A Day of fun...and more fun!

Ame's friend, Mandi, from her primary class, had a LUAU Birthday party today.

They had A LOT of fun: playing water games, eating hawaiian food & breaking the pinata.

They had a "house-full". There was like 15 kids there.

Her mom was brave! (she did seem to have several extra helpers though)

Ame was really cute when Kaipo and I came at the end, to check things out and pick her up.

She took Kaipo by the hand and showed him everything they had done, and helped include him.

Here's some of the kids waiting in the shade after they had their turn at the pinata.

So after the birthday party, we were taking one of Ame's neighborhood friends home.
Her mom had blown up their BIG water slide in the back yard and invited us to stay and play.
Well how could I tell the kids NO at that point. So I went home and got swim suits and towels, and we spent the afternoon having MORE fun.

Ash was SOO determined to get up this wall,

so Kaipo was showing him how to do it,

with a little help, he made it to the top and enjoyed a ride down the slide!

Swim Lessons

Kaipo and Ame started their 2 weeks of (everyday) swim lessons.

Kaipo did very well, better than I anticipated actually.

He put his face in the water, floated on his back & front (assisted of course),

was the leader of the choo choo train and waited patiently on the step for his turn.

What more could I ask for from my BIG boy. You're awesome Kaipo and continue to

amaze me, with how quickly you are growing and maturing!

The teacher said Ame needs to advance to the next class already!

That is a good sign that she has maintained what she learned last summer.

We shall see how the next 2 weeks go!
Hopefully lots of good progress and some advancing in their swimming ability.
I wish I had a pool, then I could just teach the kids myself .
But they probably have a lot more fun this way!

Just for Grandpa

Happy Father's/Grandpa's Day!
We miss you so much, but are happy that YOU are doing the Lord's work.
You are such a great example to all of us!
We love you and think you are the BEST!!!

Here are a few songs just for you!
Hope they let you know just how special you really are!

nightmare???

About 3:30 AM I was startled out of my sleep by Kaipo.

This is about how I was feeling...

*CONFUSED*

He was talking something about chipmunks. What???

He was all upset and was SURE they were still in his room.

I finally got him to get back into bed, after we checked eveywhere,

to make sure there weren't any "unwanted" creatures roaming about or

hiding somewhere in his room. As I layed on Kaipo's bed with him, trying to get him

to go back to sleep, AND being half asleep myself, I tried to figure out what this "nightmare" stemmed from. HAs he watched a movie lately WITH chipmunks in it??

I couldn't figure it out, but this morning it sure makes for a great story!!

Singer

This OLD singer sewing machine, that I inherited from my mom years ago,
is finally getting some good use again! It was having some problems functioning properly,
and I was debating just buying a NEW sewing machine, but everyone I talked to said
I should just take it in to get a "tune-up", because these Singer machines are way better
than a cheap one (which is what I would have bought). Anyways, she got a "tune-up" and
has already done a few simple projects for me.
You'd be proud mom!

This use to be a LONG sleeve shirt, but the sleeves were all gross & stained, so we cut 'em off and turned the tops of the sleeves under and it is now as good as new.
(Ame really like this shirt, and I agreed it was cute
enough to take a few minutes to give it a make-over)

I found this material on sale at JoAnn's one day, a while ago, and thought I could do something with it. It was just so darn cute!! So I hemmed it and sewed the two sides together and now it's a fun sundress for Ame to wear, IF it ever gets warm enough.
How easy was that??? Super easy!
It just needs some sort of straps----any ideas????

Another visit to the Zoo

We made another visit to the Zoo yesterday.

We were joined by my sister, Karli and Sister-in-law, LeAnne AND all our kids.

I was a bit hesitant because it was ANOTHER cloudy day and I didn't want to get stuck in the rain, like our last visit. But we decided to go anyway and I am glad we did, cuz we

had a great time! And we only felt a few sprinklers.

This "spraying elephant" was a big hit with the kids

We saw some animals that we didn't get to before.
The rain must have sent them all into hibernation, the last time we were there.
The turkeys were out and about


Cool picture huh?
Through a waterfall

visiting the "not so active" white alligator


Kaipo sharing his bear roar, with a mouth full of popcorn

Ash wasn't really LOVING being in the stroller for 2+ hours.

just let me get out and crawl around on the dirty ground...please!!!

On the other hand, Zack was LOVING being in the drivers seat of the stroller

I am sad I didn't get one picture with the cute LITTLE girls (Kaiya and Ella)

But here's the rest of the CRAZY bunch!

