Imagination Factory

Last week, I was "one brave mommy" according to a gal I talked to at HS's school. I am one of those odd moms that thinks a laundry room should be full of play dough, paint, stamps, glue, glitter, and all sorts of paper supplies. It must be from my time teaching kindergarten that has made me want to bring on the contained "mess." LD reaped all the benefits of this insane streak and had a blast playing with play dough for the first time without big brother around.

It was fascinating to see what she did with the play dough. For the most part, she was into "cutting" the farmer's hair and making the cow's hid grow long and purple. She also enjoyed making little eggs for the hen. It kept her giggling and entranced for a good half hour before her hungry belly growled signaling the end to "pway do" and the beginning of "unch!"

Movie & Floats

Celebrating HS's birthday has typically involved a crowd of great friends decending on the house for cake and games. With HS participating in his 1st Reconciliation this year, we were unable to throw a party the weekend directly following his birthday. We all debated what to do this year, until HS had his "aha" moment and declared that he had the "perfect" idea...head to the movies with some friends to see "How to Train Your Dragon." Let me underscore again...I have never taken a birthday celebration away from the house, nor have I set out with a car full of kiddos without having their parents with me, but after previewing the movie, knowing that the kids he was inviting are his best friends, and looking at the pleading eyes of my now "8" year-old, how could a mommy like me resist?


Saturday afternoon, HS's friends came over to the house, piled into the cat bus, and set off for an afternoon of dragons, vikings, popcorn, and soda (each of them sat proudly holding a small soda of sprite) and with smiles from ear to ear they busily chatted about their expectations of this movie while wearing the enormous 3D glasses. The movie began and their attention was drawn straight into the film. I have to say, if you are looking for an adorable movie that is worth every penny you'll spend...this is a fantastic movie!!! Hiccop Horrendous Haddock the III, the lead character, is a jovial, quirky, and loving boy who reminded me very much of my own dear son. The kids loved it and quickly began retelling the story as they sat back in the car to head back to our island.

Afterwards, we headed back home to the house for the singing of the birthday song and celebrating with rootbeer floats (I figured since I was toatally stepping out of the usual for us, I might as well go a step further and not do cake, but go with one of HS's favorite special dessert treats). I felt very sorry for my little guy...with all the excitement of the movie and a killer karate practice, he was exhausted by the time his party was ending and also had a temp of 102 so he let LD eat his float and will partake in another later this week.

Did HS feel like he celebrated his 8th birthday you might ask? It just so happens that when I tucked him in, he gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, "thanks for a perfect party! I loved it, mommy." So, there you have it...movie and floats rang in his 8th year!

NOTE: HS felt much better after taking a nap and then relaxing during Saturday evening. No fever present by the time he woke up on Sunday. What can I say...he takes after his mommy...to much excitement + emotional overload = body crash.

A few things I learned:
1. Taking a group of kids to the movie is a riot!
2. Conversations in the car are much more fun with a slew of kiddos
3. The limitless popcorn and bottomless 2 large drinks is plenty for four kids and akin to purchasing off the "dollar" menu... much smarter than purchasing individual kid popcorn deals...
4. Sometimes leaving a party in the hands of your child produces the best parties!

Harmonic Sounds

Everybody should have his personal sounds to listen for - sounds that will make him exhilarated and alive or quiet and calm.

~Andre Kostelanetz

I'm waiting for HS to return home from another busy day of 2nd grade. He has more homework and projects at his age than I ever remember even having when I was in later elementary years. LD is enjoying her afternoon snooze and Kendo is enjoying his window perch overlooking the bird feeder...no doubt enraptured by the thought of hunting one. I am just sitting and relishing in the sounds of a quiet house. The fact that I am sitting here without my daily jolt of afternoon cawfee is making me also think for a minute about all the sounds that I adore right now:

~ the distinct sound of geckos "clicking" with one another from their homes in the
potted palms, ginger, and hibiscus on our lanai.
~ morning and afternoon visits from the cardinals who frequent our feeder.
~ giggles from LD when I "tickle bug" her belly.
~ the sound of happy boys playing in the garage.
~ HH's heartbeat when I snuggle up in the evenings to watch a movie.
~ the lull of Kendo's purr early in the mornings ensuring that I will hit the snooze
button at least three times.
~ birds singing and chirping as they fly in the Hawaiian skies and stop for a snack at our feeder.
~ the distinct gong of our New England windchime as the tradewinds blow through the
lanai reminding me of all I love of New England; especially the harbor bells.
~ the gurgle of my cawfee maker letting me know that my afternoon can begin.

