Balancing Act

Clif likes to keep the kids in training for the Cirque de Soliel - -just as a back-up career plan!

Sky The Strong!

Sky and Parker each had a marvelous time at Bald Head Island over the weekend. Parker's last day of school was Friday-- he is now a 3rd Grader!!! We headed to the island immediately. Our condo complex was filled with boys Parker's age this weekend so he had an awesome time. After discovering that his digital camera can film movies, Parker ran around directing the action for about 5 kids for 6 scenes of a "Cops & Robbers Movie" until the memory ran out on his camera. A young Spielberg or Lucas? Then they played at the beach (making sand civilizations) and at the pool. As you can see -- Sky is getting very strong and can wrestle with her big brother.

Beauty and the Joker

All I wanted was a nice picture of the two children together at the beach. Is that too much to ask? Anyway - I wound up with this and a series of shots of Sky pushing Parker. Wish me luck as I try again next weekend.

Sand Hole

I am of the belief all kids really need for a good time at the beach is a shovel, a hole and some water. Fortunately Clif dug this large one for them. We've already broken one beach shovel this summer - I think I may by a garden one next time! We considered leaving Sky in the hole while we took a walk on the beach, but thought the better of it and took her with us. Although Sky has only a few words, she can make her meaning clear. When she is ready to leave the beach she will give me my shoes, put her shoes on and begin walking toward the golf cart. Nothing will convince her to stay.

Watermelon Gal

Don't you love Sky's new swimsuit? Her hair gets really curly at the beach with the salt air and humidity.

Tiny Dancer

Sky has new tutu her Grandad Kay sent. She thinks she is hot stuff in this outfit. As you can see, unless I want her to be a topless dancer, I have to work on getting the leotard on at the same time! She can say her name now -- it comes out "KI" or "KI-S". She is also enjoying Bob the Builder videos - she calls him "Bob Bob". Other Sky words include most animal sounds, Bye, Bye, "Parkee", "Mama", "Dada", "pacis" (pacifier) and now and then a few others. She also has learned to curl her tongue and developed a taste for Brie (which as a soft cheese I am not sure is approved for the under 2 set).

Airshow Clif, Parker and Roger spent Sunday April 17 at the Coastal Carolina Airshow. The weather was perfect and they got to see lots of cool things including a performance by the Blue Angels, a sport bike show, wing walkers and lots of planes. Parker's highlight was seeing inside all of the different types of military aircraft. Clif said it was a true dad moment when he was inside a military transport without windows as the Blue Angels flew over!

When the airshow is in town the Blue Angels fly around stirring up the excitement. We were standing in front of the house when they went right over the driveway. Sky was very excited and kept pointing at the sky, waving and shouting "bye-bye"! The noise did not phase her.

Chef Barbie

Chef Barbie Anyone?
Well we bought Sky the stereotypical girl toy - a kitchen. She loves it - putting the food in the oven, microwave, stove.... As a modern kitchen it is quite entertaining and can recognize the different foods you use with it -- (broccoli, potatoes, rolls, turkey) via a smart chip embedded in the plastic. Parker enjoys playing kitchen with Sky too. He even wore the chef hat for a little bit - until he realized it said "Barbie" on it!
p.s. don't worry - Sky doesn't always cook in her "underwear"

Scooter Gal

Parker & his friend Max can spend hours scootering in the driveway. They've declared Sky their mascot. She does have to be careful when they are flying around. Last week she was hit in the head by a hockey stick. Luckily she is a tough cookie! The sunglasses are a new look she is trying out for summer.

Spring

I just love this picture of Sky.

Self Portrait

This is a self portrait Parker made in art class. It is displayed in the hall at his school.

Julia?

Sky - who usually rebels at wearing hats, decided she likes to wear Parker's hat. We think she looks like Julia Roberts going incognito...

Big Shoes & a Fort !!
We spent the weekend at Bald Head. Sunday we each found a sand dollar on the beach! As you can see Sky continues to enjoy wearing grown-up shoes. She can manouever quite well in them. She particularly likes Parker's shoes and Clif's running shoes. It has made locating our shoes a little more challenging as she abandons them at will. The bottom picture is a fort Clif made for Parker (who is inside the fort) - naturally Sky was obsessed with attacking the fort!

Little China Girl 2

Sky checks out her shoes (also made in China brought to us via Target). Notice Hello Kitty doll - a gift from E. Bunny. Karen forgot to take the camera to the island, but envision a rainy day with baskets cleverly hidden in the condo by the Easter Bunny. (We think he used magic to take the ferry over during the night). Chocolate, some arts and crafts and a comic book for Parker were highlights of his annual visit. Sky's favorite item was the plastic eggs which she hoarded to stash in her purse.

Our Little China Girl

Grandad Kay brought this lovely silk outfit back for Sky from China. She is adorable in it and very comfortable. She successfully navigated Easter Dinner at Nana's with no major stains in this outfit. She enjoyed a meal of blueberries, tomatoes, peas and green beans. The rest of us enjoyed crown pork roast, spinach souffle and stuffing.

If the shoe fits...

Sky's current "hobby" is trying on BIG people's shoes. Maybe that will make her BIG too? In this photo she is wearing Parker's friend Max's shoes (actually they are bigger than Karen's). Because she usually wears the shoes around the house for a bit before they become to cumbersome and she abandons them, locating one's shoes has become quite a challenge in our household.

Motorcycle Chick!

Sky practiced sitting on Dad's motorcycle while wearing the big motorcycle glove!

Pony Tail Time

We finished off the weekend with 75 and sunny! However, today is 45 and rain. Sky tried a pony tail for the first time - it was a little painful getting it in, but doesn't it look cute? Parker spent the day running around with his friend Max and having watergun battles.

Myrtle Beach Aquarium

Ripley's Myrtle Beach Aquarium was a family hit. Sky was enchanted by all the fish (one of her words). However after an hour the peaceful music and darkness made her pretty sleepy. Parker introduced us to the Titanic exhibit which is new - he went with his class last year. They do a good job of displaying a lot of information. The sawfish, sharks and stingrays were also fantastic.

Sky - That's My Ball!

Sky - That's My Ball!