Hawaii Final Day

Sorry it's taken a few days, but the last days were crazy!

Morning sunrise. Then, we got some clothes on and ran off to a couple of local spots to take our annual family pics. Had to fight the wind, but I think we got a couple of cool ones. Most important was capturing the essence of our year.

After a quick trip to the beach, we spent the remainder of the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Of all the things we did this week, I have to say that this might have been the highlight for me (close with swimming with the turtle and boogie boarding). If you haven't heard of it, it's zoo-like, but instead of animal attractions, it has Polynesian island attractions. There are 7 island represented in small areas. In each area, there are traditional buildings built, activities, and mini-shows demonstrating the song and dance of the island. A great educational experience for the kids, yes, but it was truly amazing. I absolutely loved every minute of it. I love to experience different cultures of the world, and this was not lacking. It made me realize how little "culture" we have here! I suppose it's because we are such a young country. The day/night ended with a traditional Luau, complete with pig from the ground and a lei ceremony. The flowers were beautiful. I also loved seeing the little kids doing traditional hula dances. So cute! Then, there was a more professional show, with probably 100 participants. It was fabulous. It told the story of a boy growing up, but it was mainly to show the different island cultures in dance and song. The finale was a fire dance with a fire eater and tossing fire sticks and all that. It was way cool! It was worth every penny and spending the whole day there. Absolutely the highlight of the week for me.

Trip to Hawaii. $Lots. Day at the PCC. $Not cheap. Seeing your 12-year-old gawking at the hula dancers. Priceless.

No joke. This is really what he looked like. :)

More pictures added. Click Here.

Couple more vids

USS Arizona

Kids Goofing Off

Hawaii Day 5

Fun day today. First, we went to a local fave, The Pancake House in Koa, for the most spectacular breakfast I've had in ages. Papaya crepes, Portuguese sausage and marinated pork, homestyle potatoes, pancakes, french toast, eggs. It was "marvelous." In fact, held us over for food until like 3 PM! I think my favorite part was that we were the only white peeps in there. All locals. Very cool.

Then, we went to a local LDS ward. We lucked out. It was one of the best Sacrament meetings I've been to. One of their young men (although a little older from what I gathered) has been called to the Tacoma, WA mission and is leaving. It was his farewell. Several young people spoke and gave great talks, and there were a couple of musical numbers that were great. Two young men sang a duet in fantastic harmony, very Hawaiian sounding. Loved it. At the end of the service, an older gentleman stood up at the front and started singing "Aloha 'Oe" (Farewell to Thee). Everyone joined in at the end. During this, there grew a huge line up to the front of the chapel where the going out elder stood, and people came up, put a lei around his neck and hugged and kissed him good-bye. Found out later that the gentleman who stood up to sing was actual the father in the movie Johnny Lingo (old, famous Mormon show). The whole ceremony was quite something to see.

Next, we went to Pearl Harbor. That was something to see, too. Watched a show on the history of the USS Arizona, then we took a boat shuttle out to the site where the ship had sunk and there is now a memorial built on top of it. Quite humbling and reverent. Went back and Dave showed them the cool missles and old guns on display. It was cool.

Went to Kailua Park and beautiful sandy beach. Little bit overcast and windy, but the water was warm and great for riding the mini-waves. Very shallow quite far out. Great for the boogie board although none of us were very good at it. Still, I could have stayed out there all day if I weren't such a wimpy girl these days. It's hard work! Once I got out of the water, it was windy and cold, so time to go. Hit the showers, then dinner at a local Hawaiian plate cafe before heading home.

Lovely day. Last big day tomorrow. Polynesian Cultural Center is the big thing on the agenda. Looking forward to it.

More photos added. Click here.

Hawaii Day 4

Time is passing too quickly. It's actually the morning of the 5th day, so we only have two more nights.

Weather has been a little disappointing. Dave loves it, but I wanted cloudless sun. I knew not to expect it this time of year, but still, a girl can hope, right? Day 4 was overcast a good part of the day. We did, however, get to the snorkel place during mid-day sun hours. That was fantastic. I guess it was murky and rough waters more than usual, but I would never have known. I thought it was incredible. At first, Maggie wasn't happy. Having problems with her snorkel gear. I have learned, though, not to push or react to her. I just casually said it was fine; I'd be happy to sit out with her. Told her it was totally up to her what she wanted to do. Didn't fuel the fire. After a few minutes, she settled down and asked to go try it again. Now, if I had *suggested* she go try it again, no way would she have agreed. It had to be her idea. (She's going to read this. Maggie, I LOVE who you are and that you are such a strong person with strong ideas. Don't get me wrong!). Anyway, when we went back in, we switched snorkel gear, and she did much better with my mask. In fact, we saw a huge sea turtle hat we ended up following around for at least 20 minutes. It was so cool.

After a while, they announced on the loud speakers that the tide was high and visibility was very low. A whole lot of people were giving up. And, since we had spend a few hours in the water already, we were ready to go, too. We got showered off and changed and then found a yummy Mexican food place.

