Happy 7th Birthday Ikaika

It's taken another birthday to get me going on this blog again.
Ikaika's birthday :)
We have really developed a tradition that if the child's actual birthday does not fall on a Saturday then they really get two celebrations. They always get to pick their favorite meal for the actual birthday and then we do a meal according to the birthday theme on the day of the party.
So tonight, for three or four years running, we had charsu chicken and rice.  Ikaika calls it pink chicken and rice. It turned out super delicious. And then we had strawberry shortcake per his request.  I have yet to feel like I have broken my curse for making non-extraordinary cakes. There seems to always be something wrong with them. oh well.

For his special day, I made french toast for breakfast.  We stayed around the house for the morning, getting ready, cleaning and making the cake.

For lunch we went to a park for a picnic. Ikaika loves having picnics. Then it was off to the pool in Celeste's backyard.  It really is a great option since the older boys can stand up fine and still "swim"around. Plus, we can save money and I don't have to worry about tons of people and kids staring at my arm. So, it was a winner and the kids had a blast.

Then it was time to come home and have dinner and cake. Kyle finished his day with one of his famous stories. I was busy putting Akoni to sleep. I wish I could have down by him while he fell asleep. I am really sad about missing that.

I am so grateful to have Ikaika as my son.  He has such a tender heart and I can see just how strong his spirit is and of his innate desire to do good and follow the Savior.  I love him so dearly. I am so grateful to be his mother.  And now begins the wonderful year of 7, preparing for his 8th birthday and baptism. How wonderful life is.

Our Soccer Guy

Of course Kekoa wanted to do a soccer birthday theme this year.  I went through different ideas of pictures including a picture at Rio Tinto stadium or just Photoshopping his head on his favorite player, Lionel Messi.  On a hunt one day to find him a soccer jersey, we found this poster outside a sports shop.  It was a perfect backdrop for his invitation.  Lionel Messi (thus the play on "messin"), is arguably one of the greatest players right now.  We are excited to celebrate with some yummy frozen yogurt and finger soccer : )

Akoni is Mobile

He's been crawling on his belly for a week or so now, but tonight he became a full crawler! It was so fun to watch him learn.  Uwe was the reason he caught on so well and so quickly.  He helped him move his knees forward and stay off his belly.  Of course he needed a little motivation.  His was this little soccer ball.  I hope I'll remember his cute lips pursed in determination and his excitement as he reached the ball, grabbed it and waved it in the air.  So cute.  What a fun milestone. A whole world has opened up for him.

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