Happy Halloween

This Halloween we had:

• Kekoa as Danny Dan from Bakugan (don't ask me how he knows about this one - he's never seen the show)
• Ikaika as Iron Man (the darling let his brother use the outfit for his birthday party)
• Sepa as a Knight (he stuck to that decision for weeks and is determined to be it for the next several Halloweens - funny)
• Ka'imi as a cute, pink bunny (not really sure why I wanted to make sure she was toasty - it's not like she was going to be out trick-or-treating for hours)

Kyle dressed up last minute as we were headed to our ward party and I just grabbed a shirt in my closet that matched.  I claimed to be supermom.
We had fun spending time with our ward and staying dry indoors.  The boys did knock a few doors, just for the experience.  Then we spent the rest of the evening greeting trick-or-treaters at home.  I wrote a note this year that said, "Young children live here, no scary strick-or-treaters, please."  That way the boys wouldn't have things to give them bad dreams.
My only regret?  Not pulling out a decent camera to take pictures.

Funnies

Kekoa – I was getting ready for the day and was putting lotion on after a shower.  Kekoa came and sat by me.  He said, “Mom, you smell like a rainbow.”

Kekoa – while eating at the island in our kitchen.  “Ikaika, do you remember what this means?” While sitting on the bar stools, he was tapping the island with his feet. “It means your prayer is too long and I am getting hungry.”

Kekoa - We had a conversation about money and what Kekoa would do if he had a lot of money.

He said, “I’d give money to Ikaika, Dad, and Sepa.”  I thought that was pretty good, but then he said, “So they could buy presents for me.”

So I asked him what else he’d buy.

Kekoa: “ would buy a shotgun so I could go hunting.

Me: If you have money, why would you go hunting?

Kekoa: See that’s the problem.  I’d spend half my money on food, so then I would have to hunt for some more.

Me: No, what if you had a ton of money?

Kekoa: Hmm . . . that is really hard to guess.

Happily our conversation ended with him saying he’d give money to those who didn’t have things they needed, food, clothes, etc.

One day, Kekoa was terrorizing his brothers while they were trying to watch a show.  I was scolding him to leave them alone.  He said, “It is like they’re squeaky toys and I found them.  And they go, Ahhhhhh!” (Knowing my boys and their high-pitched screams helps one appreciate that story a bit more . . .)

Koa:  When I am 2,000 years old, I am going to be old like Dad.  I laughed, “2,000!?”  Kekoa, “Well, I don’t know. . . 2 billion?”

Kekoa: Mom, can I get a rabbit when I am old?  I mean, not old like a Papa, but like 38 or 40?

My response? YES!

Sepa – 9/29 – 2 1/2 years

While changing his clothes, I said, “Wow! This shirt is dir-ty!”

Sepa, “and awesome.”

Ikaika –

After taking off his suit from church – Look, my hook (aka: hanger) is dressed up!

Ikaika didn’t really want to go to primary one day, but we had him go anyway.  After church I asked him how primary was.  He said, “When I was sad, I just sang songs about Jesus, then I felt better.”

Sepa: polka nots or pinka nots (polka dots)

Kekoa-isms:

During Halloween: “Dad, mom fixed my hair today so it would stand up – she used some of your jello.” (jello = gel)

During dinner: “ Ooo, this fish is good.  Especially when you put on fish frosting.”  (Fish frosting = tartar sauce)

Boys –

I had them run upstairs to take a bath. They started racing for who could get in the tub first.  Kekoa said, “First one to get their clothes off is a rotten egg!”  Ikaika managed to beat him and yelled, “I am a rotten egg!”  Kekoa sighed disappointed.  When he finished he shouted, “Hooray, I am a rotten egg too!”

Some I found on a random paper in my junk drawer (yes, I have one of those):

Kekoa: Ikaika, you have to buckle up or the police is going to take you away and give you to Janette. (Janette is our old neighbor)

The boys were having a little tiff when I wasn’t watching.  When I talked to Kekoa about it, he said, “I didn’t hit any of them, I’m pretty sure.”

Before Kekoa learned to ride a bike: “Mom, I don’t want to take off my training wheels until I am 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, EIGHTEEN!”

Kekoa’s version:

Meeney, miney

catch a toe,

by the tiger

and you know,

you are it!

Maybe I'm Biased . . .

 . . . but I think Ka'imi is so gorgeous.  She has been sick the past couple days with a cold, but today I wiped her nose and took her down to my studio for a few minutes of pictures.  My friend Sarah is going to help me do a real photoshoot next week.  She really did fuss and whine 90% of the time we were down there, but it only takes a few good shots to make it all worth it.
I wish everyone had a 24" MAC screen to see the beauty of these pictures. 

I borrowed this "romper" from another friend of mine.  I think the aquamarine color makes her look like a mermaid in it - appropriate with Halloween around the corner.  I decided a while ago that I will do the cover-up-the-shoulders after she turns one.  So only a few more months of pics like these :)
(hmmmm . . . . maybe we should switch back to private again . . . )

red ribbon

Last week was red ribbon week for Kekoa at school.  He came home with a worksheet that he needed to complete.  It was of things that were good and bad for his body.  Today, I finally sat down with him to talk to him about smoking, drugs and alcohol.  It was kinda a sad moment for me.  Up to this point those words were not in his vocabulary or world.  Of course I knew it was important for him to know.  Making good and wise choices, after all, include knowing the good and bad.  We talked about the blessing of our bodies and how it is a gift from Heavenly Father and that we shouldn't put bad things in it.  I explained what each of the "bad things" were and how people take them into their bodies.  I was happy to be able to tell him that his mommy has never put any of those things in her body.  He said he wouldn't either.
I'm sad for that innocence to be gone, but have hope that this new knowledge will protect him.

