Coral Reef Park in Miami

Strike a pose, there's nothing to it.

This park had such futuristic looking equipment AND everything frightened me!

Soleil-our wish come true.

Daddy, Soleil and some friends rode on this spaceship type ride. I was the work horse, pushing it to spin. And, I have to admit, that was my decision because anything that spins scares me!

Uh, I see three of every thing. These chairs were like something out of space...

Wait, Daddy! I'll save you! Not sure who enjoyed these dangerous chairs more....





We recently took Soleil to Coral Reef Park in Miami. It was voted one of the best parks in the US by Parenting Magazine and it is easy to see why. We were in Miami to visit Soleil's Uncle Andrew. Soleil and her uncle spent some quality time together, and are anxious to see each other again soon.

Soleil's Halloween!

Two heads are always better than one! While this picture is adorable, it is extremely rare. Especially because these two are seldom still and Soleil usually alternates between loving Ricky and using him as her personal punching bag!

Birthday boy Brody, who turned one on Halloween!

Peanut Butter and Jelly diving head first into Brody's frog pool.

Mr.Not-So-Happy Peanut Butter (aka Ricky)

Soleil's debut as grape jelly. I'm proud to say she takes after her mother and kept loading her Elmo bucket full of candy. We actually had to stop her from taking every candy in the container!

This is us trick or treating in our neighborhood. This is before we got any candy.....she was much happier AFTER she got candy.

Soleil's Welch's lid...Darrin made everything for the costume from scratch.

Ms. Grape Jelly. Soleil didn't quite grasp the whole concept and actually started giving people candy out of her container!!

A big girl and her little pumpkin!

Soleil's just-my-size decorated pumpkin!

We took Soleil trick-or-treating for the first time this year! It was SO much fun. She dressed as grape jelly and Ricky was supposed to be peanut butter. Unfortunately, he got sick and Soleil had to go solo.

What do the beach, zoo and parks have in common? SOLEIL!

Last weekend we took Soleil on a five mile bike ride through the Dead River park. She really enjoyed herself, especially pinching Daddy as he rode. A slight hitch: Mummy wiped out and took Soleil with her. While Soleil was fine, Mummy has the scrapes and bruises as reminders. Falling down at 33? NOT so cute!

Biking on Dead River trail.

Soleil and Papi at the zoo, checking out her favorite animal, a giraffe.

We headed to Clearwater Beach a couple of weeks ago. As a Bahamian, every time I go there, I wonder out loud how it got its name...It isn't clear!

Yay! I found a shell!

Concentrating...

Shelling! This gal loves to go shelling!

Daddy, Soleil and Papi at Owen's first birthday party. Papi might just be Soleil's favorite person right now...she talks about him daily and looks in his room for him.

Now, admittedly, I am a terrible artist. However, isn't the paint supposed to be ON the paper?

Soleil and Ricky taking a bath...I think this may be blackmail material later!

Soleil is talking nonstop now that she is in school. She really seems to enjoy school and looks forward to going every day. Here are some of her favorite words:

No way! (finger pointed for emphasis)

Walk

Boat/Goat

Barbara (neighborhood donkey)

Water (loves it!)

Caca( I laugh every time)

Please

Sit (she makes you sit down-future teacher)

Mommy/Da-eeeee(when asked her name, she responds, MINE!)

Stay posted....Soleil's first Halloween costume coming soon.

Soleil in September

One island gal. Ya'll wan' ya hair braided? Shrow me one piece a straw...I coul' plait, ya know!

Studying chalk intensely.

Sharing love and a laugh with Daddy.

Ricky and Soleil at Jovany's birthday party. Where were these kiddie pools when I was a kid?

Enjoying a popsicle at Ricky's house.

Trying out a tot bench on Anna Maria Island.

A Very Busy August!

This picture is priceless! Each expression is worth a thousand words! Ricky has no clue what is happening, David is becoming one with the bat, and Soleil is sporting the deer-in-the-headlights look! It's a classic!

Soleil and David, Ricky's adorable cousin, checking out the huge fish at the zoo.

Trying to navigate the goldfish fountain at the zoo. These things are made to be climbed on....

Soleil and Bella, who might be up for the most tolerant dog on the planet award. Soleil constantly chases her around the house, sits on her and rams into her with her stroller. And yet, Bella loves her! Dogs really do live in the moment!

Granny is visiting from Nassau for two months and Soleil basks in all the attention!

Soleil has learned to smile on demand and this, folks, is the result!

Soleil started school on August 18th at First Baptist Church of Brandon. The transition was very difficult for her, but she LOVES it now. Plus, her best friend, Ricky, is in her class. The transition was equally difficult for me. I miss her terribly! But, it does have great benefits. Soleil talks all the time now and has better social skills (read: not clobbering her friends as much!).

My two aunts, Hazel and Jeannie, are visiting from Scotland and we are having so much fun with them. This is in Plant City, sitting on the Strawberry Throne. Beware future visitors- this is a rite of passage if you visit us!

What's that? There's a hole in my boat, you say? Dear Liza....

Posing for a family photo in one broke-up boat on the shore.

The family eating sea grapes off the tree, in the parking lot of the restaurant. You can't take Bahamians anywhere...

Granny and Soleil went down the slide together....then needed to be extracted!

The day at Anna Maria Island/Ellenton proved to be way too much fun. Soleil, Elmo and Dora passed out on the way home!

Soleil at Babytime

Some of the crew: Michaela, Brody, Ricky and Soleil enjoying Babytime at the library. We have so enjoyed this program of stories and songs.

Wait, everyone avoid eye contact! Now!

This is Ricky, practicing his non-confrontational face. He has become allergic to me lately and this is his reaction to me taking his photo. He and Soleil still love each other, and will be in the same class beginning on Aug. 18th.

Granny reading nursery rhymes to David and Soleil. David has the broom just in case there are any messes he needs to clean up!

Raindrops are falling on my head!

It has been raining here A LOT! I mean A LOT. Today we decided to take advantage and play in it! Soleil loved it!

Thank you, God, for the rain!

Whoa, that is wet and cold!

Bahamians everywhere are shuddering at the fact that we let Soleil play in the rain. Contrary to popular belief, she did not catch a head cold! She did catch a case of the giggles,though.