I've spent so much time procrastinating blogging our trip that I'm starting to miss out on a lot of everyday things. Like the fact that the boys are trying to earn their "blue star" for Taekwando as well as fill their charts to earn money for Disneyland and reply to everything I ask with, "Yes Mam!" and off they run. It's been stupendous and hope they make a habit of it. I definitely consider Taekwando to be a worthwhile investment!
Or the funny sayings like Brayden taking a bite of dinner last night, sitting back, savoring and then saying in a heveanly tone, "SPLENDID!!!" (Don't know where he learned that word)
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after dinner tonight Tavita running up to me and says (while making his hands a mouth for his tummy) "My tummy says, 'thanks for dinner'" then runs of again
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Kalei refusing to lay claim to the bombs in her diaper. When asked if she's stinky she replies, "No, Bowzer stinky" then gives him a nice hard look like "How dare you"
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Our activities like our fun Valentines Day. Junior and I have never made much fuss over Valentines and went out the Friday before. So the actual "Day of Love" was spent celebrating the love of family and friends. We had a fun breakfast of pink heart pancakes. Had all the other deprived children that had to watch their siblings and friends run off to their school parties over for a fun Valentines party. Then we enjoyed a nice candlelight dinner. Table was set with all things Valentines with individual boxes of chocolates on their plates and a nice heart-shaped Shepherds Pie. I think the boys had a harder time falling asleep on Valentines Eve then Christmas Eve. We loved it and hope to continue the tradition of making it such a fun day. Of course I didn't take a single pictures of anything. Luckily me good neighbor snapped some pics of the party and sent it my way.
It couldn't be called a Valentine's Party if sugar cookies weren't involved!
Leilei's cookie decorating capabilities were quite impressive. She concentrated very hard on spreading smoothly and evenly.
I wonder why the entire neighborhood all seemed to get sick right after this!
They also made little holders for their Valenitnes
Next was lunch which included this adorable little boquet made by the ever so talented Erin
The kids enjoying their lunch of Heart-shaped PB&J (I'm all about being classy), heart shaped cheese and the fruit boquet. Dessert was of course masses of sugar in the form of cupcakes and cookies.
After lunch we watched the chaos that is bound to ensue after surrounding kids with peers and pumping them full of sugar. It was quite enthralling to watch the speeds these kids were able to reach.
Once they worked the sugar out of their system we did what every responsible parent does and pumped them full of more sugar in the form of Valentines candy.
The kids exchanging valentines
Tavita and his friend Brooke
Brayden with two of his good friends Jeremy and Bree
Little gymnist Olivia
Most of the gang from the partay!
Alright and alas more pics of Hawaii. This episode: Christmas
3 kiddos in front of the tree. So much more enjoyable then standing bundled in front of the tree
Everyone gathering for Christmas Eve festivities. We read the Christmas Story (acted out by the children moving figurines. Not quite to the point of being able to put on a play!), had some fun Christmas trivia, sang some songs and allowed the kids to open one present.
Brayden and Tavita leading the group in their rendition of Deck the Halls
Not to be left out of the spotlight, Jenson and Kalei joined in.
The kids choose to open the present they'd been drooling over from Uncle Jon
What's better then a giant inflatable slipper!
It wouldn't be Christmas if you didn't get up with the sun!
Tavita checking out the goods in his stocking
Brayden also examining his loot.
Kalei discovered the candy and couldn't care less about anything else
All Brayden wanted was a Toothless costume (How to Train Your Dragon). I told him not to get his hopes up as I'm not sure they exist. However, Grandma totally pulled through with a killer costume made by a very talented friend. He wore that with pride for days after we got back and was the envy of the neighborhood.
Little Ballerina
Growing up "Santa" liked to have a bit of fun at our house. We didn't awake to presents under the tree. Rather, we had to army crawl through mazes of string (yes I have memories of my poor grandpa crawling on all fours trying to get out to the living room). There were 6 strings all of which began at the tree with each of our names attached to a string. This year we decided it was time for the tables to turn.
Dad, climbing through the web working his way to the 2nd story window where his string began.
Brayden following suit
They went low
They went high
Good thing Grandpa had such good helpers. After a good 1/2 hr-45 min he finally reached the treasure!
After opening presents we took our traditional trip to Hukilau Beach.
Tavita making use of his new army men and cowboy and indian sets
Brayden of course was immediately in the water riding the waves.
Kalei would always start a trip to the beach covered
Inevitably she would end up like this
The water didn't have much appeal to Tavita since he couldn't get his head wet. He spent hours with these guys
Everyone out playing
Through it all, Brayden never abandoned his board!
