Helping Hands

We have given the task of feeding Marley over to the boys...Dylan goes to get her bowl and Gavin can open the container and scoop her food.

Funny enough, when Gavin was the same age as Dylan is now he also was a big help in feeding Marley.  The only difference was he was talking a little more and repeated the word "bowl" over and over again as he was feeding her.  Click here to see a video of Gavin feeding Marley when he was about 18 months.

Dylan's First Haircut

I finally did it- I broke down and took Dylan for his first haircut. It wasn't planned out with a trip to the kiddy salon, it was a spur of the moment decision on Friday after I picked him up from Sophia's.  There is a Supercuts next to Safeway and I had to run into Safeway quick and well....you see where I ended up. It was probably better this way. Had I actually tried to plan it out, I would have found "reasons" to avoid going like I have been now for the 3 months this haircut was overdue :)

For a little boy that CANNOT sit still, he did great! He was so good and didn't move at all (the chips I was feeding him probably helped, but you gotta do what you gotta do!)

The before shot....his baby face and white hair that has earned him the nickname "Cotton Top" with my parents.

The back....looking back at it now, it sure resembles a mullet! 

My baby boy looking an awful lot like a toddler! Sniff  Sniff

A Whirlwind Visit

A few weeks ago we had a friend from college, Linette, come out to visit for a few days.  She was only here from Sunday night through Wed. night, but we made the most of every day and had a great time! Linette was Mark's neighbor when he lived on Main Street, so I got to know her very well and we have always hit it off easily.

While she was here, we went to Ko Olina for dinner and sunset, Ka'ena Point for a sushi beach picnic and sunset and Linette and I went to Dukes on her last night here.  She squeezed in a lot of beach time during her short visit before heading back to South Carolina!

Gavin and Linette searching for shells

The kids loved the out of the ordinary routine of getting picked up early and going to spend the afternoon/sunset at the beach!  They were SANDY at the end of this day.....had sand in their pockets, ears, and hair!  I'm still finding it in the clothes hamper :)

Superbowl Party

When we lived in Maili Cove (about 5 years ago) we met our friends Cynthia and Boo Collier - he is a teacher and she is a vet (Marley's doc).  About the time we moved to our house in Makakilo their custom built house out in Makaha Valley was complete....and WOW! What a nice place.  

Each year they host a Superbowl party/ birthday party for their daughter - and every year there is a new addition to the house....basketball court, playroom for the kids, apartment downstairs for Cynthia's mom, and the newest addition.....an infinity pool and hot tub.  

Had to share a few pictures of their beautiful place...

Yes, that's a basketball court in front of the house. I was standing next to the pool - it is like one big playground!

The hot tub spills over into the pool and all have AMAZING views of the ocean and surrounding mountains.   No wonder I didn't watch a minute of the game! 

Playing the Day Away

We really lucked with Dylan spending his days with Aunty Sophia.  She creates a loving, caring, and enriching environment for the kids and to top it off, she sends pictures throughout the week so we can get a glimpse of what the kids are doing.  Here are a few shots from the past few months to show how Dylan spends his days.....

Bouncy house time!

Lunch time - notice that Dylan now sits at the "big kid" table!

Zack also goes to Aunty Sophia's for daycare and these two boys LOVE playing together all day! A few weeks ago, Aunty Sophia needed the day off so Mark took both boys for the day.  

When we pick up Gavin at preschool, Dylan runs over to make himself right at home.   He'll be ready for the 3 year old class in a couple of years!

Big boxes always are a hit with kids!

Snack Time

Music Time!

Matt took both boys one day last week when Sophia needed the day off - worked out perfect that we took turns with the Martins  to watch the boys. 

Argh Matey

The kids were invited to a birthday party several weeks ago that had a pirate theme. Kids that came to the party dressed up won a prize, so we threw together something that resembled pirates in 5 minutes and were off to celebrate.  The kids didn't stay in their pirate get-ups very long once they got to the party, but tolerated them long enough for me to take a few pictures :)

 

Just a quick video of Dylan jumping on the trampoline at the party...

Feel like DaNcINg!!

I have watched this video about 10 times and laughed EVERY time....

The first part is from a few weeks ago - we were having lunch at McDonalds and Johnny Cash music came on and Dylan started dancing in the booth.  Of course, when I took my camera out to film, he stopped and only gave me a few little bops up and down when I asked him to dance.  

The second part is Hilarious!  Gavin was shaking his booty and really getting down! He pays close attention to music on the radio now and will sing along to songs that he likes (Pumped Up Kicks is one of his favorite).  

Enjoy!  

Mauka to Makai

There are many days that I am thankful for the beauty surrounding us here in Hawaii....for the active lifestyles we can lead year round....and weather that couldn't get any better.  Last weekend we sampled a little of the best that living in Hawaii has to offer - we went for a hike and then went to the beach.

Because Gavin is too big to be carried now, we have to choose hikes that he can walk the whole way by himself, so we decided to hike part of the trail on the way to Maunawili Falls (on the Windward side of the island).

After the hike, we found a new beach park (after living here for 11.5 years I thought we had seen them all)!  It was a part of Kailua Bay - called Kalama Beach Park.  It was full of kids and families and had waves that would be perfect for boogie boarding or beginning surfers.  We definitely plan to go back again!  The end to a perfect day was a stop at the Kona Brewing Company for dinner in Hawaii Kai.  Lucky we live Hawaii!

As you can see, I've been able to avoid Dylan's haircut a few more weeks :)