Aloha in 4D

I can't decide which video to post. We are checking out and heading to the Kona side of the island. I am not sure how much internet access I will have, so enjoy these for now.
Much Aloha!

Lotsa Lava

Grandma T. is here for a visit. Except we really aren't "here". We are now on vacation on The Big Island. We are staying in the Hawaii National Volcanoes Park in Kilauea Crater.

This morning after breakfast Grandma T. and I took the boys to a playground on the grounds where we are staying. Son1 went down the slide once and refused to again. He said it was too hot. It took us a minute to figure this strangeness out since the air temp was about 70 degrees. (Yeah, it's a lot cooler in the crater.) Anyway, the slide was well over 100 degrees because of the heat coming up through the ground. I sat on the perimeter of the playground and had toasty buns from the warm earth. It bothered Grandma, but not me.

Soon we got started on our day and started the drive around Kilauea Crater. I am standing at the edge of Halemau'uma'u Crater. This is a crater within a crater which is said to be the home of Madame Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. This is all crusted over now, but for the most of the 19th century this was a boiling lava lake. Mark Twain visited here and said it was like viewing the fiery pits of hell. It is about 300 feet deep and about 3,ooo feet across.

Hubby and I had a few minutes for a date walk while Grandma sat with the kids in the car. It was a whole ten minutes. We are standing at the edge of Halema'uma'u Crater.
The majority of the Volcano Park looks very arid. However, there are areas where a rainforest has started to grow over the lava. We stopped at Thurston Lava Tube. On the way down to the lava tube we decended into a several layer rainforest.

This was a total contrast to what we had seen thus far. It got cooler and cooler as we zig zagged our way down to the Lava Tube. Son1 was able to hike all the way down.

And Son2 managed to get down, too. I wore my nursing cover over my bjorn so he could sneak in a nap. While in the park a cute little girl not older than 4 kept giving me funny looks. I heard her finally say to her mommy...look, she has a newborn baby under there! And her mom said...that's right, she has a newborn baby under there. But the little girl kept looking at me funny. She said to her mommy.....I THINK it's in her tummy with the feet sticking out! I laughed about that all day.

We made it down to the lava tube, and walked all the way through to the other side. Son1 was a little afraid of the dark, even though it was lit. Water was coming down through the lava tube overhead. Son1 is trying to give the Hawaiian Hang Loose sign, or the "shaka".

After we walked through the lava tube, Son1 showed Grandma how he walks across the beams at his gymnastics class.

Totally amazing. We took a detour from the rim of the crater to the Chain of Craters Road. This road is a 19 mile decent to the sea with many smaller craters.

From this road you have an amazing view to the Pacific Ocean. That long darkness in the center of the picture is hardened lava that flowed down into the ocean. It is so amazing to see the beauty of hardened lava.

There are different kinds of lava. They are classified by their physical characteristics.

Almost to the end of Chain of Craters Road is the Holei Sea Arch. Here the ocean has undercut the lava rock leaving an arch. It was so beautiful!

Hubby took this picture. If you face one way you can see the Holei Sea Arch. If you turn around in the same spot this is your view. From where we were standing we were experiencing the misting ocean spray. This is all hardened lava rock. At this point the road is closed. As a family we made the 1 mile round trip to where the lava crossed the road in 2004. Son1 walked this round trip, too!


Son1 is trying to get his fingers in place for a shaka sign. We are standing at the edge of the road. The lava crossed the road in 2004, and the road is totally covered. Here I am with a good picture of Son2 looking like he was in my tummy with his legs sticking out.

At this point the boys and I started walking back to the car. Grandma and Hubby walked all the way to the end of the trail near the water's edge. It was too slippery and too windy for the boys and me.

We took this picture right before we visited the steam vents. We are standing at the edge of the crater from the opposite side as we were this morning.

The formatting for this post has been difficult. YIKES.

I'm a Potato Head

My sink is responsible for marital strife in our home. Tuesday night it happened for the second time. And it's all the sink's fault. Really.

Here is what happened the first time. It all started when we had our countertops replaced. Hubby was out of town, and left me in charge of "supervising" the contractors. And I ask, doesn't he know better? It took a couple of days to replace the countertops, and meanwhile our sink was out of commission, which meant no water to rinse dishes. Perfect reason to run the dishwasher. To me, anyway.

Hubby called to check in. I relayed that I had noticed the floor molding was swollen in the room next to the kitchen. I wonder if those silly contractors busted a pipe in the wall, Hubby. Could we have water in the wall?

Did you run the dishwasher?

Of course I did. Where else was I going to do the dishes without any water available at the sink?

