Click on video to help my nephew Kai

Please view this video made by my nephew Kai. He is trying to win tickets for a Jon Schmidt concert. Whoever plays this song, "Road Trip", posts it on YouTube, and gets the most hits wins tix. Thanks! Good luck, Kai!

My Birthday

Thank you, friends and family who called or sent notes of birthday wishes! That always makes my day. But I think the nicest thing said was from the woman I took paddling today who asked, "So, are you in school?" 31 sounds so old when you feel 18 in your heart.

Sunday night Kay and Nate made me a delicious meal and I stuffed myself full, then topped it off with Kay's famous chocolate cake and mint ice cream. I woke early on my birthday and went on a 5 mile paddle from Waimea to Ali'i with my friend Beccy Cravens (who is also going to be assisting in our stand up paddle fitness classes). (BTW, this is the same run that Nate and Kezia raced last Saturday!) Highlights included crystal clear water that made coral viewing possible for the whole run, waves at Lanikea, and finding ourselves in the middle of a pod of dolphins.

The girls and I tried to go see a free showing of Tale of Despereaux, but I got the time wrong, so we went to the zoo instead (and then went to the movie the next day). Then Nate took me out on a really nice date to a new restaurant in town, Luibueno's, which was mui bueno, and a friend of ours (who also happens to instruct for our school as well) was our server.

Then he took me to a video arcade where we played this ridiculous game of frog slappin' and tarantula shootin' and I let Nate beat me in a game of air hockey. And we ended with a little book perusing at Border's, something we both have always liked to do. Thanks, Nate! With how busy he is, he gave me the gift of his time, and that was really nice.

A wonderful day, and I feel privileged to share my birthday with my good friends, Nicole Shephard and Jill Schield. Any one else celebrating?

Kezia's race

There was a race on Saturday that benefited the surf house at Ali'i beach. It was to raise $ for ocean equipment for the kids, and we really wanted to support the cause, but we had a river clean up we were sponsoring.

However, in the middle of the cleanup, Nate decided to go anyway, and Kezia joined him on the tandem board. So spontaneous, those two. Nate said they got there 10 minutes after the paddlers had already left, but came in 10th anyway!

After the cleanup the rest of the kids and I joined them at Ali'i and Kezia said she loved it! She especially loved the goodie bag full of stickers and knick knacks, and the medal she won for being the youngest competitor.

Way to go, Kezia!

Upon eyeing all the goods Kezia got, Ivy leaned over and said, "Next race, I'm going with you, Mommy."