Kindergarten Kamp-out

I teetered and I tottered over Son1's Kindergarten placement. Our local elementary school has an amazing Dual Language Immersion program. Son1 is motivated to speak Spanish, particularly since he hears me speak it often. I don't think he ever believed Hubs that Mommy speaks Spanish like the Dora and Diego characters. And now that he hears me speak Spanish in California, Son1 is a wee bit envious.

The number one reason I was hesitant to place him in the program was the fear of teaching my own child English language arts. Which is actually ridiculous. And then my friend Katy commented on my last post. Katy, whom I haven't seen since I moved from Virginia. Katy, who is a non-native Spanish speaker and holds a Spanish degree and is a freak about correct English grammar. Katy, whom I taught with in Fairfax County Public Schools...yes, that school district. Katy, who reminded me that back in the day people actually thought I was a good teacher. Katy, who next to never comments on my posts. But I am really glad you did, Katy. I was down to the wire on time. You tipped the scales on my thoughts, and launched me into really thinking about bilingual education and not my fears about teaching English. Hubs and I had prayed for a few nights that we would have clarity on Kindergarten placement. Suddenly, I felt I was getting there.

So Hubs and I agreed that the Dual Language Immersion program was the right choice for our family, and for Son1's Kindergarten placement. But our choice meant one thing: a Kindergarten Kamp-out. (Yes, I know that is spelled wrong, I was the sixth grade spelling champ you know, but I was trying some alliteration.)

Registration started at 8am, but I arrived at the school at 4:30am, hoping for one of 40 Dual Language Immersion Kindergarten slots. I packed a bag of snacks, my camping chair, a blanket, and my registration packet. And when I arrived, I was number 30 in line. Number one arrived the night before at 8pm, and spent the night on the sidewalk. It was freezing, and the auditorium was not opened until 7am. And when I say freezing, it is all relative. But hello, I just moved from Hawaii. And high 40s and low 50s felt arctic. We looked like a freak show on the sidewalk. The local news channel even sent a camera crew for a story to prove it. But here is my own proof.
So Kindergarten, here we come!

Turning FOUR!

This was the beginning of birthday week. Son1's actual birthday did not fall on a school day. In Hawaii, though, children's birthdays are celebrated in school, in addition to home celebrations. Parents send in a treat, and sometimes even goody bags. But we decided to keep it simple, because the class and the teachers were invited to his birthday party. I knew we were going to have birthday cake the next day, so instead I chose a double chocolate mousse cake for the class. There is no actual cake inside. It's chocolate mousse covered by this chocolate topping. Whatever dessert I sent in would be too much for his classmates. So I sent in something the teachers could take home with them.

His teacher played her ukulele and sang Happy Birthday to the birthday king. So Hawaii! Son1 wore a shirt Hubby bought him on his last trip that matches his. He has been waiting for his birthday since June. This was two days before his actual birthday, and I just kept thinking, well, he's not actually four yet. He's still our three year old!

The Second First Day of Preschool

Son1 is back in preschool. A return to his predictable daily routine is a welcome change. It is familiar and comfortable, and a departure from our looming move, showing our home, questions about the future, and revolving around his brother's nap schedule.

This was his second "first day" of preschool, since this is his second year. The day started with one of his favorites in life, breakfast with Daddy. This was a treat because Hubby was on leave that day. Otherwise, the kids only see Daddy in the mornings on the weekends, because he leaves for work at 530am during the week. Son1 and Hubby make a big deal about their breakfasts together. On this second first day, Son1 raced to get ready, eager for breakfast.
Breakfast was over, and we climbed in the car for the less than a minute drive to school, loaded with three bags of school supplies, and his back pack. The side streets were packed, so we found a parking space farther than usual. We arrived at his classroom, and he stayed with us long enough to take a picture.Soon enough, he found friends and trains, and barely said goodbye. This year, I knew not to be offended. He did the same thing last year. He was captivated by his environment.

Hubby, Son2, and I exited the classroom. Before we exited the building, I snapped this shot outside of another classroom. You know you go to school in Hawaii when....

School on the Big Rock is going to be a bit different.