Thanks girls (and boys) for joining us at the Zoo.

We are so grateful to be close and have fun times like this together!

feeling better???

Earlier this week, Kaipo was feeling yucky- had a belly ache, didn't feel like doing anything, (which is soo NOT like him) until I suggested a bubble bath. Of course no one else wanted to miss out on the fun. All these bubbles came from just a squirt of baby wash and a few minutes with the jets on. I was afraid Ash would get lost in all of the bubbles, or try to eat them, but he was just fine. As for Kaipo...this was a short lived bug. After an early, but very restless night sleep, and then up at 5:30AM the next morning, he took a nice LONG nap after lunch

and then was feeling much better!

Thank goodness!! And nobody else got sick (cross our fingers)

computer trouble

Isn't it fun when your computer just starts to shut down, while in use???
Well our desktop has been doing that lately, so we have unplugged it and it has been sitting on the floor WAITING to be taken in for service. Luckily we have two other laptops to use (Quinn has a personal AND a work laptop). Of course ALL our "stuff" is saved on the desktop, which is an inconvenience, but I should be grateful for any computer/internet access, since my parents have none at the moment! Hope it is up and running soon mom and dad!!! And hopefully OUR convenient desktop will be fixed soon too. So now you know if you get a comment/email received under QUinn's name, it's really me... Brittany.

Nick Jr. to the Rescue

Ame visits Nick Jr. quite frequently and this is the craft project we finally attempted
to make today. Ame has been very anxious to finish her carton of chocolate milk, so we
could finally make this. We went to the $$ store and were lucky to find everything we
needed to finish our project! We circled the house a few times and realized we are limited
on a place to hang this bird feeder, since we have no trees strong enough to hold something.
So we decided that the playset will be the housing spot for it.
We shall see how long until Kaipo (unfortunately) has it pulled down or dumped out!
As you can see she is VERY proud of the finished project!!
She is already discouraged that NO BIRDS have been eating yet...I hope for her sake that we have a few visitors, sometime soon!

Fun in our OWN backyard

This weekend we spent A LOT of time in the warmth of our own backyard.
The weather was perfect ( in the 80's), so we had some fun in the sun and water!

I ordered this alligator pool, that had some slides and fun things, online for what I thought was a great deal, but after getting it all blown up, it had a few holes. So it is going back, but it provided some refreshment for a few days. The water was VERY cold, but I could not keep Ash out. The first day after I got it all blown up he just kept crawling in, with his clothes on. I think he is going to be a lover of the swimming pool! And that is great for this family!!

So the next day we put a swimsuit on. Isn't the matching hat and shorts cute?
I picked them up at Dollar Tree, believe it or not.
Can't beat a $1 for a cute pair of shorts, right!

We love the warm sun!!
(but is it here to stay???)

This was the other PROJECT for the weekend.
Quinn and I spent a good part of the day getting this playset functionable-with swings, slide, picnic table, rock wall and ladder. It still has some accessories that still need to be added, but at least now it serves its purpose...PLAY

Ame and Kaipo think the teeter-toter is really meant to practice their "surfing" skills

They are soooo happy to finally be able to use this collection of wood pieces,
that has been sitting in the backyard, partly put together. The kids have already
decided they are having a PICNIC dinner, under the playset tonight. That was one of the greatest parts of this set-up for Ame...an actual picnic table.

We have had a great weekend, at home, with the family.
Working and playing together!
And we couldn't have asked for better weather

love this sound

I was in my bedroom this morning, doing on of my MOST favorite things...
folding laundry (NOT REALLY), and I heard the wood chimes outside my window.
This is one of my favorite things to listen to. I can always tell just about how windy it is outside, by how quickly these things are moving around. It is such a peaceful sound to me.
Reminds me of my favorite place, which always seems to have a perfect breeze blowing.
SO at least if I can't BE THERE, it can (for a moment) sound like I am!
This is my second set of chimes. The first set we brought back from Maui, were broken in a BIG storm last year, so I had my parents pick me up some new ones on their last trip to Hawaii.
I hope to always have a set of these hangin' around my home!

a WET visit to the zoo

Monday morning our friends called to see if we wanted to meet them at the Zoo.
I was a bit hesitant because it had been raining, actually pouring all morning.
But we got layered up, grabbed our snacks & umbrellas and headed out for a WILD time.
Although it was VERY wet, it was such a fun time with friends and definitely worth it!

