Aloha Friends

Sarah's best friend Carmel is moving to Texas today. It's really sad because we've really become friends with the whole family. Carmel's mom Loida teaches at Julia's preK and would do Julia's hair when it was in her face. She's just one of the sweetest people and her dad Frank is one of the friendliest people, always making everyone feel included and providing the kids with many a snack. They have all been dear friends through out the school year and we will really miss them. Luckily they are going to Jersey to see Loida's brother, I asked them if they'd be able to make it out to DC since we would be there in July. They said they could do that because Loida and Carmel have never been and the girls would love to see each other again! We wish them good luck and know it's something they have to try and I know they will do well where ever they go with there generous spirit and amazing little girl. It was really sad yesterday on the way home from their play date because Sarah told me that she feels like she's all alone in a dry desert without Carmel. All we can say is Aloha friends!

Julia Fish

Julia is becoming very comfortable in the water. I remember a few years ago when she barely wanted to get in, then she was ok with the stairs, last year she scaled the walls, and now she has finally become comfortable enough to swim on her own with floaties. A big step, Dann and I were so proud of her for being such a big girl. She said she was going to start swimming on her own when she turned 4 and she did it!

Dann's B-day

I got Dann a BC Burrito for morning breakfast after dropping the girls off at school. These burritos are the most amazing things ever! They put Soyrizo, eggs, fried potatoes, spicy ranch, and hot sauce. For lunch we stopped by the grocery store and picked some stuff up. Then it was time to pick the girls up from school and then we went over to a friends house to swim so the girls could get some energy out and Dann could have some quite time. Then it was time to start dinner which turned out fabulously. He said he wanted Italian so I went on epicurious and found a great recipe; Orzo with Grilled Shrimp(can be substituted w/ garbanzo beans), Summer Vegetables, and Pesto Vinaigrette. Usually I mess up recipes or forget one of the ingredients but this time was fine, the adults loved it, Sarah tolerated it, and Julia ate one shrimp. Then we ate a cake from a box, of course everybody enjoyed that. After the girls were asleep Dann and I watched Modern Family, a good solid birthday all around.

Mammas Day Weekend

We had such a great weekend. Friday I hung out with Sarah for a while for furlough and then she went hiking with her friend Catherine. Sarah had a lot of fun from what she told me;she fell in a stream, saw a toad, and her friend used a banana for fishing bait. Julia and I also had a chance to pick out a princes present,wrapping paper, and a princess card for her friend Ruby's birthday party, the girls played once everyone was home, fought after a while, and then we all relaxed and told stories.
Mom couldn't do a lot today so we went out yesterday after Manoa Falls hike and a kids birthday party we all went out to see Babies. It's the cutest, most beautiful, and interesting documentary ever. The adults and kids were equally captivated. After the movie we ate at The Counter; a really yummy burger joint but the best thing there has to be the sweet potato fries. Grandma said she would definitely come back for the fries again.
This morning everyone in the house went for a hike up Koko Head Trail. It was nice and we topped it off with a humongous breakfast. Then the girls and I went to Duck Island to feed the birds there are mostly pigeons there now though. The pigeons followed us to the car while we were leaving, It was a little Alfred Hitchcockesque. After that we made some juice and the girls made some of their own juice; consisting of strawberry lemonade, cinnamon, almond extract, and bacon fat, I'm just glad they didn't drink the bacon fat. Once I got all of the paraphernalia out of the way they played in their room until there was more fighting than playing. Thats when the books were busted out and then the three of us took a much needed nap and the girls are still napping! I can't believe they are both napping but I'm sure they really needed it after the long weekend.

Very Busy

Hahaione has been keeping everyone very busy this month. Last Friday we had a Potluck and then the Kindergarten class performed 3 songs for the parents, it was so cute. One of the teachers told the kids to make sure they look at there parents so they could get pictures so Sarah stared into our camera the whole time. We just thought she was being loving until she explained why "because a good performer looks into the camera", I love it!
Today we are going to Sarah and Julia's friend Carmels' house for a play date and tonight is Ohana Night at Hahaione; there will be a silent auction, spaghetti plates, and most anticipated cotton candy! Tomorrow we will go to Bishop Museum; there is a special go green event in support of Hawaiian Culture. In the afternoon there will be a Chili Cook-off at Koko Marina and Sarah's friend Carmel will be performing Hula, so I'm sure the girls will be very excited to see that. Next week Friday Julia and her school will be holding a May Day performance, should be very cute and Julia let us know that one of the songs is about a sassy little myna bird! The day after that will be Hahaione Fun Fair, after that I'm thinking things will slow down again. In the meantime it should be a lot of fun!

Sweet Heart

This morning during drop off,Julia's friend Ruby comes up to her so Julia immediately takes off Ruby's socks, puts them in her shoes for her, and then cycles Ruby's legs until they both start laughing. Makes my heart swell; Ruby is "her girl". Julia also has a friend Ryder; is the youngest, has a mohawk, and is Julia's "little cutie". Julia is such a good friend and she has so much love in her, she makes me so proud to be her momma.

No more tantrums please

Sarah had another big tantrum since my last post and Dann handled it the other day, of course it was homework related! I think Dann was traumatized by the whole thing. So after the tantrum my mom told Sarah how it affects everyone in the house. I let Sarah know that it's very disruptive and we all really worry about her when she acts like that. Then I put some classical music and we all settled down. Yesterday I eased up on the homework with Sarah and she did it on her own with the classical music on. I guess she felt more comfortable with doing it once I gave her some breathing room and let her do it on her own. She did great and finished her homework including the homework from the night before that she didn't finish in the midst of the tantrum. It was a very rough week but things are better now. I hope I didn't scare you off from having more Shonna!