Respect Award

A bothered Son1, an indifferent Son2, and a proud mommy

Hubby took the day off work. We packed our video camera, our SLR camera (we only lug it around for special occasions), and staked out our seats among other parents. Son1 was receiving an award at the Character Counts assembly for Respect. We shot a lot of video and less photos because the kids sang in Hawaiian and the music was led by a ukulele. The recipients entered last, and proceeded forth across the front of the assembly. A punch and cookie reception followed. But we never made it.

I found Son1 after the assembly. He took one look at me and scowled. I had never seen him give anyone stink eye, let alone his own mother. (Stink eye is a local way of saying give a dirty look.) I reached for his hand, and no response. We approached Hubby and Son2, and he wailed. Whatever was the matter with him? I suggested we make our way to the punch and cookie reception, and the tears fell. "Please don't take me away from my friends! I want to go back to my class!" I patiently explained that it was his special day for pictures, cookies, and punch. I coaxed him toward the reception, near the doors that led to his classroom. Reluctantly, he walked with us, until we passed the doors to the classroom corridor. More tears. More wailing. More protesting. We skipped the cookies, punch, and other pictures. All of the tears disappeared the minute we walked into class, and he ran toward his classmates, and they squeezed and hugged him. He was back! Sigh...I never realized how much his friends meant to him, too.

That Boxcar Got Me Going on a Field Trip

The morning was wild. I should have known it was going to be eventful. I knew it when Son1 catapulted himself over the sleigh bed railing of his brother's crib like a man shot out of a cannon at the circus. He landed alongside his brother and he was a-jumpin' and a-bouncin'. The more I hushed him he became more boisterous. Hubby was sick, and was going to go into work a few hours late, around 930m rather than 530am. He needed to sleep.

I was in a hurry. Son1 had a field trip that morning, and the teachers like them at school by 745 am on field trip days. Considering we were walking, we had to leave by 725am, you know, to account for shadow watching, lizard poking, and flower smelling. I plucked the baby from his crib, readied him, and pattered down the stairs with him hoisted on my hip. Son1 was already into his toys. As I was slapping something together for breakfast, I saw Son1 climb into his boxcar he made at preschool. This is a serious boxcar. He even installed a paper plate steering wheel with a brad. He pulled it up over his shoulders and started to spin. Distracted and rushed, I ignored his antics. But, really, I was all too aware that he was making himself as dizzy as he could. Round and round and round again, and suddenly, he came to a dramatic halt, balanced himself with his toes, and blew up all over my floor. He missed his boxcar completely.

No, no, no. Now there was a puking mess all over the floor. Son1 was crying and shrieking. I grabbed some kitchen towels, and went to work before I allowed myself to get frustrated. Then I disinfected. Finally, I wiped what little mess he was, and plunked him down on the couch and tossed a blanket over him, shirtless. I served breakfast to Son2, plotting my options. Could I send him to school? The teachers are pretty strict about no attendance if a child has vomited in the last 24 hours. He probably had just spun himself sick, and was fine. Then again, it was Preschool Field Day. If he got himself sick spinning, maybe he would be sick at field day. Better to be safe than sorry. Also, I am the preschool Room Mom (yes, it is a title that requires capitals), and I had to get some paperwork to the other parents that day. The best option seemed to wake Hubby and ask him to watch a subdued and stationary Son1, and an occupied and double fist fed Son2 while I ran up to the school to drop off the paperwork, without the kids. It's a 2 minute drive, and a five minute walk, when I am unaccompanied. Apologetically I woke him, and he graciously helped me, and he apologized for the morning so far. What a man...

I headed to preschool, and handed over my papers. I relayed the morning's events to the teachers, and both seemed pretty convinced that he would be fine. Besides he would be really be so sad to miss the field day and wear his team shirt. Maybe if I could come along, I could always take him home if he got sick. I didn't have anyone to watch the baby, I countered. No problem! They suggested I just bring him in his stroller. Generally, schools do not allow babies in strollers to come on field trips. But the teachers made an exception. I was still doubtful. They handed me his team shirt, and told me it was my call. I went home to check it all out with Hubby. I arrived home, and found a cheerful Son1. Hubby shook his head. He had wanted macaroni and cheese for breakfast. He was probably fine.