reyes y reyes

Today was the Primary Program in our ward.  It was such a sweet thing to watch Kekoa and Ikaika up there.  They each had a part in the program that they worked hard all week to memorize.  Kekoa had John 3:16 and Ikaika had a sentence that said, "When we read our scriptures and pray, we can know Jesus Chris is the Son of God."  They each did such a great job - it was so fun to see their faces light up as they saw us watching them and giving them thumbs up signs.  It was a wonderful program.  I love the spirit present as primary children teach the gospel in the simplest of phrases.  So clear, pure and full of truth. 
 I have been reading a book lately called, "I am a Mother."  It is such a wonderful book that reminds me of the importance of the work a mother does.  I am grateful to have these sweet children who really are so receptive to the teachings of the gospel.  I think of the 19 1/2  months I spent as a missionary teaching the gospel full time 10 years ago and I think my work here is no less important if not greater.  That is inspiring and humbling to me. 
Here are my boys.  I love them in their handsome suits.  Before I know it they will be Elder Reyes and Elder Reyes. 

Koa's Day

Today we celebrated Kekoa's birthday.  It was quite the part with many of his kindergarten classmates and couple other friends.  I was surprised that everyone showed up (our invites went out a little late) and we ended up with 12 kids (including Kekoa and his brothers). It was actually not too stressful to plan.  We kept it simple, but I think the kids had fun.  Here are some of the things we did : )

 But first a quick pic of the cake :

First they created their Iron Man masks.

 

Then it was time for "Iron Man Says" and getting their power source (AKA: glow stick bracelets hung on string necklaces).

After some lunch, the activities continued with everyone making an invention.  

Iron Man is afterall a great inventor : )

I didn't get a picture, but we ended with "Pin the Spark on Stark."

Here are my three Iron Men.  With all the last minute prep I didn't get a chance to really get the boys ready for the day.  Poor Sepa and Kaika look like they just rolled out of bed.

Of course present time was Kekoa's favorite.  And what did he get most excited about?

A quarter that was in one of the presents.  Go figure  . . .

I forgot to get a picture of the birthday boy with mommy and daddy - so we took one on Sunday.  He slept funny on his left eye and it is all puffy.  Oh well.

Happy 6th birthday Kekoa! We love our big boy :)

almost six

It's the night before Kekoa's birthday.  I  fell asleep with the kids while putting them to bed (not a rare occurrence).  It is only a problem when I wake up and can't get back to sleep.  So, I thought I'd do a post of the soon to be birthday boy.

I remember 6 years ago, Thursday night.  Kyle was playing volleyball at a ward gymnasium and I spent my time walking the halls with my big belly, practicing breathing for labor.  I don't really think it was because of all the walking (who knows), but that night I went into labor.  I remember feeling those first contractions and waking Kyle up to tell him I was in labor.  Kyle, disoriented, said, "What do you need me to do, count?" (we'd been practicing that for labor).  I laughed and told him to go back to sleep. 

I couldn't sleep with all the excitement of having my first baby, so I got up and cleaned my kitchen.  At 6:00 am, I decided that it was likely real labor so I called my mom to could begin the 7-hour drive up from Arizona.  I spent the day breathing through the contractions, cooking and cleaning.  At 3:00 the contractions were really strong and we went to the hospital.  Kekoa was born later that night at 10:17pm. 

And I became a mother. 

It truly has been the greatest blessing and most meaningful thing I have ever done.  I am far from perfect, but my kids know I love them.  I am thankful for how my life changed from that time 6 years ago.
Here are pics I took of my birthday boy:

Ka'imi - 7 months

 

Ka'imi at 7 months:

• got her two bottom teeth (see pic above :)

• after spending the last month on her tummy is ready for a new view of the world.  She probably spent 80% of her awake time on her belly.  She still doesn't sit up well enough for me to leave her alone, but that will definitely be the next play position.

• goes up on her hands and knees as well as on her toes like she's going to do a push up.  It is so cute.  I wish I could get a picture of it.

• semi-mobile.  I put her in one area to play and when I look back at her, she's moved several feet away.

• has moved into her own room and crib.  She seems to like it - though we are not "sleeping through the night."

• still loves polka dots.

• refuses baby food or anything squishy and pureed like that, but once downed a quarter of a piece of pizza and rice with curry on another occasion.

• still falls asleep with her pacifier.

• still having three naps a day.

• our angel girl.

Oh Boy

I have been meaning to start Joy School with the boys for weeks now  (we are a bit behind).  I was hoping to do it with a neighbor near us, but never found anyone who has a child Ikaika's age who was interested.  I finally buckled down and did it today.  I told Kyle this evening how my kitchen floor screamed at me to be mopped instead, but I persisted and taught them.  They loved it.  Ikaika said to me afterward, "Mom, I love it when you teach me preschool."  Sepa was a little crazy as any two-year-old would be, but he sat still for a solid 15 minutes when it was singing time.  The curriculum does not have singing time for quite that long, he just kept saying, "Again, Mommy."  So we did.  The thing I like about just teaching my kids is not feeling the pressure to fill the time just right.  We start when we want, do each activity as long as we want and enjoy time together.  Here is a picture of them on the Joy School mat.  It makes me laugh because it captures their personalities.  Ikaika is the preschool king, raising his hand and paying attention while Sepa is just silly half the time.  I love my boys.
Here's to joy.