i am...mai

Stuffed and Shopping

It was just that kind of a weekend.  We did our usual nomadic holiday routine for Thanksgiving beginning with Rob's pick up from work at the pier to pick up our stuffing bread order from the Great Harvest Bread Co. Kailua to my mother's for lunch (the beef pho pictured above was fabulous) and then finally home to cook up our own Thanksgiving feast.  I made the turkey and all the sides and can hardly believe that the timing came out perfectly despite the late start because of lunch at Mom's.

Rob's mom made pumpkin crunch for dessert.  As much as we all looked forward to it, I think the majority of us were too full from dinner to fully enjoy it.  I will tell you that it tasted so much better for breakfast the next day with our morning coffee.

I retired from Black Friday Doorbuster sales two years ago.  I still scan the sales ads on Thanksgiving day, but unless something strikes me as a deal absolutely too good to miss, I've decided that a few extra hours of sleep is more valuable than anything I'd save in the bargain hunter frenzy. 

There was a time when Black Friday doorbusting was fun for me -- almost a sport!  I'd study the ads, make up my shopping list, create a plan for how we'd tackle each store, recruit some help to cover more territory, and come home with everything I set out to get.  My process never failed me.  We'd get there a few hours early with coffee in hand and build up a bit of a comradery with other early shoppers.  It was a tiring, but pleasant experience.  But now people are willing to give up their entire Thanksgiving celebration to camp out the whole day (sometimes even two or three days) for a chance at a cheap TV or a video game system.  Seriously? 

Perhaps there will come a day when I'll find the ad for that special something on sale for an amazing price - so good that I'd be willing to give up my entire holiday of quality time to be spent with family and friends in order to get a shot of purchasing one. For now, I'll just enjoy the extra zzz's.

We did still get up and out to the stores eventually on Friday, but it was at a very relaxed pace.  No problems with parking.  No massive crowds.  No insane lines.  We enjoyed a stop at Jamba Juice and took Arwen's annual picture by the Kahala Mall poinsettia tree.  Then we headed over to see Santa for the annual picture with her Santa - the same Santa she's been visiting since she was 9 months old.

We strolled the mall, browsed the shops, and picked up a few gifts along the way.  Then Arwen stumbled upon a Cinderella performance by the Hawaii Opera Theatre at Kahala Mall's Centerstage, and we were pretty much bound to that spot until the show was over.

Our next stop was Ala Moana Sears to find Arwen a Hello Kitty scooter that Rob came across in the ads.  We found it, but it took us about 30 minutes to work out what can only be described as a dance routine so that one of us could purchase and hide it, while the other entertained (distracted) her.  Boy was that hard work.

After ballet on Saturday, we took the girls to MAC 24-7 for lunch and quickly found ourselves back to being stuffed.  Man v. Food's Adam Richman couldn't finish an order of the Mac Daddy Pancakes, so I'm not sure why I thought I might.  Even with the help of Arwen, Staci, and Rob, we were defeated by three 14" inch pancakes covered in blueberries.  I had to take home my leftovers in a cakebox.  They were good though.

We decided to catch a movie next and saw Fantastic Mr. Fox.  We thoroughly enjoyed this animated film of the children's book by Roald Dahl.  The story, the characters, the filming, and the music were absolutely delightful offering loads of fun for both children and adults.  I'm tempted to go see it again in the theaters, and I'm certain we'll be taking this one home when it comes out on DVD.  Go see it!

Our Saturday was wrapped up with more shopping at Ala Moana, and then we had a full day of strolling and shopping at Pearlridge Shopping Center on Sunday.  I'm enjoying this fairly new (to me) approach to Christmas shopping.  The relaxed pace with lots of breaks for food and fun is quite nice.  All the joy of the season with a little less of the crazy.

A Feast with the 5-Year-Old

Arwen's school held their annual Thanksgiving Feast for lunch today.  The parents potluck all of the food and supplies.  The children make decorations, place mats, and centerpieces.  The staff take care of the set up.  We all gather to give thanks among our school friends and family.  It's wonderful. 

