1st Day of Kindergarten

Where did the time go that my baby is now in Kindergarten?  It seems like he went from being a toddler to a little boy overnight!  Gavin started Kindergarten at the end of July at Mauka Lani Elementary (the school where I worked) and he LOVES it!  He has an amazing teacher - kind and soft spoken, yet firm and really organized.  She makes teaching kindergarten seem like a breeze, and I know from experience that it isn't! 

Because of our work schedules, we had to enroll Gavin in morning and afternoon A+ care at the school (he doesn't go every morning, but goes every afternoon), which has given him the chance to meet other kids not in his class...some in kindergarten and some in 1st grade. 

I'm so happy that Gavin enjoys school, but where did the time go? Please s-l-o-w down!

First Day of Kindergarten! July 24, 2012

In front of his classroom

Mrs. Chun has activities waiting for students at their desk to help the morning go smoother.

Gavin's family...Gavin, Dylan, Steph, Mark

Sea Life Park

We took a road trip to the other side of the island a few weeks ago to go to Sea Life Park.  It's always nice to have a change of scenery and go on island style road trips (an hour from home...as far as we can go :)

Feeding the honus (sea turtles)

We stopped at our favorite restaurant on the east side on our way home for a drink and ice cream for the kids -  Kona Brewing Company

Trip to the ER

I guess it will be inevitable having two boys (or just having kids in general) that we would make a trip to the ER eventually.....so in less than 2 years of life Dylan was the first of the boys to go to the ER for stitches.

At the end of July, when I found out that I got the full time Instructor job at UH (which includes a LONG commute a few days a week), we decided that we would replace Mark's CRV with a fuel efficient car and he would drive the X Terra.  We spent two weekends car shopping (long days, with 2 kids....not fun!).  On Sunday of the 2nd weekend, we finally decided on a VW Jetta and were in the showroom getting ready to sign the final papers when Dylan fell, hit his head on a chair, and split his forehead open.

So, instead of leaving with a new car, we rushed off to the ER and told the dealership we would be back another day to buy the car.  

The guy in the ER who "glued" Dylan's forehead thought using gauze to help wipe up blood (that had super glue on it) was a smart idea.  The results?  Dylan had a piece of bloody gauze glued to his forehead for 2 weeks.  I took this picture because we thought about sending a "thank you " note to the ER for their great work :)

And here is the finished product (2 weeks later...a scar on his forehead that I hope fades over time :)

We did, by the way, go back and finish purchasing the car. The dealership called us several times to check on Dylan (probably hoping we weren't planning on taking legal action), but the gesture was nice. 

This and That and Everything in Between

True to the title of this post....I'm throwing the rest of the summer into this blog post so that I'm caught up!  

The kids participated in the Summer Reading Program at the public library.  Dylan's first trip to the library!

Gavin at wrestling practice at the beginning of summer...

Dylan at Aunty Sophia's...

Shaun and Dominique came out to visit in July!

Another day at the library

We had a girls night out while Dominique was here....also to say Aloha to Katie :)

Mark and Gavin having their first father-son surf session!

Aunty Sophia took the kids for lunch at McDonalds one day

Gavin spent one day with Shaun and Dominique...they spoiled him with a fishing net and container and Uncle Shaun showed him how to fish!

Ring around the rosie

What a handsome little man :)

We had a triple date one night  with the McGinty's and Martin's.

Miss you Katie!!! XOXO

The Martins spent their last nights on the island with us...fun for everyone!

The bandage on Dylan's head calls for a blog post of it's own....

Getting his first "Daddy hair cut"

We had visitors last weekend... cows escaped from the ranch across the gulch from our house and kept coming into our yard!

A little perspective on how close to the house they were...they came up Friday night and on Saturday morning when we woke up, we found them lounging in the yard.  Apparently they spent the night!

St. Louis

Before our summer trip, I left a few days earlier to go to a conference in St. Louis.  I had a great time learning, bonding with colleagues, and playing tourist in a new city.

My co-worker Amy

View of the city from the top of the arch

There were tiny windows for viewing at the top of the arch...and you could feel it swaying in the wind! Not on the top of my to-do list again!

We made it to see the Cardinals play the Colorado Rockies

Amy, Steph, Raynette, and Stacey

Homerun!

Riverboats on the Mississippi

Meanwhile back in HI......While I was having a little vacation.......Mark was home with the kids.....

A little Burger King for breakfast never hurt anyone :) Neither does having your paci during the middle of the day!  Rule #1 of traveling with kids: Anything goes!