More rushing. I hustled and bustled and got us all ready to go on the field trip, and waved Hubby back to bed for a little more sleep. We loaded into the car, and found his class amidst other schools. They were wearing matching green sea themed shirts. The field day had an under the sea theme. I am so glad we went. The day was so precious, with a full court gymnasium packed with activities preschool size. Additionally, there were two other buildings full of activities, as well as a ton of outdoor activities. SO COOL!

These were some of my better pictures, and a clue it was time for a new compact digital camera. A pulley was rigged up for the kids to demonstrate gross motor hand over hand strength, with an octopus in a bucket.

I wanted to jump in this one!

The kids bowled for sea creatures. You can ask your bowling alley for these bowling stations is you take your preschooler with you.

Preschool volleyball

Tattoos are a large part of Polynesian culture in Hawaii, for adults. Tattoos for keiki are super popular party favors. They are as common as candy in a kids goody bags, and are available at almost any keiki event.

This is HIS EVENT.

I had to watch him carefully and make sure he didn't get any wild ideas about spinning in any circles, again!

A happy deviation from our usual morning routines.

He even got in on a music station.

This was by far my favorite booth of all. We almost didn't even go in this room. There were over 100 stations available to the children. In one of the smaller rooms we found a sequencing station, based on the children's book, All Around the Islands. Guess who the author is? Son1's preschool teacher! She had no idea about this station. These girls read the book to the kids and then they had to sequence the pages of the story afterward.

Celebrations in May

May 1, Lei Day

Lei Day is a celebration of spring with leis and flowers.

May 5 Boys Day
With a significant Japanese population in Hawaii, the islands also celebrate Tango-no-sekku, or Boys Day. Families display carp banners outside of their homes, called koi-nobori. The largest carp represents the father and is traditionally black. This is my neighbor's flag. Usually, the smallest fish represents the youngest son. My neighbors have twin boys, so theirs are the same size. Koi (carp) demonstrate fervor, endurance, and power to swim upstream against strong currents. They are also robust, and live about 50 years in the wild, and sometimes longer in captivity. So the qualities of the koi fish are all desirable qualities for young men. (Yes, we have Girls Day. I wrote about that here.)Well those koi fish are about $45 per fish. Hubby is not a fan of flags and windsocks. I would like to get the flags eventually, but for now, we will settle for the fish kites that Son1 brings us from preschool for Boys Day.

In celebration of Boys Day we took the boys out for ice cream. It is common to give treats for Boys Day, too. I ordered Prailines and Cream. This baby sure can shovel with a teeny trial size spoon. He nearly ate half my ice cream! He was pretty serious!Son1 just wanted green ice cream. We talked him out of green tea ice cream and into Mint Chocolate Chip. Now he is usually good about sharing food with his brother when the baby's arm start flailing everywhere and his legs are a-kicking, but not today. When I asked him to share his ice cream with his brother, he didn't look up from licking, and firmly said N-O. We just raised our eyebrows at one another because that is so unlike him. Hubby had Love Potion 31 which was really, really good with white chocolate and dark chocolate shaped hearts and raspberry something, something. Mmmm!!!!

May 5-9, Teacher Appreciation Week

The first full week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week. It is a national program throughout schools. So as room mom, it is my job to coordinate the whole week. It has been eventful. The first day, all classes at our school do the same thing. We all host a Flower Shower. Each child brings in a flower, home grown or store bought, to place in a vase. Tuesday our class hosted Pamper Day, Wednesday was Breakfast and Thank You Card day, tomorrow is Macy's gift card day, and Friday the PTO is taking care of the teachers!

Here is some Boys Day kite flying action for your enjoyment!!

Spring Break with Grandma T. and GG

Grandma T. and GG planned their trip to Hawaii during Son1's break from preschool. Here is a little more about the visit.

One of our favorite things to do is go to Waikiki on a Friday night and swim at the Hale Koa. We usually have dinner at Bibas, and then watch the fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Grandma T. loves to swim, so this suited her perfectly!