When you ran the dishwasher didn't you realize that it should have been connected to the sink in order to run?!? When we go to sell this house we have to replace the floor molding now. People may ask about water damage to our home. When you ran the dishwasher, the sink was disconnected. So all of that water had to go somewhere. And R., it went right to the wall.

Oops.

And then there was Tuesday night. I know I must not be the only person that has used the garbage disposal for potato peelings. Show me some love someone, somewhere, and tell me you have done it, too. I call Hubby up to let him know a catastrophe has ensued.

Both sides of the double sink in the kitchen are clogged. I mean, I just used the sink, and it drained just fine! Not two minutes later it totally backed up on me! And when I use the garbage disposal, it makes this gigantic water funnel, aims water straight at my face, and shoots in the air!

Now being the sweet husband that he is, he continues to give me the benefit of the doubt:

Oh, it's probably the traps. We need to have a professional come out and clean out our traps so our plumbing will work better.

When he gets home he tests the sink. But now, the sink totally isn't draining and we have yuck brown water in both sinks.

Did you put the potato peels down the disposal?!?

Uh yeah-ah. I do that all of the time. And besides, I cleaned out the drain once the garbage disposal started spewing water in my face..so it couldn't be the potatoes.

Next we call the plumber. Yeah, can't come over today. He talks to Hubby, though, and tells him how to use secret Plumber Powers to get the sink to drain. And we don't even know this SuperHero Plumber. So Hubby follows all of his directions and rips out every pipe under the sink. Next he uses the snake tool to get into all of those pipes. (A snake tool is a long wiry thing several feet long with a hook on the end of it. I learned about snake tools when Son1 flushed my deoderant down the toilet last year.) What does he find with the snake tool? Huge potato slices wedged deep into these pipes. And I see him huffing and puffing...and I start to worry because I know what happened to The Three Little Pigs when that wolf huffed and puffed. And he snaked and he snaked. But those crazy pipes still contained potato peelings. Next he disassembled every pipe. Then he made a trip to the garage for the Shop Vac. He sat and vacuumed the inside of every pipe that had potato peelings inside until they were all sucked dry. After much huffing, puffing, snaking, and vacuuming, the pipes were reassembled. Hubby reconnected the plumbing and was seriously irritated. But that man gets over it quick. I will have you know that ten minutes later he made filet mignon for me for dinner. Even if I am a potato head.

The Fourth Farmer

Son2 at almost 4 months

Just a bit about our littlest Farmer. He is soo loved and soo precious to us. I wanted to share more about what has happened recently, but it has been a worrisome last couple of weeks. Things have settled now, and I am choosing joy over worry. Son2 is such a blessing and so full of joy. He is quite animated, too.

Son2 came along and I vowed to not fall off the planet and be overwhelmed with 2 kids. Well, at least I haven't fallen off the planet. Still here, on earth, for sure. And there are those moments when I wonder how in the world I have been entrusted with 2 children. So far, Son2 tags along most places we go. Summer has flown, as most summers do, and we have been there, and done that.

In CA at Knott's Berry Farm...this is the only ride I rode. (3 months)

A late lunch following an afternoon swim at Ko*Olina.

Son2 loves his big brother. These 2 have such a sweet bond. Son2 always looks for Son1 as soon as he hears his voice and giggles, and giggles, and giggles. He reaches and grabs for his big brother. And Son1 eats it up. He is quick to be a good helper and engage his little brother.

Same beach, different day. Asleep in Daddy's arms while Mommy and big brother are swimming and looking at fish before a beach dinner.

Sometimes Son2 gets in the water. He usually is lulled to sleep by the roll of the waves. And the water temperature is btw 75 and 85 degrees in the summer. He is a bigger fan of the bath tub.

Posing with the turtle behind us on the North Shore.

Son2 has been so many cool places I hope he will remember some day. When Aunt N. was here we hiked up to Makapu*u Point. Big brother had to stroll, too. It was hot that day, and as steep as always.

And then, not quite a week before big brother's birthday, Son2 started to have unexplained seizures. And they weren't what you imagine a seizure to look like. He had his eyes closed and they affected his upper half of his body. The third one was the largest, and Hubby and I agreed he would receive the best care at the children's hospital, the best hospital in the state. Son2 and I went alone, and Hubby was home to be with Son1. Hubby and I spent time apart, and yet together in prayer. (I don't know what to make of those hospital cell phone rules, because they let me use mine whenever I wanted, even though I heard them to tell others to turn them off.) I didn't cry even though I was understandably upset. I was too preoccupied to cry by the what ifs. I prayed for God's mercy and peace, and that my precious sweet baby would be ok. I prayed that I would still love God no matter how his tests came back. Son2 had a cat scan, blood work, and an EEG done. All of the tests came back normal, for which I am so thankful and humbled.

