Christopher the Race Car

Puppet Shows and Sink Baths

Danielle, Naomi and Jenny came over to visit last week. Naomi entertained us with one of her famous puppet shows, this time starring the Lizard Brothers.

Danielle, as always, LOVED Naomi's performance.

Next, Danielle did a little performance of her own, with her favorite Pez dispenser.

Next day, the twosome came back to spend the night, and so Danielle got to enjoy an official Mimi and Pa's sink bath.

Naomi patiently waited her turn... for a while.

After baths, we had play time. Danielle did some block work.

Applemania

We happened to be in Stonebrier Mall on June 24 - the day of the iPhone 4 release.

When we looked in the Apple store, we saw a hoard of people (not yet realizing what was going on.)

The we noticed a queue set up outside the door. When we asked the friendly guards (yes, guards) who were standing by, we learned that these people had been lined up since 7AM, waiting to purchase the iPhones they had reserved in advanced.

Even more amazing was the queue of despondent looking people on the other side of the door, who were waiting in hopes that someone would fail to show up to buy their reserved phone, and they might have a chance to buy one.

Then we strolled down the mall. This is a view from the end of the queue. The Apple store (and head of the line) is all the way at the far end of the view. Apple Store people were strolling up and down the line, making sure the doorways were not being blocked, and keeping morale up.

There were hundreds of people patiently waiting.

Amazing!!

Hornucopia 2010

When we arrived on Saturday, the first order of business was to check out the dock on the bay.

Christopher just enjoyed his feet.

Mark found a quiet spot.

The later, the quieter...

The next order of business was Mexican Food.

Watching videos was high on the list, too.

As was sitting and talking.

There was lots of smiling.

The proper sequence and arrangement for garbage collection required a lot of analysis and discussion; in the end, it worked out ok.

Tickling and giggling occurred.

As did Wii 100 pin bowling.

There was rambunctious play...

And imitation stern looks.

As well as not so stern.

Some required lots of  equipment.

Much food was prepared, and eaten.

Jet skiing was a surprise birthday treat!

We were just going along, and all of a sudden everyone was in the water...!

We went to see some sights, including the Pensacola lighthouse and museum.

167 steps to the top...

The first order fresnel lens was an impressive sight.

You could see the Naval Air Museum.

Which, after climbing down 167 steps ...

... we enjoyed visiting.

Including the statues of carrier deck crewmen out front.

Later, there was a final jetski excursion.

This was the best Hornucopia ever!

Research Buzzard

(A discussion Mark and I had reminded me of this.)

I had an aerodynamics prof who studied soaring flight early in his career. He captured a baby buzzard and domesticated it with the idea of getting it to fly in a wind tunnel. But lacking any adult buzzard examples, he said it preferred to walk everywhere, and had to be taught to fly by holding its wings and flapping them up and down. The buzzard eventually learned to fly, but by strenuous flapping.

However, one day while out flying it accidentally engaged a sort of energy-saving lock mechanism buzzards have in their wing structure, and it soared off in one direction never to be seen again.

At least, that was his story...

Boys At Townville Lake House

On our last visit, we stayed at a rent house near Townville, SC. John and Christopher spent some time with us there.
John made up stories using the refrigerator magnets that were at the house.
He also found a use for the extra chip bag clip...
There was a lot of digging to do out in the yard.
Christopher mostly watched.
Back in Clemson, John demonstrated his bicycling skills. He is getting quite good.

Baby In a Box

Mimi was cleaning out the garage and shed.
Danielle thought it looked like a lot of fun.
So she got in on the action.
Fortunately, she didn't go all the way to the donation center. She did a few 'laying on her stomach' tricks for us.