You've got your hands full

Oh boy. If I could have a nickel for every time a passerby has looked at me and said, "You sure do have your hands full!" then I would be a rich lady (or at least able to buy a shaved ice). At first i was like, "yeah, I sure do!" because it's true! I do. Literally. But then it started to bug me. Yes, I'm kinda young. Yes, they are all boys. And yes, they are all mine. But we are doing just fine. Most of the time. I admit they are full of endless energy and they love each other as much as they fight with one another, but I am trying to reframe my response to say, "yeah. full of joy!" I want to speak into existence the things that need cultivating. So I declare that children are a blessing. And then I add, "and I have a very helpful husband."

Feed the Birds

Not all our children share the same opinion about the beach. Zion loves it. Noah, not so much. So my goal for last Thursday was to find a spot where Zion could play in the water (with waves, because mellow water is apparently for babies), where Noah could sit on something untouched by sand (because sand on any part of his skin feels "dirty"), and where I could drag the stroller not far from cement to beach (because when I take all 3 little ones out by myself I have to put Noah and Liam in the stroller together to contain them and all our stuff). So I found the perfect spot! We walked thru the Beverly Hills of Waikiki one mile (because the premise of the outing was really just to walk around. I wasn't certain that I could brave the beach by myself with all of them) until we meandered our way to the water. There I found a few umbrellas set up with 2 padded lounge chairs fully shaded underneath. They were for rent, but I just dragged the stroller thru (like only 10 feet. so close!) and plopped down our stuff. No one seemed to care or be too eager to kick us out. Zion ran and played and had so much fun. Noah, meanwhile, was sharing his snack with a few friendly birds. He was quietly sitting on his lounge chair as he noticed a hungry little bird hop by and so he began pinching off little pieces to share. Well, by the time I had gotten up to scold Zion for throwing sand so close to the people nearby, and returned to the umbrella, Noah had attracted  countless more birds. I didn't even know how to get back onto the safety of the lounge chair because the whole sand area around us had been contaminated by little bird feet! Such a nightmare. I squealed and scampered and made even more of a scene then I already am out alone with my 3 sons. But perhaps my little Noah is just stepping up into his namesake. I guess he needs some enjoyable activity to bide his time at the beach. Bless his little heart. :) And lord help mine (to love animals more).

Another adventure

Funny that this same time last year was our last post. It seems I don't find much to keep updated on our daily home life, but when we are out and about in this beautiful world? well then, that's another story. Yesterday we awoke to the excited proclamations from our oldest, "Mama, Its monday!!!" with his cheeky smile. The result of 6 days of waiting for that fateful day when we would leave for Hawaii. We are now here in O'ahu Hawaii. We arrived yesterday and have settled in to a lovely little condo. We are on the 22nd floor. The next floor above us is the penthouse which houses not people, but a rooftop pool, workout equipment, a sauna, tables, chairs, a few outdoor kitchens and views! The water looks like turquoise, Diamond Head is to our east, the green hills are behind and the lovely canal as well. Here are a few phone photos from our first walk to the beach last night. Hopefully many more are to come!

Liam's first vacation

Mesmerized

Zion was the happiest and most giddy I have ever seen him in my whole life. He could not contain his excitement, proceeded by squeals similar to the anime spoof in Portlandia, and the two other girls next to him.

Where did my feet go??

Waikiki

After the beach we weaved our way back to our place only to find a farmers market on the way. Picked up some pineapple, apple-bananas, corn and edamames in the shell. A delightful end to a long, rough day.