Forgive Me Father...

for I have sinned. This is my 1st Reconciliation.





Watching HS today brought tears of joy and saddness...I am so happy that he is on his journey into learning and participating more in the Catholic community. Today marked his 1st steps into the Catholic faith by completing the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He was worried, but sat down in front of the Priest and began.

As we sat watching him so serious and solemn, our joyful tears turned slowly into a personal reflection of our saddness that childhood flies sometimes more quickly than a bird taking flight from a crouching cat. We realize that with each day, HS grows more into a young man and thankfully, full of love of life and his God. He lit his candle with his school principal and HH. We then processed down the aisle behind him. HS focused on the altar and held his head high so full of confidence and conviction. As he knelt in front of the altar praying, I am sure that those same nerves of speaking to the priest had flown away with the flickering of the candle.

Next will be his 1st Eucharist...please someone remind me to bring my tissues!

Time to Celebrate...

HS is EIGHT!

Eight wonderful years of enjoying HS's...

8. truckloads of imagination
7. constant "war games" in which he protects us from all danger
6. karate kicks
5. family hikes, beach outings, and travel adventures
4. school milestones that constantly show his determination and intelligence
3. first smiles that have become the glowing smile he has today
2. snuggle time chats and popcorn snacks
1. hugs that make our days bright and tender kisses on the cheek that make us
thrilled to be your parents!

We can't wait for what your 8th year has in store for you! Continue to be the wonderful free spirit so full of imagination and drive that you are and never forget how much you are loved!

Tiaras & Outings

LD has officially declared wearing a tiara on her head akin to wearing a bow, headband, or *gasp* not wearing anything in her hair to keep it out of her eyes. We've been to the commissary, HS's school ("is she really going to wear that on her head? Again " asked HS after having her wear it for the past four consecutive day), to the library, Music Together, the public bathroom, virtually everywhere.


In the morning, after changing her diaper and putting on her clothes for the day, she glances towards the shelves holding her precious plastic tiaras and then gleams from ear to ear as she points a chubby finger and states, "my peee-ar-a, mommy...puwh-ee-se." Waking up from naptimes we go through the same ritual. She is addicted. Officially and utterly addicted. So, we go with the fashion craze. Who knows how long it will last, but for now, those tiaras make her even more adorable!


After all, every princess needs a tiara...even if its made of plastic with brightly colored gems glued onto each point.

Pass the Flame

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.
~Anna Quindlen

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.
~Walt Disney

HS has turned another leaf in his reading enjoyment. He has always been a soul who adored being read to when he was little. Then he found the power behind reading for himself. Now, he has discovered the enjoyment of passing his love of reading to his sister. He will read to her while waiting to go on an outing, he'll pick up one of her books to help console her when she is upset, and yes, the one that pulls at each and every one of my heartstrings: he'll read to her before nap time and bedtime.

To say that LD enjoys these precious moments would be an understatement. She looks forward to him snuggling up in the rocking chair and letting the books come to life with his style of reading and the energy he puts into reading to her. She points at the pages, he'll ask her questions. They giggle, they glance at each other smiling. HH and I are merely on the sidelines during these moments. The days that they fuss and fume over trivial things is at hand, the day when HS leaves us for college will be here before we blink.

However, there is another special constant: the time they spend reading together will imprint on their minds as being some of the best moments shared moments of their childhood. Read HS...spin that web around your dear sister and help inspire her own love of books. She'll thank you for that in folds...after she "arranges" your Lego base, of course!

Evolution

ev·o·lu·tion (v-lshn, v-) n.

1. A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.

2. a. The process of developing. b. Gradual development.

Pinewood Derby. Two words that stir up the hearts and souls of eager Cub Scouters and dads across the globe. The energy begins from the time the box containing that precious block of pine and four basic black wheels is placed into the sweaty clutches of a 7 1/2 year old; the dawning on a new age of buiding creativity ensues. Stand back. The amount of creativity, hard-work, and patience needed to build this feat of Cub Scout engineering just may cause sparks to fly! What follows, is the true story behind the evolution of HS's 2010 Pinewood Derby Car.

From an hour spent with HH at the wood hobby shop on Hickam AFB, this became...

a car that beckons to be turned into a 7 1/2-year olds dream derby car!

