Nursery Rhymes and more...

This week Ame's class has been learning about

nursery rhymes and each of them was given one

to memorize and share with the class. Here is

Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow... They also had a nursery rhyme party that everyone got to dress

up as their favorite one and they played several cute/fun games.

Here is Ame's friend Irelyn as Little Bo Peep's sheep
this game was humpty dumpty sat on a wall-
each of them got to decorate their own egg and let 'em
have a great fall
London Bridges falling down

and that was the nursery rhyme fun
*****
the boys were feeling left out of the pictures-

so here is Kaipo in his homemade Batman mask

and Ash being silly

using Kaipo's Spiderman reusable lunch bag

as a hat

someone SPECIAL is having a birthday

All of us

including growing baby Hanamaikai, want to wish YOU a

Happy Birthday!
We hope you know how much you mean to us, and even though you are far from us (in person) at this time, you are never far from us in our hearts!

WE LOVE YOU!!

The kids have a message for their SPECIAL grandma, who is too far away to get these cards in person (and since their mom didn't plan far enough in advance to get them sent in the mail).

Grandma you should feel pretty special, because Ame has become very NERVOUS and STINGY about performing Hula. Just ask Jason who asks her to do it everytime he sees her! She has just gotten so much more self conscious, which I don't know why because she really has gotten quite good and looks so darn cute when she actually does it! (hopefully I can convince her to do it for her Kindergarten talent show coming up at the end of the school year)

Sorry, I tried and tried to figure out how to turn this around. I guess you will have to get a kink in your neck while you enjoy this one (or turn your laptop sideways). Note-to-self: DON'T FILM WITH CAMERA VERTICAL! Cannot rotate it like you can a picture.

Ame decided it needed to be MORE professional, so she had to add some real costume pieces, before she could do her next dance. ENJOY!

The good and the NOT so good

Just a few short weeks ago my dear friend here in Riverdale was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had been having severe headaches and dizziness, which finally took her beyond OTC med's, to seeing a doctor and then to get an MRI. Everything has been a whirlwind for her since then, and if you interested in reading more or hearing the whole story you can visit a blogsite that has been set up for her: http://amiracleforjodibrown.blogspot.com/ Pictured below is Jodi (in the chair) and her mother. Her mom happened to be visiting for conference and a family baptism, at just about the same time all this began for Jodi. I can't imagine if it had been at a different time for her. Her parents live in Hawaii and her dad is the president of the PCC. But luckily her mom has been able to stay indefinitely and provide help and support in ways only a MOM know how.

Since all this has happened so quickly and has been so overwhelming, her neighbors graciously threw together a quick, last minute, but just perfect smalll party for her little guy, Daven (who is just a month younger than my Ash).

Thank goodness he is oblivious to the challenges his mommy is facing and was able to enjoy his party. He is such a sweet, cute little guy! Funny his brother is trying to block someone else from blowing out the candles, while his other brother is helping Daven blow out the candles.

we were grateful to be able to join in on the fun of cake, cotton candy and spending time with our wonderful friends!

(Kaipo looks as though he is praying, but I must have just snapped on that one second he was blinking, and getting ready for another burst of energy)

we're rounding it off

Ash has a message to share...

I just had to include this picture too.

I used this when we announced my pregnancy

with Ash. I just love to see how much these two

have grown up. They were soo cute and little!

After having a miscarriage last year,

we were much more hesitant to share the news

this time. We even waited until just recently

(after I went to my 1st Dr's appt) to

tell family. But now the word is out that

our family is rounding off to the even #

***6***
I don't know if we are READY, but

we are anxious to see who will be

joining our family.

I am especially excited to find out that

a few other dear ones are also

taking on this fun adventure at the

same time as me.

