Freckled Beauty

Welcome to my world.

Two words for you: LITTLE BOYS.

That boy saying, "What are boys made of? Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails" is so THEM. They are such boys. Ryenne often just shakes her head and walks away at their shenanigans. It's even crazier now that Cruz is riding a two wheeler. They showed me their stuff outside today. Cruz proclaimed he was the fire engine and was chasing Kai down the road yelling his loudest "siren". Kai Boy is ... well... a stuntman for sure.

Got GREAT news on the house today. The seller's bank approved the short sale! Sent in a bunch of paperwork to our lender today to get this ball rolling. We are SO STINKING EXCITED. Wish we could just pack up tomorrow and move on. Lots of good things ahead!

Gummy Bear Legs

Yesterday Cruz asked to take off his training wheels on his bike. Away he went - barely a wobble. He was SO PROUD of himself. I was so happy that Peter was off yesterday and Cruz could show us both how big he's getting.

Made me really sit back and look at him - how big he's getting. Already bigger than Kai Boy. But he still has those little toddler gummy bear legs - those legs you want to grab onto and gum with your lips to tickle him.

Time Warp

I keep looking at the kids thinking, "How are they getting so big so fast?" It's like a time warp!

Ry and Kai are settling into their school time schedule - they love being at the same school together. Everyone has been waking up really well in the mornings (except me!)

Cruz misses his siblings but is also seeing the benefit of having me all to himself. Lots of tickle and snuggle time and he's noticing that he doesn't have to share toys too!

This week we baked some banana bread from the bananas that grew in the yard. Lots of outside play time as well since August is so hot, even in Makawao.

Still no word on our house but I'm starting to pack here and there in hopes that it will spur things along. Our landlady has found new tenants to move in to our current rental on Nov 1, so our clock is ticking - c'mon house!

The renting experience has been interesting. I don't think I was designed to be a renter in all honesty. I like my space.

All else is well. Just watching these little ones as closely as I can.

Forest Walk

There is *something* pretty special about having Cruz all to myself a bit. He's really never had a moment all his own with us. With Ry and Kai gone at school for the day and a photoshoot in the morning, I decided to take him on a forest walk this morning. He has a thing for my vintage camera, so we put it in his "pack pack" and took it with us. He had so much fun "taking pictures" and exploring the forest. It was perfect.

Kai + Kindergarten

This is his SUPER HAPPY face

Oh Kai Boy... first day of kindergarten! Takes me back to taking Ry on her first day.

We were up super early this morning - I had a shoot out in Kapalua so I couldn't walk Kai to school (sad mommy!) and Peter had to get to work in Wailea so he dropped the kids off for cafeteria breakfast and big sister Ry took Kai to class.

Kai has been so ready to get to school - excited to go to the same school as his sister and when I picked him up today he said he saw her on the playground.  When we were leaving his teacher said, "Bye Kai!" and he turned and said, "It's Kay BOY. See you tomorrow." - classic.

Cruz asked to wear the Makawao uniform and walk with his backpack. Poor dude. Today he played with Papa Eugene while I was on the photo shoot, but thanks to Gams we have some preschool stuff to do together. When we move, I'll find him a preschool as soon as possible.

Goodbye Summertime

"I can't sleep Mom. I'm too excited..." she said as she tiptoed down the hallway at 9:30pm last night. She peeked around the corner to see my face and judge how I would react to her being out of bed over an hour past the time I tucked her in.

I remember that feeling. The day before school starts excitement and nervousness. It almost felt like Christmas Eve - the butterflies in the tummy and feeling nervous over the new teacher, new class, new everything.

I hugged her and told her I knew just how she was feeling. We had a little moment on the couch before I tucked her back into bed.

I can't believe Ry is in 2nd grade! It's a rainy day over here as Tropical Storm Gil turned into just a rainy day. Walked Ry to her new class and am looking forward to hearing how her day went!

Summer was so much fun. I know I haven't blogged much, but it's been because we have been on the move all the time. Tons of beach days, swimming lessons, time in the water, photo shoots, family drives. Aside from the house we're trying to buy, Peter also got a really great job offer for the new Andaz Resort in Wailea. It's a pretty exciting place - different than any other resort we've both ever worked at. I have a feeling a lot of opportunities are on the horizon for him.