Got back to the house, settled down for a little while, went out and got shave ice again (yum!), and then we went to see "A Christmas Carol" at the little local theater. OK. So, it was absolutely MARVELOUS, but not a show for little kids or for people who scare easily (despite being a Disney film). It was quite intense! But, if you can handle a little ghost scare, Robert Zemeckis did an incredible script write, making it more literature than movie. Something to study in an English class. I want to go see it again in 3-D (this was was 2-D). Now, Maggie was not such a fan. Well, she liked the movie in the end, but was quite freaked out! There were some good scares!

Then it was bedtime again. Another wonderful day in paradise.

Hawaii Day 3

First, last night was a tremendous storm including lightening. Very fun! Maggie had a dream about a poisonous rooster attacking us. Ah, the adventure of Hawaii!

In the morning, it was still overcast. We debated what to do since we had planned to spend the day at the beach in Waikiki. We wanted to risk it, since we've found out that the weather forecast here, when it says rain, means it might possibly sprinkle a moment or two. Nothing like what we're used to. So, although it was overcast and yucky when we left for Honolulu, we took the risk. By the time we got there, about 45 minutes later, it was sunny and beautiful. Perfect beach weather. Not too hot, not cloudy, not rainy. And, we got to the beach early enough that there weren't many people there. We spent the morning on the sand. About noon, when more people were crowding the space, we got out of there, sand in our shorts and all. Very pleasant. Did a little shopping, then got back in the car.

Drove home to change clothes and de-sand-tize our bodies. Headed to the infamous Shave Ice place (Motsumoto's) where they put ice cream on the bottom, then the shave ice (note no "d" at the end of "shave"; that's what it's called here) on top. It was marvelous (Dave's good food word). Really, it was awesome.

Next was the shrimp truck, Giovanni's. Took a buttload of shrimp back to the house to devour. Yum. Fresh shrimp. Caught today. Can't get any better than that.

End of the day was Dave and I heading to the temple to do a session while the kids stayed home to watch a movie. Problem #1. Temple ends up being closed for renovations until July. Bummer. Problem #2. Stupid little DVD in the little house leaves much to be desired, so kids didn't get to watch their movie. Oh well! No big deal around here. We're in freaking Hawaii! All's good.

We will be ending the day with some fresh made chocolate cream pie we got at a local bakery. Nigh-night!

More Photos Added. Click Here

Added some videos

On the Spit
At the maze
At a beach

Hawaii Day 2

Still on Seattle time, so we were all up by 6 A.M. (some 4:30). Time enough to sit in the backyard and watch the sunrise. It was magnificent. Dave and kids got suits on and jumped in the water in high tide. Maggie got feet scraped up, but all worth it.

Cleaned up, had breakfast, hopped in the car for some island exploration. Found a couple of good spots we want to check out later in the week (with suits on). Stopped at a surfing competition going on and watched that for a few minutes, but only after Isaak, climbing a tree, took a dare from some 4-year-olds to jump off, despite him having a bum knee. So, yup, he hurt it worse. After a few agonizing minutes of him moaning and finally tears falling down his cheek, we decided we'd better take him to the doc. Stupid kid.

So, off to Honolulu to the E.R. However, he had some ibuprofen in him, and the wait was going to be really long, so I was a really bad mother and said forget it. I'm sure you're fine. Keep taking the ibuprofen, ice it, and wrap it. You'll live. Which is what he's doing now.

After the almost-trip-to-the-E.R., went with Dave to the police station where we had to wait for him to "register" his firearm. Whoopee. That was truly exciting.

Went to Sushi to a spot Dave had wanted to hit, and it was marvelous. Expensive, so we didn't eat much, but it was good.

Went to the Dole Plantation per Maggie's request which she just forgot about until I reminded her. It was cool. Has the largest labrynth in the world (in 2008). Maybe there's another one bigger now, but it was pretty cool regardless. So, we ran around there for a while, then ate really good pineapple sorbet and shopped at a fun gift shop. Highlight of the day for sure.

On the way home, we drove up to a spit, walked out to the edge, and observed CRAZY waves. Dave said he could stay there all day. I could, if it had been a little warmer. End of the day haze and clouds were rolling in.

Came back to the beachhouse where we found a dead cochroach by the sliding door. We ARE in Hawaii! Dave and the kids went swimming again in the backyard. What a way to start and end the day!

Tomorrow's plan: hit Waikiki beach and hopefully enjoy the sun most of the day. Need a lazy day or two for this to really be a vacation.

More pics: Click Here

Hawaii Day 1

We pulled it off. Some family knew, but we wanted to surprise the kids. So, we told them that we were going up to Seattle to see grandparents and that we were going out to breakfast with Grandpa in the morning (this morning). Off we went first thing this morning. Kids had no idea. We drove right up to the airport terminal (drop off) before lil' Audra finally said, "Um, why are we here?" We just got out of the car and got the bags out, refusing to answer any questions. Tension/excitement rose. Isaak remained clueless and just followed us along wherever we directed him, but Audra finally figured it out by looking at the gate number and the departure board. She went and told Isaak, who didn't believe her until I told him she was right. Then, excitement was in full swing.

