THE CHRISTMAS BOX

JUST WANTED TO RECOMMEND THIS BOOK BY RICHARD PAUL EVANS CALLED "THE CHRISTMAS BOX" FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A QUICK HOLIDAY READ. IT'S VERY SHORT AND SWEET, AND A GOOD REMINDER FOR US ALL OF HOW WE SHOULD CELEBRATE DAILY THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS.

HOALA NA PUA/NA KAMALEI - K.E.E.P.

My daughter attends a local early education program called HOALA NA PUA, servicing parents and their children ranging from 18 mos. to 4 years. Its parent non-profit organization called NA KAMALEI works with the Ko'olauloa community of Oahu and through Hoala Na Pua strives to nurture parents and children "in an inclusive environment by providing stimulating experiences, utilizing the Hawaiian and English languages in music, language development, socialization and creative arts."

One of their major developments includes The Ho'ulu Hou Project: Stories Told By Us, a series of books published in Hawaiian and English, which feature the "stories of the history, geography, language and culture" of the Ko'olauloa Community. They are very unique and fun to read because many authors and pictures are recognizable places and people in our community. As a courtesy to the children of Hoala Na Pua, we receive most, if not all, of the published copies which are now s0ld at our local Borders. Isn't that awes0me? They're very interesting/entertaining and we love and cherish our collection. At our recent Thanksgiving party, we were gifted 11 more titles and a free Na Kamalei book bag!

For more info about our school (now recruiting and accepting applicants) and/or the books, visit http://www.nakamalei.org

Belated Thanksgiving Post

This is way late but better than never. Thanksgiving was awes0me this year because all of my holiday food cravings were met. I actually started eating turkey and ham for dinners leading up to Thanksgiving s0 I had more than my share, but I gotta eat for two right? We feasted at my sister's this year and everything was s0 yummy cause she made all the meals, even little festive centerpieces, all I had to do was chew! Thanks sis for letting me invite myself and my family over. Here are a few after pics:

My sis and her beautiful family

The kids pose

And another

Balloon Fun

After a long Saturday night, we all woke up too late for church and consequently spent the whole day at home. Besides sleeping & eating, this is how Lole and her dad spent the better part of their day...playing with balloons! (Lole made daddy's hat, and he made hers...too cool!)

Paina in Waianae

One of Bo's co-workers invited us to his grandson's 1st birthday party this past Saturday in Waianae. I don't really get out of Laie much (let alone the other side of the island) but we made the 2 hour drive in the haze/rain to sing Happy Birthday and show support.

Lil Jaymes Toetu'u-Aipia

(L to R)
Bill Manumu'a, Loti Toetu'u (youngest grandpa ever, 33 0r 4), and Bo

Lole and Tiare (1 of Loti's 7 kids)

The weather was assumed to be really rainy that day, but we were pleased it was merely...well, MUDDY. lol. There was a jumper and face-painter for the kids, and for the adults (and under-agers), a live band, awesome pupus, a mix of tongan/hawaiian/filipino food, and beer for days. Not my kind of party, but 9 hours away from Laie, even Waianae, was good for me. Plus, 1st Birthdays are always worth celebrating!

Bishop Museum School Field Trip

Our experience at Bishop Museum today was shorter than the drive to and from Honolulu, but the kids were in need of some excitement for the week. The highlight was a new exhibit called "MEGALODON" which is like the dinosaur "mother" of all sharks. I think they grew up to 23 feet, and ate...WHATEVER they wanted to, including whales. Amazing.

Besides the shark exhibit, the kids put on costumes, played on the large snail, and tried to see what was so fun about the 3-D Hawaii maps.

Overall...OVERRATED, but it was a ticket out of Laie for a few hours.

Lole and Cousins

How cute is this booth picture? I found it in my daughter's purse the other day while we were cleaning. It was taken one day when my sis took the kids (her 3 + Lole) to the mall, where they played mini golf, ate at Pandas, and cruised around for the whole afternoon...giving me some good reading/tv/alone time. (Yah, it's normally a vertical strip of pics, but I tweaked it to make more room.) Ahhh, I love these guys!

KIHE KAHA=FOREVER STRONG

Last night we made a special trip to PCC to eat dinner at Ambassadors and watch the free showing of "Forever Strong." After crab legs, mac-nut crusted chicken, prime rib, taro rolls, and a few deserts (I won't say how many), we were shocked to find the movie line already formed outside the IMAX theater. Though the theater maxes out at 600, there were still many outside who didn't get to come in. The film's Exec Dir Brad Pelo (also of "Legend of Johnny Lingo") gave a brief intro before it started and shook people's hands after the crowd's applause at the end. It's a feel-good, coming of age type story, highlighting the nation's winningest high school rugby team out of Highland, UT of all places. (Record: 391 wins, 9 losses and 17 national championships...AMAZING!) Funny, corny, sad,...it's all of those things, but meaningful as well. Oh, and they do the HAKA too, which I don't care if it's done by white boyz or polyz, it still gives me goosebumps.