Lots of pictures coming up from the past 2 months of summer :)

 Napili Bay bound

 Peter got this shot of me photographing some clients. It's always fun when he can follow me to a shoot!

 Arriving at Big Beach in Makena for a session

 Peter makes the best coffee ever. Seriously.

 Me and my messy desk getting some work done!

 Either Kai or Cruz sneak into my room every single night. Always wake up with either little boy tucked under my arm.

 My little water babies. They can stay in the pool or beach for hours!

 This summer we took the kids to the movies for the first time (first time for the boys). They did fantastic! We saw this summer Epic and Despicable Me 2. Planes is next up.

 Me being a mermaid.

 The kids just before the 4th of July Makawao Parade. Last year it rained, this year it was crazy hot!

 Ry loves being underwater. She's a little fish!

 Cruz scares me with how much he likes going underwater. He can hold his breath for a really long time.

 One morning we took donuts down to Kuau Cove to eat donuts and watch the ocean. The kids got to help Peter put up the cones before the restaurant opened. They loved it.

 Ryenne is my poet. "Love comes everywhere my friend. Love is a very magic thing."

 Kai Boy fishing.

 They are still all small enough to take a bath together.

 Washing my car with Daddy.

 We went school shopping and Cruz picked out a Lighting McQueen backpack. He was set to start preschool this morning and was so excited, however, his preschool required a full year commitment and since we're up in the air on the house we couldn't commit to a full year. The school looked really amazing and I'm bummed that he won't get to go to school just yet - he has been asking over and over to go to school. After we move I'll find a new spot to enroll him. In the meantime, Gams sent a box of goodies for him to enjoy while Ry and Kai are at school.

 Kai Boy goes into school on Wednesday for testing to determine if he'll be placed in Jr. Kinder or Kindergarten. After that, he'll be going a reduced schedule and then starts full days of school with his sister on the 19th.

 Ry got to pet Giuseppe, Uncle Nico and Auntie Abra's bird.

 Tropical Storm Flossie knocked out our power for quite some time. Cruz got to be in charge of the lantern. It was a pretty powerful storm that passed over us pretty quickly. The kids were really afraid of the thunder, but it was pretty awesome snuggling with them!

 All three kids got new bikes. Ry and Kai's last bikes broke (Walmart specials!) and Cruz had been asking for a bike. So I stopped to get some new bikes after a shoot and me and Peter set them up in the kitchen so the kids would be surprised in the morning. It was really cute. Kai is very serious about his "dirt bike".

 Peter got my new bio pic wearing one of my favorite shirts from Sevenly - People Matter. Actually - he has one too :)

A little Above and Below the sea

Are they ready?

This image makes me so happy.

I was asked recently to document my day with 6 - 10 photos to submit for a "Daily Life of a Photographer" story. I have no idea it will be published but I'm putting together the shots over the weekend.

It's funny - because from other photographer daily life posts I've seen, they are a portrait of photographers with vintage or modern homes and studios laced with images all over the walls - full of textures and fabric and chic rugs. Kids are dressed in their designer duds and their smiles are magazine perfect.

I decided I wasn't going to stage anything of my daily life. Peter got a shot of me waking up with a cuddly Kai Boy next to me. I sat at my messy desk to edit a wedding. I got a shot of Peter creating the perfect cup of french press coffee (which by the way, he has completely ruined Starbucks). Got a totally unflattering picture of me at the beach with the kids and then some pictures at a photo shoot. I got this image of me and the kids today (timer!) and it is SO US.

Me with no makeup, Ryenne making a silly face holding her cat hostage, Kai deciding to do ninja moves, and Emi the dog sticking her butt at the camera while Cruz is doing exactly what we set out to do. It's classic. The floor is dusty despite being swept 3 times today already, there are no pictures on the wall behind me, and our house doesn't have real windows. And yet I wouldn't trade any of it. It's perfect.

Is the real world ready for my crazy family, our simple life, and successful business? I'm not sure. But I guess I'll find out!