Soccer. Round 2.

Kekoa had a couple soccer camps this year and could hardly wait for soccer season to start.  He's had a couple practices already and today was his first game.  I was so proud of him and so happy for him. I know how much soccer means to him and I want everything for him.  Let me just quote what Kyle posted about the game on Facebook.

"[This morning], Kekoa 'El huracan' Reyes returned to the soccer field to score all four of his teams goals in only two quarters of play en route to a season opening victory.  I heard the opposing coach ask his assistant, 'Where did this kid come from?' Well coach, Kekoa hails from a little town called Awesomenessville."

Kyle has always been better with words than I. So. Enough said.

School Begins

Yesterday was Kekoa's first day of school.  We all went outside to send him off. Of course it was picture time. Here are the darlings.

We went to meet Kekoa's teacher on Monday.  She seems very nice and we are excited for all that Kekoa will learn this year. He is thrilled to have a couple of his good friends in his class still.
And then today I took Ikaika to meet his kindergarten teacher.  He was shy and wouldn't even tell her his name at first, but he warmed up by the end of the visit.  My favorite moment of the day was when I asked him in passing what he wanted to be for Halloween this year.  He said, "Ummm. . . maybe a ninja turtle . . . or a teacher."  I couldn't help but smile. Kyle of course was delighted when I told him about it. I think it is a great sign (two thumbs up).  I have been a bit worried about how he will do initially, and hope it is a wonderful experience for him.  Sepa still waits for his pre-school to start as well. We'll do more pictures next week as well.  But here are a couple from today : )

And here are their back to school pencil holders.  With a little duct tape embellishing we have ourselves ninja turtles : )

I am not really the mom that is super excited for school to start just to get the kids out of her hair. But I am super excited for them to learn and have opportunities for growth and experience, so the beginning of a new school year is a happy time for me.

Back to School with Wilbur and Charlotte

I did my very best to keep the kids reading this summer.  As a part of that I read to them Charlotte's Web.  I told them we'd have a party with cotton candy when we finished and that was good motivation for us to get it done.  We finished just in the nick of time, the day before school started.  I thought we'd make a full party out of it with food, an activity and of course a watching of the movie.  I was so happy to find the movie at our local library, but sadly the DVD was too scratched to watch.  Thankfully our neighbor had a copy and the party resumed :)   I thought it was a little contradictory to eat pigs-in-a-blanket (my original idea for dinner) so we went with a fair-theme since that was a fun part of the book.  We ate corn dogs, watermelon, popcorn, peanuts and of course cotton candy.
Our activity was a cupcake pig (a little less contradictory, maybe).  The boys had lots of fun and so did I.

Since it was Monday night and FHE, the boys also recieved father's blessings for the school year.  I am so thankful for Kyle and his ability to bless our children.  I am so excited for this school year and all it will bring : )


PS.  I also wanted to comment on my favorite part of the book. Yes, I cried when Charlotte died, but even more heart-moving to me was when she told Wilbur about her egg sac.  She said called it her magnum opus.

"That's Latin," explained Charlotte.  "It means 'great work.'  This egg sac is my great work- the finest thing I have ever made."       

I couldn't help but choke up thinking of my children.  I have a good friend that said to me after seeing Akoni for the first time, "He's beautiful, look what you created!"  I think of all the work and sacrifice that goes into bringing a child into this world.  Yes, it is amazing and even a miracle.  And then I think of how small that is to the work and sacrifice that goes into raising a child and children.  Magnum opus?  Indeed.         

Akoni at 6 months

 

I have been doing tons of pictures of this little guy on instagram, but not so much on this blog.  Can you believe he is already 6 months! He is a sweetheart and we love him so much.  He really is a great baby, not too fussy.  He loves chewing on his fingers, watching his brothers and loves mommy.  He gives me the greatest smiles in the morning or when I come in the room. We are so happy he is a part of our family.

Update: 8/26/12

Here are some pictures I've taken with my phone recently of him at this age:

Blogging to Instagram

I love that over 4 years ago, I was introduced to blogging.  I know so many memories of these precious early years would have been forgotten had I not blogged.  It has become harder to keep up with, and though I will not stop blogging, it might not get back to how frequently I blogged before.  My new way  of capturing the every day is with instagram.  It is quick, easy and I love it.  If you are interested in following me there my user name is reyesohana.  Here are just a few of the pictures I have taken recently with it.

This was a trip to to the park - loving summer days : )

 I love this last picture of Kyle with Ka'imi.  It is him dancing with her as she falls asleep.  I love that Instagram has helped to capture more of of the little things of the everyday.  I love my sweet little family and want to remember as much as I can of this time of our lives together.

Sunday

Today Kyle was released from the Bishopric.  He spent 4 years in this calling (he has also been in 2 other year-long bishoprics).  Knowing it was coming I've had a chance to think about the blessings that have come to our family in those 4 years.  I am so grateful for the two children we have added during that time, grateful that Kyle has finished his schooling and has a wonderful job he loves that supports our large and growing family.  We have good health and our family, though not perfect, are strong in the gospel and have desires to improve and do good.  I am so thankful for it all.
I'm excited to have some extra help with the kids before and during church.  And I'm giddy at the thought of being able to hold his hand during sacrament meeting.

8/12/12
We sat with Kyle today in sacrament meeting.  It was such a great occasion I had to sneak a picture with my phone

London 2012

Last night we realized the opening ceremonies for the Olympics was coming up and just in passing Kyle said that maybe we should do something to celebrate it. So at 5:00 this morning my mind started running with ideas of how we could celebrate simply but with fun and meaning.  We did things mainly with food.  The Olympic Flag was the most obvious to use as inspiration.  We included in on our pizza and fruit bowls.  We also created a huge flag that we hung on our fireplace (keeping it there while the games play out).  And for dessert we had the Olympic Torch ice cream style.  The boys had fun.  I was thrilled my sister and her two boys could come be a part of the fun- we love having them around : )

Pretty in pink . . . polish

A fun milestone - Ka'imi and I had our first little fingernail polish party.  I think it is funny that it took longer to polish her nails than it did to pierce her ears.  Oh well.  But she was excited - a bit nervous because of the smell.  I cherish the fact that I have a little girl to do fun things like this with.  It has only just begun : )

Ikaika Loves Grandma

My mom was out visiting us while Kyle was gone to Hawaii for his family vacation.  It was nice to have her here to distract us from missing Kyle.  Yesterday she had to head home because she needed to get back to work.  Here was a picture I printed on a huge canvas for her to hang in her office.  I wanted her to have something to look at to cheer her up if she had any bad days.  We all love grandma, but Ikaika has a special place in his heart for her.