A November Week in Review

As I pulled into the carport tonight, I glanced down at the fuel gauge to find it was down to one bar.  Crap.  How long's it been that way, and more importantly, is there enough to get Arwen to school tomorrow morning?  Few things frustrate me more than beginning my day with a near empty tank of gas.  It's definitely an ingredient in the recipe for a bad day, but then I remembered that last Monday my day began exactly as it will for me tomorrow - with only one bar showing on the fuel gauge.  I had a good week last week.  Hoping this means that a good holiday weekend is to come.

My week in review:

After walking Kapi'olani Park with Cara and Larisa on Monday, we went to Nordstrom to check out their New Moon merchandise and to get a close up of the life-sized Edward cutout.  I was the dork willing to ask the sales girl to bring the cutout down from the shelf.  Larisa was the dork willing to pose with it.  Too funny.  They had some cute stuff - bracelets, makeup, etc...  I'm amazed we didn't buy a thing.

We followed the photo session with lunch at the Nordstrom Cafe.  I finally ordered their delicious herb-roasted chicken and the absolutely sinful Chocolate Turtle Cake.  We must come here more often.

Later that evening we met up at the Big City Diner in Kailua with the Majors family, Jayme, Solomon, and Jayme's mom, who was visiting from Missouri.  This became a full day of good food, friends, and fun!

I drove out to Mililani to walk with Larisa on Tuesday.  It's a long way to travel for a walk partner, but the company and change of scenery keep up my motivation to walk, so it's worth it.  Especially when you happen by the Mililani Starbucks to find the Christmas stuff is here!!!!!  I also discovered my new favorite drink - caramel brulee latte.

Arwen also finished her fall session of swim lessons in the Advanced Beginner 1 1/2 class.  The fish was delighted to get another medal for her collection.  The mom was relieved that we have a break from lessons until February.  One less stop for Mom's Taxi - for now.

Wednesday, I met Larisa in Kailua to walk the Lanikai Loop.  A great walk on a beautiful day.  We were even greeted by a friendly little kitty.

On Thursday, Larisa and I enjoyed a Twilight double feature.  While 1000s of Twilight freaks lined up outside to wait hours for the midnight showing of New Moon, Larisa and I sat in the comfort of an air-conditioned theater watching the re-release of Twilight.  We were pleased to learn that we'd be able to stay in the theater for the New Moon show and keep our prime seats.  Score!  With no parking issues, no lines, no waiting, and a wonderful goody bag from Larisa, I was feeling like a celebrity.

The movies weren't all that bad either.  This was the third time I'd seen Twilight, but the first time in a theater.  Hated the movie the first time I saw it on DVD right after finishing the book, but it's been growing on me.  Seeing it on the big screen and putting some distance between finishing the book and watching the movie helped.  After this experience, I can almost admit I kind of like the movie now - still a bigger fan of the books though.  New Moon was definitely better than the first film, but Edward still looks as if he lost a battle with a tub of glitter glue.  It's okay.  He's beautiful, and I had fun.

On Friday, we met up with Malia and the Majors family for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen in Pearlridge Shopping Center.  Malia had just returned from visiting her twin in Kalama, WA and wanted to deliver some treats to us!  I was so glad to be able to restock my Bath & Body Works supply.  It was also great to just hang out with some friends and revisit an old favorite on the CPK menu - Garlic Cream Fettuccine with Shrimp and Sauteed Mushrooms.  

The week finished up with Arwen attending Maddy's 4th birthday party at 808Bounce in Windward Mall.  The kids had a blast and, after the party, went down to visit Santa and check out the "snow" falling by the Christmas tree.

Sadly, I overbooked myself for Saturday and ended up missing the Feast of Roses luncheon with my Alpha Gam sisters.  We ran so late from the party, and I was completely wiped out.  Wonder why.

A Baby Shower for Katie

I had the pleasure of spending time with some Alpha Gam sisters yesterday, as we celebrated the upcoming birth of Katie's first child due in January.  The theme was an Alpha Gammy combination of pastel pinks, yellows, and greens since Katie and Ben have chosen to keep the sex of the baby a surprise and the majority of the guest list was made up of Alpha Gamma Deltas. 

