her a hug and kiss.

"I want a longer kiss," Arionna said.

"How long," Marie asked.

"10,000 years," she replied.  "Until you're a skeleton and so am I."

Both cute and creepy.

The Munchkins

Kaylee

Our  eldest child.  At the time of this writing she is 17 and a Senior in High School.  She has Dysgraphia, a writing disorter, but is very smart.  Kaylee devours books and aims to be a Mechanical Engineer.  Her Math skills are very good.  Kaylee is the "least girly" of the girls.

Kaylee has traits of both her mother and father.  Her mindset and thinking are that of her mother.  Her humor and fashion sense (much to our dismay) is that of her father.  Kaylee is a lovable person, but does not like public displays of affection.  For that matter, she doesn't care too much for private displays of affection.

Kaylee loves puzzles and can spend hours in her room piecing together puzzles.  Kaylee tried several sports until she fell in love with Ultimate Frisbee.  Kaylee volunteers at a Rescue Horse Ranch where she takes care of the horses and works with disabled children.  Kaylee's sense of "Right and Wrong" is incredibly strong.

Alora

Alora is a sweet and lovely child of 11 (for a few more days at least.  This was written in April of 2012).  Don't let the pretty exterior fool you, however.  This child is tough as nails.  To date she has broken her clavicle (collar bone), right arm, and left arm.  In all cases she whimpered, but didn't cry.  This girl is tough.  Despite her physical toughness, Alora may be the most emotionally soft of the three girls.

Unlike Kaylee, Alora has great fashion sense.  When she wears something which doesn't match, its because she wants to and will tell you so, otherwise she creates outfits which fashion designers would kill.  Alora is outspoken and unafraid to speak her mind.  She is the most "academic" of the three children, pulling in mostly A's with a few B's.  She is in higher level of math classes and regularly on Honor Roll.  She plays the viola, is in the "Battle of the Books" club, attends math club, and volunteers at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Space Odyssey).

One vivid image I have of Alora was seeing her outside one day in helmet, kneepads, elbow pads, and a pink dress rollerblading at high speed down the sidewalk.  Yes, that is Alora!

Arionna

Arionna is more the "classic beauty" of the group.  She is just a good looking little lady.  Part of this may be my interpretation, however, as Arionna looks the most like her mother of the three.  Arionna currently is 8, making an 8.5 year difference between our first and our last.

After our experiences with Kaylee's Dysgraphia, it was easier for us to identify Arionna's issues.  We had Arionna tested, and she came back diagnosed with Dyslexia, which makes reading and writing a struggle for her.  Do not make the mistake of thinking Arionna isn't smart, however.  At the same time she tested positive with reading issues, Arionna tested at the college level in mathematics.  Arionna figured out multiplication and division on her own, has a grasp of basic algebra, and her knowledge of science is very impressive.

Arionna also volunteers at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Space Odyssey) with Alora and Chance.  Whereas Alora is physically tough, Arionna may be the most mentally strong-willed of the three children, Arionna is often frustrated.  Her dyslexia frustrates her as she tries to read so hard, but just can't do it properly and becomes angry.

Arionna is not afraid to speak in public, something I encourage.  She enjoys riding bikes, hiking, and hugs.

Husband and Wife

Chance

Me, the author of this blog and the teller of tales.  I would like to say I'm a great father, but I am human and so I'm probably as good as I'm going to get.  I have a Bachelors of Science in Aeronautical Engineering and Minor in Mathematics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University.  I hold a CISM (Certified Information Security Manager).  I'm a member of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and Information Systems Audit and Control Authority (ISACA).

I've never worked a day in Aeronautical Engineering in my life, despite that being one of my greatest desires since I was 10 years old and saw the Blue Angels flying A-4 Skyhawks.  Instead, I have been a Software Developer, Project Manager, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Director of (Software) Engineering, Director of Professional Services, Director of Technical Sales, and Computer Security Expert.  I stylize myself as an "IT Hero" as I have used my skills to maintain operations during Natural Disasters, led Crash teams to resolve complex problems, and turn around failing business units.

Currently, I own my own business in computer and software consulting company: MITH Enterprises.  My specialty is keeping information from "exfiltrating out of the organization".  I have assisted amazing organizations, worked with great people and traveled to incredible locales.  My longest voyage was to Australia where I picked up my favorite hat: an Akubra!  My clients have included governments from as small as cities to as large as nations, and businesses ranging in size from small start ups to Fortune 100 companies.  If you want an IT Hero on your side, contact me!

I volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science with my youngest two children.  In the past I volunteered at the Boca Raton Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) as a Team Leader.  I, along with other students from FAU, volunteered business consulting for the Brain Injury Association of Florida (BIAF).

For fun, I take courses from Stanford University, Princeton University, and the University of Michigan.  Some of the Certifications I've earned from these prestigious schools include Game Theory Mathematics and Cryptography.  To truly relax, I play board games on Monday nights with the Denver Gamers.

I like to think I'm funny...fortunately I have children to tell me otherwise.

Marie

The amazing woman who changed my life and whom I don't deserve.  My wife, the love of my life, and the mother of our three children.  We met at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University when I was in my last year and she was in her second.  She was trying for Electrical Engineering, but after a bad experience with Calculus, decided she to switch to teaching.  She took classes at the Yavapai Community College while I finished off my Bachelors.

We ended up in Florida, married, and had Kaylee.  Marie went to school at Florida Atlantic University and holds a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction and a Bachelors in English, but her specialized program permits her to hold teaching certificates for grades 1st-12th without additional coursework.

Marie publishes MacaroniKid-Broomfield and co-publishes MacaroniKid-Arvada/Westminster with her partner, Cara.  The Broomfield site quadrupled in subscribers in just 8 months under her leadership, while the Arvada/Westminster site is relatively new and starting from scratch.

Marie was a weekly regular on Denver's KWGN Channel 2 Daybreak News from October 2011 to March 2012 promoting MacaroniKid and free things to do around town.  When that ended she became part of the Denver Channel 9 Morning News Crew, again promoting MacaroniKid but this time with a monthly craft segment.  Here she is with our youngest two at Channel 9: http://www.9news.com/shows/mornings/261024/229/An-easy-Easter-craft-to-make-with-your-kids

She holds the Technology Teacher position at Broomfield Academy.  Her toughest non-paying job is keeping her husband in line...

Marie's family has a history of volunteer work, and she carries on the tradition.  In Florida, she volunteered with the Boca Raton Police Department's "Citizens On Patrol" and the Boca Raton Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  Throughout her "life as mom" she has donated time to her children's schools as an assistant, teacher's aide, and special programs.  She is a certified car seat technician.  Recently, she performed dry ice experiments for the second grader's at Arionna's school.  She is an advocate for children with learning disabilities, particularly Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.

Marie is active on many social media forums such as "May Moms", "Colorado Moms" and others.  For fun, she and the family go hiking, go to the zoo/museum, or perform experiments in the local parking lots using various household items: such as "mentos/soda powered rocket cars" <-- we gotta do this again in the summer when it's warmer.

Told you she was amazing!