"BELLA's LULLABY" -- or at least it should be

My niece introduced me to this song today. It's called "River Flows In You" by Yiruma, and somehow, it was rumored to be the official "Bella's Lullaby"--but it's NOT and I have to agree with so many others that maybe it should be. It's so beautiful. Enjoy!

PROP 8 Protestors Target LDS Temple

Ahh, I thought all this PROP 8 drama would be over with since it passed in California. Apparently NOT. Check out this article from the LA TIMES.

And this video.

Halloween Fun

Gosh we had too much fun this week! Lole got to wear her VAMPIRE costume 4 different times (twice in one day) so towards the end she was like "Mommy, I have to wear my costume...AGAIN!"

At my ward party (H3) the kids got to play games, eat cotton candy/chili and rice, and go through a Haunted tunnel. Lole won "Most Scariest" for her age division (0-3) at the costume contest!












At our school trunk-or-treat, a police officer talked to us about safety and he let the kids come and play in the cop car. They got lots of cool treats AND yummy pizza and salad!



Here's their favorite teacher, Aunty Dina







My sis (far left) and I were "Da Sistahz" (like da braddahz) for our school party. I was so comfy in my FOB attire so maybe I should've been something less true-to-self this Halloween. Here we are pictured with Kura Tovey.






At my sister's ward party (K2), Lole had fun playing Pumpkin Mini Golf,
decorating cupcakes and of course, trunk-or-treating with her favorite cousins. They also had the bomb chili & beef stew!






By Halloween night, we were so "treated"-out that we only walked around Laie for an hour. She ran into her Tonga cousins and a few other friends along the way. It was the only time Daddy got to come with her so she was super stoked about that too.

It was such a blast watching her have so much fun getting dressed, putting on makeup, and seeing her all giddy about getting a little lollipop. Treats are fun, but the experience was even better this year. HERE'S TO HALLOWEEN!!!

Baby @ 26 Weeks

Here is the result of my first visit with my new OBGYN yesterday. She was breech so we couldn't see much, but apparently that's her face (her eyes facing us)! 14 weeks to go!

IS THERE LIFE AFTER TWILIGHT?

Even though I tried to drag Breaking Dawn as long as I could, and I was HAPPY the series ended well, I caught myself telling my husband yesterday that now I have "nothing" to do. Lol. Sunday night as I was reading the last pages, I kept drifting in and out of sleep, and actually dreamt that I was some form of a Bella, with little Renesmee (Lole) sleeping beside me. What is wrong with me? Haha! Seriously though, I'm curious what all of you "after-lifers" did for amusement once the series was over (besides get back to reality)...did you move on to another book, maybe even a Steph Meyer book? Any suggestions?

I don't heart HSM1-2-or-3, but SHE DOES!

Last Friday, Lole and I watched HSM3 (her winning choice against Beverly Hills Chihuahua) along with an army of elementary kids apparently on a field trip. What ever happened to going to the zoo or state museum? Anyway, my daughter loved it of course, but I couldn't wait for it to be over. Gabriella+Troy+corny love songs=SHOOT ME, PLEASE! They are the only ones that really kill the movie for me. I did however like the PROM SCENE where they sing "A Night to Remember", esp. Tay's dress!

PCC'S Haunted Lagoon Ride

Last night we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for their newest attraction--The Haunted Canoe Ride! SPOOOKY! Even though we waited in line for over an hour, I must say I was pretty impressed by their efforts; there was food, glow toys, picture taking, fully-costumed "scarers", creepy music, and the best part: it was FREE for us (annual pass members get 1 free ride & toddlers need not pay)! You would NEVER guess that Lole was deathly afraid to take this picture with the Joker & Skeleton and that we had to drag her to do it, face buried/crying in dad's chest and all. It wasn't until we said "SMILE" that she turned around for the flash, hiding her fear!

We left the ride completely soaked on one side (smart people don't sit on the edge) and satisfied that dad didn't knock out the monster that made Lole cry.

