April Fools Day

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Happy April Fool's Day!

Soul gave everyone at preschool a good scare when he came in with red marks all over 

 

and a sign posted to his back that read:

His teacher turned white and told me he MAY NOT be there, and she is sorry, but we HAVE TO leave.  I explained that I put a sign on him to warn the other parents (ha ha -- acting as a dumb parent ;)  and then turned the sign around that read, "APRIL FOOLS!!"  She thought it was hiLARious and we all had a good laugh.

March Fun

Visiting the art gallery with the girls

Flying kites with Daddy on Sunday.  Ivy's kite got loose, skipped across the ocean to the bay in the background.  There happened to be a family there playing and caught Ivy's kite.  She was so happy to have it back!

This is a really cool math game that Ivy and I played.  It's like scrabble but with math equations.  Ivy was so good!  I think I found a hidden talent. 

Elysse's other preschool: Alyssa (just came that day) Mason, Hanalei, and Noah.  The moms and I take turns hosting.  It is a great experience for her.

Kezia's friends performed in Willie Wonka and we went to support them.

Elysse and Soul at Tutu and Me

Elysse and Soul go to Tutu and Me -- a great preschool that has rotating stations for the kids to choose from.  I go with them, and it usually involves Elysse being patient while Mom chases Soul away from destroying puzzles, paints, and playdough.  We love it, and especially their cool fieldtrips!  This time we went to the Bishop Museum to see their "Giant Bug" display

Miniature Golf!

We went to Jungle River miniature golf -- thank you, LivingSocial!! -- We had a lot of fun.  The girls were WILD and it was a crazy chaotic rolling of golf balls and golf clubs as we all went at the same time -- no taking turns!  

Hole in One!!

Happy 5th birthday, Elysse!

 Elysse, 5 years old

 Singing happy birthday at preschool

5 things I love about Elysse:
1. The funny things she says
2. Her empathy for others
3. Her desire to do what's right
4. Hugs and kisses
5. Her love for her mommy and daddy

Day #5: Last day with Grandma and Grandpa Hicken

On our last day, Mom, Elysse, Soul and I went on a walk down the bike path and stopped at a tire swing on the beach.  Dad stayed home to finish up some much needed projects.  It was so helpful!

 Then we went to Shark's Cove to search for hermit crabs, eels and fish.  It was ccccold and windy, but we had a blast.  Grandpa especially loved seeing the waterlife!

 Can you see all of us there?

 Grandma and Kezia collecting shells

 What seems to be a tradition now:  Getting ice cream at Scoop of Paradise before Grandma and Grandpa leave

Saying goodbye.  I gave Mom the pendant she's wearing for an early Mother's Day gift.  It was made by a friend of mine (Amy Hart) and is a bird's nest in silver and pearl.  To me, it symbolizes a mother's love, and I'm grateful for the mom I have!

Talent Show

The girls put on a small talent show that evening.  Kezia played ukulele -- and actually let me film her!!  Ivy hula hooped, Elysse read Dick and Jane, and Soul slept. 

 Grandma and Grandpa were a great audience, despite the long day!

Ivy's Baptism, Elysse's Birthday - Grandma and Grandpa Hicken's visit Day #4

 

 Birthday Brownies made by Kezia, 

along with a picture with Elysse's favorite things:  a zebra, a dolphin, a flower, and a girl.

 Pancakes with a Berry on top --Birthday Breakfast Request

Elysse generously shared her birthday celebration with Ivy's baptism.  I was feeling stressed about possibly feeding the ward refreshments afterward, realizing we had planned her baptism on a fast Sunday, but happily last minute I realized we could do a pot luck at our house and take the burden off my shoulders.  It was fantastic.  I loved the support of our friends, especially our friends who are not members of the church but came to support Ivy, including the Clarks, Durrazzos, and Lynn, Kaimana, and Promise, And Kelly (Wanda's owner) came to the party afterward, and even brought her violin to show the kids how to play.

 Elysse in her dress up gift from Grandma and Grandpa Hicken

 Ivy in her baptism dress from Grandma Burgoyne

 Soul in his Mud Face after going face first down the slide

Being baptized was definitely a choice Ivy made; it wasn't something forced upon her or something she "had to do" because she was now eight.  Before, she was a bit hesitant, but later decided she wanted to.  After she was baptized, she jumped on her daddy and gave him a big hug.  Then when she came into the dressing room, she said to me, "I'm so happy I am baptized!"

Grandma Burgoyne made Elysse's cake, of course.  Elysse requested a "winter cake", and here's what she came up with.    (oops!  I'll post the photo when I can find it!)

Beach Day - Grandma and Grandpa Visit Day #3

 We decided to go to the beach for a bit in the morning...and stayed til the early afternoon.  It was super fun, and the girls got to show off their skills in the surf for Grandma and Grandpa.  And, family, have you ever seen Dad so relaxed?!?  He often said how much he enjoyed relaxing on the beach that day.  And it really was relaxing.  Good surf,  good body boarding, even good bird catching (or at least, attempts at it!)  Speaking of, can you believe Ivy actually caught a wild pigeon before with her own two hands?!?

Elysse's Birthday Celebration at Sea Life Park - Grandma and Grandpa Visit Day #2

 High FIVE for Elysse turning 5!!!!!

We celebrated by going to Sea Life Park (Thank you, Maka'i Card deal, for your perfect timing)

First we saw the dolphin show with "the world's only Wolphin!"  And no, it is not a mix between a dolphin and a walrus. ;)  We decided to choose our seats quickly -- but obviously using our bottoms and not our brains, seeing how we sat right in front of a pole.  Duh!

 

 Penguin feeding

 

 Sea Lions

 Touching a baby honu

The girls were super excited to get wet during the main show, where the dolphins splash in a big pool that sprays the first few seats.  They remembered from last time we went a few years ago how soaked we all got, unawares.  This time they were prepared with swimsuits.  And Grandpa and Grandma were prepared with warnings given 10 times by each child.  Well, we sat in the same seats, and the girls watched every other row but ours get soaked.   Nate and I told the girls to wait -- our turn will come -- but their impatience couldn't hold out and they ran to the already wet seats -- just as a dolphin made its biggest splash and got Nate and I and the girls' empty seats all wet.

We told them not to worry, that we'll get wet at the next show.  So in the meantime we played Sardines on Elysse's request.  She chose to hide in a small twisted tunnel on the playset.  Somehow, the girls, Grandma and I crammed ourselves in there!

 However, the next show was (*lame*) and there was no water spraying, and suddenly the totally cool birthday celebration turned into "the worst birthday party Ever!!!"  and Elysse sulked back to the parked car.

Ah, but the Party Angels must have been looking down on that Freshly Five year old that day, because as we stopped for a potty break, I spotted a food stand and bought a giant cookie for Elysse.  Her eyes lit up and suddenly it didn't matter if she got wet or not -- at least she got her sugar -- and the birthday again was a hit.


And speaking of food, she requested pancakes for breakfast.  She definitely got what she asked for!

Happy Birthday, Elysse!

Here are 5 things I LOVE about you:

1. Your smile

2.  Your knock knock jokes

3.  How you repeat things other people say -- jokes, stories, etc.  so you can get the same attention they did

4. Your love for your daddy (you are always thinking of ways to serve him or show him love, like buying him candy at the store.

5.  Your love for beauty.