In my hospital gown, waiting for the EEG and CT scan.

So we went home, with no easy answers. The tests results all returned normal. The doctors that examined him found him to have good muscle tone, hitting all the correct milestones, and most notably a happy demeanor. Infants with serious seizure problems don't appear this way. (Most infants that seize will have mood changes, not so great muscle tone, be behind on their development, and Son2 is not.) Son2 is super pleasant, and quite the giggler. The doctors also said it is sometimes common for infants to have such episodes, and outgrow them quickly. They scheduled a follow up appointment with a pediatric neurologist, to be safe. No medication has been prescribed, for which I am glad. Well, he had two more small seizures over the next 2 days. And we prayed for our baby, and we prayed some more. We prayed for God's healing and God's protection over our son. Those were the last 2 seizures our baby has had. He has not had a seizure for 13 days! Our hope is in that God has healed our son.

Hangin' loose in the backyard. (5 months)

Every day we fall more and more in love with Son2. We are overJOYed that he is our son. He is still giggling, and we love to make him giggle. He grabs his little feet and checks them out. And he babbles, and babbles, and babbles. He is super alert and wide eyed, and yet, a good sleeper. We thank God so much for placing this little bundle of JOY under our roof.

Dinner Time Prayers

You never know how Son1's prayers will go. Sometimes he prays for a good night sleep at dinner. He never prays for God to bless food to his body before night night, though.

Tonight's dinner prayer went like this:

Dear Jesus,

I love you. Thank you for the turtles. Thank you for the ocean. Thank you for the manta rays. Thank you for the sharks. Thank you for the fish. Thank you for Nemo. Thank you for Ariel (our baby sitter). Thank you for the school bus. (He went on a field trip on Friday.) Finally Hubby cut in and reminded him to pray for our food and ended it with a fast Amen.

I laughed when the prayer was over. You know, the only thing he hasn't seen live from his prayer is Nemo. Manta rays and sharks are at a hotel lobby nearby. Fish and turtles we see pretty often. I guess I would call that an island prayer.

Dog-GONE silliness

Dog lovers, apologies in advance if you take offense to our Farmer humor.

Troy, our dog of more than six years, moved in with another family in June. It was hard, it was emotional, and it was necessary. Hubby needed to be on four meds simultaneously because of his allergies and asthma reactions to Troy. Hubby talked straight to me one night. I just don't want to be on pills the rest of my life, he said. First I pouted, and then I cried. In this climate the pet dander is uncontrollable. And the dog insisted on sleeping on hubby's side of the bed, and sitting at hubby's side at all times. So Hubby was just covered in pet dander.

Ok, so Troy seemed so attached to us. Until this family with six kids showed up. He jumped in their white Expedition like he never knew us and he never looked back. We assured the family we would take Troy back if it didn't work out. We haven't heard from them now, and its been 2 months.

Today the rain went nuts. It pelted our windows and we heard thunder. Hello, I live in a rainforest. It shouldn't phase me it was strong! On my way down stairs I asked Hubby in the most alarmed voice with the straightest face if he had let the dog in. He assured me he had. Later at Costco we walked past the dog food. Hubby, do you think we are good on dog food, for now? Yeah, we have enough. And we looked at each other and smiled. We ask each other silly questions about our dog now and then in a therapeutic way, I suppose. And no, it is not to ease our guilt. His new family wanted him so badly, and we knew they would love him. A number of families wanted him since labs are so hard to come by on the island, even though he is a mix. We were picky, and interviewed different people. Troy is a "special" dog, and it would take a special family to love him. We couldn't just pick the first family that wanted a lab. The family just had to be special, as those of you who knew Troy might imagine.

We wonder about him an awful lot somedays. Hence the Farmer humor to answer our questions. Like right now, I wonder if he is eating the groceries I left out in kitchen....

When I have a few moments (WHEN?)

Just a little personal sharing time from me....like you used to in elementary school....

Some things I love cost money. Yeah, that list could go on and on. But when I have a few moments, there are a few priceless things that tickle me and warm my soul.

I LOVE to go to the library alone for LOTS of reasons. I can actually hear the "library quiet." It has a nice sound to it, when I have a few moments alone. If a book jacket makes my eyes dance, I can take time and look. I don't worry that the humongous stuffed Clifford has been pulled from the top of a bookcase, or worry if those meanie weenie older kids will let my child have a turn at the special Clifford reading table. When I check books out of the library I force myself to read the books, unlike the books I buy. Yesterday I checked out a slew of books on tea, a novel by a favorite author, and one on Victorian England. And yes, I WAS alone!