Now this is what I love about Hubby. He sat with Son2 and helped him with a roast beef sandwich, just so I could get in and swim, too. We had just one little problem. There was a little confusion and Grandma T. and GG did not bring a change of clothes. Thank goodness for swimsuit cover ups because the Farmer Family had plans. We were going to dinner, and were going to watch the fireworks! Let's just say they eventually came around! You know what we say when there's a problem? We just flash the shaka (hang loose sign) and blurt out, "Hang loose!"
Another day we went to the North Shore to the Turtle Bay lagoons. This is a different resort than I have previously written about, that also has lagoons open to the public. People do snorkel, and do see turtles. We did not see any that day, though. Hubby and GG sat up on the beach while Grandma T., Son1, Son2, and I swam in the ocean. Now, it just wasn't a four generation kind of a swim without GG. She thought about how her great grand kids were in the water without her. So she sprang up and decided it was time to get in.
We were kind of all over the place, so this was one of the only pictures to prove we had a four generation swim. Clicking on the picture will make us bigger.
At the beach we watched this dog be trained to retrieve a boogie board alone, over and over , far past the water break. He is a Newfoundland, and he was big! The sun started to set, and we headed home. GG and Grandma T. were tired! They relaxed at home, and gave Hubby and I a chance to have dinner out, without children! Imagine that!Another day we rode the The Hawaiian Railway in Ewa Beach. Since they were encountering some construction on the railway, the trip was only 45 minutes. We went a different route than the time we had ridden the train before. One of the engineers punched the tickets with an old fashioned railway ticket punch.
The train headed eastbound rather than ewa bound. (Ewa is pronounced eh-vah. The w in the Hawaiian language makes the "v" sound. The word means westbound.) We saw one of the original sugar cane plantations on the island. See the tree in the upper right corner? It is called a Golden Tree. The blossoms are always golden. They make me smile because they oddly remind me of Fall on the East Coast, with the vibrant and deep gold color. My favorite part of the train ride was watching the old fashioned railway switch signs that tell the trains in which direction to travel. They are original from when the Oahu Railway and Land Company used to operate the narrow gauge common carrier railroad, until 1947. They could be in full use, but are not, since the only train riding was the one we were on. At the halfway point of the trip, the engineer that was the narrator asked if anyone had celebrated a birthday recently. The entire train, consisting of several open passenger cars of people, sang Happy Birthday to Son2. GG was so proud!

Well, all good visits must come to an end. On Grandma T. and GG's last day in Hawaii, they got to visit Son1's preschool class. Their last day in Hawaii was the first day back from Spring Break. GG was so impressed she was moved to tears. But the teachers were also impressed with her. Being a senior member of a family in Hawaii is a huge honor. So, the preschool teacher and teacher's aide asked how old GG was. They were so honored to have Son1's great grandmother in class they took our picture and offered hugs. It was a very sweet moment.

Once Son1 was home from preschool, we spent our last hours together on the North Shore. From the time we left our house to the time we got to our first stop, the Dole Plantation, the rain was pouring down. We were afraid the rain wasn't going to let up. We rode the Pineapple Express, and both boys loved the minutes on the train with GG and Grandma T.

We rounded a bend and the rain came to an abrupt stop. I looked out across the pineapple fields and saw this rainbow. If you look above it you can faintly make out the second double rainbow. One day I just may tell you why I think God made these for me. But right then, we all looked out at those rainbows in awe. We arrived at the train platform and headed for the big Dole store. Hubby met us there shortly after work.Our last stop on the North Shore was historic Haleiwa Town. This is the largest commercial center on the North Shore, with a residential population of just over 2,000. This is also where our family favorite, the Grass Skirt Grill, is located. GG loves coconut, so of course we ordered a plate of coconut shrimp. They served it with two sauces, an orange and a more spicy sauce. This is one of their specialties.

More importantly, they serve the best teriyaki cheese fries. To the Farmers, these are the best fries on the island. We just giggled and giggled watching Son2 devour these. Once he got a taste, he just couldn't help himself, probably because I have him on such a fresh diet. Mmmm, saturated fat!

Their burgers are also our favorites. By request, they also come with a half an avocado as a topping. To die for!

