Tina was in Chicago on business Wednesday and Thursday so it was  father-daughter time.  I was at the Brewer game Tuesday night with my aunt Bonnie when Tina called to inform me that Ali's school was closed on Wednesday.  What were we going to do?  No problem.  I stayed home for the noon show on Wednesday and then brought Ali to work with me in the afternoon after her nap.

She was a gem.  Man was she excited when I told her I was bringing her to my work.  I stopped and got her lunch to eat in the weather center and brought a bunch of books and coloring books.  She wanted nothing to do with her coloring books..she wanted to color on the weather maps like we do.  I gave her a few maps and she was content all afternoon.  It was the cutest thing..or so I thought.

I was nervous when the 4pm newscast started...what would I do with her when I was out in the studio doing weather?  She was just fine sitting at the weather map desk coloring and nibbling on her now cold lunch.  I asked her to stay there and be good while I was gone for 2 minutes.  "OK daddy!"  And she did.  If she did get off the chair, she moves fast and I never knew.

John Malan started to entertain her as well.  He was impressed with her map analysis with the crayons.  She felt like a big girl helping us out.

She did ask to go to the bathroom once during the newscast 3 minutes before I was on...we went fast and I made it to the set in time.   The things you don't know that go on behind the scenes.   I could see the finish line at 4:52.  I only had one more weather left and it was 45 seconds long.  The day was a success and Ali cooperated.  Wait, hold on!

I walk out to the set and Ali decides to follow.  She wanted to see all the lights and cameras.  I am now 30 seconds from being on and Ali is walking toward me.  I begged her to stay where she was and if she was good, I would get her a BIG treat.  Courtny and Charles said you just bribed your daughter.  I said, it works...usually.  Ali's eyes lit up when she heard treat and she said "OK daddy, I stay here."

Yes!  But the second I was on camera she decided to walk by me.  I was hoping the camera was zoomed in enough that the viewers would not see her, but no luck...you could see her blond hair move across the bottom of the screen.  I wanted to say chief meteorologist John Malan was wearing a wig and crawling on the floor, but decided to pick her up and put her on the air.

Check it out.  My daughter is a natural and so cute.  The response from the viewers has been overwhelming.  Thank you.  I was nervous.

http://depository.shadowtv.net/media/273/2008/100/17/17551_273_20080409_175449_79.wmv