On tea...I love a good cup of loose leaf. My new favorite is Chocolate Mint. Stop on by, I have it on hand, thanks to my sweet sis. (Ha! She's not a tea drinker.) Mmmm. Tonight I will totally make the time to boil the water, warm the pot, add the leaves, strain, and serve. It does taste like a liquid candy of sorts.

Putting in some elbow grease and polishing silver brings me great joy, too. My favorite silver polish product is Hagerty's. Good looking silver makes me totally enjoy using it. Please people, do not use that Tarn-X stuff, or Soft Scrub. You will ruin your good stuff!

And one day, when I have a few moments, I want to use my dough hook attachment for my Kitchenaid. I have never even used that attachment!

I know you're thinking of yours...do tell....what are your priceless pleasures?

Right Under My Nose!

So I come downstairs and this is how the conversation went:

"It's time for your bath. Let's go upstairs."
"Yeah, he NEEDS a bath."
"Why, what happened?"
"He took your lipstick that was sitting on the countertop and drew it all over his eyes."
"While you were sitting there?!?"
"Yeah."
"And you just let him?!?"
"No, of course I didn't just let him. I didn't see it happen."
"Huh? How could you not see it happen?!?"
"Well, he was just sitting there so quietly.."
"Uh, huh..."
"And I was just sitting next to him reading my magazine...and when I looked up...can you believe he had taken your lipstick and drawn it all over his eyes?"
(Moment of mommy silence. OF COURSE I can believe my three year old little man would be capable of such a thing with a lipstick I used less than 5 times...the one that has the SPF protection, to boot.)
"And it was SOO much worse before you got down here. But I managed to wipe most of it off."
Translation: Thank goodness you're back.
"OH. Well, then I'll just have to buy myself a new one again."
(Nails on a chalkboard...Hubby is not a fan of $$$ spent on make up.)

Wiping my face

The Big Three

Listening to the Birthday Laws, with my tongue in a funny position for extra concentration....ha ha...

Son1 celebrated his birthday at a kids gym. This was perfect! All of our preschool guests were in a totally safe environment designed just for them. We had the whole place to ourselves. This place even comes with a birthday lady that runs the whole birthday gig, totally stress free for mom and dad. She lays down the "Birthday Laws", though. Aside from safety, she reminds the kids that today is all about Son1. And everyone, including parents, has to be in socks. A challenge around these parts, ya know. These kids started out so calm.....

All of these balls are for me!

The kids were allowed to throw all kinds of soft toys in the air. They went nuts! They didn't throw them at one another, per the Birthday Laws.

Throwing balls while rolling!

Kids were rolling around in a few of these at any given time. Parents were sweet to push any kids that rolled past them.

Big people and little people in the bounce house!

Hubby said we had to include a bounce house for the birthday...Son1's favorite party element. And we totally loved that adults got in, too.

Like ants crawling out of an ant hill!

The kids were all really active. They were up on top, they were down deep. They were inside the equipment and out. They laughed, they shouted, and they giggled.

Taking a break for cheese birthday pizza in the party room


We did manage to stop the mayhem for lunch...for a few minutes. The party lady directed all of the kids to wash hands before pizza on Thomas plates with Thomas napkins. Son1 couldn't have a birthday without Thomas!

Could they be asking what he will wish for?

Examining the candy confetti

The kids all had a bit more time to play in the gym after pizza, cake, and ice cream, though everyone was slowing down a bit.....until the "Freeze Song". And then they got that sudden burst of energy again....

"Freeze Song" in action

The kids ran and ran around the gym, and had to freeze every time the birthday lady yelled "freeze!". And they laughed, and they screamed, and they giggled some more, until it was time to go.

Balloons and Thomas goody bags for my friends

After each child was back in shoes, Son1 thanked them for coming with a party favor. It was a good bribe to get the kids back in shoes and ready to go. And that was how Saturday went. And birthday week went on...when the birthday crown came home from school on Monday, and Son1 wanted to wear it. And there is still that helium balloon stuck on the living room ceiling, 20 feet in the air....

Eating popcorn in my crown

A Word About Gifts

Ready to open gifts at home

More coming on Birthday Week but for now, a word about gifts.....

We have lived on the island for well over 2 years now. We have been to one birthday party where birthday gifts were opened at the actual party. Every one else has not opened gifts at the party. Saturday we had Son1's party. We did not open gifts until we got home, as a family of 4. I love this idea for small children. It keeps the gift between the giver and the recipient, and allows the kids to focus so much more on the celebration, the guests, and their big day, rather than on the gifts. No one knows about or has their feelings hurt over a duplicate gift they so painstakingly picked out. No one feels showed up. And three year olds don't flip when the gift they watched mom buy at the store goes to the birthday boy.

