The days are flying by

Today I talked to one of those friends you've known for most of your life and can start right where you've left off. Around the time I was pregnant with Little she moved to Miami and has been there since. Since then her boyfriend graduated law school, I had my third child, she worked for some intense Miami inner city schools and did some amazing things for the students, we moved here and now she and her boyfriend are moving in together. She is a preschool teacher now so it's great because she knows exactly what my day looks like with potty training and hilarious discussions that one will have with toddlers.

                                            

 Children don't observe your day as being your own, they view it as theirs with you in it. They see it more as not having a bad day or a good day it's more like I have a better or worse day because of them.  She's been working closely with a huge range of children over the passed four years in various degrees of stability in life. She completely knew what I was saying and both agreed how fast time can go by. She has many accomplishments in many children's lives and I'm so proud of the woman she is. I loved catching up and simply hearing her voice. So excited for this next adventure in life for her. Love to you Melly Mo!

Almost a week in one week

I am meeting Alyssa next Wednesday for a special six day trip. We're so excited to have this special time together to just take our time and hang out. We meet in San Francisco and stay for a couple of days until we drive down to San Ynez and then to Los Angeles to finish the trip. This is my first time away from either one of the girls and I've only traveled for less than a day away, so needless to say this has been a long time coming. The best part was it was a last minute decision and I couldn't be more excited (yes, I did already pack my bag and then re-pack it again) I have reading material too.

I saw a sweet lady at the bishop museum who I know from the elementary school and she told me she did this a few years ago with her sister. She said if she was only given the alone time on the flights from Honolulu to Seattle that would have been just fine, her trip was icing on the cake. Amen sister! We'll see some new and old friends, hopefully make some new ones too. See you in a week Roo!

Summer on Oahu so far

I don't take too many pictures when we're out because A. I don't have enough hands to click and watch all three of them (safely). B. I love photography but I also love capturing life without a lens, simply living and appreciating them in their element. It has been three weeks of summer so far and here are a couple of fuzzy Iphone views.

Watching this bird from the girls bedroom. Richard found these in the valley behind our house.

At Scoop of Paradise where you walk in to fresh waffle cone aroma. Little was squealing I kid you not. I can barely tell the difference between the girls in this picture but Little is in the middle.

We are so blessed to see these every night.

Picking out some yummy treats for date night at the Cafe.

It's summer and we went to Savers

I have been happily giving away cloth diapers and training cloths to anyone who wants them. I also have been weeding through our home. Summer with my mom visiting then my cousin and now me and all three of the kids plus Richard working at home makes me feel...claustrophobic. We went to drop off some items at Salvation Army and went in. This past week I came out with some great finds. Here are two of my lovely assistance to show you some outfits we bought.

                                                        Yes, she posed all on her own

bathroom break

We're back with our power stances.

If you recall this post on my love for second hand then you'll be happy to hear in one week I bought a raincoat  for Richard that would have been over $100  but bought it for $8. Many amazing kids finds and a Pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans that cost well more than how much I've paid of my combined three trips to the thrift store. I'm one happy gal.

Melon Fun

It's melon season, so...

And then they played at the playground...

Laughs

Pigtails

and friends

make for a fun day after school.

I've picked up Jalking again

I never thought I'd be blogging about this but I have been trying to exercise more lately.... (now don't spark up too quickly) For all you athletes, this might piss you off or make you laugh. I'm hoping for laughter being the latter. No big New Years resolution reason why, I simply re-prioritized my time. I have eliminated a lot of distractions via social media sites in the past year, subsequently I don't sit in front of a screen in hopes for someone to converse with me. My current thought: "Wow, ironic I am typing this on a social media site to you guys." ... My face is pink and my head is low.

 Instead I am conversing if you will with my body. My natural rhythm of when I have those endorphinal energy spurts and trying to enjoy those moments. Lately I have been jogg slash walking in the mornings on the Bike Path when I take The Boy to school. I can drop him off by 7:50 and get a full thirty minute -jalk- in. I am constantly moving with the kids and lifting them. The girls are almost the same weight at 28-32 pounds. So this is more or less about a chance to start the day well and to give my mind some to to listen to my breathing and heart beat align with this and some of this that flow together. It allows me to be in a mindset of appreciation of my surroundings. The way music and mind are meant to.

douglaspage photo

I talked to Lauren today and told her I was running lately, then quickly retorted my statement and said " No, no I'm jogging...with some walking brakes! Ya, I'm definitely not running." I said this because I remembered what running means to her, it means actual running.This would make a lot more sense if you knew her, she is a health and fitness guru. Do you know people like this? She just laughs and tells me good job. Have I mentioned yet we've been friends for fifteen years and even as kids she was an amazing athlete? Yes, she knows I'm a -jalker- not a runner. And we're still friends.

The Shave Ice Experience

If you have been to Hawaii, especially the North Shore of Oahu, then you'll know all about the love Hawaii has for Italian Shave Ice. People wait in lines for more than an hour to eat this colorful, sugarful treat. Fortunately I know of a place that you can go to at 11:30 am and not have to wait. Though it's not on my list of favorite desserts, (it's way too sweet for me) Nana promised the girls a Shave Ice.

 Nana said "Never again, and I was wearing white shorts!" But these three blondes sure do take a good picture!