Lots of writing to do!

My poor neglected family blog! I promise to get better.

Things have been SO BUSY around here. Seriously. I don't even know where I left off so let's just talk about October!

October is always a great month because it starts out with Kai Boy's birthday. Kai Boy turned SIX! We were supposed to celebrate with a family trip to Kauai but had to cancel because Peter's vacation time wasn't approved (queue the boo, hiss). But it was still all good because Kai wanted to try going to the county fair.

I really loved how his teacher put him up in front of the class and let his classmates describe him. He was so proud!

We have tried the fair before and it was extremely overwhelming for him. So much so that last year resulted in screaming and a complete shut down for his little system. But this year he said that turning six made him  brave and we talked about the loud sounds, the crowds, the visual stimuli... and he said he was ready.

We parked the car and started walking in and he put his hands over his ears. I thought to myself, "uh-oh, we're not even inside yet and he's shutting down." I stopped, and started talking to him to let him know it was ok if he didn't want to go inside. He said that he would be ok as long as he didn't ride anything. He actually DID do a ride! He did the fun house with Peter and was super proud of himself. He did FANTASTIC! Ryenne got to ride the swings with her friend Lily and Cruz got to ride the cars with Peter.  Everyone was fed (us five plus Lily) and I was super stoked to make it out of the fair spending $100 even. That place is so expensive! I think next year we'll try talking the kids out of it and putting the money toward Disneyland - which has been moved to December 2015 since Kai said he wasn't ready to go this year.

It's been an incredibly busy season of photography. I love it and am so happy that I'm getting the business. Peter's work schedule is also great because it usually works out that he can take the kids to the beach while I'm shooting. I love that they can follow along and then I can join them when I'm all done.

We also got to meet Chef Sheldon Simeon - he opened Migrant in Wailea and just in case you don't know who he is - he was on Top Chef Seattle representing Hawaii and he came in third. He's probably one of the most humble chefs you'd ever meet and I love his restaurant!

Letsee.... letsee...

Oh yes... Kai Boy had yet another dental procedure. One of the teeth that was worked on earlier this year had abscessed and he had to have it pulled. He was SO BRAVE - I was just praying we wouldn't have to do another hospital visit. He pulled through fantastic and now has a space retainer where the molar was to help keep his teeth straight.

I have also switched schools for Ryenne. Wailuku was just not working out for her. She cried every morning before school and for a girl who LOVES school, this wasn't right. I contacted a friend of mine who is a teacher at a really wonderful school and she helped me get Ry accepted. She started last week and LOVES it. It's very nurturing, positive, and offers a ton to help her mind grow. I will keep trying to get Kai in and Cruz for kindergarten next year.

Cruz is on a growth spurt and he is the same height as Kai and outweighs him. He REALLY wants to start kindergarten already and it's hard to explain to him that we have to wait until next year. He gets frustrated wondering why he can't just walk in with Kai.

 Cruz and his buddy, Sassy, who lives next door. They like to hang out together all the time. It's adorable.

It's also Election time over here. I've never been very involved with it because I feel like the system is incredibly flawed. But this year we did register to vote because of the really important GMO issue. I feel like there is a people's uprising going on - we don't want that stuff on Maui. However, Monsanto and Dow have deep pockets in here and the campaign has been pretty nasty. We'll see what happens.

That's it for now I think...

The New "Daughter"

Wow what a busy few months it has been! I mean to post and write but then find myself finishing work or heading to the beach. Lots of beach as usual.

In September after months of figuring out a plan, I launched a new company, Maile Maui Weddings. As I've written before I have shoulder issues and often am in pain, especially after shooting long weddings. It got me to thinking that if something every happened to me, my photography business is just that - ME. Not to mention, there's a ceiling - there's only so much I can humanly do.

So..... since I already help plan weddings and have for years, I thought this would be a wonderful way to duplicate myself. We launched at the beginning of September and I just know that this is going to be really amazing. It already sounds like I talk about "Maile" like a person! It's like a new infant at this point needing lots of nurturing and love.

Happy 6th Birthday Kai Boy!!

All day yesterday Kai has been walking around letting everyone know it's his last day of being five. He is ready to be six.

Six has been a milestone in his mind for some time now, "When I'm six I'll be a big boy."

And it's true, his growth this past year has been tremendous. Physically getting taller (though still fits in size 3t shorts) but mentally and emotionally leaping ahead making us so incredibly proud.

His mind remains very scientific. When you explain something to him, he cocks his head a little bit and you can literally see the gears in his head turning as he thinks about what was said and imagines it in action. No doubts that he'll excel in Math and Science.

Mr. Kai Boy.... you are such a good little spirit. You are such a trooper and have become so go with the flow (most of the time). I have no idea what it's like being a middle child, but you show me when you're frustrated and continue to be my teddy bear boy, demanding the most snuggles and the only one who sits on the couch playing with my hair. Your scientific ramblings crack me up - we sit and listen to you break things down for your brother and sister so they understand something - and you do it with such confidence! We love you so very much!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Kai Boy!!!!

Lily

Oh my sweet Ryenne. She has had a rough go of friends for a while. She had such a wonderful friend at Makawao school, but when we moved it was challenging to get the girls together.

Coming into Wailuku mid-year was tough for her because everyone had their little friendship groups and she had a hard time fitting in. She kept commenting to me that the other girls would make fun of her clothes choices or her short hair or the fact that she believes in Santa Claus. It was a hard thing to watch my innocent little girl not getting along with other 8 year olds who are behaving like pre-teens already.

She finally made a friend in the second half of the year but sadly they moved to Oahu over the summer.

