Back to the Beach

Well, with many problems with the current property managers, including a now vacant apartment, we decided to head back over to Oahu and see about making a change once and for all. Let's hope this new company works as well as we think they well, at worst they should be a few steps up from Marina Hawaii Vacations. In this photo, we're hanging out at Blowhole, over looking the beach where they filmed From Here to Eternity, while waiting for the parking lot to open at Hanuama Bay.

Nate trying to remember how to boogie board, or maybe better at remembering how to fall.

That's much better form. Almost looks like he knows what he's doing. Although he did start asking for smaller waves.
That's a perfect wave to catch.
And we're off again. Although with the board like that he can't see the oncoming waves, which may not work out so well.
This time he decided to just skip the board and go right out into the waves.
This trip he's really enjoyed playing in the sand, almost if not more than playing in the water. He loves his sand toys and everyday wants to be buried in the sand.
He needs a pillow to rest his head on. And he likes the heavy wet sand, makes it harder for him to get out.
Snug as a bug in a rug?


Hanging on the shores of Waikiki

April fun

Maria had a jewelry party to go to last Saturday, so Nate and I had the afternoon to ourselves. We decided to give another shot to bowling. Nate tried this once before, but is more familiar with Wii bowling than at the alley.
While he's only using a 6lb ball, it's still a bit too much for him. He tried throwing it, kicking it, dropping it etc. Quite creative on how to get it started down the lane.
Had more fun waiting for the ball and having me yell at him not to get his head stuck or hand squished in the ball area. He also loved the "control" pad for entering names and scores. He wanted to throw the ball, run back and control his ball with it as it went down the lane.
At least he tried to get his fingers in the ball, even though he couldn't really swing the ball.
While not a strike, certainly one of his better shots.
Not too bad of a game for him. I know lot's of people that can't break 80 bowling. Of course they probably don't get his benefit of having the gutter rails up.


Springtime means the pets are shedding. We speed this process up a bit with our cat. Ohana went to the groomer for a haircut. She's so much friendlier when she's all shaved.
As we've restarted the biggest loser weight loss contest, we are spending more time at the gym. For the first time Nate has been begging to go to the gym and it helps motivate on the days we don't want to go. Here he is racing Logan up the rock wall.
Nate thinks the two reasons to go to the gym is for the rock wall and the balloon he usually gets as we leave.

Merryhill

We're winding down the school year, getting ready for summer. We intend to let Nate go to Merryhill through the graduation in Mid-June, then pull him out of Pre-school, enjoy a summer vacation before he starts Kindergarten in the fall. Here's his class photo, notice him in the front with the tie on. He insisted on wearing it for picture day.

One of Nate's art projects hanging at school. Boy loves his water.

They had a Trike-A-Thon at the school, where all the kids could bring their bikes and ride around the playground in a circle. Nate, who thinks everyday is share day and loves to bring things to school was super excited to be able to bring his bike to school.
Nate had his training wheels off his bike about a year ago. He's the only one at his school who does NOT have the training wheels on.

While Nate loved riding his bike, he was frustrated that they all moved so slow. It made it difficult for him to stay upright without the training wheels.
The day after the Trike-A-Thon, the school had a carnival fundraiser. Lot's of fun for everyone, especially the kids. There were different "stations" with activities at each. Here, they had splat painting. Stockings were tied to the fence, dipped in paint, pulled back and splatted onto the paper.

They had an obstacle course to help the kids run around.

Nate on to stage 2 of the obstacle course.

Here they planted green beans. Nate adding the soil and water, now time to take the pile of mud home and watch it grow.
Ring toss, over the ostrich head to win a prize.

Of course, every kids favorite, the bounce house.


Finally to wind things down, there was a long line for the face painting.


Nate could have picked anything, but he chose to be spider-man.

Easter

Happy Easter!!!!

Not sure who had more fun at our Easter party. The kids who got Candy and time with the Easter bunny, or the adults who got to watch the kids and eat the food.

Nate, Jimmy & Emily, with a big bunny in the background.

Bunny holding Jake, with Jimmy showing off his egg.

Nate wasn't going to miss any egg hiding spots.

Claudia getting first digs on all those "hidden" eggs.

Jake, Nate, Claudia, Emilly & Jimmy, waiting patiently to go outside and hunt for eggs.

Nate all dressed up in his Sunday best. He wanted to wear the tie, then do his little posing for the camera.

Nate opening his Easter basket, guess who got a harmonica.

Nate coloring eggs.

So much decorating to do the night before Easter

Nate wrote his name (sort of) on his first Easter egg.

Jake, Nate, Jimmy & Emily

Easter bunny with Emily & Jimmy

Nate getting a little crazy at his preschool Easter party.

Nate with his friend Michael H, with the A on his chest.

Claudia enjoyed the egg hunt, but not the Easter bunny.

The eggs didn't have a chance with all the kids running at full steam. Nate told me he got 100 eggs.

Nate's formal Easter photo, with the bunny at the mall.