A Day At A Time

Balancing Act

This little boy amazes us more and more everyday.  His balance is getting so good.  Lately he's been crawling all over Roland's back and even standing up, acting like he's surfing or something (unfortunately by the time I grabbed the camera he wasn't willing to participate anymore).

Zipping Along

For Father's Day we promised Roland and my step-dad Ron a Zip Line Canopy Tour.  This weekend they took us up on that offer, along with my brother and his girlfriend who flew over from Honolulu.  Being that I'm afraid of heights, I decided not to go, but after seeing how much fun they had, I'm kicking myself for not going.  But I did make them promise to take tons of photos and video so I could live vicariously through them.  They did as asked and I had 200+ photos to look through.

If you've ever wondered what it feels like to go on a zipline, check out these videos they took:

This is Ron going down the zipline himself:

Now Kevin's turn:

And Roland's:

They outfitted everyone with their equipment, complete with a personalized helmet.  I'm guessing Roland's short haircut got him the "Jarhead" one even though he's not a Marine.

There are 8 ziplines - the first are easy and short, to get you used to the feel of things.  By the time you reach the last you're practically jumping off the cliff.

Midway through the tour they stop at a tree-top platform overlooking a waterfall for some snacks.

Along the way they have a suspension bridge you have to walk on.  I guess the guides shake and jump on it as you go through to make things more interesting.  Not exactly my idea fun.

But from what I hear the views were amazing, and it's a rush going down the zips.

Just so you get a better feel of how high up you are...I think at times you're 475 feet above the ground.  That's high!

So I did chicken out this time around, but I hear they're expanding the number of ziplines they have so maybe I'll go one of these days...

Project 365 - Week 27

Hard to believe we've passed the halfway point of the year, and I'm still going strong with P365.

July 4 - Celebrating the 4th of July with Grandpa and sparklers.

July 3 - Watching the turtles at Kiholo Bay.

July 2 - Surrounded by the ladies.

July 1 - Fresh carrots from the garden.

June 30 - Happy mail!  Got some good deals from the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual sale.  I love their handsoaps and body washes so whenever there's a good sale I stock up!

June 29 - One of the many crafty projects I worked on while Nathan was gone.  Now my card drawer is fully stocked.

June 38 - Blessing one of our church member's boat - the Puu Loa.

Destination: Kiholo Bay

Yesterday, along with a bunch of family and friends we hiked out to Kiholo Bay.  It's about a 20-minute hike from the highway to the beach and leads to a beautiful little cove.  We came across a several honu (green sea turtles) sunning themselves.

There were tons of fun things to do there - watch the turtles, swim, play in the sand, but all Nathan wanted to do was suck on the camelpack.  He had just figured out how to get the water out, and wouldn't put it down the whole time we were there - go figure!

Project 365 - Week 26

June 27 - Getting dressed for a night out at Roy's with the other Army Chaplains and their families.

June 26 - I was so surprised to see Nathan crawl right up onto Makena's back, and that Makena let him do it.  Everyone jokes that Makena is so big that Nathan can ride him, and he did!

June 25 - Someone borrowed Lusia's iPod...When we put the earphones in and he heard the music he started moving his mouth like he was singing along.

June 24 - When it's nice outside one of our favorite things to do is go to Kamehameha Park to play around.

June 23 - The tantrums are starting - I wouldn't let him take the photo so he threw a fit.

June 22 - While waiting for the doctor Nathan decided to give daddy a check up - everyone's nice and healthy!

June 21 - After their Father's Day hike into Pololu Valley Makena and Kaimana got so dirty that they both got baths afterwards.

More Words

Nathan’s picking up words right and left right now.  Two of his latest are “amen” and “I love you”.  Totally melts your heart, doesn’t it?

For some time now whenever we pray Nathan folds his hand together.  But at the end of our prayer Roland and I say “aaaa-men” drawing it out to see if he’ll say it too.  So last night at dinner he totally surprised me by saying “amen”.

And then earlier in the day he was talking to my mom on the phone and just before she hung up she said “I love you” and sure enough he said it too.  I was so excited that I squealed for joy, and he liked my reaction so much he said it again to me.  Then I called Roland out, and he said he again.  We squealed so much that now whenever we tell him “I love you” he squeals back at us. 

