Bad Blogger

I know, I know, I've been a horrible blogger lately . . . but I promise, it's only because I've been so darned busy the past few weeks . . . and I'm sure with the holidays coming, it will only get busier. I have a million good pictures that I wanted to post, but I just don't have the time to put them all up, so I picked a few of my favorites to show you what we've been up to.

Last weekend, Bev and I took the kids to an outdoor concert on the beach, where Charley's school had a bake sale table set up for fundraising (I made cream cheese pumpkin muffins for the occasion). I think the kids had the most fun monkey-ing around on this climbing structure. The weather was beautiful and the music was good, so we all had a fun time.

We also managed to squeeze in a trip to the Children's Discovery Museum, so here's Brian and the kids hanging out in the "library" and the kids and I taking a break in the "pineapple plantation."
On Friday we all went to the Airstation's annual welcome Luau where they serve local food, have bounce houses for the kids, and end the evening with a hula/fire show. Here we are getting ready to head in . . .

I had to throw this next picture in here because after seven long months of swimming lessons, last Friday Charley graduated from Level 1 to Level 2!!!! She is so excited she can hardly stand it. She has learned how to float on her back, float on her stomach, flip from back/stomach and visa versa, the basic crawl stroke, the back stroke, jumping from the side and swimming to the edge, and all sorts of other water skills. She's doing pretty good for a three year old I would say.

Bev left on Monday, so while Brian and Zander took her to the airport, Charley and I went to the pumpkin patch again, this time for a school field trip . . . and this time, we got to do a cool hay ride. Can you sense Charley's enthusiasm?

Yesterday I took the kids to a Halloween party at the house of two of Charley's classmates, Kai and Cadon (twin brothers). Here's Charley with the hosts . . .

And Zander, Ella (our friend's daughter), and Charley chillin' . . .

Last night was pumpkin carving night. We had a total of four big pumpkins, so we decided to let the kids draw on two of them and carve the other two. As you can see, Zander got a little crazy with the markers and ended up drawing all over himself. Charley loved taking the guts out of the pumpkins, but Zander wouldn't even try it . . . what a wuss. :)


Today Charley had a Halloween party and parade at her school, so here you can see a preview of her bumble bee costume.

So there's a quick rundown. I promise to try and do a better job keeping up on our life events, so hang in there with me and keep checking back.

Uh-oh, gotta run, Charley is throwing up! Yuk! Must be all that pre-Halloween candy . . .

My Little Punkins

Last weekend we hit the only pumpkin patch on the island for our annual pumpkin search. This trip reminded me of years past, so I thought I would do a little flashback for everyone (yes Amanda, I must give you credit because I'm stealing your good idea :)).

So here is our first trip ever to a pumpkin patch, in October of 2005 at Hidden Vally Farm in Arkansas, when Charley was only ten months old. Wouldn't you believe that we forgot to bring our camera that day, but luckily my high-tech husband had a phone that took okay pictures (which was a much bigger deal in '05 :)).

By the next year, October 2006, Zander had joined the family and was a whopping three months old. We went back to the same farm in Arkansas, except this year Brian's sister, Jennifer, joined us and we had a fabulous time.

In October 2007, we had only been in Hawaii a few months, but we quickly got the digs on the island's sole pumpkin patch at Aloun Farm, which is only a few minutes from our neighborhood. It was a little different wearing shorts and flip-flops and sweating our butts off to find pumpkins, but we managed somehow. :)

Finally that brings us to this year. Bev was able to join us on this trip, and even though it was a little muddier (thanks to an early morning rain) than last year, the cooler temperatures (thanks to the clouds) definitely made things more enjoyable and everyone had a blast. Here's the crew heading out to the pumpkin fields . . .

Had to make a pit stop at the giant tomato!

Is this one too big guys?

This is going to be a tough choice . . .

Finally found the perfect pumpkins . . .

Zander could not help but stop and stare in awe at this piece of farm equipment (yes, he's all boy that one). He actually wanted to ride on this thing, but I had to fib and tell him it was broken so that we didn't end the morning on a meltdown.