Larisa was kind enough to host at her house and served up some of her facebook famous cupcakes.  Mary Lou made some adorable favors that tied in "Baby B"'s Mickey & Minnie nursery theme and the shower colors. 

Katie received some beautiful, as well as very useful gifts - lots of washcloths.  We also enjoyed delicious pupus, fun games, and each others great company.  It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The full set of pics are available on flickr.

A Wet Day in Wahiawa

Arwen and I went out to Wahiawa to watch our friend Gabe walk with his Tiger Cub Scout pack in the Wahiawa Lions Club Veterans Day Parade today.  After the downpour last night and weather forecast for the rest of the week, we were a little unsure of what this adventure would bring, but we woke to sunny skies and decided it was going to be a beautiful day for a parade. 


Apparently the clearing was Mother Nature's teaser for the day because just as the parade began so did the rain.  Thankfully, a couple of nice women standing nearby offered us some cover under their big umbrella, which Arwen gladly accepted.  I opted to keep watching out for Gabe and taking pictures, which left me soaked by the end of the event.  

However, it was all well worth it, as the Wahiawa Lions Club organized an enjoyable celebration of our veterans, and we loved seeing Gabe march down California Avenue in his handsome little uniform. 

Halloween Hangover

Keeping up with the school activities and social calendar of a five year old is wearing me out.  I woke up this morning with what I can best describe as a hangover, but somehow missed the evening of recreational alcoholic beverage enjoyment that would normally precede it.  Apparently participating in two full days of five year old Halloween fun (and the week long preparation for them) produces the same after effect as consuming a couple bottles of wine.  Raiding Arwen's Trick-or-Treat stash is helping today.

On Friday, Arwen's school held it's annual Harvest Festival, and since this is her last year at Calvary, I volunteered to chair and photograph this event.  Fifty children cookie baking, pumpkin painting and carving, corn husking, scarecrow making, vegetable printing, getting their faces painted, playing games, riding a pony, and racing around the yard in a hay wagon.  What fun!

Later that evening, we attended a Halloween Disco Party hosted by a few parents from Arwen's school, so Arwen got to wear her Dorothy costume for the first time.  The ensemble was just about perfect with the exception of the dog.  I went with the closest to the real Toto that I could find with regard to color and size (to fit in her basket.)  Of course the first thing my friend Susan said when we arrived to the party, "Is that a doberrman pinscher in her basket?"  Thanks Susan. 

In any case, the party was great - complete with dance floor lights and a disco ball.  Hilarious! 

We took Arwen trick-or-treating at Kahala Mall last night.  When I purchased her costume weeks ago, she tried it on and said, "Now I just need a witch and some flying monkeys."  Arwen was convinced she needed a full cast in order for her costume to be truly complete.  Thank goodness for our dear friends Amie (the Tinman) and Karen (the Scarecrow) who helped fulfill the five year old's Halloween wish.  And yes, that's a new Toto.  I went shopping for a better replacement after Susan's remark the night before.

With a heavy bag full of sweets we ended our evening at a Halloween party in Hawaii Kai.  Wonderful Where the Wild Things Are decorations Patrick!  The food was amazing, too.

It'd been several years since I put on a costume, but doing it for Arwen this year reminded me just how much fun it can be.  We're working on themes for next year now.  Arwen's thinking maybe vampires.  Twilight cast anyone?

Smelly Cat-o'-Lantern

Halloween is just a few days away, and the excitement in our household is building.  I just love this holiday - costumes, candy, haunted houses, ghoulish creatures, and THE GREAT PUMPKIN!  The Charlie Brown movie was on TV yesterday, which was the official indicator for me that Halloween is here, and I better make sure everything's ready.

We went to Aloun Farms two weekends ago and picked out a few pumpkins, one for Arwen to take to school for Harvest Festival and the others to carve or decorate at home.  "The kids" had a great time.  I think that maybe the 39-year-old one enjoyed himself more than any of us.  Arwen just appreciated that it wasn't nearly as windy as when we did this a couple of years ago.  Red dirt storm = unhappy pumpkin picker.  We all still managed to leave coated in a thin layer of red dirt as did the car, but at least we had some nice looking pumpkins and assorted farm fresh fruits and veggies, too.

