Friday, September 24, 2010

Did I Ever Mention...

that Jake played baseball? Well, he did.It was his first time playing and he improved A LOT throughout the season. He was actually a pretty consistent hitter. At one point in the season his coach pulled me aside and told me he led the team in hits, which made me smile. I guess his one-man hitting practices out in the backyard paid off.He played outfield most of the time ...but took his turn at catcher every once in awhile too. He was great to watch. So new at the game, so much to learn.One night after a game he told me that when I cheered for him so loud (yeah, I'm one of those moms) it made him nervous. He asked me if I would stop yelling his name when he got up to bat.I was feeling a little sad thinking that my boy was already embarrassed by me at the tender age of 7. I was relieved when Jake suggested, "Maybe you could sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' instead!" So the next game when Jacob got up to bat, I sang 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' to the best of my ability. Sure everyone probably thought I was drunk - but Jake enjoyed it. He asked me to sing louder next time. Later in the season he asked if I could get a trumpet and play "Da da da dadada...CHARGE!" That's my boy.Over the summer we decided to play this game where we would keep track of how many times we could throw the baseball back and forth without dropping it. We named the game "record." Record was one of the chores on his summer chore list. The first time we played, our record was SIX. We threw the ball back and forth for a good hour and the highest we could get to was SIX! We practiced every day this summer and our current standing record is 103. There's lots of room to improve when you're learning something new!Best of all. He got a trophy at the end. Jacob is already looking forward to next season. I think Josh will get to be on the same team as Jake...and we'll get to learn baseball all over again.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Joshua is a Kindergartener!

Joshua has started kindergarten. His teacher is so nice (and so little)! I know he is going to learn a lot and have fun this year. So far he's sung "Who let the letters out? Who, who, who, who?" Get it? Letters instead of dogs? And then he goes through each of the alphabet letters and their sounds. It's a catchy little ditty.I've never seen a child so excited to start school. He's been anxiously awaiting the day and he claimed he wasn't nervous at all. He even told Willie he didn't need a father's blessing because he wasn't scared. Surprisingly, he wasn't (but he got a blessing anyhow). He gave us all hugs (little brother hug pictured below) and happily bounced into class. I missed him all day and teared up a bit, but I tried my hardest to focus on the exciting part of going to school.
After I picked him up from his first day on Monday, he asked, "Do I get to go back to school tomorrow?" When I told him yes, he said, "YESSSS!" Just like anything new, kindergarten will take some adjusting. Today (as in second day of school) his teacher told me he made "angry eyes" at her. It was all I could do to not laugh outloud. I know that look oh-so-well. If you've ever crossed Joshua, you know the look I'm talking about. We're working on that.I love my Joshua. He is a smart, hard-working, and talented boy. He will do well in school...even if he does have "angry eyes" every now and then.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Jacob is a 2nd Grader!

Jacob started second grade today. Where oh where does the time go?! His teacher seems very nice and although he had the first-day jitters, I know he's got a great year ahead of him. We've moved over to a different school this year that's closer to our house. It's hard to be at a new place but lucky for Jake, he already has a buddy. His friend Sam (they actually went to preschool together back in the day) is in the same class. One last look good-bye as he ventured into the building. I managed to steal a quick kiss but I'm proud of myself that I didn't cry this year. I'm excited that he's excited about learning.I guess it's hard for me to believe Jake is in second grade because I remember being in second grade. (Here I am in my jean skirt on my first day of 2nd grade.) I kind of jokingly told Will we need to start being nicer to our kids because they're going to start remembering things...Joshua has his kinder pretest this week and then he'll be starting kindergarten next Monday. We are going to miss him greatly while he's away. I'm glad it's only for half the day.What will I do when it's just me and these two little fellas at home?So here I am, 30 years old, wearing my jean skirt today (minus the Cabbage Patch Kid lunchbox) to celebrate having a second grader of my own. Hooray for second grade!!

Friday, May 21, 2010

It's That Time of Year Again...