As we were getting ready to head out, Zander made a new little friend who wanted to share her white pumpkin with him. I love the way he is looking at her . . .

Next comes the best part . . . carving the pumpkins!!

School Daze

Charley recently had her picture taken at school, so I thought I would share. Definitely one of the better ones that she's taken . . . at least she's not crying in this one like she has in the past.

And here is her class picture . . . if you look closely, Charley is not even looking at the camera and sort of has a silly look on her face . . . but she is still pretty darned cute if you ask me.

Uh-oh, more Zander-isms

Zander: (talking to Grammy Bev right after she wrapped herself in a bath towel) "Grammy, can I see your butt?"

Grammy: (laughing) "No Zander, you can't see my butt."

Zander: "Grammy, can I see your Gina?" ('Gina' is our word for girl parts)

Grammy: (still laughing) "No Zander, you can't see my Gina."

Zander: "Grammy, can I see your peanut?" ('peanut' is our word for boy parts)

Grammy: (still laughing) "No Zander, I don't have a peanut."

Zander: "Oh . . . okay."

***Note--I swear, we are teaching this poor kid about which body parts are private ones and which ones aren't . . . he's just in his curious phase. :)

Full Time Job

Someone explain to me how it is that I could possibly feel more busy as a stay-at-home mom than I did when I was employed at a regular job. . .

Right now, my calendar has something written on it nearly every day for the next few months, and I still marvel at how that is possible. I guess when you add up swimming lessons, preschool classes, preschool fundraisers, field trips, holiday parties, Coast Guard functions, guests arriving every month, doctor's appointments, home repair appointments, and all life's events, it all adds up pretty quickly. When I asked my mom her thoughts on this quandary, she answered, "Well, when you work at a regular job you have to miss out on a lot of these things." And I suppose the reality of the situation is, she's probably right.

So anyway, long story short, we've been very busy as usual. Let's get you caught up . . .

Brian's mom, Bev, arrived just over a week ago, and we've been running non-stop ever since. As usual, she came bearing gifts, hence this very adorable picture of the kids in their new outfits.

Charley was anxious to show Grammy the "new park," so we took a few minutes to enjoy a beautiful afternoon.


A couple days after she got here, we took Bev for a drive up the west side of the island to show her the "tent cities," which I've talked about before on here, and then we drove up the Kolekole Pass for the spectacular views.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the Coast Guard Spouse's Association annual welcome tea for all the new ladies on the island. While this type of event is normally not my bag of tea (no pun intended), my friend Kathy talked me into going, and I'm very glad that I did. It was fun to get out of my mommy clothes and into some "tea party" clothes (which I had to borrow because of course I had nothing appropriate to wear), to hang out with my friends for the afternoon, and to see the Admiral's gorgeous home at the lighthouse near Diamondhead. Here I am getting ready to head out . . .

Here are two of my very favorite girls, Kathy and Andre (and her beautiful new son Charlie). Unfortunately, the other member of our "momtourage," Marian, was out of town, so she didn't get to join us for the tea.



On Sunday, we decided to do a little shopping, so we took the kids to the Navy Exchange. Here is Zander trying out some new equipment.

Here is Charley's pathetic and forlorn look because we let Zander go on the ride first.

Obviously her mood improved.

Last night, I attended another Coast Guard spouse's event, once again at the urging of Kathy (she is always up for anything new and fun), and I'm really glad that I did. We went to our first "Book Club" meeting, where the group picked books and meeting times for the next nine months. As most of you know, I'm still a huge nerd at heart, and one of my favorite all-time hobbies is reading. I figured it would be fun to read some stuff outside my normal reading list, and to get together with other ladies to talk about these different books. This month we are reading "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd (just made into a movie), and next month we are reading "Grace" by Richard Paul Evans. It should be a fun way to meet new people and engage in interesting discussions, while doing something that I've always loved doing, reading. I know, I know, I'm a dork.

So that's where we are at so far. We still have lots on our agenda this week, like going to the flea market, swimming lessons, preschool, baking for a preschool bake sale, pumpkin patch visit, yard work, and maybe a visit to the beach. The fun just never ends . . .