I was telling my social-worker friend Glory about him saying “I love you” and she pointed out how awesome it is that he chose those words to say - that it must mean he’s hearing it often.  I want my son to know that he is loved, and now he’s able to tell us he loves us too.

Oh, and his newest word - iPod!

A Different Kind of Recipe

At the Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool that Nathan attends they either have play dough or flubber for the kids to play with.  Today while cleaning my desk I came across the recipes.  Have fun!

Play Dough

1 cup salt

2 cups flour

2 cups water

4 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tsp cream of tartar

Food coloring

Mix dry ingredients

Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl

Add together in a saucepan

Cook on low until the dough thickens to playdough consistency

Flubber

1^st Bowl Mix:

2 cups water

1 ½ cups Elmers Glue

Add a squirt of liquid water color or food coloring 

2^nd Bowl Mix:

2 cups of water

4 tbsp Borax

Mix until it’s completely dissolved

Pour borax mixture into glue mix slowly, mix with hands or wooden spoon (may not need to use all of borax mix)

Note: This does stick to clothes.  It can be taken off with vinegar or try ice, then scrape off material.  Mayo will take it out of hair.

For Today

Outside my window...the wind is really blowing

I am thinking...that we really are blessed – good job, nice house, food on the table, good health, being able to live in Hawaii, surrounded by friends and family

I am thankful for...my husband and that he can work from home if he wants to

From the kitchen...fish tacos for lunch

I am wearing...a black t-shirt and jean shorts

I am reading...the Bible, and waiting for My Sister’s Keeper from the library

I am hoping...to get a lot of things accomplished today

I am creating…felt puppets and birthday cards

I am praying...for patience, and that Nathan will soon sleep through the night

Around the house...there is evidence a little boy lives here (toys are everywhere)

One of my favorite things...is a clean house

A few plans for the rest of the week...park, swimming pool (if the wind dies down), meetings, doctor’s appointment, trip into Kona so Grandma borrow Nathan for a few days

A picture to share...

Tough Guy

Yesterday Nathan had his 15-month doctor’s appointment.  He’s healthy, weighs 20 pounds, 11 ounces (in the 10-20^th percentile) and is just shy of being 31 inches long (50^th percentile).  You could say he's a long and lean little boy.  I’ve been concerned about his weight since he’s a picky eater, but the doc says he’s doing just fine.

It was also time for his MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot.  The nurse warned us that this was an “ouchie shot” and that most kids cry when they get it.  She had Nathan sit down with Roland, and as she gave him the shot I could see in his eyes that it hurt, but he didn’t make a peep.  In fact I could see him starting to get a little angry… 

Roland and I joke that Nathan has a high pain tolerance which was handed down from his Papa Clark and his mom (hey delivery with no pain meds is not a walk in the park).  But then Roland’s mom also told us that Roland used to be the same way when he was little – wouldn’t cry when he got hurt.  So I guess he gets his toughness from a variety of places.

Later that day we drove down to my mom’s house in Kona and when he asked him where his owie was he pulled up his shorts and showed her the bandaid.  Not only is he tough, but smart too.

Project 365 - Week 25

June 20 - In honor of Father's Day we passed out mentos candy with the words "you were 'mento' be a Father" to all the fathers in our congregation.  Everyone loved it and thought it was pretty punny :)

June 19 - While out running errands it was such a gorgeous day that we decided to stop by the park and play.  Nathan discovered the tire swing for the first time.

June 18 - My little helper...the boy loves the vacuum - he can even say it.  It may be twice his size, but he still wants to push it all around the house.

June 17 - Someone discovered my tupperware drawer.  Maybe he thought he was doing me a favor laying them out over the kitchen floor (later that day I matched up all the containers and lids and tossed the loose ones).  Next he's gotta learn to pick them up.

June 16 - He loves his bottle.  Unfortunately we've gotta start the weaning process soon.

June 15 - Since we were on Oahu we decided to take Nathan to Punchbowl to visit "Papa Clark's" grave.  We sat around telling stories and sharing good memories of him.  Time heals, but we sure do miss him.

June 14 - Grandma Azucena and Grandpa Guillermo surrounded by their grandkids at Grandpa's 85th birthday party.