5 Favorites From My Childhood:

Turtles and Pizza were one of my favorite combinations as a kid.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

• I had 3 male cousins who were the same age as me. That makes 4 of us and 4 turtles. Holidays were fun when we all received the same gift in a different color since we all had our own turtle. I was the purple one, otherwise known as Donatello. He was the smart one. I had so many turtle toys I couldn’t keep track of them. Together, my cousins and I would eat pizza as the turtles did, watch the movies, cartoons, and play with our turtle toys during the shows. Today we still get together, eat pizza, watch sports, and talk about the good `ol days when we were kids. Cowabunga!

 2.      Tractors and Farming

During my childhood I grew up on a farm. Therefore, metal tractor toys were a treasure as a kid. I enjoyed playing with these tractors and riding the real ones when farming with my Grandpa. One of my most treasured memories from my childhood was riding on my Grandpa`s lap while farming together on the tractors or combines he used. During this time, we would chew double-mint gum and he would tell me old wise tales and jokes. Almost 20 years later, Grandpa still carries his double mint gum everywhere he goes and everytime I see him I receive a piece of gum followed with an entertaining story.

3.      Sports:

As a kid, there were three teams who had my three favorite players. The 49ers with Steve Young, the Cincinnati Reds with Barry Larkin, and the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan.  I would play basketball and football in the yard with my dad, imagining that I was making the game winning shot, hitting the game winning home run, or catching the game winning touchdown. This carried on as I grew up with dad coaching me in many sporting events. We often talk more about sports than anything else still today… especially when his New York Giants are playing my 49ers.

4.      Music:

Garth Brooks and Michael Jackson. As a kid I was notorious for my Michael Jackson dance moves and my Garth Brooks vocals. Also, the song “Wild Thing” by the Troggs was my favorite song to both sing and dance to. Today, I still enjoy some good music and some karaoke nights out with friends and family.

5.      Food:

Pot roast is still my favorite meal today.