Hope You Have A Great One

Preschool Crafts To Thrill You

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!

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!"

Veterans Day Water Play

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2007: A Year In Photographic Review

January: The kids visited Disneyland for the first time.

February: We all felt the love between siblings.

March: John and I took a closer look at our potential new home state.

April: Shea turned two.

May: We took a last family portrait in CA before starting to pack our things.

June: Finn turned five and John left for Hawaii.

July: The kids and I said goodbye to California.

August: Finn started kindergarten....

September: ...and soccer, too.

October: At the pumpkin patch.

November: On Oahu's North Shore.

December: Our first Hawaii Christmas.

Here's hoping all your dreams come true in 2008.

What Christmas With The Extended Family Looked Like This Year

I Wonder If This Will Ever Get Old

Merry Christmas!

Outtakes From This Year's Christmas Card Photoshoot In The Mango Tree

Even Santa's Super Chill In Hawaii

Paddling Their Way Across The Carpet Sea Towards Christmas Island

Where He's Going To Get A Snowman I'll Never Know

Yes, outside it's warm, palm trees are swaying all around, and we're still in short sleeves, but inside the house, at least, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We've got the tree up, the carols on the stereo, the cookies in the oven, and the kids have finally taken crayons to paper for their annual Letters to Santa Claus.

Finn actually went through about four or five drafts before he finally got around to telling the big guy what toys he'd like him to deliver. His inital focus was more on the touchy-feeling stuff, setting a good emotional foundation, perhaps, to remind Santa of Finn's pole position on the Good List. Here are two of those first drafts.

Shea's list, however, was quick and deliberate and as it sprang fully formed from her little strawberry mouth and I had to hurry along with my pen just to capture it verbatim.