Limerick

There once was a young boy named Finn

Who had a million-dollar grin

The girls they would chase

Him all over the place

And led his poor mother to gin.

Spanky Lives

Apparently tired of taking turns, today Finn took a thick, black permanent marker from the art supply box and attempted to carve out some boy territory for himself by repeatedly inscribing "NO GIRLS" on the grove of strawberry guava trees in the backyard where he and his sister regularly play.



He was promptly scolded for being a repeat vandal (last week he got busted for writing on his closet door and who can forget this doozie?), and sent to his room for a little cool-down time.

And guess who ended up playing in the trees after all, just before we scrubbed off all the offending graffiti before it set into the bark?

Four Faces of Four

Seems like I was just doing this, but holy smokes -- our baby turns four today!

Sometimes She Reminds Me Of Stevie Nicks

With Apologies To Anyone East Of The Rockies

After flipping on Good Morning America this morning I witnessed a frightful weather update for the eastern half of the mainland, with lots of swirling blue graphics, a few negative temperatures sections, and prominent use of the term Wind Chill.

We're expecting a big storm here today and tomorrow, with waves expected to reach an impressive 35 feet on the North Shore and winds of up to 60mph that will likely fell many trees tonight. So when the GMA broadcast cut to our local weather report for the islands, these conditions were highlighted.

But it was the extended forecast that caught my eye and made me laugh, predicting conditions for the weekend would be drier and with cooler-than-usual temps.

While today and tomorrow showed raindrops and clouds, the calendar panels for Satuday and Sunday displayed, in all capital letters, the word CHILLY.

The temperature high meterologists expect? The one that elicited the word "CHILLY?"

77 degrees.

Hey, You Guys!!!

I've been a bit nostalgic lately about my kids' TV choices -- what with the near vapidity of many children's programs (not you, Yo Gabba Gabba) and the impending premiere of the new Electric Company next week -- so I've been recording some episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for them to watch.

After finishing his dinner tonight, Finn punched up an episode on the DVR and settled, with his sister, into his favorite nook of the couch. Upon hearing the signature theme song begin..."It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...," I said, "Oh, I just love Mister Rogers! You know, he was around when I was a little kid."

F: Really? Was he an old man when you were a little kid?

K: Yep.

F: Well, is he still an old man, or is he dead now?

K: He's dead now, unfortunately.

F: How did he die?

K: He just got old.

F: Oh, it's a good thing nobody shot him.

K: (Expression on face that says: !?!?!?!)

F: I mean, it's a bad thing he's dead, but a good thing nobody shot him.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

So, there's that to think about now.

There's A Novel In Him Yet

I noticed this doodle on the back of Finney's homework today and it delighted me in its conciseness.

2008 In Photos

2008: The Year in Photos

In January the kids got buckled into the car for school, backpacks and lunchboxes in hand -- Shea, for the first time.

In February the kids got spoiled all kinds of rotten.

In March the kids and I climbed up Diamond Head together.

This is the view from about halfway up.

In April, still getting used to the whole concept of preschool, Shea cried through most of her Easter parade. Afterwards, her brother comforted her.

By May, Shea had long-since figured out which of Finney's friends were the cute ones and flirted accordingly.

In June, we posed for a family portrait in our backyard because I needed to submit something for my 20-year high school reunion brochure. 20 years.


In July, while visiting California, the kids got to wear fun hats in a photobooth at Frankie Dino's 6th birthday party.


In August Finn kept a keen eye on the competition at his school's jog-a-thon.



In September the kids watched The Red Balloon on my computer, wearing next to nothing and loving it.



In October John showed Shea how he shaves every morning.



In November we all watched history being made by someone who can actually bodysurf Sandy's.


In December I actually talked Shea into wearing a dress AND a hat.
Which she wore for about 10 minutes.


Here's wishing you a fantastic 2009!

Shea Wrote Her Name For The First Time On Christmas Eve

Finn Lost His First Tooth Today...Finally.

It's hard to see, but in the photo below the top baby photo of Finney shows that the tooth he lost today was the very same tooth that broke through his 8-month-old gums first. Awwww.

She Calls It Her Cookie Bake Oven

I Love When The System Works In My Favor

We went to see Santa Friday night -- a night Finn won a Christmas tree in a grand-prize drawing and a night I remembered my camera but forgot my memory card.

Thus, no photos!

But we waited to see Santa anyway, and instead of posing for shots, the kids actually just chatted with the big guy.

Santa: "What would you like for Christmas this year?"

Finn: "Anything's ok."

Santa: "Oh, I see. I've got this big box full of rocks, then. Will that do?"

Finn & Shea: giggle, giggle

Santa: "Well, I'll see what we can find for you. In the meantime, I want you (speaking to Finn) to stop picking on your little sister so much. And I want you (speaking to Shea) to stop tattling on your brother so much. OK, kids? Merry Christmas!"

Finn, to me after thanking Santa and leaving his lap:

"You see, Mom -- he really DOES see everything!"

Today's Swimming Lessons

Meeting Mufi

While visiting the Honolulu Zoo last month, we had a chance to schmooze with Honolulu's mayor, Mufi Hannemann. He was there to announce the birth of three new baby tiger cubs.

Dude is super tall. And plenty dapper.

Seriously, I think I swooned a little.

Fall Is For Face Painting

Veterans Day Water Play

Some Of My Favorite Images From This Election