First Day of First Grade

Her desk!

Cute shoes courtesy of Gams!

I'm going to make her write her sign every year so we can see how her handwriting changes

The flowers outside her class

I can't believe my big girl is in FIRST GRADE! I woke her up and she grumbled about waking up early, but she did it and we walked hand in hand to the school. She asked me to come in the class with her and help her find her desk. She was like a little doe with big eyes and a nervous face. She hugged me and kissed me before I left. I really loved that. I'm sure there will be a time in the not so distant future that she won't want to hold my hand and will ask me not to hang out in her classroom with her. So I really enjoyed it.

At 2pm I walked to pick her up and she ran out and hugged me and said she had a great day. I think it's going to be a great school year!

Wait... What??

I haven't posted in a while you say? Well I'm going through the storm before the calm. It's been craziness over here. And then it'll get slooooow so I'm enjoying this feeling of being a busy, successful photographer.

Peter surprised us a few weeks ago with a room at the Westin for me and the kids (he had to work). Ryenne and Kai had a blast. Cruz was being two. First I went out to test the new Nikon flash. And I was very frustrated because it doesn't operate anything like the Canon (which I can bump up or down depending on what I need). I haven't had a chance to read the manual yet. Wait. I'm lying. I have actually been reading for an hour every night - but not the manual. First it was the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy and now it's the Bronze Horseman (which is awesome by the way). So I COULD have spent the hours reading the manual, but I haven't. I just want brain candy by the end of the crazy day. But I digress...

Cruz looks like a little surfer

Ry lounging - love this shot.

Mmmm hmmm.... being two years old.

Ry showing off the pretty view

 And the kids have been going to gymnastics once a week. It's been awesome. Kai started afraid to go upside-down and afraid of moving his body in certain ways. He's coming a long way. Ry is too. These images are from Kai's class. When they're old enough, I would love for them to CrossFit with me and Peter!

This is actually last night! Jumping off the couch.

This boy loves to jump off things.

Cruz wanted in on the jumping action. A bit more cautiously than Kai but he loved it.

Tomorrow is Ry's first day back at school. FIRST GRADE. I can't believe it.

Busy, busy!!!

Haven't been on to post everything. It has been so busy. I still have 4th of July parade and our Westin overnighter and random tidbits... but... there is no time.

I am smack dab in the middle of busy photography season, which is so much fun and exhausting at the same time. It's so hard to look at my kids' faces and tell them I need to get work done when they just want to play with me. That is the hard part about doing a lot of work at home.

It's actually been a crazy couple of days work-wise. I was interviewed by MSNBC News and then the article was picked up by the London Daily Mail. They had told me the article was going to be about the trend of people hiring photographers on vacation, but they twisted the story to make it seem like people are shallow and hire photographers to show off to friends on Facebook. I was really upset that they wrote what they wanted to write, but I'm still thrilled that my images and my name made international websites. How amazing is that? It has taken me a long time to feel like I'm good enough at what I do - to say I'm a professional photographer with pride knowing I'm good at what I do.

Only good things ahead... 

Vow Renewal Pictures!

We've been waiting for the vow renewal pictures and they're finally here! This was the only thing I spent money on (aside from buying everyone dinner).

My hat was handmade from vintage flowers by Emi Azeka, my landlady. It was such a special treat to have such an amazing piece.

My dress was a disaster. I ordered it from one of those Chinese websites for cheap wedding dresses. It looked nothing much like the picture, but the measurements were right. It didn't arrive until Friday afternoon and the ceremony was on Monday.

I found the backup dress for $40 from Kohls. YAY! It was my favorite between the two. Hair and makeup I did myself. Bouquet by Dellables.The boys adorable shorts were sewn by my mom.

It was crazy windy that day!

Hookipa Lookout

Charley P Woofer (I think the 7th?) was at Hookipa. He was HUGE.

Recently harvested sugar cane field

Family and Friends, thank you for joining us!

In hindsight, I should have worn something with sleeves. I HATE my giant arms. Oh well!

More from Alison's Beach Visit

LOVE THESE! So much fun! These were the images Alison took of us on our Beach Day!

JUMP!!!

Spam musubi dinner on the beach

Driving with Littles

"Mom, turn down the music. I have something important to ask you. You know Santa Claus? How does he deliver all those presents?" says Ryenne.

I had a photo shoot in Kapalua today so I drove the kids out to Napili. And then home afterward. A solid hour+ each way. We always do this drive, but I don't think I've ever talked about the conversations that occur on these car rides - especially when it's just me and the Littles.

Cruz points out every airplane, helicopter, and race car he spots with such enthusiasm - as if he's seeing them for the first time.

Kai talks about growing up to use Pops' and Daddy's tools, being a fireman, and telling jokes: "Mom, why did the baby chicken cross the road?" Me: "Why?" Kai Boy: "To get to his mommy!" followed by an immense Kai chuckle. He is also sure to point out when Cruz puts his foot anywhere near his legs.

Ryenne is so incredibly curious and inquisitive. Today we covered how sugarcane gets made into sugar, what stars are, how Santa delivers presents, what vessel she's going to use to get Halloween candy this year, what she's going to be for Halloween, if there's a separate Heaven for dogs and for people (which we decided they can live together in Heaven), if Grandpapa John and Jack are watching down on us, why the sunset has colors, what the space station is, how to become an airplane pilot, what flowers need to grow.... and this isn't even all of it. It's been a lot of talking going on in the car. And this is just TODAY.

I just had to write this down. These guys are so awesome. They are just amazing. They blow my mind every day.

Hey it's me!!

WooHoo! I made my gym's website!

The workout today was KILLER. I was a giant, red sweatball. I posted about it on my CrossFit blog. Anyway, those are two 25 pound kettlebells and I had to do a burpee and then deadlift the kettlebells up. 11 times. Then run 200 meters. And do this set 8 times. I finished in 24 minutes, 30 seconds. Not too terrible.

Dates with the kids

Phew it's been busy, busy over here. I tell you... it is HARD balancing being a mom and running a business. HARD! But I just tell myself to do one thing at a time. Phew...

We had a really rainy few days and couldn't make it to the beach. So the only natural thing to do was to take the kids to Krispy Kreme to see how the donuts are made.

Kai and his chocolate sprinkles

This just cracks me up. Ry is intently watching (after gymnastics) and the boys think they are doing gymnastics on the viewing bar.

Once it cleared up a bit we could go to the park. Peter and I took turns exercising and playing with the kids.

I'm the only one looking!!!

And then FINALLY it was a beach day! And it was super cool cause my Pops' cousin, Alison was on the island and we got to meet for the first time.

Can't resist a nakey baby booty on the beach!

He was rolling in the sand. Literally took DAYS to get the sand out of all his parts.

A Ballet move, maybe?

Pilar, Mark, Alison, and Thomas and a spectacular sunset!

Dexter Doggy

Ry lost another bottom tooth yesterday!!!

Experimenting with my new Nikon flash. It is SO DIFFERENT then the Canon flash. Can't take it to client sessions yet. This is DIRECT light

Bounced light. MUCH BETTER.

Yogurt mustache boy

It's the 4th of July today and I'm at home cleaning, cooking, trying to catch up on laundry. Organizing... being domestic and trying to get client stuff done. There aren't enough hours in the day!