HIPPY

We are enrolled in a free community preschool. We get together with all of the kids in the group once a week. The kids have many stations and activities to participate in while the parents go over a week's worth of curriculum for our children. I like it a lot. Melia and Sophie get the chance to play and socialize with their friends, and then we have about an hour of learning activities to do together each week. 

Pictured with Melia and Sophie is the Cat in the Hat (or Stacy, our assigned teacher) and two of Melia and Sophie's favorite friends, Gwyneth and Ryen. 

Sometimes Gwyneth and her mom, Anielka, go with us to the beach.

Nuhau Aloha

What is new in Hawaii:

Freckles. We use a lot of sunscreen, but we've still got em.  I have two new big splotches right in the middle of my cheek and Sophie has two big ones on her nose.

Whole Grains. My kids won't eat white rice anymore! They like brown better! Yipee!

Self-Help Books. They are helping me out of a lurch.

Achievement. "Ih mek me feewl ain-gwee when ew do dat!" At age 2, Sophie is using her words!

Insanity and Physique 57. These new work out videos top the charts for me! Wahoo! Ouch.

Raw. Fish. Danny loves it. He's a real sushi guy now.

Chocolate covered, coconut coated, macadamia nuts.  Too good. I try not to buy them.

Camping on the beach. We hope to do that this coming Friday.

Kids clothes for Sophie. In just 8 months, Sophie has grown two whole clothing sizes. Lately, I am thinking I should put her in 5T. She is still 2 years old.

Melia's distaste for men. She is in a phase where she only wants pretty female teachers at church or preschool. 

No more death fears. Melia used to sob and sob that we were all going to die, and at random moments, on any given day. We bought a book on grief that helped us understand why. After a chat with her about it, her fear is gone. Incredible.

Grieving. I am deeply engulfed in a lifetime of regrets and sorrows and am trying to swim through what is necessary to move on...

A Visit from Bob and Wendy

We had a really nice time last week when my dad and Wendy came to visit us! We were able to do many fun and relaxing things:  early morning paddling, shopping, lounging at the beach, dining out, family home evening book reports by the girls, whale watching (Wendy was amazing at spotting every single one!), another great luau, touring Hilo and Akaka Falls (Kristen--we went to Ed's cafe!), body surfing, and church.

It was incredible and touching to watch them play with our lovely little blondie girls. Sophie and Melia were thrilled! My dad took a picture of Melia (below) that is possibly my most favorite picture of her ever!

Wendy and my dad make a great pair; it was nice to have all that quality time getting to know them as "Mr. and Mrs. Elkington." They are a classy and fun. We are so glad they came to see us. 

We love you, Dad and Wendy!

 

Sophie's First Movie

We went to our first family movie together, and it was Sophie's first movie, too.  We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. It was great! Sophie sat on her Daddy's lap and Melia and I whispered to each other while we watched the show and snacked on our popcorn.

Girls Dancing

A visit from Kristen and Josh

Kristen is a dear friend and Danny and I got to see her and Josh twice when their cruise ship visited our island!  It was so nice to see them! We were so excited in fact, that we acted a little spaztic. 

...Hope you still love us guys, we still love you!

Loving the Library these Days...

We go to the library ever three weeks. It's fun. It's nice. Sometimes it is crazy. The other day, it was embarrassing. 

Big lady is sitting behind the counter scanning our books.  Big lady gets up to retrieve the Rapunzel DVD from her files five feet away. Big lady up top is TWICE as big down bottom.

Melia tries to whisper, but instead whisper-yells, "WOW, Mom--HER BUM IS REALLY BIG."

I shake my head at her and give her big alarm eyes. I whisper-plead "No. Don't say that!"

And Melia says it one more time. "Yah, but did you see her BUM, Mom? It is really big!"

Bugs and Bracelets

Melia has become very good at drawing hearts.  Her hair is growing slowly. She loves bugs.

Sophie loves dancing like a hula girl and taking care of her babies. She whines and cries more than the average kid. She is really into bracelets right now. Accessories, accessories, accessories!

Love our girls!

It's a New Decade

January 2010 marks the start of a new decade! Wow. What will it bring? I can only imagine!

Here is what the last ten years brought (in a NUT-SHELL!) :


2000: Freshman in college at Southern Utah University. Staying up very late each night, having a blast with my roommies, riding my bike everywhere, thinking about becoming a math teacher. 18 years old. Summer job at Hires Big H as a car hop.
2001: Sophomore. Service Coordinator in student government. Mortified often. Passionate about life. Learning how to open up to people. Consider changing major to psychology, art, or spanish.
2002: Junior year. Meet and marry the very gorgeous and manly Daniel Robert Hyde. Stop considering psychology because I can't get up early enough for class. Summer job at Domino's Pizza. Fall wedding. Love being married to my man and grateful for such supportive, loving family.
2003: Senior Year I. Getting a degree in art, spanish, and secondary education. Travel to Mexico for half the summer with Danny, working for Uncle Mark.
2004: Senior Year II. Danny and I graduate together. Study for one month in Spain. Move into Mark and Anne's house in Fallon. Student teach at CCHS. Danny's first real job at Kehoe Tile & Stone. Become pregnant with first child.
2005: Buy first home in Fernley, NV. Substitute teach. Give birth to my Melia. Danny begins new job for construction/development co. Both parents buy boats and the wake boarding fetish begins!
2006: Become pregnant with my Sophie. My mother, Joyce Janeene Bevan Elkington, passes away, age 52.
2007: Substitute teach and do art lessons. Sophie Joyce is born. Danny goes to China for first time. Another heartbreaking loss in the family.
2008: Run a half marathon. Lasik Eye Surgery is great. P90X with Danny. Love my family. Questioning everything about my life.
2009: Sophie's tonsils and adenoids are removed. Dad marries Wendy Terry. Official kickoff to Sister's Weekends, both sides. Run some more. Danny accepts new job for Pacifica Hotels and we move to Hawaii. Dye my hair blond, enjoy loads of family time, and find some of the answers I am looking for.
2010: Becoming a better mother, making new family traditions, and more to be announced...

Tuesday Morning Fun

These barbies needed some modesty and also a little pizazz! I know most mom's wouldn't advocate painting barbies with finger nail polish, but I thought Mahana needed a bra to go with her panties and Melia's thought red tights on Sleeping Beauty would look superb.
...I think we will have a few pretend circus barbie playtimes over the next few days.