My How You've Grown

Eli had his 5 year well-check last week and my how he has grown! He measured 43 inches tall and weighed in at 36 pounds.

Eli is a fun loving, silly little man. He can't sit still for longer than a few minutes, he and Conor and Jude are always hunting for vampires and ghosts around the house. He loves to use flashlights for this purpose. He also loves a water hose, I never have to wonder if my plants and dogs have been watered. Eli dislikes blood (I mean really dislikes it) and needle shots. My big man still manages to creep into my bed every single night and somehow positions himself between me and Brett and then turns horizontal. Chapel is his best friend. Angry Birds on the iPad is his current favorite game and he really likes the songs "Ghostbusters" and "Werewolves of London." And of course, his final favorites - anything super-hero related and a McDonald's Happy Meal. It's even better when these two are combined!

Through the years....

Eli was born on his actual due date, April 18th. Not many can boast that fact!

First Christmas card photo - a Folly Jolly Christmas.

Turning 1.

One of my all time favorite pics of Brett and Eli.

I was about 7 months pregnant with the twins in this picture and Eli had just turned 2.

Ringing in the New Year

at the Grove Park Inn.

Showing his softer side.....

Sweet but a bit mischievous - personality captured perfectly here.

Eli really looks forward to planning his outfit for halloween every year.

This kid does not mind chilly water temperatures. No suit, no problem. Many of our walks turn into polar bear plunges.

Goofing off on a field trip.

And finally, at circus camp last week. Which he alternately loved and hated, depending on the day.

Indoor Camping

We have spent all day in the sun! Between marsh camp, our neighbor's pool and a trip to the beach my kids needed an indoor activity that did not include 105 degree temperatures. Enter mom's resourcefulness and we are having a campout indoors. What better movie to watch than a spooky camp scare Scooby Doo?

Eli must think this is a nudist camp - he refuses to put on his pj's.

Conor and Jude hanging on to the thermos of (can you guess)???

....chocolate milk! The kids are having a blast - and no longer suffering from heat exhaustion is pretty cool too!

And even cooler - flashlights in the tent. Kids think there is something magical about a flashlight.

A Good Reason for Cake

While shopping at Whole Foods yesterday and eyeing the delicious cakes, Chapel reminded me that today, June 20th, was none other than Franklin's 11th birthday. A dog that old deserves a cake, right? Franklin was my first baby and before I had kids, I would send out handmade invitations and have birthday parties for him - he even has his own scrapbook! Some days, I think Franklin is on his last leg, he's not as quick as he once was, his eyes are a little cloudy, and he seems grouchy now and again, but then'll he see a squirrel or small niblet of food and that old familiar spryness returns. Our kids love him, and he really is an excellent pet. So G.H. Franklin Barker, we wish you a very happy birthday. Hope you enjoyed the cake!

The kids getting ready for the much anticipated party. Notice Reese has arrived!

Singing Franklin his birthday song.

And letting him lick the icing. Note to my mother and Brett's mom, Franklin DID NOT eat his cake at the table. He went out on the front porch... This was just a great photo op!

Garden City Vacay

Spending five days of vacation in your hometown may sound boring to most, but when you grow up 15 miles outside of Myrtle Beach, going home is never dull. The great part about visiting for us is that we have access to a family beach house in Garden City free of charge and can spend our money on the awesome tourist activities that attract thousand of visitors to the Grand Strand summer after summer. The kids always have a blast with their grandparents and cousins and the family attractions.

We took our kayak and used Ed's dock to spend some quiet paddling time on the inlet. Both beautiful and peaceful, the kids loved being out on the water.

Captain Hook's was a favorite for putt putt when we lived at the beach and did not disappoint the kiddos.

Jude was deemed the winner, his determination and concentration won him first place, despite not keeping score.

Dining is always fun on the Grand Strand. Where else do you see a large crab atop a van? Only at Crabby Mike's.

Although the wait for a table was an hour (!) it seemed to whizz by as the party in the parking lot took our full attention. Live DJ, hula hooping, dancing.....

I showed Eli the basics of hula hooping and he was a natural.

Temporary tattoos were also on hand to keep the kids busy. Conor sporting her pink butterfly.

And Jude showing off his pirate body art.

Once inside the kids enjoyed making their plates and especially were fond of the dessert bar.

PaPa Dan Dan surprised us with tickets to the new dinner theater show, Pirates Voyage. It was awesome, we had front row seats and the kids were beyond excited to see a real pirate show.

Chapel and I were chosen to participate in the show! Both nervous, we listened carefully to our instructions and helped our team defeat the opponents. Because dinner theater is all about you vs. them.

Eli showing his support for the blue pirate team.

I had not visited Brookgreen Gardens in years and forgot how great it is for kids. The zoo was our favorite and most of the animals were out and about despite the heat.

Famous for their statues, Conor took the opportunity to stand in front of each one she came across and demand a photograph.

Needing a break from the heat, we hit the Coastal Grand mall where we found this cool ride. Do I need to tell you the importance of finding a real Mystery Machine when you are 3 years old?

And finally, we won big at both the arcade and Guess Your Age booth. Chapel had seen one of these booths on an Olivia cartoon and insisted on visiting. She was so very proud of her pink dolphin and red I LOVE YOU pillow.

And there you have our vacation in your (home) town! It is so nice to go back and visit and share it with your kids.....

Piers & Pirates

The annual Take A Kid Fishing Day was again a hit with the Barker Family. It was incredibly hot but the kids were not deterred, they were determined to catch a fish. The cool thing about this sponsored event is that the Fishing Club members provide bait, get your pole ready to fish, and give away prizes that include gear and a bicycle!

Jude started the tournament optimistic that he would catch a big fish.

But he was soon distracted by just about everything else on the pier so he handing over his tiny fishing pole to PaPa Ed - who just knew he was going to catch something on this little rod.

But as fate would have it, the fish were not biting and Chapel reeled in the lone fish we caught all day! We were all so proud of that fish...

.

....you would have never known it only weighed 3oz's by the smiles on our faces.

Conor and Jude needed a break after all the fish catching action.

And finally, we attended the awards and the kids were photographed with the group of participants and sponsors. Jude chose not to be photographed.

However, Miss Conor Barker took her place front and center, despite not having participated in the slightest.

And you may be asking yourself why Eli is not pictured above. Well, he had a much more important affair to attend - a pirate themed party for his friend Jack. The party boarded at the marina and sailed around the harbor. The boys sang pirate songs, ate cupcakes and got some awesome treasure to bring home.

Seriously, who would not have fun at a party with this overly realistic Captain Jack Sparrow. Is that not a cool pirate?