Aloha Friday: Waikiki

Baby Noah Weida finally arrived and we were able to visit him and his very proud parents, Tanya and Jerrod. Let me just say that he is simply adorable!

 

 

After dinner we headed into Waikiki for dinner at Kobe. We had a great chef that kept the kids interested and delicious food as always! With 6 kids and 6 adults we were more than happy to be placed in our own room. It was no coincidence, I'm sure.

Both Abby and zack got to see their first fireworks show ever. It was great and they both loved it. Certainly worth the wait but I can't believe it us the first time we have seen them after living here almost 10 years. They have them every Friday... Think we might have to head back.

Auntie Steph and Abby

The big kids waiting for the fireworks to start

Fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

Aloha Friday: Yokes

We have started planning outings on Fridays recently to start the weekend off right and extend it.  Last week, the kids and I headed out to the edge of the earth, Kaena Point, and had a picnic at Yokes Beach while daddy went golfing.  We met up with the Buelows and Weidas and the Davis crew.  It is quite a drive out, especially on Friday night but once you get there it is so serene you forget all about the drive...until it is time to go home.

The kids didn't waste nay time digging in the sand.

Dads playing game with the kids

 The hill kept the kids busy for quite a while!  The loved running up and down and Abby even attempted a back flip down the hill!  Luckily, she pulled it off.  Not sure what she was thinking:)

 I'm always a sucker for a beautiful sunset!

 Loving my little girl!

 Happy Aloha Friday!

Abby's Preschool Creations

Abby loves school and gets disappointed on the weekends when she can't go to school.  Beaches, pools, friends and fun can't compete with school even!

 Her teachers do a great job with units and keeping us update don what is going on.  So far they have focused on transportation, seeds and plants, and now bugs.  I can tell from the work that she brings home and the love notes that Abby is branching out in her choices of activities.  She is starting to paint and "write" instead of her usual dramatic play.  She still think that writing her name is too hard but is starting to show signs of attempting to write letters:). 

PS Abby, If you are reading this blog later in life.  I took pictures of these because I am not saving them.  I hope you don't hold it against me.  xoxo, mom

seashell

"A cactus"

All thw bugs: ladybug, bee, butterfly, caterpillar- can you find them?

cutting and pasting food

Auntie Sophia's Day Care

I couldn't be happier that Zack is in such a loving and stimulating environment for daycare. I love to get updates throughout the day and see pictures of my little guy. Here are some of my favorites.

Matching color bears in the cups

ring around the rosy

celebrating his birthday!

hacky sack toss

more fun games!

Zacky Boy- 2 Years Old

We had the 2 year check up a little late this year but he is healthy and growing steadily!
He weighs and even 25 pounds and is 35 1/4 inches tall.

Zack is a chill little guy and luckily has a pretty steady mood even at 2.  He has his moments but they are pretty rare and he is easily consoled thankfully.   He likes to snuggle and give awesome hugs and kisses. If you catch him at the right moment he'll even say, "love you, mom/dad/Abby".  I think my favorite thing about Z right now, besides how he loves to cuddle, is his ADORABLE giggle.  He loves to be tickled and laugh.  It is too precious.  He has started to realize that he has to say sorry and Matt's newest project is getting him to say bye when he goes to Auntie's house in the morning (usually he just runs in without looking back).  

 He continues to love his big sister more than life itself.  They love to chase each other around the house and jump in Zack's crib together.  They also can argue and fight over a toy like nobody's business! 
 

 Zack's vocabulary is ever expanding and he is cognitively growing so much.  Now that he has stopped putting everything in his mouth, he is getting pretty good at coloring and playing with play-doh.  He is learning his shapes, colors, ABCs, and counting to 10 with a few assists.  He loves animals and any books or movies about animals and of course stuffed ones.  We got some blocks for his birthday and he is always building something.  It is really fun to see him create things.   If his feet are on the ground he is usually running and if he is close the the water he is swimming!  He is such a little fish and really enjoys the water and constantly being on the move.

Mid tickle:)

Hanging Out in 1st Grade

We went to my mom's class.  Abby was so excited to go to school with the big kids- she loves big kids.  Matt did an "author reading" of Princess Abigail with the class and they were so cute ohhing and ahhing throughout. 

 You know it has to be a good book when a room full of 1st graders are so focused!

Abby fit right in with the first graders!  She had so much fun with grandma at school.  Can you find her at the closest table.

Hiking- Take Two

After we hauled the kids up a hot road to get to top of the Makapu'u lighthouse trail, they weren't so thrilled about the prospect of another hike.  We promised them it would be better and they love it.  There were lots of trees and  rocks and fun new things to see that kept them very busy.

Abby really wanted to cross the river herself.  We compromised by holding daddy's hand.

Lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy!

I love their exact same look:)

Abby and Gavin were spotted the first time up this rock and eventually climbed it on their own!

more climbing!

 We stopped for a dip in the water and the kids splashed around a little.  I was more than happy to not get in and hike the rest of the way back wet:).

Sassy!

 Everyone was so chopper after our hike in the jungle that we headed over to the Buelows for some fun on the slip and slide and dinner.

Zack's 2nd Year Favorites

Looking back at Zack's 2nd year it is so hard to believe how much he has changed.  A year ago he was crawling or climbing on, around, and up everything possible with little interest in walking.  He had wispy little curls that in hindsight could have been cut a little earlier.  Now,  he runs everywhere and has a little boy crew cut but still the same adorable smile and personality!  We love our little guy to pieces:).  Enjoy my favorite memories of Zack's last year.

A perfect Hawai'i day: Hiking, lunch, and beach

Matt is always pretty good about feeding my need to do something other than stay close to home every so often and suggested hiking the Makapu'u lighthouse and going to lunch at the cafe where I bought a Groupon.  He called Mark and they were planning on beaching it in Kailua so we made a day of it and did all three things. 

Abby and Gavin took off running up the hill and  and we thought it was going to be an easy hike with the little guys on the dads' backs and the "big" kids cruising up the hill...not so much!  We all carried kids up and down the majority of the hike shortly after this picture was taken.  Although, it is beautiful, it is not likely a hike we will go for again soon. 

Taking in the scenery.

Zack is the BEST hiker.  He loves the carrier and is so chill in it!

 It is so beautiful over there!!!!

 We made it!  Abby wasn't too happy with us at this point and opted (okay- screamed, hit, and demanded) out of the picture.

We hit up lunch on our way to the beach.  It was a super quaint cafe.  We were the only ones there, thankfully.  After carrying kids and soaking up lots of sun we were all hungry and ready to sit!  The kids ate before our food even arrived and luckily there were toys for them to play with and keep busy while we ate.

Off to the beach.  The kids wasted no time get sandy!  The sand is so fine it gets everywhere but it is worth it.

Abby also got her first solo boogie boarding experience.  She loved it until she realized that salt water in the eyes burns a little.  I love Matt's excitement as her ran after her!!!