On the Catwalk, Yeah!

In November, Liam was asked if he wanted to take part in the annual Nordstrom Kids' Fashion Show.  It's really a money-maker for the store, but we got some good clothes for a discount and Liam got a chance to do something fun.

He was excited at first, but then as things began to seem more real, he got a little nervous.

He took Penguin with him on runway for moral support.  Unfortunately, I don't have digital photos of him on the actual runway -- but he did pretty well!  He didn't want to walk at first, but once he got out there, he wanted to stay!  It was very cute.

But in the end, I think he's happier behind the camera.  (Thanks Grammy, Papa, and Grandma Sharon for coming out to watch!)

And thanks, Grammy, for turning the abominable snowman shirt into a short-sleeved shirt so we can get more use out of it!

Giving Thanks

2014 was our first Thanksgiving in Waikiki.  We don't believe in shopping on Thanksgiving, but it was lots of fun to walk around and take in the fresh air.

Ewan looked dashing in his orange, hand-me-down shades

Of course, Liam needed some eye protection, too.

Then, in the afternoon, we had Thanksgiving lunch at Uncle Kev and Aunty Cathy's house.  It was great to see everyone and spend some time together.

Ewan observed the living room proceedings with his back to the wall.  Smart move for the budding warrior.

Liam, of course, went straight to play room and straight for rubbish truck!

Some of the kids colored the Turkey placemats Aunty Cathy so generously provided.

Then we feasted!  Thanks for modeling Aunty Kellie!

Once we got home, it was time for another walk because Liam, in standard Liam fashion, decided he was not going to nap.  So mama took him on a journey around Kapiolani park.  We got a nice view of Diamondhead!

And the walk did the trick!  Stroller sleep is not the best sleep, but it does help stave off punkitude.

That  night, bath time afforded us an opportunity to try out a Pinterest project -- shaving cream bath paints.  And they were a success!  Liam had a great time with them and there was nothing, really, to clean up!

What a bounty of things to be thankful for!

School Days

Liam started preschool in November.  We waited until the last possible minute because he needed to be potty-trained and he was just having none of that.  Until he decided he would have all of that and was fine for both daytime and night all at the same time.  That's just how he rolls.  So we were good for preschool just in time!

We opted for the Montessori Lab School at Chaminade University.  I was pretty certain that I wanted to send him to a Montessori school, so I was really pleased that we found one that's affordable.

Liam refused to let me take a picture of him on his first day.  His face, here, says it all.  "Seriously, mom?"

The cool thing about his preschool is that they have a portal we can access where they put up all of the activities and developmental skills he's working on so we can see what he gravitates toward and how well he's doing, even in the important things, like grace and courtesy (still practicing those things).  They also take pictures during the day and post them to Liam's online file.  We can look at them to get a peek at what he does during the day (since parents are not allowed in the classroom--that's the kids' space) and download the ones we want.

One of the first activities he did is called "sink or float."  What kid doesn't like water?

Speaking of water--painting a turkey with watercolors.

He was really proud of the bracelet he made, though I'm not sure who it would actually fit.  He made one the next day for Aunty Lani!

Practicing the tongs by picking up rats.  

Working on the color box.  I think when they get more advanced, they're supposed to arrange the colors by shade, but I thought that it was pretty cool that he could do this.

This is the number bead activity.  They're supposed to hang the correct number of beads below each number.

And one of my favorite parts of the Montessori classroom -- practical life!  Here he is scrubbing his cubby.  I swear I think we're a little too chaotic for him.  Lately, he's been talking about how we have to clean because things are dirty.  They're not dirty...they're just part of our organized chaos.  Yeah...we have to work on that.

And finally, here's Liam exploring a sea urchin on their field trip to the catamaran.  He had such a great time, and I'm really glad that he was willing to touch the urchin!  Yay for school!

Halloween!

One of Liam's favorite shows is the Octonauts.  He loves Captain Barnacles, Kwazii Kitten (the pirate lieutenant), and Tweak Bunny (the Engineer), but his favorite character is Peso Penguin, Medic.  So that's what he wanted to be for Halloween.  And of course, we all had to be characters, too.  He chose Captain Barnacles for Dad and Kwazii Kitten for me.  And I chose Tunip the Vegimal for baby brother.  No one will ever mistake me for a crafty creative, but I did my best.  Our friends Dave and Malissa (with Liam's buddy, Brent), invited us to go trick or treating in their neighborhood in Nu'uanu.  That place goes all out for Halloween!  There were elaborate decorations, musical events, and properties that were so large, we actually went in the back way of one house only to realize we had already been to that house from the front!  We had such a good time!

Yeah, I made the collar a little too small...

Here's the Octonaut Family!

Tunip's greens kept falling down!  Dad held them up for the photo op.

Here's Liam checking out some of the decorations.  Something dear to my heart...  And the reason Baltimore is my football team.

As for Halloween?  There's always next year!

Fall Fest at Queen Emma

Our friends Wimmie and Kiriko invited us to attend the Fall Fest at Queen Emma preschool, where both of their younger children attend.  We had such a great time with all the activities specifically designed for the preschool set.

First, there was digging for treasure.

Then Feeding the Witch!

And a fun egg hunt.

Afterwards, Liam and Dad shared some shave ice.

Liam earned tickets at each game and then used them to buy little prizes.  He got a green pirate bear for baby brother and a little stuffed penguin for himself.  He loves that little penguin.  His name his Peso, after Peso the Medic of the Octonauts and he goes everywhere with us.  He even goes to school with Liam everyday.  I sure hope we don't lose him!

Time to Catch Up -- Waimanalo Country Farms

We've been a bit behind here at Team Monkey, but I'm sure that comes as no surprise.  So, per usual, in honor of Chinese New Year, I begin the annual beginning of the year catch up from the end of last year!

Let's begin with some of our activities for Autumn...

We continued our one-year tradition of visiting the pumpkin patch at Waimanalo Country Farms.  Liam was much more interested in the activities this year.

He rode the cow train -- modified drums pulled by a small tractor

Nothing says fun like a cow train ride and a snack!

While he actually went in to the petting zoo this year, he still covered his ears because he was scared.  So proud of our brave boy!

Then he walked the field to look for a decent pumpkin.  Also new this year, since last year he chose his pumpkin from the little general store.

Liam and Dad even tried their hand at the air cannon.  Punkin Chunkin!  Okay...not quite.  But still fun!

Clearly, the pumpkins were riveting.

Ewan Makes One!

Today marks Ewan's first birthday!  It has felt both longer and shorter, depending on which day the asking was done.  Two is infinitely more challenging than one and I can't say that we've always been successful, but at least we're here!

Ewan is quite a bit different than his brother.  Where Liam is cautious, Ewan is cavalier; where Liam is cerebral, Ewan is physical.  It's been quite the journey.  So here's a look back at Ewan over his first year...

Newborn -- Ready to roll

One Month -- Arr...Pirate Ewan!

Two Months -- Busy, buzzy baby

Three Months -- Hanging with Fox

Four Months -- Tasty fingers!

Five Months -- Oh, those lashes!

Six Months -- Why yes, I'm ready for my poi now...

Seven Months -- Mama's gone artsy again...

Eight Months -- I'm ready to see them now.  Wait.  Who, exactly, is "them?"

Nine Months -- With the clothes

Ten Months -- Brainy Baby!!

Eleven Months -- In the Flair...

One year!  We made it!

Happy birthday Daredevil Man!!