Father and Son Campout!! It occurred to me today how excited everyone at our house gets for this weekend. Willie loves to camp and be outdoors, especially with the boys. The boys love anything Willie loves. They were particularly looking forward to marshmallows and fire.I love being able to stay at home and spend time with this little fella! It is unreal how quiet our house is right now. Petey and I got to spend some quality time together tonight and I'm really living it up by watching a chick flick typing transcriptions!

Father and Son Campouts...one of the many perks to being the mother of sons.

Monday, May 10, 2010

I Saw the Sign


On a long drive home from Las Vegas a couple weeks ago Jake and Josh declared they needed to use the restroom. I rolled my eyes because we were entirely surrounded by desert and they knew it. Willie pulled over to the side of the road and let them out to do their business.


Josh hopped out quickly but Jake flatly refused. I asked what the problem was and he said, “That sign says we’re not allowed to.” Entirely puzzled, I turned around to see a ‘no parking’ sign.


Proud of his reading abilities and obedience, Jake very seriously exclaimed, “See, the sign says, ‘No, Peeing'!"


I couldn't help laughing out loud. It's certainly never dull around here...even on long road trips!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Strength in Trials

I just watched this video about Stephanie Nielson, who survived a plane crash, and was very touched. I am amazed at the things people go through. It sure puts my trials into perspective and I gain strength from the inspiring strength of others. I have heard bits and pieces of her story and just maybe I'll have to check out her blog now, too.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Week of Teeth

This past week has been full of tooth action around here.

Jake lost a big front beauty creating a new smile for him. I love his new look! This makes the third fifth (I stand corrected) tooth he's lost.
While Jake lost a tooth, Peter gained two teeth to make up for it. Now Pete is no longer Mr. Gummy Smile. He has TWO new pearly whites. (Even though they're hard to see, they're there...trust me.)My handsome fellas...teeth and all.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Missing You Dad!

We've missed you, Dad! Here's what we've been up to today.

Jake came home with a FABULOUS report card and two ribbons, one for perfect attendance and one for being on the "Principal's List." (It's a good thing, I promise!)


Peter decided after two weeks of rice cereal he was ready to venture out...to green beans! This was his reaction with every bite I gave him.

I guess we have another Kahumoku vegetable lover on our hands!

So although you may find yourself bored and lonely in an airport waiting to come home, enjoy it...because as you know, there's never a dull moment here! We love you!!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

SNOW Much FUN!

We woke up this morning to heaps of snow. I know my brother serving a mission in Minnesota right now and our relatives in Alaska would probably roll their eyes...but it's a lot of snow to us. Church was even cancelled! (That's a first for me.)Nathan watched...as Willie shoveled the driveway and sidewalk.Oh what do you do in the wintertime when church is a no-go?

1. WEAR YOUR P.J.'S ALL DAY and draw, draw, draw. Draw until your fingers hurt and the paper supply is running low. 2. Snuggle with your baby on the couch pull-out bed. Then get your older brothers to join in on the fun, too!Show a little brotherly love with a few kisses.(Ah, lovin' on that Sweety Petey.)Kiss your baby brother...or pretend that you're too cool for that. (Even though Mom already has proof otherwise. Ahem, see above.)
2. Build a Star Wars ship and fly away with your brothers.(Pete's joining the big boys with his Bumbo.)(I love these little faces and imaginations.)(Away they go!)(May the force be with you!) 3. Pause for a snack of toast and hot chocolate.Yum!4. Get bundled up and head outdoors!(I took these pictures from inside the warm house.)(They were so happy to get out there in the cold stuff.)4. Build a huge snowman out front with your dad. Roll 'em, roll 'em, roll 'em! (Josh and Dad rolling the base of the snowman.)Steadily pack that snowman that is taller than you.You know your snowman is big when Dad has to lift you up to put the eyes in!AND put the hat on.The biggest (and cutest) snowman in Kahumoku creation. And that's what we do in the wintertime when all the world is white. It's been a fun day. Jake's got his fingers crossed that school will be cancelled tomorrow...