Then and Now

When we picked up The Kid from school today I was watching the children play, and noticed how tiny the Kindergarten kids seemed.  I just couldn't wrap my head around The Kid having ever been that small.  I know she hasn't always been this big, but I just had to dig up the photographic evidence.

This is The Kid on her first day of Kindergarten a year ago:

You will note the baby teeth and the chubby hands and cheeks...the last remains of her toddler years.

And here she is, the first day of First Grade:

Look at all of those permanent teeth (and she has what those who love me call my "Madonna Gap")!  Maybe it's just me, but I just can not get over the difference only a year makes.

But to go even further back, here are two from when we first moved to Hawai'i:

Just a few days b/f her fourth birthday.

And w/ Wei, Z, The Guy, and our buddy Andrew outside the Koa Pancake House for her 4th Birthday Breakfast (I am pretty sure that is Z's only T-shirt)!

*Sigh*

The years just fly by.

Malama Pono!

She's a First Grader Now!

The first day of school went off w/o incident.  The Kid is now handy w/ her new alarm clock, and she can get herself up, make her bed and pour her cereal all on her own.  Which was a good thing b/c my alarm didn't go off *grumbles* but we woke up just a little after she did.  If Audee is reading along here she will remember the same thing happened to me last year!  HA!

We got around and out the door and to school by 0730.  It did not take her long to run into an old friend and make a new one.

It took about five additional seconds for us to realize that she has all of my grace and dignity WRT a body in motion.

Somehow she managed to get her backpack all tangled in the balloons.  The Head of School finally untangled her and set her free.  You will also take note of her red shoes I mentioned before, which were given to her by a friend on the last day of school last year.  She was so excited to have new Crocs given to her (the real Crocs never wear out, it seems) but I couldn't let her take them w/ her for the summer b/c they were far too big when she left.  That is so not the case now!  

This year was so much easier than last.  Also, the sixth grade has moved to the other campus (finally!), and it makes the elementary school seem so small!  

Yup, that's all of them!  No wonder we feel so at home.  It's like an extended family gathering at my Grandparent's.  

She found her desk and it is next to a friend that she enjoys playing w/ who was new last year.  I think that will make her happy.  It was so nice to see all of the faces (the ones we haven't already seen!) that we missed over the summer!

There will probably be updates later.  Yay!

ETA:  When we picked her up today she excitedly reported, "I love First Grade!".  She brought home her "survival kit" from her teacher: A puzzle piece to remind them they must work together, star stickers to remind them that they are stars, a glue stick to help them stick to the people who love and support them, an eraser b/c they will make mistakes, a pencil and pad of paper so they can take notes along the way, a bookmark b/c star students read, a Hershey's hug and kiss to remind them how much they are loved, trail mix to keep their strength on the learning trail, and something else I am sure I am forgetting.  I love that idea.  Especially the eraser.  We need so much to let our kids know that it is OK for them to make mistakes and that we will be there to support them.  In fact, mistakes are encouraged, b/c it is one way in which we learn.

I can not say enough good things about this school.

Some Random Photos

Sea Life Park Edition!

And this is the closest she got to a dolphin all day.  But she did pet Kekaimalu, the Wolphin.

Sting Ray Ballet.  You can almost see the squid he is feeding it.

Just before our Lu'au and just before sunset...

It poured down rain...for three minutes.

The Kid made a friend to hang out w/ for the night.

And they wanted to sit down in the Splash Zone.

Sweaty and covered in sunscreen from the day.

I turn my head for a second and the kid becomes a fortune teller.  I have no idea where she gets this stuff.  ;)

Talking to no one...

But having a great time!

Malama Pono!

Tomorrow Is...

The first day of school!

There will be updates on the resident First Grader's day of learning and fun!

In Support of My VBFitU

I know you are out there.

I know you are hurting.

I know you will need/want to talk about stuff soon.

I also know that I (and countless other people) love you, so I am sure I am not alone when I worry.

Most of all, I know that whatever is going on you are strong enough to handle it, and rise above it.

*SQUEEE*

The Kid is finally home, and we are so excited!  After making sure she called to check in and let her dad know she made it safely, The Kid, The Guy and I went out for some early dinner (way early) b/c she was so hungry she could have eaten one of our arms.  Then we came home for some comfy clothes and snuggles (oh, and some Beautiful Katamari, which she saw at Game Stop months ago as a demo and loved playing, and we couldn't find it until she was gone).  I kept asking her if she was tired, and she said "no, it's only 7:30!", but three minutes later she was fast asleep in my arms. 

