TRENTAN'S GOOD IDEA

While I was burying Trentan in the sand the other day he asked me where his new school was. I told him that he still went to the same playschool. "No Mom," he said, "Where is my NEW school. The one I get to go to here in Hawaii?" I told him that we didn't MOVE to Hawaii, we were just on vacation, so he didn't need to go to school. "Well, we should move here. For serious," was his answer.
I am so glad that he (and everyone) is having a good time. And, after looking at what the weather is like back home, I think he might be on to something. Sun and surf trump cold and windy every time if you ask me.

MORE HAWAII

WOW!! We sure have been busy and are having the most wonderful time.

Day 5 - We went to the Polynesian Cultural Centre. A long but day but worth it. The kids really loved the show at the end. I new goal in life is to learn how to Tahitian dance. So amazing.

Day 6 - We went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Josh and Merynn did so fantastic!! They went out quite a long ways with Nate and saw some cool fish. They stayed out for a really long time. I stayed on the beach with Trentan and Alysha. After a while Alysha wanted to try snorkeling. We stayed close to shore but she caught on quite quickly and really enjoyed herself. Nate ended up taking her out a little ways too. I was so proud of all of them!!
After snorkeling, we did a little shopping and then we went to a University basketball game. It was extra fun cause Auntie Rachel came too.

Day 7 - Today was another beach day. We went back to the beach that Grandpa Ted took us to and did some more boogie boarding. Josh and Merynn stayed in the water for the whole time we were there. They are certified beach bums if you ask me. I have decided that you can never go wrong with boogie boarding. It really is fun. We were sad to say bye to Kayla and Kurtis and Uncle Josh and Sarah and Shawn. :(

Day 8 - FLEA MARKET!! got lots of souvenirs for ourselves and the kids picked out a few things for their friends. Ordered some pizza for supper and ate at the beach.

Can't believe we have been here for 8 days already. There is still so much we want to do!!

I AM NOW A NURSE

On Monday morning Nate and his bros decided to go cliff diving. Not something I would find enjoyable but they love it. His sister also jumped. While getting out, his sister lost her sandal. Nate jumped in to get it, just as a wave came barrelling in to shore. Nate was smashed into the rocks. The result? A fairly bad scraped knee and ankle and the skin totally ripped of one of his toes. Very disgusting. I have now turned into nurse Tricia. I have to clean and re glue (yes, re GLUE with crazy glue) his skin together and bandaged it up again. So gross. He is limping and has a black and blue toe (I think it is broken) but he is OK.

Today we went to the Dole Plantation. We ate some yummy pineapple ice cream and went through the HUGE maze. Then, after lunch we went to the beach. Again. I think the kids would go there every day and be happy. Josh and Merynn stayed in the water for the ENTIRE time we were there. After supper we took the kids to a movie.

On a side note, while driving to the beach, we stopped to watch the GINORMOUS waves at one point and those surfers are INSANE!!! Those waves are unforgiving! Also, as we were watching the surfers, we looked farther out in the ocean at there were whales jumping EVERYWHERE! It was like a whale party out there. It was incredible.

HAWAII PART 1

Day 1 - travelled. ALL day. The kids did really well and loved going on an airplane.

Day 2 - Kids were up by 5:00 am. They wanted to "see" Hawaii in the daytime!! We finally let them out of bed at 6:00 am and we went out on the patio (which looks right into the ocean) and we were welcomed to Hawaii by a bunch of Humpback whales jumping out of the water to say good morning!! It was AMAZING!!! We then took a walk to the "point" where some locals were fishing. They were using live octopus as bait and let us touch it. The kids loved how it stuck to their fingers. We were already so hot that we did the natural thing to do in Hawaii - went to the beach. Total blast! Stayed there all morning and had to drag the kids out to go get lunch.

Day 3 - Went to church. Stayed close to the house. Took a drive later in the day and saw a wild boar!!! Ridiculous!!

