Soleil's extra curricular activities

Soleil and Ricky at the Easter Egg Hunt at church.

Checking out the Easter basket that Granny made her.

Trying on gardening gloves..or channeling Michael Jackson.

Strolling around Winter Park with Uncle Tom.

Playing in the fountain with two of her favorite people, Uncle Tom and Aunt Jane.

Send in the reinforcements! Soleil has been swallowed up by a very large lifejacket! This was on a boat tour of the lakes in Winter Park.

Alister and I have been friends since our teens. He lives in Bradenton now with his wife and two daughters. We recently spent a day on the beach together at Anna Maria Island.

Soleil and Kaylee playing Play Doh. Soleil absolutely loves Kaylee and Kaylee is a great role model for her.

Soleil and Daddy gave me breakfast in bed on Mother's Day. As soon as she gave it to me, she looked up with wide eyes and pleaded, "Share, mummy?"

Soleil is taking ballet classes at the YMCA, in a group called Tiny Dancers. They will have a performance at the end of the month.

On Saturday we participated in the MADD Walk (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) here in Tampa. Our team raised over $1500.00 and our county raised over $25,000! "One in three" represents one in every three people will be affected by a drunk driver, over the course of a lifetime. Another sobering statistic...someone is injured or killed by a drunk driver every 30 minutes in this country! Enough is enough!

Soleil and Ricky at the zoo. She is sporting a SNAKE tattoo....she had her choice of many animals and this is what she chose!

An icing extravaganza! Our friend Alister's daughter celebrated her tenth birthday this weekend. We drove down to Bradenton to party!

Eating her first ever ring pop!

Children grow so fast! I am in awe every day of things Soleil does and says.

Here are a few examples:

What dat is? (Bahamian roots coming through)

Skew me (Excuse me)

Bawareeeena (ballerina)

Fire engine-hose-water-fire out

How was your day, mummy? (my favorite)

I love you, tooooooo

Finger popping, finger popping, POP POP

School is coming to a close and we couldn't be happier. We will be spending all summer in The Bahamas this year...feel like it really is a well deserved vacation after all we have been through.

Thank you, God.

Field Day at School

I am sure that this is not what the teachers intended to happen with these cones. Either way, they provided much entertainment!

Soleil, Daddy and Ricky trying to master the walk.

Granny was very brave to get in the bouncy castle.....it was hysterical to watch her try to move around in there!

Granny fell and was attacked by three two year olds!

Who is helping who here?

Fending off a face plant on the bouncy slide.

We just became members of the YMCA and they have a splash pool for the kids. It is nine inches deep and a blast!

Soleil turns two!

Soleil enjoyed the birthday horse ride so much she did it again!

Soleil had a large birthday party this year and she had such fun. The accident threw everything into perspective, including the fact that nothing is guaranteed. Why not celebrate right now?

A very happy birthday girl!

Ricky, the original cowboy in overalls.

Auntie Krissy and others enjoying the day.

Taking in the monkey cake....apparently she approves!

In a cake induced trance....

A close encounter with a rabbit. This is Ashley, a former student and Soleil's babysitter. Soleil loves her!

We did an animal themed party this year so we made monkey cookie favors. I was NOT allowed to do anything except the smile, and even that is a little sketchy.
Auntie Wendy and Nina are the real artists here!

Abaco in March

Soleil at Papa and Nana's house in Abaco...lucky girl!

Papa picking coconuts!

Soleil was lucky to spend time with family, especially Papa's sisters, Margaret and Irene.

Observing Papa "chapping" a coconut. Soleil liked the meat, but not the water!

We did this same picture about a year ago, but wanted to do it again to check the resemblance. Freakish, hey?

The view from a house Papi is designing in
Abaco.

With Nana and Papa, refusing to smile.

Posing with Makayia, Soleil's cousin and Andrew's daugher, in Marsh Harbour.

Trying to teach Phoenix how to smile!

Soleil and Mummy taking in the beautiful water...from afar. It was COLD!

Taken to new heights with Papi.

In a deep late afternoon conversation with Papi.

Papa and Soleil test the water.
Bahamians typically refuse to go in between November and March.












It's a big world out there! Taken from Nana and Papa's deck in Bahama Palm Shores.

We really enjoyed our recent trip to Nassau. We got to spend time with lots of friends and family, some of which are not pictured.
This is Soleil, posing on the seawall with Auntie Missi. The face is courtesy of the bright sun!

Missi and Soleil checking out Nassau Harbour....ready to do some fishinin...

Auntie Missi and Soleil spending some quality time with Mr. Potato, Mr. Carrot and Mr. Corn.

Granny, Uncle Jon, Mummy and Soleil at Twin Brothers, Arawak Cay. Hit this place on the way home from the airport....ready to mash up some conch fritters, grouper fingers and potato salad! Soleil really enjoyed the fritters!

Drinking in the exquisite view!

Playing peekaboo behind the irie curtain.

No, your eyesight is NOT failing you...
Soleil isn't actually in this picture. This was taken at Bob Marley's Resort and Spa in Nassau. I LOVED it there. It is a beautiful spot and I wanted to share it.

Soleil practicing life as a teacher! Scoping out the fish at The Dig in Atlantis...something made Soleil giggle.

Auntie Karen got roped into playing dolls!

Auntie Kristina with Maria and Soleil...she is going to make a great mother some day!

Feeding apples to the Lokie birds.

Face off with the carrot colored flamingos. Soleil tried to stand on one leg, too.

Passed out after a hot day at Ardastra Gardens!