Breaking Dawn

SO.....I'm finally here, about to start the last of the 4 book series...{sigh}. I guess all good things must come to an end. Thanks to my niece Jaz for letting me borrow her books cause I don't know if I could have afforded this obsession. :-) I realized as I was reading the ending parts of Eclipse, how grateful I was to Stephanie Meyer for providing a good read for us, without the vulgarities so often seen in modern day media. I don't regret at all jumping on the band wagon, and I'm even more amazed that 2 of my best friends are anything but enthusiastic about the series! Oh well, to each his own. I, on the other hand, am a fan for life! PS: The hubby and toddler are both knocked out before 7pm...how lucky am I to get a good start? Thanks guys.

First Pumpkin Carving

Yes, I admit I've never carved a pumpkin before, but neither has Bo. So, what was supposed to be Lole's first time, became her dad's! It was fun to watch and Lole was so excited, but was too busy eating and playing with her friend Atimoa, to want to try it herself. Here they are, pleased with the end product (which happens to look just like dad when he's angry! lol.)

Glasses to Dr. Schutte

Lole's had an interest in wearing fake glasses since she'd seen her aunties wear them around over the past year. She wears them like any other accessory, and can withstand the irritation of the weight on the bridge of her nose (something I can't do even with regular sunglasses). People always question whether or not they're prescription, and when I say NO, they either think it's the cutest thing or the wierdest. I myself used to sport a pair, but only briefly in 9th grade when I thought I was making a huge fashion statement. I think I only got complimented once! Lol. Oh well, she does look much cuter in them than I ever did!

On another note:

Yesterday was our last appointment with Dr. Sarah Schutte, my OBGYN with Lole and two-thirds of this 2nd pregnancy. She's an awesome doctor but because of the policies at Castle Hospital where she delivers, she can't accommodate my wish to have a VBAC. (Vaginal Birth after C-Section). [I had an emergency C-section w/Lole, because her heart rate kept dropping and I wasn't dilating much. They had a hunch that her umbilical chord was wrapped around her neck and (when they cut me) sure enough, it was...twice!] So, my chances of having a successful vaginal birth after that are assumed to be good because it was an emergency last time, and not due to any other inabilities on my part. These last 2 months I deliberated on the option to do a repeat C-section (thus being able to keep my doctor & birthing center) or planning for a "natural" birth with a new OBGYN & different hospital! With Dr. Schutte's support and encouragement, I decided I'm going to try and take one to the Va-JayJay despite my sister (& mother of 3) warning me that I'm not missing out on anything, and my husband doubting whether or not I can do it. (Maybe he's speaking for himself!) I'm so thankful for Dr. Schutte, even her friendly reminder that "I don't wanna be a fat mom" (when pregnant w/Lole) and her more recent suggestion to limit the extra calories, putting it frankly. It's ok doc, I still heart you for bringing my Lole safely into this world, and on your day off no less! Here's the pic I was supposed to take of you two 31/2 years ago! Thanks again!

EIGHTS {tag}

8 Favorite TV SHOWS: Intervention, Take Home Chef, Closed Case, Diners Drive Inns & Dives, Conan O’Brien, A Baby Story, Jon&Kate+8, Little People Big World

8 Favorite RESTAURANTS: Papa Ole’s, Hukilau Café, Chili’s, Red Lobster, Spaghettini’s, Rosie’s (just for the fried ice cream & chips/salsa), Shrimp Shack in Kahuku (not Giovannis, the other one by Texaco), Pandas

8 Things that HAPPENED YESTERDAY: read about the Polyz in Utah committing crimes, tried to teach Lole to ride a skateboard, cleaned room, went to doc appt where I listened to baby’s heartbeat (in the 150’s…whatever that means), dropped off overdue DVDs at the library, visited my sister & kids, read 2 chapters from Eclipse, ate ice cream & cookies even though doc says I need to slow down the weight gain & start exercising!

8 Things to LOOK FORWARD to: tomorrow (I love Saturdays), Halloween rides (PCC & Gunstock), upcoming Holidays, Holiday Food, Twilight the movie, Lole starting preschool, NEW BABY, starting my diet after the latter

8 Things on my WISH LIST: good weather on Halloween, visit family in Utah (buddy passes anyone?), a million dollars, for this election to be over with, my own home, trip to Disneyland, my family’s continued health & safety, move outta Hawaii!

8 Things I LOVE about FALL: new school year, cooler weather, football season, closer to Christmas, rainy (koko & bread) days, summer clothes go on sale, shorter days/longer nights, less tourists

Technical Difficulties

My comp has been acting up for a few weeks now, so I haven't been able to BLOG/SURF the net like I'd like because I have to go on someone else's computer out of my comfort zone. I'M SO IRRITATED! Oh please computer gods, have mercy on me!!!!