Mudcats

Ikaika has been looking forward to this day for so many months, I couldn't even say how many. I remember him asking Kyle to take him to play baseball at a field nearby before winter came and it got cold.  So he finally is on a team and today he had his first game.
I thought it was so adorable that he got ready two hours before the game then went out side to warm up. He got out cones, set them up and created his own little drills.  I loved watching.
When it came time for the game it was a bit chilly, but we still enjoyed watching. It was the first time I had watched little ones play. They were so cute, trying so hard. Ikaika did great, getting a couple hits. He played first base and I told him that it was always my dream to play first base, but I always got put in the outfield.  He smiled. I love seeing him be so excited about something.

Commitment to do better . . .

It is March 19, 2014.  I just looked through the last few postings of this blog. I can't believe how much time I let go by without blogging. It makes me sad that a part of our little family history will be missing or at least very minimal.  Whenever I look back at it, it amazes me at how much the kids have grown and how quickly time flies.  I want to remember these precious days and be able to treasure them.  So I have a new commitment to do better, starting today.

And here is the heading picture that was posted on our blog when I made the commitment to do better. I can't believe this picture is just about 2 years old!

Disneyland

A couple months ago, Kyle told me that he wanted to take the kids to Disneyland before the new baby came.  Initially, we were going to go during spring break, but I thought it would be better to go as soon as we could so that I didn't have to be at the end of my pregnancy when I went.  So, Kyle looked at his work schedule and we decided this was the week to go.  Things worked out well for it.  One of the good things was the boy's school happened to be off on Monday so that was one less day they had to miss.  It also worked out that Ka'imi's birthday fell on the last day we were visiting Disneyland.  I was so excited to tell her that on her birthday she was going to meet the real Cinderella.  Thankfully it worked out with her and I getting a reservation to the Disney restaurant called Ariel's Grotto, so that we could see Cinderella :) Here are pictures and more info on our little three day adventure.

Below: This is our first morning. We went to Disneyland this first day, and then California Adventure the two following days.  We got the stroller partly for this purpose, because it was the only double stroller I could push with ease.  It was a lifesaver.

Below: And here is one of the two pictures we took with the Disneyland castle in the background.  We thought we were going to come back on Wednesday, but the kids liked California Adventure better so we went there for our last day.  Do you spy Ka'imi?

Below: Here is our family waiting for the parade on the first day.  It was a fun parade with plenty of entertainment.

Below: I was surprised at how excited Ka'imi was to meet Minnie Mouse. I thought that she just cared about the Disney Princesses. She was so cute after and said, "She is so beautiful!"

Below: Day two was at California Adventure.  Here we are waiting for the Monsters Inc ride.  And Ka'imi is dressed in a nightgown because that was what I could find to buy her after she had an "accident." Yes, we survived even that.

Below: Getting a yummy treat to relax in the middle of the day. My achy feet from all the walking was the only hard part.

Below: Nothing says Disneyland than a Mickey Mouse cookie.

Below: Akoni being silly as I get a picture of him with the huge Mickey ferris wheel.  He loves to take pictures.

Below: And day three with the Birthday girl. She and I enjoyed a dinner at Ariel's Grotto together and meet 5 Disney princesses :)  She loved it and that was what was most important.

Below: Meeting the real Cinderella! I was so relived that it actually worked out that she did. I would have felt so bad if it didn't work out.

Below: Ka'imi didn't miss a thing.  She noticed how the princesses posed in the pictures and decided to do the same when I did a little photoshoot of her outside after dinner.  I made this modern Cinderella outfit for her to wear for her birthday.  It was so much fun to create.

Below: I always try to get a picture with the kids on their birthdays.  We took this one while Kyle was taking a couple of the boys for one last ride on the Carsland ride.  Ikaika took this picture.

 Below: Still waiting for the Daddy and the boys to come back so that we could go back to the hotel.

Below: One of our very favorite places was the Disney Art Studio. We did three drawing classes there. Here's one of the walls as you head out.  Not the best lighting, but I liked it as an ending picture.

Below: And finally, back at the hotel with the kids displaying the goodies they got with the allowance we gave them.  My goodness were we tired by the end of the third day.  Happy but tired.

It was a wonderful trip.  I really loved spending time together as a family.  And of course we hope that the kids will always remember and have good childhood memories of this trip :)

Happy 4th Birthday Ka'imi!

It is always fun to ask the kids what birthday theme they want to have. This year, Ka'imi decided quickly on a Cinderella theme. I teased her for a while that I was going to make everyone clean for the party :) After browsing Pinterest for ideas, I came up with the idea for the party to be a Before the Ball party.  I had so much fun making Cinderella aprons for them to wear for the first part.  Then after a couple activities they got to transform into Cinderella with her beautiful gown.  Here is the invitation that I created.

So fun.  There is not a day that goes by that I do not have a great feeling of gratitude to have her as my daughter.

Turning 35

I am not the biggest fan of showing my arm in pictures, but Kekoa took this one and I figure that is me and what I really look like so its ok.
Today I turned 35! It only seems crazy when I realize I can remember when my mom was 35 and here I am at that age now.  It was a great day - it began with breakfast in bed.  The boys were so cute getting all excited to see Kyle bring it to me.
After all the kids were to school, I had a chance to go to the temple. It was such a wonderful session.  For different reasons, I felt like I learned things and felt the significance of covenants and the plan in a way I never have before.  It was so uplifting.

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.