Birthday Week

I have waited 11 years for this! Hubby has become a birthday man! He has not been moved by birthdays, until now. Until now, he thought my ideas about birthdays were silly. And maybe so, but silliness can be fun! Growing up, I celebrated my birthday over the course of a week. First, there was my class birthday at school since my birthday didn't usually fall on a school day, then there was my real birthday, usually over Memorial Weekend, and then my birthday party. It was my personal holiday, and I have longed to do the same for my kids. Every weekend Son1 asks if we are going to a birthday party, because we have been to many recently. Hubby is sooo all about Son1's birthday this year, it is just scrumptious!

So birthday week has begun! Hoooray!!! Son1 had his class birthday celebration on Wednesday since there was no school Thursday. Oooohh and a birthday pencil from the teacher was a huge deal, and wearing the birthday hat was so signficant. Yesterday we opened presents from afar and celebrated at Farrell*s as a family, with the beating of the drum, the siren, and the loudspeaker announcement. He had a clown sundae and his birthday song sang by a silly cast of people. There are two short video clips below of his birthday, which was yesterday. Click on the links below the picture.

Mac n cheese and fries, what could be better?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlCoyKf0KSU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp1na5RoT6M

Hurricane Flossie

Totally missed us. It was set to hit the Big Island, 240 mi from us, on Oahu. Two or three degrees off course means it missed the Big Island, or could have meant it could have landed here. There was a tsunami warning yesterday, though. We put a gallon of water in our freezer in the house and the freezer in the garage in case we lost power for a few hours due to the hurricane, to keep food. Water was almost sold out at Costco. There was an earthquake on the Big Island that we did not feel here, not like last time. So we are safe. Thanks so many for asking.

Playin' Chopsticks

Son1 has mastered something before I have.... eating with chopsticks. I don't think I'll ever get how to use chopsticks. That and how to do a cartwheel! I wonder if Son1 has more dexterity than me or just far more determination. Whatever helped, he finally mastered chopsticks, just shy of his third birthday. He quickly figured out to use them upside down. He grasps the noodles with the big flat ends of the chopsticks. It is a really good strategy...maybe one I should try. He loves Pad Thai.

All In!

I haven't played Texas Hold Em in awhile. Had to end up a winner. Still a Farmer.........

Tea 4 Four

sharing Tater Tot's toys

tummy time while mommy shares deep thoughts and secrets at the tea table

Last week a sweet friend invited me for tea, and for Son2 to play with her baby boy. She's moving, and I have been running in circles lately. We're both busy, but it was delicious to just unwind and share some time together, calmly. She is so thoughtful and hospitable. And she gets me. Hostessing is so different than entertaining....you know what I mean?

I do have a little confession. Friend is such a great baker, usually. She is constantly whipping up amazing desserts. When I saw these scones I assumed she made them. Side note: I have recently lost 5 lbs from increasing the amount of vegetables I eat. I decided to splurge on my caloric intake when I saw these scones. Plus, if friend made them, they had to be all that. Mmmm lemon blueberry. So I am gathering my things, about to leave, and I pay my compliments on the scones...yeah, the several I had just gobbled. Ooooh so delicious. Did you make them yourself, friend? Oh no....hubby laughed at me when I told him you were coming over and I had to run to Safeway late at night to get these. Hmmmm....would I have so anxiously gobbled them if I would have known they were store bought? Probably not. But I've learned a great time saving idea when I host a tea morning.

The First "First Day"

Son1 started preschool last week.

W
When we got to school he didn't just have eyes for me, anymore. He was all about the excitement. We live in a neighborhood where moms and dads walk their kids to school, and parents take off work for the first day, with a camera in one hand, and coffee mug in the other. Tons and tons of people were everywhere. It felt like being at an amusement park on a very crowded day, where you can just feel the excitement buzzing around you. I wish I could have better captured Son1's eyes. They got WIDE when he saw the kids. WIDE like humongous dinner plates. WOW-WEE. Kids everywhere...all going the same place. And you mean I get to stay??

You can't believe how many pictures I took between the time we left the car and we got to the classroom. By the time we got to his class he started making silly faces at the camera.

Son1 started the day by writing his name with his teacher. He signs in every day like this. We love his teacher. She is a local children's author. She has taught preschool for 23 years.

Everyone wants to know if Son1 cried. Yes, he did. When I came to pick him up at the end of the day because he just didn't want to come home. And it went on like that for the first few days.