On a very different note, I would like to send out a massive prayer request for one of Charley's classmates and friends, Lily. She is only three years old, and doctors just found a large tumor on her adrenal gland, which she will have surgically removed in the next week. They do not know if the tumor is benign or malignant yet, nor do they know what the long-term implications of her condition are. Her parents say that, at this point, the prognosis is not great, but Lily has a lot of things going for her, like her age, her health, and the fact that they caught it before it started making her sick. I suppose most people cannot even begin to imagine what she and her family must be going through. So please say a little prayer . . .

Zander-isms

Zander: (as I sleepily stumble into his room to get him) "Ughhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!"

Danielle: "Good morning, Zander . . . no more whining now, okay? Momma's here."

Zander: "Okay Mom. Mom, I'm stinky. I need new diaper."

Danielle: "Okay, we'll get you a new diaper."

Zander: (as I start to change him) "Mom, I want go downstairs."

Danielle: "I know Zander, we'll go downstairs after I change your diaper."

Zander: "Mom, I want go downstairs. I want milk."

Danielle: "I know Zander, we'll go downstairs AND get you some milk as soon as I'm done changing your diaper."

Zander: "Mom, I want milk."

Danielle: "Zander, I know you want milk, and I know you want to go downstairs. Please just be patient and let me finish changing your diaper. Mommy's really really tired this morning, so get off my case for just a second, okay?

Zander: "Oh, okay. Where your case Mom? I don't see your case."

Danielle: (laughing) "Never mind, Zander. I don't have a case."

Zander: "Ohhhh, you borrow Daddy's case?"

************************************************************************************************
Danielle: "Zander, please come here and let me change your diaper so we can get ready to go, okay?"

Zander: "Okay Momma. I lay right here on couch."

Danielle: "Okay, sounds good. Let's get that diaper changed."

Zander: "Okay Momma . . . . (long pause) . . . Momma, we no say 'dammit.' Okay Momma? No say dammit."

Danielle: (trying not to laugh) "That's right Zander, we don't say that word. That is a naughty word."

Zander: "Yeah Momma, no say dammit. Dammit is a naughty word. No say dammit. Okay Momma? No say dammit."

Bev: (laughing) "I wonder where he came up with that one!"

Grandparent Central

As you know, my mom was here for a whole month in August/September. Now Brian's mom, Bev, is visiting for three weeks this month. Next month my dad, Ed, will be visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday. Then in December, over the Christmas holiday, Brian's dad Jim and his wife Delora will be visiting for about ten days. As you can see, we are running grandparent central around here, and the kids are absolutely LOVING it. And frankly, so am I.

Both kids are finally starting to fully remember all their grandparents and are completely comfortable with them, which means they no longer require a several day window in order to get used to the grandparents' presence. In fact, the kids have done a 180 on us, and actually seem to prefer the grandparent's attention over ours, most the time anyway. This is particularly a huge step for Zander, who (as most of you are aware) is a complete momma's boy in every respect (always has been). But FINALLY he is cutting me a break, and the last two grandma visits officially mark the beginning of preferring grandma to mommy (most the time anyway), probably because grandma is WAY MORE FUN. So here I am, during both Grammy visits, wandering around the house aimlessly, not knowing what to do with myself now that two little kids are not demanding 100% of my attention at all times . . . like a lost little puppy. I know, I know, pretty pathetic.

But hey, I'm sure it won't take me long to get used to it.

Only a girl from Arkansas . . .

Charley: "So when I lose a tooth and the tooth fairy comes in my room, will she close my door when she leaves?"

Danielle: "Yes, she will close your door."

Charley: "And will she leave me a new tooth?"

Danielle: "Well, not exactly. When you lose a tooth we will put the tooth in your tooth pillow, leave the pillow by your bed, and then the tooth fairy will tip-toe into your room very quietly, without waking you up, and she will take the tooth out of your pillow and will leave you money in its place. And then she will close the door."

Charley: "So . . . will she leave me a new tooth?"

Danielle: "No, just the money."

Charley: "Ohhhhhh . . . so I can go buy a new tooth?"