We decided to carve the home pumpkin tonight, and since Rob's away on the tug until Halloween, guess who was assigned carving duty.  I am so thankful that Arwen selected a much simpler design this year than last year's Cinderella, which was carved by our Pumpkin Carving Master, Rob:

Pretty impressive.  Either Arwen likes to watch her father sweat or her expectations for my carving skills were low because, as we browsed through some ideas online for this year, she selected a simple cat.  Phew!

It turns out that I'm a much better pumpkin carver than I thought and managed to get the pumpkin cleaned out and carved rather quickly.  After I cut the top off and was punched in the face by an awful pungent odor, it also became apparent that the pumpkin (Rob's pick at the patch) was overly ripe/borderline rotten on the inside.  This likely contributed to my record carving time.  Arwen was so excited at this point that I didn't have the heart to throw away the pumpkin.  I just wanted to get this project done, so I could get back to breathing normally.

Scraping out most of the soft (rotten) spots and running the hose water through it for a bit helped with the smell, and Arwen is so happy with how the carving came out that I have to mark this project down as a success.  It is cute.  I guess I just need to be thankful that my camera doesn't capture scent and hopeful that I'll eventually get Phoebe's "Smelly Cat" song out of my head.

SOEST Open House

After ballet yesterday, we met up with the Freeman family at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to check out the SOEST (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology) Open House.  They had all sorts of great educational exhibits and activities for children, introducing them to science fun.

We finished up our afternoon with lunch at Torito's in Market City where Cooper shared with Arwen some fun app finds on his mom's iPhone.  Totally cute that they kept putting an arm around the other while they played, but I just couldn't catch it with the camera.

Click here for the rest of the pictures from this event.

Family Fun Day Pics

Now that I've got my new glasses, it's time to do some catch up work on my photos.  I can finally spend more than three to four minutes at a time at the computer without eventually squinting my way to a headache.  My eyes have given me so much trouble over the last five years when I discovered I have an astigmatism.  Glasses then seemed to remedy the problem (sort of), but I'd been dealing with seriously blurred and sometimes double vision since August, which sent me back to the eye doc for a new prescription.  I've been almost giddy with squint-free clear vision for the past week.  But alas, hundreds (possibly thousands?) of photos still await my attention.  I've got work to do.

Earlier this month, Arwen's school held a Family Fun Day with lots of sweet little games, crafts, and treats for the current students, alumni, and their families.  They held a similar event last spring to celebrate the school's 30th birthday and realized it was a fun way to bring the school families together, so I think the plan is to continue this event annually.  I hope so.  It was a great time.

Yes.  My daughter, Arwen, seems a bit overdressed for this.  She's regularly pretty big on accessorizing and being fashionable for every occasion, but there's a reason she came with a tiara and extra bling this day.  We came straight to the Fun Day from a Fancy Nancy Birthday Party.  Post and pics from that event coming soon.

 

Keeping It Cool

 


After a grueling morning of photographing a dozen toddlers in this insane heat and humidity, I looked forward to Arwen's after school pool play date with her friends Danielle and Paige yesterday.  It rained on and off the whole time we were there, which made splash time especially cool and refreshing on what had earlier been such a hot and sweaty kind of day.

The pool at Danielle's building is just beautiful and offers something for everyone with large swimming areas, multiple hot tubs, a toddler pool (2 ft), and a water slide.  Because of the rain, I couldn't take any pictures of the girls yesterday, but these are some pictures I took of the kids playing at the same pool a few weeks ago.  

Arwen kept saying, "I wish we could live here, so we can stay longer."  (Access to a pool will definitely have to remain a priority in our current house hunt.)  She had such a great time, and now that she's more comfortable in the water, it's been getting more difficult to leave play dates that include time to release her inner fish.

Honestly, I wasn't so thrilled about leaving the pool to head home to the hot and sweaty apartment last night either, so what a treat to get a message from Larisa.  Want to hang with Gabe at the mall while his mom gets her hair done?  Of course!  We're on our way!  I welcome an excuse to eat out and cruise in the air conditioning.

Arwen and Gabe had a blast, and we were too tired from the full day to care about the heat by the time we got home.