Some facts:

• I really thought I was having twins-but that thought was confirmed negative (relief)
• I am 11 weeks and my Due Date is November 12th
• I feel as though I have NO room to complain in comparison to others, but my pregnancies have gradually gotten harder (as far as nausea and how I am feeling)
• I am definitely getting the akward belly growth earlier this time
• thankful for the profound thought of my daughter who said to me when she found out we were having a baby "this must be the baby who wasn't ready to come last time"

AND THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Wild Animal Adventure

Today Kaipo's preschool took their last fieldtrip to the Hogle Zoo. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. Just right to break out the tank tops (that Ame has been begging to wear) and flip flops. Karli and Kaiya joined us, which for me worked out really well. At least I had a third hand or another eye to scope out and help keep track of Kaipo. This was the ideal set up, which worked out for a small part of the time. Ash didn't last long in the stroller, but Kaiya did (mostly because Karli wasn't about to carry/chase her all around-and who can blame her). Luckily this day of LOTS of walking didn't put Karli into labor. Although if she had to bend down at the zoo or turn around in the car a few more time to pick up the binkies that Kaiya kept throwing on the floor, that just may have done it! As tiring as it was for you Kar, we are so glad you joined us!!!

Thankfully Kaipo made sure to get nice

and wet before we even really started our adventure.

Iwas too slow in getting my camera out.
Just seconds b4 this peacock had her
beautiful feathers spread completely out, and it really was spetacular!
Ash giving some love or licks (or something) to the Rhino

Kaiya looking so cute and sweet!

Luckily she was THIS good the whole time,

right Kar?!?!

Lunch time...look at Karli go.

I told you, you would LOVE this shot!

(check out Ash watching her)
Ame was excited because some her
buddies skipped school to come on the fieldtrip as well.
(her friend Breklyn is on the left)

Kaipo getting creative with the elephant bones

THIS was a great show

these bears were being VERY playful and having some fun for all to see!

All the animals were out enjoying the

beautiful weather as well.

We were glad to get to see the giraffe's

UPCLOSE outside instead of in the stinky indoors :)

Another kindergarten friend, Ms Michelle's daughter, Kamayla.

And here is the whole group of kids.

Other than not being able to ride the train

because it was closed for the day,

the zoo trip was a lot of fun!

Our family pass doesn't expire until the end of June,

so if anyone want to join us b4 then, just let us know.

HAPPY SPRING!!

family fun

This is the NEW game that occupied hours of time

at our family get together on Sunday.

If you haven't played UNO ATTACK you gotta try it.

It is addicting and great family fun!

I think WE are going to have to get it!!All the Hanamaikai siblings got together at Quinn's moms

for dinner Sunday, for a farewell to Kaleo & Lori.

They are moving to Texas. She is from there and they

did live there for a short time a while back.

But they have both got great job opportunities with

their current employer, to transfer there.

It will be a great opportunity for them and they

are really excited! It is sad for the Hanamaikai

Family. Not many have ventured away from Utah

(besides us). But everyone is very supportive and

know it will be great for them, as are we.

Hanamaikai get togethers are always full of lots

of FUN, FOOD, LAUGHTER, and CRAZINESS.

It was perfect weather and we spent the whole

afternoon/evening relaxing outdoors, while the

kids ran wild and had a blast!

Backtrack...what fun!

I don't have any pictures for this one, but I just wanted to tell THE GIRLS what a fun time I had on Thursday night. My sister Karli, Sis-in-laws LeAnne and Debbie all met for dinner and had a great 3 hour conversation-full of laughs, tears, advice, news, and so much more! With NO kids!!! Thanks to our hubbies for watching/babysitting so we could have a girls night out.

Debbie was here visiting from Cali, because she was running in the Salt Lake Marathon, with some of her family. I soooo admire her ambition and I hope to ONE DAY have the drive to do something like that! (I would even be proud of myself to do a 1/2 marathon)

Way to go Debbie

AND thanks again girls for a fun night out!

the MOVIE they've all been waiting for

Friday, Quinn's sister Haruko and I met in SLC

to take the cousins to see THE movie.

I was actually pleasantly surprised that is was a good as it was.

No Oscar, but a cute wholesome movie.

It was good we waited a week to see it,

cuz I think there was a total of like 15 people

at the 3:30 showing we went to and we were half of that 15. Quinn's sister is WAY into the movie!

As you can kinf of see she is texting :)

(I actually think this was the previews)

Olivia (5), Ella (7), Ame and Kaipo.
All of them were either eating, drinking or dancing and singing through the WHOLE movie.
It was fun to see them all so excited!

Easter Day

There was no BUNNY received this year,

but the kids were prepped for that so we didn't

have too much disappointment.