Since then we have been busy busy busy!  Tuesday we went out and got all of her school supplies, updated The Guy's PSD file, and had her fitted for uniforms.  She also needed some new clothes, so we got some of those, too.  I can hardly believe how much she has grown!  She went from a size 7 (fitting perfectly) when she left to a 10 now!  Also, a pair of shoes that a friend from school gave her that were two sizes too big and the end of the school year fit well now, w/ a little room, so yay! we don't have to buy new school shoes.  We got everything except the proper size box of crayons, b/c the NEX didn't have 16 count, so we will have to get them elsewhere.  We threw in a hair cut for her, and ended the night w/ me taking care of her finger and toenails, badly in need of attention.

Wednesday, thanks to some coupons from a friend I work w/, we were able to go to the Hawai'ian Waters Adventure Park.  We invited one of her friends from school to come w/ us.  I was a little worried that we would spend all day in the Keiki pool w/ lame baby slides, but turns out the two kids kept punking each other into going on the rides!  We went several times down this one ride where you needed a mat, and there was another one w/ tubes that you had to share.  After that, her friend decided she wanted to go home.  We went on another giant tube ride, including one that was over four stories high (not surprisingly The Kid is tall enough to ride any ride she wants).  The last one The Kid begged to go on, is called the Tornado, and that is what it looks like from the ground.  You put four people on one raft and shoot through this tornado of water, half pipe style.  She looked terrified, but when we were finished she started dragging the mat to go again.  All in all it was a fun day!  Even David came w/ us, and had a good time!  By then the park was closing, so we got some cotton candy and headed for home.

Wednesday night was orientation at her school, and she was able to see a few of her friends and say hello to her former kindergarten teacher whom she adores, and her new first grade teacher.  Her teacher told me she loves talking w/ her b/c of her vocabulary and the way she is able to talk intelligently w/ grown ups.  Plus, she and the kindergarten teacher agree that there is nothing like "Kid" hugs.  Apparently she has a trademark on the best hugs ever!

Yesterday was a lazy day, and much needed b/c I simply don't have enough spoons to keep up this pace, and I was the first one asleep all week (except Tuesday).  We did some much needed light cleaning, took a break for dinner, and played some more Katamari.  In the next couple of months we are hoping to afford a Wii Fit b/c I want to add yoga to my day in small amounts that I can handle, and The Kid has expressed interest in it as well.

Today we have a special surprise planned, and tomorrow is Work Day at her school, so I guess I had best get going and get us all ready!

More updates soon!

Malama Pono!

Some Random Photos

The Dole Pineapple Plantation Edition!

Saturday The Guy and I went out to dinner in Hale'iwa, and then went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation.  They have one of the World's Largest Mazes (Guinness Book of World Records in 2001).

It was a lot of fun.  I honestly can not believe we have lived here for three years and have never "done the maze".  We always go for the Dole Whip, and are always too late for the maze.

Here is The Guy stuck in the middle of the pineapple at the maze's start.

You start out in the center, and you get a ticket which they stamp at the beginning of your visit, and then you have to find eight secret stations hidden in the maze.

You stick your card in a little slot and use your pencil to stencil the shape onto your ticket.

We wound up competing to see who could find more stations.  One of us would start leading, and when we hit a dead end the other one would start (after the current leader said "Darn!" in that totally disappointed tone.  It was totally fun.  I am surprised that I am so good at mazes, but it turns out that while I am unable to drive directly to a beach w/o asking The Guy which way to turn I am some kind of savant w/ mazes! 

In the end we tied, even though depending on who you ask, the finder of the pineapple station is still up for discussion.

Or not.

It took us one hour and six minutes.  Not bad if you ask me, and I can not believe that some people can do this in five minutes!  There are prizes and notoriety to be had for those who find all eight stations the fastest everyday.  There are also maps available if you are a big cheater head.

Afterward we went inside to finally have our Dole Whip, and this time we got a float.  Yum!

But you had best share!  It is a lot!  And I hope you don't have to stand in line w/ people who argue over whether poi is pink or purple.  That is a testament to my patience.

M-m-m-m-m!  Dole Whip!

Something I always forget about are the peacocks out here.  Probably on purpose.  You see, peacocks are very really really beautiful, but really really mean.  Like Diana Ross (10,000 arbitrary 'You Rock' points for that one).  The Guy remembers them as the damned screeching banshees that used to wake him up back when he lived in the barracks in Wahiawa.

At the end of the day, we were really tired, and a little bit dirty.  Should you come to Hawai'i you must check out the Plantation and the maze.  But you should wear shoes, not yo slippas.

Malama Pono!