Day 4 - Very special day for my Rinny. She was baptized in Hawaii! Thank you to all who made it so special!! The spirit was really strong . Especially during her confirmation. Then we went to another beach where Boppa Ted and Auntie Rachel taught the kids how to boogie board. So. Much. Fun. Even Nate and I had so much fun "riding the waves".I am amazed at how much SAND gets into every crevase one has. HOLY!!!

We are very lucky to be here in Hawaii with our family. We are making unforgetable memories.
More later!!!

GOING FOR A PLANE RIDE

We leave for Hawaii in 9 hours.
Ohhhhh yes.
I should probably be in bed, but I am up triple checking to make sure we have EVERYTHING we need. We have never taken a trip of this magnitude before and I am sure I am forgetting something.
Guess we will find out soon enough!
I am surprised we even got the kids settled down enough to fall asleep. Man are they excited to go on a plane. I will have to take LOTS of pictures to see if I can capture their excitement.
I will miss my friends (a little, heehee), but nothing else.
It is going to be FABULOUS.

MY RUNNING SHOES ARE MAGIC

Early last week I got hit hard with a a nasty sinus infection/sore throat bug. On Monday and Tuesday it was all I could do to drag myself out of bed to tend to my "flock" for the day and to teach piano. By Wednesday I was just an irritated grouch. Ask anyone and they'll tell ya, "Yup. She definitely was a grouch!" Anyways, my feet were freezing cold and, of course , I couldn't find my slippers, so I opted to put on my running shoes. Best. Decision. EVER. I don't know what happened but it was like my running shoes triggered an energy source buried deep in the depths of my fatigued body and sent it bursting out full force. With my nose still dripping like a faucet I cranked the CD player in the kitchen and spend the day dancing around as I cleaned up a house that hadn't seen any kind of cleaners for two days. The boys were awestruck at the sudden 180 switch that took over. At first they just stared. Then they joined the dance party. So fun. So I have been converted to running shoeism and put them on everyday after I get out of the shower. I suggest you try it. Fantastic.

And yes, that is a picture of my magic shoes. In case you wanted to get some.

THE FREAKING POINT

I thought that for sure today was going to be bonkers and frazzled because I totally slept in. BIG time. Usually when I do this (which isn't very often. Just thought I would add that.), everything unravels. And when Merynn phoned me from school at 8:40 a.m. saying she had forgotten her indoor shoes at home, I thought, " Here we go." And then I dropped yogurt all over the floor, and then all the van doors were frozen shut and then I couldn't find the laundry detergent that I had just bought and then someone was crying and then someone else was crying and then and then and then. By the time lunch rolled around I had almost given up. "What is the freaking point?" I asked myself. At 1:00 I got my answer. Two of my piano students had made the cut to be in their school's talent show a couple of weeks ago, and today was the day of the show. So I set of to go and watch them. They both are normally very shy and reserved so even trying out was a big deal for both of them. They were so, so amazing. To see them walk up there in front of all the students and staff of their school and play their songs so beautifully made me wanna cry. They both did spectacular. My answer came though, when after the show was done, they both came running to me BEFORE they went to see their parents. And that, my friends, is the "freaking point."

The rest of my day was perfect.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY

There is a few things things I would like to say to a few people. Here it goes........

To My Sister Rachel (who LIVES in HAWAII)- remind me to slap you silly when I come see you in 16 days (yay!). How dare you say to me (this next part is in my most sarcastic voice) "I just had to have a hot chocolate to warm up cause it's a little "windy" here", when it is -32'C where I live. Sheesh lady. You don't even know what cold is!! :)

To My Sister Sarah - have a great time on your vacation. And give that sweet baby of yours a kiss for me. (NOT Trudy, Becca.) Hope she travels well!!

To My Bro. T.J. (and Britt) - Hi. Miss you. Hope you're doing well. Hope you're having fun and making memories. Come home soon.

To My Sister Lindsay - You know you're the bestest big sister right?

To My friend Leslie - The turquoise shirt you were wearing today looked really good on you. You're one hot mamma!!

To the older kid I babysit - please learn how to blow your nose. I can't take the sniffing anymore.
I love ya, but you gotta BLOW!!

Also, to the sun - KEEP SHINING!! I love feeling your warmth on my face through the window!!