The owner of the Grass Skirt Grill also owns the Surf shops next door, called Strong Current. This is his Woody.

This was a great way to end the visit, with full bellies and wide smiles. The boys were sad to say goodbye to Grandma T. and GG. But we have this saying in Hawaii...A Hui Ho! Until we meet again!

Preschool Morning

I am totally leaving out the part how we got to school and they had four foot long pieces of sugar cane out, and how I munched and crunched down on some sugar cane in preschool this morning. I wanted to pull my camera out, but Son1 wasn't even into the sugar cane. So how in the world was I going to have them take my picture? For another time...

Son1 packed two diesel semi trucks in his backpack for Share and Tell at preschool. We arrived, and he pulled the trucks out and handed them to the teacher. Next, he spit out three sentences about trucks. The teacher's eyes almost rolled out of her head and her jaw dropped. "Did you hear what he said?" Ummm, something about trucks...no I really hadn't heard what he said. I produced a puzzled look. "He just recited three lines from the truck book I read for the very first time ever, yesterday! His trucks he brought to share are exactly the same color as in the book, doing the very same thing! See, look!" She grabbed the book, fumbled to find the right pages, and showed me. Son1 cocked his head to one side, and repeated the lines again. I knew what she was getting at. I smiled, masking my enthusiasm. Yes, I totally got it. Hubby and I have been totally getting it for some time, now. He has this incredible memory. Even tonight he got home and told me all about Peter and the Wolf that he saw produced at the symphony on his field trip. He told me all about the instruments, the different characters they represented, how the music went really fast, and then it slowed down. I didn't even know they were going to see Peter and the Wolf. But I totally got what the teacher was saying this morning. The kid has a memory. Ask him to tell you about George Washington or Martin Luther King, or more importantly, his Bible verses for Awanas or Cubbies. But I nodded and smiled, and turned away.

On second thought, I didn't want her to think I didn't share her enthusiasm. I turned back toward her, and asked her if I could tell her something without her thinking I was sick and twisted. She looked at me intently and was totally intrigued. I gave her a little story, totally not what she was expecting, but totally FARMER. I told her how Hubby's family is a card family. He started playing cards when he was four years old. When we were seriously dating he told me we couldn't get engaged until I learned to play cards. So I learned to play, learning the rules, learning basic strategy. But I didn't just want to be a warm body at the card table my soon to be in-laws could just trounce over. Nooo. Not me. I figured very quickly the art of counting cards, counting odds, memorizing 52 cards over and over in Hearts and Spades, and Poker. Eventually I learned Pinochle after we married. The only way for me to compete with my in-laws was with my memory. I also have a thing for numbers. They have always fascinated me since I could tell anyone that asked that I was 3 and 3/4 old. I love different algorithms, game theory, and speed of computation. I didn't babble all of that. No, I stopped at telling her that I had to learn to play cards to get engaged, and that my husband calls me Rain Woman because of my thing for numbers. I looked the teacher square in the eye and told her we hope our son can become a professional poker player with his memory. That stopped her in her tracks. Who says that stuff besides the Farmers? Now you would only get what I am talking about if you ever came to one of our tournaments in Virginia.

There was a pregnant pause. I smiled again, and started toward the door of the classroom. It took the teacher a minute. She caught me and said, "You mean like the movie that is out? The 21 movie?" Frightening isn't it? That is exactly what I meant, going to MIT and being a Black Jack player. "Yes!" I beamed. Now you know we will be perfectly happy with him going to a school of his choice, as long as he can beat his inlaws at cards. You folks with little girls that we knew from Teammates....we will inevitably move back to the Cold Coast, I mean East Coast. If you haven't started your girls playing cards....well, this mommy is making a rule. No dating unless they know how to play cards!

Girls Day and Hatted Cats

In Hawaii March 3 is Girls Day. The tradition comes from the Japanese Girls Day called Hinamatsuri. Japan has done away with Girls Day now. They turned the former Boys Day (May 5) into Children's Day. But in Hawaii we still celebrate them separately. The older tradition of Girls Day was centered on doll collections started for daughters at birth. The doll collections symbolized proper girl values. The display could be up to seven tiers. It had to be taken down by March 3, or the tale was that girls would never marry. Now tradition centers around giving your daughter a gift. At our school the girls dress up in kimonos. All of the kids painted little dolls with candy and traditional cookies.