Our 1st visit was to see the WHITE alligator

Kaipo was definitely intrigued

One of our other favorites was the baby giraffe

I am not sure how much fun Ash had

but the rest of the WILD animals all had a blast!

And we got a season pass so we can visit lots more times...when it is NOT raining!

new scent

Anyone looking for a new scent...this one is awesome!
Euphoria, by Calvin Klein
One of my wonderful mothers day gifts.

I love these letters!

A few days ago, while playing on "Playhouse Disney" Ame found a video example of how to make a single serve of ice cream in a bag. That being a BUSY DAY, I told her the next day, when we had more time, we'd try it. Well the next day was, lets just say, a BAD ATTITUDE DAY with Ame, so I told her we would have to do another day, when she had a better attitude. This is the letter I got later that day.
interpretation (if needed):
I really want to make ice cream
So can you let me
pretty please let me
And the picture is US sharing an ice cream cone. I soo love the letters and notes I get from her. Reminds me a lot of myself, as a little girl! (right mom) Unfortunately it has been COLD since and I just haven't FELT like making ice cream-more like hot cocoa!

more dance...THE RECITAL

The BIG day was a crazy one! The recital started at 3:30, so I headed over with Ame and Kaipo about 2:45 when the doors opened to the auditorium. There was a huge line and by the time we got in, our seat where 3/4 of the way back or more. Here's Ame WAITING to head back stage. Ame with our neighbor Azlin.

Not a very good pic, but here's Ame ON STAGE.

Quinn was able to get a bit closer to video,
so hopefully it is a little closer up (we haven't watched it yet)

The girls waiting backstage (in the hallway actually)for their big finale.

One of her dance buddies

Here's our big star with her trophy and flower(from mom and dad)

I think this is her favorite pose

Thanks Karli and LeAnne for coming to watch. We really appreciated your support!

father and sons

Kaipo and Daddy made it father and sons BREAKFAST. Quinn isn't much of a camper, plus he had a bunch of work calls, so they just went up in the morning. Does Mr. Mischief look like he had fun?
I would imagine that water was pretty chilly, but Kaipo doesn't
seem the least bit bothered by the temperature.

Fun daddy and son time!

Except where is daddy...I guess behind the camera

dance pics

I was really impressed with the dance, picture taking process, this year. They took pictures @ a studio right next door. Everyone was soo organized and they scheduled picture time during their regular dance time, which was VERY convenient! We got them back the next week and they did a great job (I think). Isn't her costume so cute? After watching dress rehearsal yesterday, I am even more happy with the costume SHE got. SOme of the others...hhmmGrandma and Grandpa, we will have more pics after the dance recital this Saturday!

Preschool Graduation

Wednesday evening Ame had graduation.

It was just a simple, cute, little "pirate" program.

The kids sang a few wiggles songs (I think the song choices could have been better, but whatever) and then they talked about each of the kids... as they got their certificates
Ash makes for a real CUTE pirate, don't you think?!
Ame and her teacher, Ms. Mandy
(what a job-and she did it so great!)

Here are some of her favorite friends.

And several of the student teachers

(Ame really liked the idea of having all these BIG sister type girls around-

they were really cute with the preschoolers)

They provided a sloppy joe dinner after the program, which I thought was VERY nice, considering they have 2 classes of 16+ students and then to feed their families too!

Ame has had a fun time at pre-school this year and has been such a BIG helper.

But she is definitely READY for Kindergarten in the Fall!!

For our Special Grandma (Asplund) and Mom

Since we can't be with you IN PERSON, we thought you'd enjoy these special videos made

JUST FOR YOU!

Grandma we hope you know on this Mother's Day just how special you are to us!

I didn't really want this to be on my blog, because it is more personal, but I didn't really know how to send these large files via email (I'm sure I could have figured it out,eventually, IF I tried)

Here's to YOU Mother:

You are such a perfect example of what a mother is and should be. And I love that we have become so close, not only as mother and daughter, but also as great friends too. I am so fortunate to have you as one to emulate. I don't think I could ever become half the person that you are...but it is always good to set your goals high, right?

I am also so grateful for the grandmother you are to my children. They are so fortunate to have someone who is so thoughtful, generous, loving, concerned and just enjoys having fun & being WITH them! ( just not right now)

Happy Mother's Day...to the GREATEST mother I could have ever asked for.

Love, your daughter, Brittany