Ivy's Movie Experience

We were so excited when we got a call that Ivy was chosen to be a photo double for a character in a movie!  We had attended the movie casting call, but got the impression they didn’t need us.  Then a few days later, the casting agent called us saying she didn’t realize at the time how much Ivy looked like one of the main characters and would like more photos of her and stats and stuff.  So when she was chosen, she, of course was soo excited!  We met the crew on Tuesday and got to watch a scene be shot.  Everyone was super nice and excited to meet Ivy.  Friday was filming day and to Ivy, it seemed like eternity.  Here’s how the day went:

 

We got to see the back trailers of the movie set -- just like you'd think, with "directors" and "costume" and "hair and makeup" on the doors.

Cool!  A movie mirror!

 Ivy had her own trailer to change into her costume.  This photo says it all -- look how excited she is!

 Then they did her makeup -- which really meant spraying down her whole body with foundation to make her pale white. 

 Then she got her hair done, including extensions that matched her hair completely.

 Set and ready to go!  We got a catered lunch that was delicious. 

 Here's Ivy with watching a scene be shot.  The director is in the red hat in front.

 Ivy with the other photo double.  Both we waiting, waiting, waiting for their take. 

Here's the girl that Ivy was supposed to be the photo double for. 

And so then here's what happened:  The mood of the directors was very much different than on Tuesday -- you could tell they were under a lot of pressure, since this was the last day of filming.  They had 3 more scenes to film in just 2 hours.  I overheard the director say that they may not be able to use the photo doubles.  I shared this with Ivy and she started to tear up.  I told her there's still a chance, so hang in there.  Then later, they moved the set and some people told us to follow them.  Ivy got really hopeful, but as soon as we arrived, the director said thank you for being here but they didn't have time to film them afterall.

I was proud of Ivy for holding her chin up after such an awful way of having her hopes dashed, and after she got changed, makeup removed, and hair undone, she and I sat by the beach to cry and cry.  It was really heartbreaking.  But it made her very determined to someday be in front of a camera for real.  With Ivy's natural acting and performing ability, she just may be someday....

And, although for her age, the experience is really what matters, she did make a lotta $$ for just sitting around on the beach all day...plus it was really cool to see how a movie is made.

Fro Baby

Nate and I had a crazy idea.  And then we did something about it.

Yup that's right - we started a hot dog cart.  Although we love the businesses we are already running, we needed a diversion of thought, so we started imagining this hot dog cart that serves up a fun time.  We were inspired by a food cart we saw in Taiwan -- the capitol of food carts -- that stood out from all the other dull, steel grey carts that lined the streets.  This one was bright red with a photo of a baby with a fro on it.  We called it the "Fro Baby" cart, and thought, "that it would be fun to own a food cart called "Fro Baby".  That was 12 years ago.  Now look what we have!

Recognize the logo?

 
 That's right -- it's Soul....with a FRO!

Our supportive landlord was our first customer.  We were loading up the truck to go to an event when he made his order, and didn't mind that it wasn't cooked -- he just wanted to support the kiddos.  They were stoked to get their first dollar!

Wally Amos thought it was hilarious ;)

The ward asked us to bring our dogs to their social on the beach.  We brought along our "Blow-Your-Wig-Back" challenge -- showcasing our super hot "Dynamite Dog" then not drink anything for 10 minuntes.  Here they are on their first bite. Ouch!

And here they are dunking their heads in the ice cooler after.  Haha!

We had a lot of fun at the 4th of July event at Turtle Bay and were given what we considered the best location of all the booths: right next to the entrance and right next to the stage.  We were very grateful for that. 

Here's our menu of 38 toppings to create your own dog.  I gotta tell you, we've had some very out-of-the-box hot dog creators come our way!  Ever had a pineapple-brown sugar dog?  Or a mac-and-cheese dog? (definitely a favorite) or how about a pork-rind/potato salad/ pickles/ saurkraut dog?