Ry's 3rd grade class is full of students she had never met before and a couple desks down sat Lily. Lily lives down the road and the two of them have been inseparable. They gab about My Little Pony's, sleepovers, and puppies. They are completely adorable and call each other BFF's.

I'm so thankful Lily came into Ry's life. So very, very thankful!

Someday it'll be gone

We get home from school. I am getting snacks ready. Kai calls from the bathroom, "I'm DOOOONE!" as he waits for me to come wipe his behind.

"Mom, did I tell you I love you so much? After you wipe my butt I'll give you two kisses."

As if one would ever plan on hearing those two things in a sentence. But I do. And someday it'll be gone so for now I'll take all I can get.

Kindergarten Round 2

On the 5th Kai started Kindergarten - this is round two for him and we're so thankful to have his same teacher again. He really loves her and was happy that he didn't have to make a change.

That day I had a photo shoot in the morning so I took him to school and had to be on my way so I made sure to bring my camera when I picked him up, to which he said, "ONLY ONE PICTURE" and I snuck two.

For mainland friends, yes he's barefoot. They are required to remove their shoes before they enter the class. Note how filthy he is - we are still working on using napkins! My silly boy is exhibiting some really silly smiles lately. He is being more forthcoming about what he likes (he likes messy hair and no shoes he says) and more vocal when he's in an uncomfortable situation.

We tried family night at the movies to watch Guardians of the Galaxy, but within 20 seconds he was scared and I had to take him out. He said he enjoyed walking the mall with me though.

He doesn't know it yet, but Peter and I are planning on a night away with just him. This little dude never has us to himself. Can't wait to surprise him!

Summer Time 2

This summer also found us with a new family dynamic - Peter switched from working a 3pm-11pm shift to an 8am-4pm shift. For the first time in just about forever, we've been able to have dinner together. And for the first time since the kids have gone to school, they won't have to wait until he's off to see him.

I've taken the kids out on a few things on my own while he's been at work. We went and explored Lahaina Harbor

We've been playing with the hose in the backyard...

Cruz asked us to cut his hair... and his tail off. I was so sad! But he wanted it.

We've been body surfing at DT Fleming Beach

Our first 4th of July with Peter home and fireworks!

Lots of bike riding

Painting our mailbox! 

I volunteered for Hospice to do all their images for their brochure needs - pretty cool!

The Sugar Cane Train announced that after 45 years in business they were closing for good. Took the kids on their last ride. It was really bittersweet. The conductors were telling everyone "This is your train. This is your engine. Enjoy your last ride with us." The Lahaina landscape isn't going to be the same! 

 Ululani's Shave Ice is a must...

We took Ry to her first ever concert - Jack Johnon in Honolulu

 I was having some major anxiety when we first got there. Open grass seating. An ocean of people. I was good once the concert started - but I'm not so good in these giant crowds - was a little freaked out.

 Jack sounded just as good live as he does on a CD. It was also super awesome that he brought along Paula Fuga - love her! Had some funny moments too - Jack forgot a lyric to Upside Down and said, "Sorry kids! Don't listen to Uncle Jack!" and then restarted. I love so much of his music - just about everything - but one song that I love particularly is Breakdown. At first listen you think it's about a train breaking down, but really it's about life. It's like we're riding a train through life - speeding through it all. But then there's the realization that we're missing things. We need the train to break down so that we can go slower, soak it all in.

"I hope this old train breaks down
Then I could take a walk around
And, see what there is to see
And time is just a melody
All the people in the street
Walk as fast as their feet can take them
I just roll through town
And though my windows got a view
The frame I'm looking through
Seems to have no concern for now
So for now

I need this
Old train to breakdown
Oh please just
Let me please breakdown"

 Another favorite is Country Road with Paula Fuga

The only challenging thing was that this concert had a ton of kids AND a ton of adults purchasing a lot of alcohol. We had a very rowdy group in front of us that refused to stay seated and felt entitled to dance like idiots and block all the little kids. So we couldn't SEE most of the concert but the listening part was awesome.

Our view from the Hyatt Waikiki

 We started the morning swimming in Waikiki

And we flew home on Island Air and the staff was amazing. They invited Ry up to the cockpit when we landed and she got to sit in the copilots seat while the captain showed her how to fly the plane (the window looks like it's cracked but it's just the metallic shade they put up when we parked)

Then we headed to Napili to pick up the boys and finished the day swimming in Kapalua 

Kai Boy has started therapy for anger issues and for his OCD tendencies. We've decided to postpone Disneyland trip for another year because he's not ready to be in a theme park environment. I think we're taking the kiddos to Kauai this year.

Ryenne started school on Friday. Her desk is right next the book shelves and I can totally picture her sitting there reading at every free moment she gets.

 Kai will be starting Kindergarten again in a few days (weird delayed schedule) and Cruz starts daycare tomorrow. I'm looking forward to having quiet office hours where I can tackle work so that I can dedicate afternoons and evenings to being totally present with the kids without thinking of all the work I need to do when I get them to bed.

Summer Time

Whew! What a whirlwind of a summer. So many wonderful things to reflect back upon, and so much to update here on the family blog.

The business blog has been super busy with all the summer sessions I've been doing, and of course, I'd way rather go to the beach with the Littles than sit here and type out more for the personal blog. So a big, giant post will have to do!

In May when we were on Oahu for Jean's graduation, we did some family pictures in Hale'iwa. A water main had broken somewhere along the freeway and we ended up being almost an hour late, but just in time for sunset so this was a fast and crazy session - it was what I wanted for Mother's Day. We got the pictures back a couple weeks ago.

What was really cool was that in June I did a trade with a California photographer and we got to do another family session! This one was at Kanaha - which I love cause you can see Wailuku in the background.

More in the next post....