Some Random Photos

Seriptitiously Taken Edition III

I don't really get Modern Art.  I am convinced that if I knew the right people the Kid could be the next great one.  I mean, she already isn't understood in her own time.  I think I could easily have some of my stuff hanging in galleries, so I am not sure I am a good judge of what is or is not "art".  That being said, I did enjoy the "Shu" exhibit, which is Chinese for book.  It was art all done from books.  I would love to show you more, but this is the last shot I got b/f Mean Museum Dude told me that photography in the galleries is strictly forbidden.  Whoops.

This one is "Black Covered Book Depicting Desert Storm".

Well, that didn't really stop us.  Like I said, there were almost no curators in the whole place, probably due to the keiki activities going on outside.

The last thing we saw was mostly devoted to Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha.  There were countless depictions of them from all over South Asia.  I also found a cute children's book in the gift shop about the story of Ganesha, and how he became the Elephant Prince.

This was an amazing wall sized colorful wood carving.

The Guy was so excited about this.  

I am so glad I finally had an opportunity to go.  By the time we were half way through my joints were aching so bad from the walking, but stubborn as I am I was determined to see it all.  I had quite a time getting up and down the stairs, even w/ The Guy's help.  It was so worth it, even if I wind up sleeping all day tomorrow.  I am going to try to find that Elephant Prince book for the Kid.  She seems to like folk tales from other cultures, so I think it will be a nice addition to our collection.

Part I, Part II

Some Random Photos

Seriptitiously Taken Edition II

Buddhism.

The Guy will tell you that I am obsessed w/ Buddhism.  I would call it a whimsical curiosity.  The concepts of Buddhism fascinate me.  Moreover, I am sometimes overwhelmed w/ joy when in the presence of things like large statues of Buddha.  The Buddhism Gallery had portrayals of Buddhas from all over Asia and South Asia.

The Seated Buddha on that lotus blossoms was placed in the center of four columns taken from Chinese Buddhist Temples.  I wish I could have seen all of the work on all four of them, b/c it was so beautiful.

This Buddha, at the far back of the gallery and very tall, is one of those that overtakes me a little.  It was my favorite.  The Guy had to stop me from climbing up on the platform to get closer.  Stupid rules.

Here is a cool relief of a Guardian.

A Buddha from Thailand.

The Garden

There was a charming garden in the courtyard.  I snapped this one of a couple of boys running and enjoying the sun and garden b/f Mean Museum Lady came over and demanded that their mother keep them closer.  I guess she forgot what it's like to enjoy jumping around in the grass.

The garden was of course filled w/ great statues of Fu Dogs.  

I love this Guy.

And I think I will keep the husband, too.

The fountain at the back of the garden.

Part I

Some Random Photos

Seriptitiously Taken Edition

So, in my defense, there were no signs and certainly no curators or workers around to tell me otherwise, so when The Guy and I went to the Honolulu Academy of Arts I saw no reason why I should not take pictures of some of the breathtaking and awesome sights we saw today.

Ever since The Guy's last refresher course when they took a field trip he has been trying to get me to the HAoA.  I have either been far too tired or hurting, or we have not had a day off together to enjoy doing so.  It's too bad the Kid wasn't back yet, b/c they had a lot of keiki activities going on, including making visors and really pretty flowers from origami and mulberry paper.  We will have to see when they have more keiki activities, b/c I think she would really enjoy the museum...for a while.

Coincidentally enough the first gallery we stepped into was the Korean gallery.  There were several amazing pieces, including a great painting of a Korean dragon, but since I was just getting used to the museum mode on my camera I didn't get a clear shot of it.  It was my favorite thing in the Korean gallery.  *boo*  We did get one decent one of the tiger print.

I was intrigued by the cabinet and the tablet that had all of the sino characters on them.  It is pretty cool to know that my Mandarin will come in partially handy in Korea.  I should be able to read my way around decently.  I was actually able to translate some of the tablet, but it has been so long I had forgotten too many (simple!) words.  Oops!

You could totally tell when we wandered into the Chinese galleries, b/c the artwork was far more ornate.  The Guy tells me that Korean art and craftsmanship was considerably simpler in design.  Still beautiful, but much more simple.  You can tell by seeing these close-ups of a carved shelf.  The whole shelf was only about two feet in height, but the detail on the tiny Fu Dogs is incredible.  

Something else I love is Chinese calligraphy, b/c it is as beautiful as it is hard for me to read.  I could easily decorate a home w/ large prints of well done calligraphy.

Here is one of The Guy on the other side of a glass case full of teeny tiny Chinese bowls and such.  They sure loved to make teeny tiny things.  And not a single one of them had any less detail than the larger pieces.  The craftsmanship just blows me away.

I had to take some close-ups of this watchtower carving for The Guy b/c he loved the tiny figures peeking out from the tiny doors.  Again, this whole thing was only about three feet tall, tops.

I don't know how long posts are allowed to be, but I am going to break this up into a few.