Russian shower

Today was a bit hectic. But really just a few minutes were hectic. But those few minutes some how made the whole day feel that way.

Today went how Tuesday's usually go for me. I get up make breakfast, make sure everyone is up, dressed, and ready for school, eat, and then take Eric to pretty school. Then I come straight back to post to go to my outside exersize class. After that I come home change clothes and go volunteer in Will's class. 

Here's where it gets to be a little different.  After I leave Will's class I usually go to the commissary, then home to unload, then get Eric.  Today Will had a doctor's appointment at 12:50 for his persistent cough.  He told me yesterday that his chest was hurting.  So after working in Will's class I headed home, got lunch, then went and got Eric early.  When we pulled up at the school to pick up Will, the fire alarms were going off.  The fire drill had just started!  I had to wait until the all clear was given and then they had to find Will's class.  On the way to the clinic I called to let them know I was running late.  You only get a 10 minute window to make your appointment you you don't get seen.  We made it by the skin of our teeth!!  Eric had taken his socks and shoes off while I was waiting for Will.  So he ran across the parking lot barefooted!
2 hours later we were back at the car heading home.  Will's oxygen reading was low and he was wheezing so they did a breathing treatment and sent us for a chest x-ray.  He didn't have pneumonia, thank goodness, but we did leave with a z-pack and an inhaler.  Hopefully he will stop the coughing soon.  Crazy thing is he hasn't run a fever or acted like he was ever sick!

Oh, about the Russian shower.  The doctor said the heat and steam from a hot shower (which Will loves) wasn't good for his lungs.  She said he needed to take a Russian shower, rush in, then rush back out!!  He thought it was funny.

Fire Dancing

Today while I was vacuuming I turned around and saw Eric playing with Caroline's book light.  When I asked him what he was doing he said he was practicing his fire dancing!  Hilarious!  He may have seen a few fire dancers since moving here.  I'm just glad he isn't trying with real fire!

Fishing on Monday

Monday Justin, Papa, and all 3 kids went out on a fishing charter.  As Eric said, "We have to get up in the night to go fishing!"  Not exactly, but they did get up before the sun was up to get to the boat.  Eric was just as thrilled about seeing the sun rise as getting to go on the fishing trip for the first time!  

 That black spot in the water just off the boat isn't rocks, it's a whale!!  It was so close to the boat the captain had to cut the engines.

 They saw lots of whales, dolphins, turtles, and really enjoyed being out on the water.  It was much flamer than the last time they went out!

 A nice wahoo we got to keep.

 The boys working together to bring one in.

 He didn't put that one in his pocket!

 After they got off the boat Mom and I met them at Hale'iwa Joes for fish tacos.

I got some snuggles from my tired boy.  I guess when you get up when it's still night time you are bound to be tired by lunch time!  Thanks for taking a great picture Will!

Sunday sunset

Sunday we went to church.  Justin and the chaplain did a 7 minute skit that had everyone laughing.  It was great!  After church we just hung out around the house.  Saturday was a big day and we were all recovering a little.  We did decided to do dinner at the beach though.  

There's nothing like picking up great Thai food to go and sitting on the beach watching the sun set.

My movie star.  Reading her kindle with her sunglasses on!

 Our dinner spot.

 Skipping rocks is always a fun thing to do.  As soon as Justin put his feet in the water the little boys had to too!  But unlike the big boy, the little boys ended up soaked!  Good thing I had towels with me.

It had been a cloudy day up at our house so it was really nice to be able to see the sun peek out for a little bit.  Thanks for joining us for a Sunday Sunset Dinner!

Waimea Valley and a hike

Saturday we went to Waimea Valley.  We had not been there before so it was new for us too.  We walked and wandered through the valley enjoying all the flowers and plants.  The pictures didn't load in order so the hike we did to a pillbox above Pipeline beach are mixed in.  After walking the Valley we went and had lunch at Ted's Bakery (yum!).  Then did a short but steep hike to the pillbox.  Also something we hadn't done before. 

This was the waterfall at the end of the valley.

It was beautiful up there.  We even saw some whales!

Caroline showing us the way up.

 The first thing we saw at Waimea Valley was a beautiful peacock.  The kids (mainly Will) wanted to chase it to see if it would fan out it's feathers.

Rainbow eucalyptus has got to be one of my favorite trees.

Justin found this sign and thought it described him on a bike perfectly!!

Listening to the audio recording with her matching flowers.

Will playing the Hawaiian games of old.

Across the bridge and up the hill chatting to Papa!

Taking a little break on the steep part!

Friday

Friday while the big kids were in school Eric and I took Nana and Papa to Hale'iwa.  We eat lunch at Giovanni's shrimp truck then we to the beach.  We had a great time looking in the little pools and watching some surfers.  The waves were pretty impressive.

 Do you see Eric in the tree?  He's right beside Nana's right shoulder.

 He was busy using in binoculars to spot turtles and surfers!

 This was a neat thing to see in a tidal pool.

 Nana and Papa enjoyed walking and searching for shells and sea glass.

Then we headed back to pick up the bigs from school and enjoy an afternoon hanging around the house.  It was a great first day of their trip!

Nana and Papa

Nana and Papa arrived Thursday late afternoon.  I packed a picnic dinner so after we picked them up from the airport at 5 we went straight to Hickam.  We went to dog beach and let Miles run while we put our feet in the sand and enjoyed the sunsetting.  After dinner the kids played a little more before we packed up and headed home.  This was all a ploy to avoid the worst of the rush hour traffic.  It worked pretty good too.

The clouds obscured the last of the sun setting.  It was still beautiful!

Let's dance!

Tonight I did something that I have wanted to do for a very long time!  Tonight Justin and I took a swing dance class.  It was so. much. fun!!  The hour flew by.  I am already looking forward to the next class in two weeks.  The classes are being offered as a lead up to the 1940's themed ball that's in April.  I will try and get some pictures to share.  But for now I have "rock step, triple step, triple step" dancing in my head!

My Girl

Tomorrow Caroline goes to Wheeler Middle School to register and find out about classes for next year.  Justin is taking her to go to this event.  It's not that I can't handle this milestone ( I swear!) but that Will has gymnastics at the same time.  It did take my breath away when she came home with the paperwork, and I'm not sure how the first day of school will go for me when she starts in July.

My soon to be middle-schooler is becoming quite the lovely young lady.  She is a caring, sensitive, hard working, and courageous girl!  Her dad and I couldn't be prouder of her!!

She is quite the daddy's girl still.

Silly

Strong and determined.  She jumped so high I couldn't catch her! 

The color of her eyes is just incredible.  The most beautiful blue and sometime purple you've ever seen.

5th grade graduation photos

 She was the hair demonstration girl at an event we went to Saturday morning.  She loves getting her hair and nails done!  She is still my Fancy Nancy girl.  She loves clothes, shoes, having the house decorated, singing and dancing to Taylor Swift, and watching Dancing With the Stars.

She may have chosen to take robotics as an elective over band, but Caroline, I love you to the moon and back!!