They were pleasantly pleased with the simple things

they got, so our Easter Sunday started off well.
Out of the 20+ pictures we took of the kids
these 2 are the best shots we got.
And don't they look charming???

After church we headed to Logan to spent the

rest of the day at my brother Jason's home.

We had a relaxing afternoon playing, talking and just

having a good time with family (Karli and her fam came as well).

Without fail we had a fantastic dinner

(if only we would have had some corn, haha-Kar).

But of course dinner couldn't get over fast enough

for the kids, so they could begin....

THE HUNT

LeAnne's creativity brought all sorts of fun to this

Easter Egg Hunt. Each kid was assigned a certain color

egg to find, as well as other BONUS eggs.

And they're off...

Of course Ash was easy to please

and would stop to enjoy the treats inside each egg

as he found them.

Of course Ame was in it for the WIN.

Kaipo didn't like being assigned to the color

PINK, but with only one girl (who was assigned to purple)

to really find eggs somebody had to go for the pink. Didn't take long

for him to get over the color issue though.

And here's cute little Ella havin' some fun

Don't they have a such a beautiful BIG backyard?!

Just perfect for the hunt!

and here HE is again, enjoying the goods

Ryan and Ame sorting and counting

3 loving, bundles of JOY

So, the fun wasn't over with the hunt.

LeAnne's family tradition is to have a

Easter Store, where the kids can trade

their eggs for prizes. LeAnne was so good

to think of everyone and what they would

like. This was just as fun I think as the

actual hunt for the kids.

And the less candy the better I SAY!

To Jason and LeAnne thank you so much for your

hospitality and generosity. We so enjoy our time

together with you and your family. We look forward

to MANY more good times to come.

*******************************

Our family is so blessed and we feel so thankful for the love

of family and wonderful friends. We are even more

grateful to our Savior for his tremendous sacrifice and

overwhelming, endless amounts of love.

Life is good, full of happiness and many surprises!

One last picture from our hunt at the park on

Saturday. The fun just keeps going and going...

the Show

Ame looked forward to THIS all week!

We had a date to the Salt Lake Ballet production of

Alice in Wonderland.

It was at the Eqyptian Theatre here in Ogden.

This theatre is really old, but quite neat.
We were in our up-close seats a half hour b4 the show started,
which was a long time for this girl to WAIT...

and WAIT! But finally it started. Unfortunately there

was no picture taking once the performance began.

I was pretty impressed at how well done of a show it was.

But I really don't know what was more entertaining-

watching the show, or watching my girl

filled with so much excitment and totally mesmorized by the

performance! This was true joy,

just watching her sincerely & completely happy.

She said afterwards, that it was BETTER than

she thought it would be and she thanked me

about a million times throughout the show

for bringing her on a date to THIS show!!

THAT was about the best $20 I have spent in

a LONG time!!

*oh how I cherish THESE times together*

feeling uncreative

Since THIS mom has decided against a Bunny for the kids, for Easter (or any time soon for that matter), I am feeling uncreative as to what to get instead. I feel since they aren't getting what they'd SOO hoped for, I have to come up with something great instead. I know Easter is not about gifts, and I should be teaching my kids that, but it isn't quite that easy. Do you think dad has taken one thought about any of this?? Of course not! This is just one more thing that is ALL ON MOM. So if anyone has a creative/fun idea to throw my way, I am very open to suggestions :)

gotta LOVE this

Ame was anxious to have a grapefuit, and needed a sprinkle of sugar on it. Of course she couldn't wait for mom to get down the newly filled/completely FULL tub of sugar, so she thought she would be helpful and get it down from the top shelf of the pantry all by herself. I heard a crash and a I didn't mean to do it!!! Only to come out and find THIS fun mess all over my kitchen floor. Of course I reacted without stopping to take a deap breathe. But to my defense we did need to leave for dance class in like 10 minutes and we were already running late. I wasn't planning to sweep the kitchen twice (not even once) b4 we left. QUinn's response in passing as we left and he returned home, was its OK she doesn't do things like this very often. If only I had had the same response. Of course it is easy to respond that way when you are not IN the moment and have to actually clean up the mess, while running late. Once again, this mom learned she is all too quick to react negatively, in stressful situations. Ame WAS only trying to be helpful. How would YOU have reacted????