45th Anniversary

We had an exciting weekend. Uncle Ric, Aunt Angie and Cousins Cyrus, Aquila and Zeke joined us to celebrate
Carolyn & Roger's 45th Wedding Anniversary!
We spent most of the weekend in the pool, but did take a brief break to get some family photos made. As you can imagine getting 11 people to look good (5 of them under 10) was quite a challenge. But, I think we got some good pictures and I know we got some fantastic memories.

1st Bike

Well today we decided it was time to get Sky her first bike. So we went to .... Target. As you can see it was her favorite color -- Pink. After Clif assembled the bike and Sky helped pump up the tires, she had a training session in the driveway. Although she had some initial trepidation about riding once she got the feel for it, Sky was off to the races. This evening she rode the bike all the way around our circle (.8 miles).

The Little Mermaid

Sky's favorite part of the new pool at her Nana & Grandpa's house is the creek. She can play in the rocks and running water for hours. With her curly hair and her Tinkerbell swimsuit she is quite the "sprite" or fairy. Parker and his cousins prefer the pool. Although, as you can see Parker does enjoy the novelty of being on the other side of the waterfall. At the pool, Parker spends the majority of his time underwater, so communication requires being prepared to communicate with him concisely during the brief moments he surfaces for air.

Another Skyism

Clif was playing with Sky before school. He held up the Dora the Explorer doll and made her say "Hi, I am Dora the Explorer! Do you like to explore?" Sky replied, "I like to explore my options."

That's Incredible

We've accumulated a lot of plastic cups (mostly at Moe's although I can see a Macaroni Grill and a Red Robin cup in the mix too!). Clif decided to stack them all the other weekend. I count 33 and I think we've added to it since then, plus I'm sure a few were in the dishwasher!

Disney World

We had an AWESOME vacation in Disneyworld. The weather was great everyday. The kids had a great time. Parker's highlights included StarTours and TestTrack (The fastest ride in DisneyWorld!). We were able to watch the Epcot fireworks "Illuminations" every night. Sky managed quite a few rides including Spaceship Earth, Dumbo, Teacups and the classic "Its a Small World" (3 times). She also enjoyed a special "Princess Breakfast". Both the kids were real troopers, staying up late, managing the crowds... One of the best parts was that Clif was able to fly us there in the Cessna. The weather worked out perfectly both ways and we got to Orlando in about 4 hours (compared to a 10 - 12 hour drive). Following is a link to a web album with more pictures. Of course everyone wants to go again soon!

Disney

Very Impressive

Our not so small cat "Tonga" is dwarfed by the pile of laundry a family of four seems to be able to generate almost daily. It is truly incredible!

Also unbelievable is the size of the gala apple we got at Fresh Market (next to a macintosh for comparison)!

Sweet Dreams

While hauling her valentine's "loot" home from school, Sky told Clif she was going to have a good dream tonight.

Clif: What will your dream be about?
Sky: Food!
Clif: What kind of food?
Sky: Yummy foods like strawberries and cantaloupe. Maybe some vegetables too.

Somehow I don't think Parker's good dreams ever involve vegetables!

In this picture, I think Sky had just enjoyed some chocolate cake at our "Princess Ball". The cake was labeled "Yummy, Yummy, So, So!" - another Skyism!

Pink is the New Black & 1st in Flight

Contrary to my suggestion of wearing black pants with her hockey jersey, Sky chose to wear pink pants. She informed us "Pink goes with everything!"

We got up this morning and headed out to the airport. We took off around 9:45 a.m. for First in Flight, the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC. We arrived 90 minutes later! Because of the coastal landscape this trip would have required 6+ hours of driving. The paved landing strip is right next to the memorial. You literally walk off the field then up the hill to the monument. The kids enjoyed exploring the memorial and the small attached museum. Astounding to think about the courage and perseverance of the Wright Brothers. Since it was a sunny, 70 degree January day, we also had a small picnic. I think Clif and I would say our favorite part was the flight. Gorgeous views of the Outer Banks. Sky was a great flyer and watched Blues Clues on the video iPod for part of the trip. What an amazing world!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

We are getting ready for Santa and already have lots of presents under the tree! The kids saw Santa at Enchanted Airlie. This is an annual lighting of some nearby botanic gardens. Sky asked for a "toy baccuum" -- translation: Toy vacuum. She has been very consistent with this. Lest you fear she is falling into gender stereotypes at the tender age of 3, Clif does all the vacuuming in our house! Parker is desperate to get the new Nintendo game system -- the Wii!! But, he has a gift card from last Christmas he is planning to use for this. Consequently he has had trouble finding something to ask Santa for. I think he is hoping for Heelies -- shoes with a skate wheel in back. Sky couldn't keep her eyes off Santa after she saw him.

There was a girl with a curl

There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead;
And when she was good,
She was very,very good,
But when she was bad she was horrid.

Who knew that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow knew Sky?

Pumpkin Patch

We made our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch on October 24th. As you can see - Sky was excited. We selected 1 large pumpkin and 2 small pumpkins. Carving will be happening Sunday. Sky has a Pumpkin in the "science center" in her classroom. The children have formed hypothesis about what is inside the pumpkin. Sky thinks there is candy inside the pumpkin. Some of her classmates have different ideas of what could be inside. Other guesses include: ice cream, marshmallows and ice cream. I think there will be some surprised (and possibly disappointed) 3 year olds when they carve it. 

Balloons!!!

Someone gave Sky a bunch of balloons at the ice rink. What fun! Luckily none of them went "POP"!

Photo Shoot

We went to Portrait Innovations for a photo op today. If you've never done this it is quite an experience. They take approximately 100 pictures in a variety of poses with the digital camera - then they put them up on a LARGE (4'x3'?) flat screen monitor. You go through in groups of 3 and pick the best 1 of 3 - then they put together a package and a price. From there you have to whittle down to a reasonable price. The best thing is you get a cd with all the images. They are low resolution, but look good enough on the screen. See all the pictures at

Portrait Creations

Sky LOVES her Brother -- every day when we drop him off at school she says "There goes my big brother. When I five, I go to school like Parky." Recently she noticed that the kindergardeners are pretty small. I am still convincing her that even though they are little, they are in fact 5 and are not actually kids her age getting away with going to Parky's school. It may be a long 2 years until she goes to kindergarden.

Terrific to be THREE!

We celebrated Sky's birthday at home with a small family party. Then she had cupcakes with her friends at school today. Parker & Clif decorated the cake with a "Dora" theme. She received a Leapster game/learning system, some games, a stuffed pony, a handpainted piggy bank (elephant actually - painted by Parker) and a Playmobil airplane. She is having a terrific time playing with her toys today.


Sky's Stats:
Age: 3 Weight: 28 lbs Height: 37 inches

TROUBLE

If you remember the classic board game "Trouble" you will enjoy Sky's new use for the game pieces!