My Big Boy

Perfection!

My Li Hing Mui Boy!

Being away from my little eh hum BIG boy made me absolutely bonkers. We went to swim at the pool and all I could think about was, "Ooooh! I bet Joseph would love it here!" When we went to eat out I always though, "Joseph would like that." It's just amazing how much parents can love their children!

Things we learn at school...

Recently Joseph has started to apply things he's learned from school. No, not songs or games but the things that the teachers tell him again and again. We were sitting on the couch waiting for a movie to begin and I started to sing 5 Little Monkeys. Joseph didn't want to sing that song so he says, "Mommy! Mommy!" When I looked at him he said to me very seriously, "Settle down!" I was in shock. I didn't know how to respond. Then he told me what he wanted to sing "Apples and Bananas" (which I've never even heard of). I told him that I didn't know that one and that I was going to sing "5 Little Monkeys." In the middle of my first verse he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Mommy! Settle down!" What do you say to that? I figured that he must hear that a LOT at school for him to remember how to apply it in his life! Even though he is soooooooooo kolohe, we love him so very much!

Hilton Holiday

Have you ever wondered why it's called Diamond Head?

This is what I think heaven might be like!

Look at how healthy chocolate can be!

Here are pictures we took for Joseph.  He loooooooooves penguins ever since he saw Madagascar!  Sometimes, out of nowhere, he'll start singing, "I like to move it, move it!"  Lately it's been "I like `em biiiiiiig, I like `em chunky..."

A wild Hawaiian Monk Seal.  She's pregnant!!!  They think there are only about 300 in the major Hawaiian islands.  There were NOAA volunteers there answering questions.  They think Hawaiian Monk Seals will inevitably be extinct in the future because the gene pool is too small. This guy was just hanging out on the sand soaking up the rays.

We're at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for the weekend and having a great time. Just thought I'd share the view from our room.

Happy Birthday to Me!

We went to Roys Waikiki to celebrate my birthday. It was really beautiful! I have not been to Waikiki in YEARS and I can't believe what it looks like now! For anyone that says the economy is bad they should go to Roys. It was PACKED on a Wednesday night! I was so happy that Juan was there. It makes me so happy to be with the person that makes one of my best friends so happy. Taryn was there as well as Joey.

My Miso Butterfish

Taryn's Swordfish

Wayne and Taryn

Such a nice couple.

A Million People

So habuteru, Niners!

Stacy and Nine.

Still habuts.

I know his name begins with a "J" just like his big sister, Jordyn.

The junk (sometimes REALLY junk) thing about living on O`ahu is that it is very small and there is very little to do here. When something big like the Punahou Carnival takes place, it is usually patronized by just about every local family on the island. We all have our own memories growing up and going to this event yearly so of course when WE'RE parents, we're sure to include every fun activity in our recollection. Here's an example: We were at the carnival for about 30 minutes before I realized that two girls I went to high school with were with their new families. Above is Sacha's little one. The other girl I didn't know very well; we were in student council together. Toward the end of our stay (about an hour later) I ran into a really GREAT high school friend of mine- Stacy. Her little one, Nine, is such a big boy! I remember her baby shower like it was yesterday, for crying out loud! I remember when she told me she was expecting! In any case, it's difficult going anywhere in this town without seeing someone you like and even someone you don't. You wouldn't know that Honolulu alone has over a million people in it!

Punahou Carnival

Joseph's having a difficult time waiting in line because he's so excited!

Having a great time on the race cars.

"Mommy! I want to go again please!"

Today we went to the Punahou Carnival. This ALWAYS occurs during the week of my birthday. I remember going almost every year when I was in school. I had an entire list of things that I wanted to accomplish. 1. Jams and Jellies. Taryn and I hear about Jams and Jellies ALL freaking year long... we had to check it out. Of course they were totally sold out by Friday afternoon. 2. White Elephant Sale. Yeah, we didn't feel like waiting in line FOREVER just to look at someones old stuff so we just left. 3. Punahou Malasadas. They're legendary. I actually like them more that the classic Leonards Bakery ones. 4. Cotton Candy. 24 scripts for a bag of cotton candy!? No thanks. I'll visit Chucky before I pay $6 for cotton candy. I bought a caramel apple instead. Yummy yummy! The apple was so sweet and crunchy and the caramel was so gooey and sweet. 5. Rides. Joseph hasn't been on a ride since we went to EuroDisney in Paris. He had such a great time on the rides! Even though we didn't accomplish everything that I wanted to, I still had such a nice time! It was hot, crowded, expensive, not to mention FANTASTIC!

Tea Time

I don't drink tea but I like the thought of it so the idea of going to the Wai`oli Tea room was an attractive one. It was built in 1922 and is on the registry of historic places. The food was fresh, tasty, and relatively inexpensive. It is operated by the Salvation Army so I believe that everyone working there was in treatment. Even on a Thursday morning, it was still busy and thankfully we had reservations. Isn't it lovely?

The Dentist

Here Joseph is going for a ride in his special dentist chair.

This is Joseph staring into the bright light. The hygienist needed a light to "look into his dark cave to check for buggies."

This is where the mommies keep an eye on their little ones while getting their x-rays. They put the special cape on Joseph to keep the bad rays away from his body.

Today we went to the dentist. Joseph was excited because he's learning about community helpers at school. My students' mother (Yes it's supposed to be plural! I had one last year and another one this year) works at the reception desk and it was a nice surprise. I've been dreading this visit for a LONG time. When we brush our teeth Joseph can be SO difficult! He did so well, though. I was so proud of him. They counted 20 perfect teeth. They said they could tell that he sucks his thumb but that it shouldn't affect his permanent teeth as long as he stops sucking by age 6. Everyone kept saying that he was being so good. I'm sure they tell that to everyone but I'm not going to disagree with them. He has such a handsome smile and I am so proud of him!

The Old Spaghetti Factory

Riding the trolley through the restaurant.

Nothing funnier than a preschooler eating spaghetti!

He did very well, though!

We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory the other day and had a grand time! I didn't realize how much Joseph likes Spaghetti! He tore his meal up! He didn't care much for the sour dough bread (more for me).

Tourists

Those are REAL flamingos in the background!

Carp [e diem!] Ha ha ha! The humor is just oozing out of me!

TOTALLY cool dude in his shades!

Such a cutie pants!

This weekend, my mom and I got really bored and decided to be tourists in Waikiki.

Wii No Like!

Skiing takes serious concentration.

An explosion of hearty laughter.

Exercise has never been my strong point in life. Much to my chagrin, the surprise my husband was going to bring home one day from work WASN'T the early birthday present wrapped in a turquoise box and white bow as I had wished. It was... the Wii Fit. Wii didn't wan't to get fit. Wii were just happy being sedentary and lazy. Wii really wanted that box with my name on it- LITERALLY, my name- "Tiffany" on the box.

When I busted it out I realized that the thing looks exactly like a scale. Wii are already on BAD terms. On a happier note, I know someone who REALLY looooooooooves it. Joseph is almost better than me at everything. Yes, I do mean my 3 year old son.