On March 3 we also celebrated Read Across America. Traditionally it is celebrated on March 2, in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday. Our school serves a big green eggs and ham breakfast for the kids. My neighbor was sweet enough to serve Son1. She also served him a chocolate milk. Ooh he had this guilty look on his face, and he sat and stared at the chocolate milk for a long time. His teacher only allows the kids to drink white milk. I only allow white milk. Remember me, with the cavity ego? He occasionally gets chocolate milk when his daddy treats him. Well, he only took a bite or two of his eggs. Even though I told him he could drink the chocolate milk he was well aware that he knew I normally would not let him drink chocolate milk! He probably had all of two or three sips!

Family Poster

Last week Son1 brought home a 12x18 piece of construction paper. Each student was supposed to make a poster of everyone that is important to them in their life. Sigh...I can't show you the picture because once I thought about taking a picture, it was SO BEAUTIFUL with everyone's names, and you know how we are about names...

We went over everyone on the poster. Son1 kept cheering, "That's all my families! That's all my families!" Both great grandmothers, both grandmothers, and grandpa were on the poster. My sister and her son were mounted, along with my brother in law and sister in law. On GG's lap sat all five of her great grandchildren (including my two) that are Latino, Asian, African American, and Caucasian. Our immediate family was up on the poster, too, along with pictures from Awanas Cubbies, Sunday School, and gymnastics. Son1 was so proud! Plus, did I happen to mention HOW BEAUTIFUL this poster turned out?

We arrived at school and we pulled out the poster and proudly showed it to his teachers. I dolled up that flimsy little piece of purple construction paper to look just smashing. Ok, I am just being honest. So they loved that. But then as they looked closer, they had a number of questions. And Son1 kept saying, "That's all my families!" I answered their questions, and they were a bit surprised that we are so, um, United Nations looking, and not completely, um, organic, in the look alike sense. We don't all make up traditional families. And I smiled as I told the stories, because I love "all my families" to death. The teachers were so intrigued by the little tidbits I shared, and were so genuinely curious.

I went home and thought about how "all my families" have some cracks. But where there are cracks God has truly shined through. I hope Son1 continues to be proud all his families, regardless of looks and cracks!

G is for Garden

The letter of the week in preschool is G.

The hat reads:

G is for garden. Growing and learning together in 2008.

See those little green shoots in the middle of my purple ground cover? Those are from heliconia, which is a beautiful plant my neighbor planted on the other side of the mailboxes. They have a crazy under-root system, and we can't seem to get rid of them.

Christmas Field Trip

Hubby came home on an earlier than expected flight from his trip back East this month. He traveled about 13 hours home, and got home late on a Thurs night, with a 5 hour time difference. This was great timing. I was going to skip Son1's field trip, but since Daddy could watch the baby, and nap when the baby napped, I was able to go. Well, that made sense to me. But not to my three year old.

"Mommy is going to go with you on the big bus today."

"Noooooo, Mommy! YOU stay home with Son2. DADDY is going on the big bus with me."


I was disappointed. But I let it go. He had been clamoring for Daddy to come home for 2 weeks. So off they went, a jet lagged Hubby and a thrilled Son1.


The first stop was City Hall. For the last 23 years the mayor and the city council has hosted the Honolulu City Lights tour at City Hall. The decorations are amazing.

This is the Lanakila train, which means victory, named for the royal train that once rode O'ahu rails. It is in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani, who enjoyed riding the train. A menehune (warrior) hangs out giving the shaka sign (hang loose).


See the snowmen? He is wearing a Hawaiian shirt and the little one is holding a surf board.


The landmark Christmas tree decorated with huge candies and pointsettias at the foot of it, along with Hawaiian gourds.



Inside of City Hall different businesses set up a Christmas display.

Then the kids headed toward the Fun Factory at Ala Moana shopping Center. Daddy treated Son1 to Islands and took Son1 to do some shopping for me. It was an exhausting day.