1st Day of 1st Grade

This year Eric has changed schools and now goes to Hale Kula Elementary. He even gets to ride the bus. He loves his new school, he loves his teacher. And I am so happy that he loves it so much. Here are a few pictures of his first day.

getting ready to leave

getting organized at his desk

getting started on his work

I was really nervous about him riding the bus but he wanted to ride it the first day and not even have me take him. When I went and picked him up at the end of the day I decided to let him ride the bus home. I figured I could make sure that he was on the right bus and then be home before the bus got there. That calmed my fears and worries and has been riding the bus since. It is so nice for me because I don't have to deal with the traffic (and the bus stop is right across the street from our house so I can just sit on the porch and wait for him). The following is a picture of him after he got off the bus (of course I was trying to get one as he was getting off but my camera was acting up)



Underwater Submarine

I decided to do one last thing for Eric before school started. It just happened that the ticket place on post had discount tickets for the underwater submarine - Something that I have been wanting to do. So we did it and had a good time. We didn't see any sharks but saw lots of fish, a turtle, and an eel.

taking the boat out to the submarine

this is the submarine - you board it out in the middle of the ocean

inside the submarine; if you are claustrophobic it is not the thing to do

if you look at the bottom left of the picture there is a turtle

just some of the fish we saw

a great shot of Diamond Head



After we got of the submarine we went on a great date to The Cheesecake Factory, had the yummiest cheesecake and then stayed and watched the fireworks. It was a great way to end the summer.

our cheesecake

the sunset that night

Waikiki Aquarium

Me and my friend Heather needed to get out so we decided to take the kids to the aquarium. It was your typical aquarium but the kids had fun.

Eric listening to the audio information

looking at the starfish

I thought this was a pretty cool fish with his orange teeth

I thought this picture was really pretty with all it's colors

Hello

The Mall and Black Light Golf

My friend Amanda told me about the mall over on the east side of the island that has a play area, black light golf, and most importantly Hot Dog on a Stick (which I had never been too but I must say that it was delicious). We decided it would be one last fun activity to do before school started. So one Saturday we loaded up and headed over there. The kids all had a blast playing and me and Amanda had fun just chatting. Here are some pictures from our afternoon.

Eric was actually too big to be playing but nobody stopped us

my crazy boy

the kids got the chem-light bracelets

playing

Eric is heaven

Amanda glowing - I love this picture!

Just Some Cute Stories

Here are some cute "Ericisms" that have occurred recently

We always talk about the restaurants that we miss being here on the island. Chick-Fil-A is one of those restaurants that we REALLY miss. On the way to church there is a bus transfer center getting built. A couple of times Eric has asked me what is being built. I tell him I don't know because is he really going to understand what a bus transfer center really is. Anyways each time I tell him that I do not know he always says that he bets it is going to be a Chick-fil-A. Don't I wish......

One days we passed a Mini-Coop car that was for sale. He told me to look at it because it was for sale. I told him that that was my favorite car and that is what I really wanted it. This is the conversation that then followed
Him: "How much is the car?"
Me: "Oh I think the sign says $20,000 (or something like that)"
Him: "How much money do I have in my piggy bank?"
Me: "I don't know know; about $10"
Him: "If I give you my money will you have enough to buy the car? Mommy you can have my money to buy the car"
Me: "Thanks bud but unfortunately that is not enough money"
I just love the fact that he is so willing to give what he has to make me happy. It is times like these that I think I am doing something right. :)


About a week before my parents came we were talking about their visit and how they would be here for my birthday. Little Eric then asked when my birthday was and I told him it was Oct 28. This is the conversation that followed
Eric: "Mommy I have to get you a present"
Me: "That is fine. I can give you some money and I am sure that Grandma will take you to the store to get something."
Eric: "I know what I am going to get you"
Me: "Ohh tell me what you are going to get"
Eric: "No I can't.......Well okay I want to get you.....(I can't remember what he said but I think it was a toy that he wanted)"
Me: "Oh ok"
Eric: "No wait - I know what I will get"
Me: "What?"
Eric: "I will give you money."
ME: "So I am going to give you money so you can give it right back to me?"
Eric: "No Mommy; I will go to the ATM and get you money"
So I guess he thought he could take the money I give him, go get more money to give me and then keep the original money for himself. Have to say he is a pretty smart boy. :)

I love this kid!!

The Mikkelsen's visit (warning long post with LOTS of pictures.)

My sister Elizabeth and her family made it over this summer. They tried Space A last summer and could never get a flight. This year things just worked out better and they got a flight. It was so much fun to have them here. We did lots of playing, went to the beach alot and just had a great time. It was also nice that they came when they did because Eric left while they were here so I was able to fun with them and keep my mind off my husband having just deployed. The kids were so excited to be able to play play play. Here are some pictures of their time here.

the kids playing in the play area at the terminal

Liz and Reed ended up with a convertible mustang (long story) so they kids loved riding in it

kids playing dress up and having a great time

  

getting ready to go snorkeling

Adam snorkeling

Eric snorkeling

our sand monsters

on the hike up to the Makapu'u lighthouse

playing at Bellows Beach (my favorite beach)

Stephen who was always covered in sand

Liz and Reed were taking family pictures and I was having fun just snapping away. I thought this was so pretty of Emily

One of the places that we did go to was the Polynesian Cultural Center. We all had such a fun time.

playing the musical instruments

After they got their tattoos (although you really can't see them)

playing a game in the island of New Zealand

another game

making a fish out of banana leaves I believe

their finished products

the fire show - one of the favorite parts of the show

4th of July 2010

The 4th of July this year was pretty low key. We went to church, had a little cookout with some friends of ours, and then went over to watch the fireworks. Smash Mouth was performing this year at the post celebration and we live so close to the field that we could actually hear them perform from our house. The following picture was Eric out protecting our house while the concert was going on.

The next couple of pictures are from us waiting at the field waiting for the fireworks to start. After the fireworks Eric had the following to say "Mommy some of the fireworks didn't go very high in the sky. They must have gotten them from Wal-Mart." I guess the fireworks that you buy from Wal-Mart are only sub par.
We had good 4th of July and were thankfully that Big Eric was still here to celebrate with us.