Using the dremil at home and going with HH to the wood hobby shop ensured that HS felt like he was growing up and able to handle a little more of the care needed to build his car.

The fine art of spray painting was in full spring in our backyard...HS made us laugh with his goggles, focus, and care to detail.

The paint has been applied...now on to the touches that will turn this car into HS's dream of speed and grace!

HS painting on the final touch to his Pinewood Derby car. He had been talking about that stripe almost incessently as he made sure during the construction that all his design ideas were heard.

The many hours of working on this car has turned a block of everyday pine into this year's car...GOLD STREAK!

LD can't help but stand in awe along with the rest of us!

The day dawns on Pinewood Derby day and as the cars are brought in from "inspection" and placed in the "pit" near the track, you can't help but stand back and say, "WOW!" Creativity goes hand and hand with this time honored tradition. Dads pat their sons on the back and if you're like me, you'll shed a tear or two as you watch faces so full of pride in what their sons have accomplished.

When HS took Gold Streak from the pit for its first time down the track you could tell the nerves were going. When I asked HS what he was thinking at this moment, he replied: "I prayed that it would go fast!"

Gold Streak's first heat of 11. How-wwww-ll!

Gold Streak attempted to showcase how much power it had...in the end, it showed that it could take itself up to speeds of 170mph. Each heat it continually proved its capabilities by either taking a 2nd or 3rd place finish. The design team of this car proved that they could come in 1st in sportsmanship. All the Scouts proved that point during the race. It's not easy to watch your dream lose to someone else's car, but if that Scout can turn to another and say "good race" and shake their hand, then another kind of victory has been won.

The joy these two had bonding over building this car was phenomenal to witness from the sidelines. They laughed, the fumed, they put their heads together to solve problems. In the end, this car gave them another memory to share.

Gold Streak allowed us to glimpse a piece of HS's thoughts and dreams. We hope he was as pleased as we were to watch it speed down the track. Sometimes, it's not about the actually win of the race, but what kind of heart was put into that race.

Tsunami Takes

I'm dreaming peacefully and ever so thrilled to be cuddled up in the bed with Kendo kitty snoring beside of me. It's Saturday after all...a day for snoozing and recovering from staying up way to late watching the Olympics. My bliss would end with hearing an odd echoing announcement that I couldn't deny being a military announcement. Although I did try to tune it out for a moment until I could clearly make out the following: "all water areas around Pearl Harbor are off limits, stay indoors, the bridge..." then it went to a incomprehensible ricocheting sound. The phone rang right after the silence of hearing what would be happening to the bridge.

"Hello?" I spoke groggily into the phone.
"SQ, the bridge is closing at 0830. A tsunami is heading this way...y'all need to get out of the house."
My heartbeat quickened as I tried to wipe the sleep from my eyes.
Tsunami? Earthquake? Bridge closure? What in the world did I wake up to?

I hung up the phone and just as I began to shout to HH, the phone rang again. This time it was from another friend on island and her message was pretty akin to the previous one. I hung up in disbelief.

"Ummmm...honey....what's going on?" I inquired.
"There's been an earthquake in Chile...we have the potential of being hit by a tsunami. Pack a few items and let's get to higher ground."
Good grief. It's not a dream.

Pack? The moment that everyone dreads in an emergency state was happening to us. Although we knew that the threat more than likely wouldn't amount to anything, it is still the issue that you must take stock of what is truly important enough to leave the house in your hands.

So, what did I take? LD, HS, HH, our personal affairs folders, set of clothes for each family member, diapers, tooth brushes and toothpaste, laptop, external hard drive full of pictures, and one nervous kitty.

By the time we arrived to our friend's home on slightly higher ground, Kendo had already foamed at the mouth, vomited, urinated, and was on his way to having a full out nervous breakdown.

Our tsunami party was great fun. We all joked that we've wanted to get together for dinner for the past couple of months. The threat of a tsunami brought us all together for an awesome day of laughs and eating. For one clan member, the relief of being carried back into his home would find him snoring on the sofa, happy that he was a tsunami take, but relieved that he could stop foaming.

Note: Although we found out later that yes, the bridge was secured but that we were not in the evacuation zone, we are still nonetheless, glad that we have been able to prove to ourselves that in a state of emergency, we could depart this hale in less than 30 minutes. Let's just hope we won't be proving our efficiency anytime soon.