And, just like the Fro Baby says,

 

The "sea asparagus/tomato/relish/onion/mustard" dog

 

"The relish/mustard/bacon/ cheddar" dog

Nate doing his magic

Hot Dog Ninja!!

At the Haleiwa Arts Festival

Happy Birthday, Wally Amos!

 Happy Birthday, Wally Amos!

We had the great privilege of having Wally Amos (of Famous Amos Cookies) over Monday for his birthday.  He is one of Nate's clients and told Nate he would like to celebrate his birthday at our house baking cookies with our kids and reading them stories.  Of course, we were more than happy to have him come.  We had a fantastic time baking up the original cookie recipe that made him, well, famous (don't be fooled -- today's Famous Amos cookies are not the real thing. 

Then a week later he generously sent the girls some stuffed cookie dolls and bags of more cookies, then a week after that sent us a cookie jar.  What a great, generous man he is, and how lucky we felt for being able to celebrate his birthday with him!

 Okay, this man LOVES cookies.  His excitement for these little morsels are contagious.  I love that he puts in tons of chocolate chips so you are guaranteed to have one in each bite, even though it costs him more to make it that way.  And I love that he kept telling us to have some of the dough while we were putting them on the sheet.

 Kezia's birthday cake she made for him.

 ( Ivy and Wally, apparently having a stare-down.) He read the girls plenty of stories, and he is quite the story teller. He's a big promoter of the "Read - it- loud!" organization.  We even got to play the "Cookie Jar" game with him. 

 Nate just told me Wally sent him an email saying he'd like to come every birthday from now on.  How fun!

My Best Birthday EVER

I reeeeaaaallly, really, reaaally wanted to go camping for my birthday, and it almost didn't happen.  Rain was on the forecast for Saturday, and we were debating whether or not to go through with it.  We had already made plans to go with my friend Nicole who I share a birthday with and her family, and Jessica and her family.  Her son Mason and Elysse are good friends.  Well, everyone else was willing to risk the rain, so we went.   And we had the BEST time!  And, yes, there was no rain. ;)

The girls are such troopers.  We packed our car FULL of all our camping and beach gear, then everyone crammed in.  You can't see it here, but they are literally sitting on top of each other, with gear at their feet.  Soul in his spacious car seat, on the other hand, couldn't be happier!

 

 

 Last sunset of my 33rd year

 Woke up to a rainbow over the ocean on my birthday.  Really, what more could you ask for?!?

Sharing birthdays with my very good friend, Nicole.

 Elysse and Mason

 Okay, so to top off an awesome birthday, I took a total of 3 naps on the beach -- two when Soul fell asleep on me.  I swear my birthday was 36 hours long.

 Isn't this a cool shot of Kezia?!  Although not taken at the same time, Friday night we went crab hunting.  It was so fun!  We found over a hundred sand crabs and had fun chasing them and screaming when they were big. 

 Kezia and Ivy making a sand home.

 The look of sandy satisfaction.

 Hanging out -- literally.

 Leslie and Justin came by for a bit.  Here's Ivy and Tabitha  -- well, at least their heads!

 Elysse and Mason

 Elysse's birthday gift.

 s'mores!

 Nate picked up a coconut cake for me.  How thoughtful!  There was an astronomer on the beach who invited us over to look at Saturn through his scope.  We also played a few rounds of bocci ball.  I was surrounded by all the things I loved the most : family, friends, beach, and camping.  I couldn't have been happier.  34 is going to be a great year!

 The girls' annual concert at the bandstand was the day after Grandma's wedding this year.  Ka-POW!!  They were fantastic.  Kezia has been taking ukulele and hula from the halau this year, but chose to just dance at the concert. 

The girls have improved immensely in their hula.  Kezia is so confident and graceful;  Ivy seems like she "got it" this year and is all smiles, and Elysse has beautiful, graceful hands.

Elysse is the whiter girl in the front left.

 Ivy is right in the middle front.

 Kezia is 1 1/2 girls from the left. 

 The whole halau