A Different Generation

Charley: (talking to Zander like only Dora the Explorer would) "Hey Jorge, you wanna go to Star Mountain today?"

Zander (a/k/a "Jorge"): "Yeah, Star Mountain!"

Charley: "Okay, let's go! Oh wait . . . in order to reach Star Mountain, first we need to go to Walmart, and then we need to go to Starbucks. THEN we can go to Star Mountain!"

Zander: "Yeah, Walmart and Starbucks!"

Charley: "Hop on the boat Jorge . . . this is going to be so cool! Hey, wait, let's go to Australia instead, okay?"

Zander: "Yeah, okay, Stralia."

The Big Island Trip (Part 3)

Here we are, our final installment of the Big Island trip (who knew a five day trip would require such a long description?:)).

When I last left off, we were just leaving the Volcano Park/cabin stay after two nights, and then we headed to the city of Hilo, which is on the eastern side of the island. Kate is the ultimate expert on Hilo because this is where she spent her childhood, so per her suggestion, we stopped at the Liliokalani gardens and Coconut Island on Hilo Bay, which has the best view of the city. here are a couple shots of Coconut Island . . .

After driving through Hilo for a bit longer, soaking up the nostalgic feel of the city, we continued to drive north along the Hamakua coast, where we made a few sight-seeing stops. First we stopped at this turn-out for a beautiful view of this bay . . .

Then we stopped at Akaka Falls State Park (also one of Kate's picks), for a short hike to Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls, and as you can see, the hike was damp and jungle-ish, but very breathtaking. The kids were so excited that they not only got to see a volcano on this trip, but they also got to see REAL waterfalls . . . Dora and Diego would definitely approve.




Next on Kate's itinerary was a stop on the north shore, in a small town called Honoka'a, at Tex's Drive-In, specifically for malasadas (which as I've mentioned in a previous post are a Portuguese donut). It just happened to be lunch time, so we grabbed some yummy food (which included purple potato chips, I kid you not), and we topped off the meal with some delicious Bavarian cream and chocolate-filled malasadas. And I have to admit, they were the best malasadas I've ever had in my one short year of malasada experience. Brian likes malasadas as greasy as anyone can possibly make them, so these particular ones were way to light and fluffy for him . . . but I'm not as big a fan of the grease, so to me, these were perfection, especially with the creamy center. Yum.

After our meal, we stopped at Waipio Valley, which way back when was home to Hawaiian royalty. It too was very beautiful.

We continued our drive along the northern coast, and once we reached the western side of the island, we started heading south again towards the resort we were going to be staying at for a few days. Kate told us that Haupuna Beach Park was one of the most beautiful white sand beaches around, and boy was she right. This picture definitely doesn't do it justice.

We finally arrived at the Hilton Waikaloa Village Resort, which is perhaps one of the largest resorts I've ever seen. It was so big that they you need to take a train or boat to get from one end to the other, unless you were in the mood to hike a LONG way. Our room was huge, probably the biggest hotel room I've ever been in (yes, I'm still a hick), and it was quite plush and very comfortable. The resort boasted several swimming pools and hot pools, endless lagoons filled with colorful tropical fish, an animal sanctuary with turtles and geese, a flamingo sanctuary, a dolphin center with about six dolphins, twenty some restaurants, and tons of other stuff.

For any die-hard "Dog the Bounty Hunter" folks out there (which may be none of you), this is the spot where Dog and his wife got married on one of their episodes . . . she came down these steps and he approached the platform by boat.

A resident dolphin . . .
The second day we were there, we spent most of the day down by one of the pool areas, which not only had a large regular pool with waterfalls, but they also had a large "sand pool" especially for kids.

Not a happy camper . . .

The flamingo sanctuary . . .

We spent most of our last three days right there at the resort, and we spent our last afternoon exploring the town of Kona some more.

So there you have it, that was our trip. It was definitely worth the time and money to go, and I would HIGHLY recommend the Big Island to anyone who asks. It is a very spectacular and unique place, unlike anything you will ever see.

I must send a shout out to Kate for all her good advice and suggestions . . . if the whole professor thing doesn't work out, you could always consider a career as a travel agent. :) Thanks Kate!