Plane ride was uneventful except for some turbulance which always makes Dave poo his pants. He doesn't like to fly. 5 1/2 hours later, we arrived. It is beautiful. It is humid. The temperature is hovering around 70-75. Some showers so far, but at least it's warm! Not like Portland/Seattle rain! Rain and sun will share the skies this week.

We rented a little beach front house on the Northeast side of Oahu. The sand is coral sand where are, a little rougher than your classic white sand, but still totally toe-able. No injuries to tootsies. There is like a tidepool right there, and then a row of rocks, and then the surf beach. Makes it easy for the kids to wade around in where the water is all calm. We'll be having some fun.

We plan to just relax and explore. We plan to do one day at the Polynesian Center, but other than that, we're just winging it. I'll write about each day's adventure. Today's adventure is ending in Dave trying to find where he put the week's cash somewhere in the house. Ah, the joy.

Here are some pictures: Click Here

November 8, 2009

Emailed a friend of mine who inquired about Isaak:

"Isaak’s doing great. Had a parent conference with his block teacher, and he basically said if he could have 90 like him, he would. He pays attention, gets to work, stays on task, gets his assignments done. It was fantastic to finally have a positive conference! Although, last year was good, too. For him, it’s just been about middle school. Getting out of elementary made all the difference in the world.

This year, he’s taking AP Calculus and pre-AP Chemistry at the high school. He actually has no class in-between those two, so he just studies, then he walks to the middle school, so he spends about half his day on each campus. Everyone seems to treat him well and like him. He’s on the high school math team which is quite competitive, and he keeps up with them. He took home his first individual math competition trophy last week. He’s still as awkward as poo, but he seems to have found his niche. Although, even among the math nerds he sticks out a lot of the time. At the competition this weekend, he was paired up with a girl his age from another school he didn’t know, and his way to first interact with her was to put his arm around her. Not like boyfriend, thing, just friendly, but boy! Did she shrink away from him! Some other girls saw and laughed and stuff. He was clueless. Idiot. He also got a minor knee injury last week, and he continues to baby it (walking straight-legged on it) even though I know it’s fine. He looks like a complete buffoon. It’s like he has to re-learn to walk right because he forced himself to baby it for a week.

I just roll my eyes most days about some of his quirks. "

November 1, 2009

Ah, Halloween. Well, the kids are to that in-between stage. For a couple of years now, Isaak has already said he's "too old" for Halloween and has opted to just stay home and hand out candy. He's been completely happy with that, of course, since he doesn't like candy which makes trick-or-treating kinda senseless. Add to that the fact that he's never really had a core group of buddies to hang out with, so he's just hung at home. My, how things are different this year! Isaak now has this group of buddies that do all the normal meet-at-lunch, hang-out-after-school stuff that kids his age do. Yeah, they are loud and obnoxious, quirky kids, but they're HIS buddies, and that's saying something. I never look a gift horse in the mouth!

As for Maggie, she still wants to trick-or-treat, but she also wanted to have a party. So, I relented. I let them invite who they wanted to, and I prepped and planned a big old shindig at our hours for their friends and a few of mine. Isaak had about 8 friends and Maggie had about 5, plus some parents and my friends with families; totalled more than 30 people. The boys were incredibly loud and rough, but that's what 12-year-old boys are like, I've learned. The girls just huddled up together, which is also what 10-year-old girls do (they don't want to have anything to do with the boys yet). Groups went out trick-or-treating here and there, but mostly there was just loud noise and chaos.

In one room, I darkened the whole room, put black lights, a strobe light, and spooky music in there. I heard lots of "Thriller" going on. In another room, I had 6 covered bowls where they had to stick their hand in and figure out if the stuff was supposed to represent eyes (boiled eggs in jello), brain (steamed cauliflower), guts (spaghetti and sausage), vomit (pumpkin insides), snot (bananas and pudding), or heart (canned whole tomatoes). Lots of disgusting noises in there! There was a table with cookie decorating, but I only think a couple little kids did that. Then, I made a ton of fun, Halloween food, and a couple friend brought some great stuff, too. We watched Coraline (so creepy!). I only had to get after the boys once for going to far when they went out to ding-dong-ditch.

I learned a couple of things that I will improve upon for next year. Young teenage boys are not trustworthy. I heard later that a lot of our handing-out candy went into their own bags. Also with the ding-dong-ditch idea. I know it's normal, and we all did it, but I still need to reign them in a bit. Also, kids don't appreciate the funky foods so much. I won't go to such efforts next year until I just have my friends over. I'll do the fun stuff I know they'll eat, but not some of the other stuff that took lots of time to make but didn't get eaten much. Not worth the effort. Worth a try, though! I also learned that Maggie's friends are sweet, gentle souls, and Isaak's friends are, I say again, loud and obnoxious. I may look at transforming part of the upstairs for just the girls and let the boys have free reign downstairs. We'll see where they all are in a year.

Yes, that means I will do it again. They kids really seemed to love it. Maggie was so excited, I thought she'd pee herself for days leading up to it. Isaak is just so laid back and content, he would probably be happy with anything, but I sure love to see him having real friends. It's really amazing to me.