From the monthly archives:

June 2013

Big Sister Maile Helps Feed Lauren

by Lil' Lauren on June 30, 2013

My big sister IS. THE. BEST. I just love her so much. First of all, she’s the coolest. I just love watching her all the time.

But she’s also making sure I grow up right and is always trying to help me. She helps me sit up and she moves my toys around so I learn how to grab them and roll over. She talks to me all the time and teaches me new words (even though I can’t say any of them yet, I’m remembering them!). AND now she is helping me eat!

Let's do this!

Let's do this!

You sure about this?

You sure about this?

Oh yeah, that's some good carrots right there.

Oh yeah, that's some good carrots right there.

Keep it steady, Maile, need to get it all in there...

Keep it steady, Maile, need to get it all in there...

Plum break for Maile.

Plum break for Maile.

You done with that plum? Let's go...

You done with that plum? Let's go...

So demanding...

So demanding...

This works for me - Mommy and Daddy I'd like Maile to feed me from now on...

This works for me - Mommy and Daddy I'd like Maile to feed me from now on...

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Lauren Meets Great Grandma Kiyoko & Goes Swimming!

by Papa K on June 27, 2013

While on Kauai, we brought Lauren to meet her Great Grandma Kiyoko (Papa Cal’s mother). Maile and Lauren did their thing and totally charmed her – she couldn’t get over how adorable Lauren was and what a big girl Maile was growing in to (after all it was only 3 years ago that she met Maile for the first time and it had been a year since we had seen her since we didn’t come home for Christmas.)

Great Grandma Kiyoko, Mommy, Maile (almost 4) and Lauren (almost 6 months)

Great Grandma Kiyoko, Mommy, Maile (almost 4) and Lauren (almost 6 months)

All smiles while playing with GG Kiyoko for the first time!

All smiles while playing with GG Kiyoko for the first time!

Great Grandma Kiyoko also has a pool at the home she stays at so our whole family did some swimming including Lauren for the very first time. She loved it to! All smiles as we swam in the pool…

Lauren was a natural in the water - she loved it!

Lauren was a natural in the water - she loved it!

It was a great visit with Great Grandma Kiyoko and we can’t wait to see her again at Christmas!

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Matching Milestones with Her Big Sister

by Lil' Lauren on June 26, 2013

Word on the street is that my big sister had a major milestone on her first visit to Hawaii back in ’09 – they tell me she sat up by herself for the first time.

Needless to say, I needed to keep pace 🙂

Bam! Sitting! All by myself.

Bam! Sitting! All by myself.

Piece of cake.

Piece of cake.

Are we good here?

Are we good here?

(Dad note: Very proud of our little girl – sitting is awesome by the way – underrated milestone in my opinion!)

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Maile the Explorer and the Great Hawaiian Adventure

by Papa K on June 25, 2013

On Monday, we set out for Maile’s first true Hawaiian Adventure. We made a full day of it – first we did a kayak adventure to the Hidden Valley Falls and then in the evening we took Maile to her first Luau.

Maile did amazing the whole day – she was definitely the right age for both adventures. The kayak was great – Mommy, Daddy and Maile shared one kayak. Maile sat upfront and actually had her own paddle, although she only used it sparingly. We probably paddled for 45 minutes to an hour. Then we did a short hike through the jungle to the waterfall (which was pretty small, but still fun for Maile to discover it). We ate lunch and then went to a swimming hole with a rope swing (which Daddy enjoyed immensely!). Then we hiked back out and they gave us a boat ride back. Perfect amount of time and Maile was a trooper for almost the whole trip (I gave her a shoulder ride right towards the end for a little bit).

As any fan of Dora knows, you need a good map to go on an adventure...

As any fan of Dora knows, you need a good map to go on an adventure...

Maile the Explorer ready to go!

Maile the Explorer ready to go!

... with her trusty sidekick, Mommy :)

... with her trusty sidekick, Mommy 🙂

Maile got her very own paddle for the kayak

Maile got her very own paddle for the kayak

This was taken after the kayak leg of our adventure was complete - now we start the hike to the waterfall

This was taken after the kayak leg of our adventure was complete - now we start the hike to the waterfall

We made it!

We made it!

Maile, Daddy and Mommy at the hidden waterfall

Maile, Daddy and Mommy at the hidden waterfall

Maile and Mommy on the hike back to the river

Maile and Mommy on the hike back to the river

Meanwhile, Boots (aka Lauren) was home with Grandma and Papa having her own adventure of discovery with a mirror...

Meanwhile, Boots (aka Lauren) was home with Grandma and Papa having her own adventure of discovery with a mirror...

That night we went to our first luau. Again, Maile was a great age – she soaked in everything. I’ve never seen her clap so excitedly and happily for something. And she LOVED showing off her hula skills (hat tip to Mommy for teaching her some moves).

(NOTE: We went to the Luau Kalamaku which was right near Grandma and Papa’s house. This was actually my first luau too, so nothing to compare it to, but we had a blast and I’d definitely recommend it.)

Our luau experience began of course by getting lei'd

Our luau experience began of course by getting lei'd

... then Maile and Daddy did some dancing on the stage (of course)

... then Maile and Daddy did some dancing on the stage (of course)

Here’s Maile showing off her hula moves…

Mommy and Maile are ready for the show!

Mommy and Maile are ready for the show!

Maile loved the luau show and was VERY excited to meet the dancers afterwards

Maile loved the luau show and was VERY excited to meet the dancers afterwards

Did I mention how excited Maile was?

Did I mention how excited Maile was?

Meanwhile, Lauren Girl was having lots of fun with Grandma and Papa - she'll be joining us on our next adventure for sure!

Meanwhile, Lauren Girl was having lots of fun with Grandma and Papa - she'll be joining us on our next adventure for sure!

(Click here for the video.)

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Smores!

by Maile Girl on June 24, 2013

So on my second day here, Papa Hawaii asks me, “Maile, do you want to learn how to make smores?” I had no idea what a smore was, but when Papa explained it involved marshmallows AND graham crackers I told him I was in. (To be perfectly honest, he had me at marshmallow!)

First you have your Papa make a fire and then you find a nice long stick and you place the marshmallow on the end of it...

First you have your Papa make a fire and then you find a nice long stick and you place the marshmallow on the end of it...

... then you stand at a safe distance and heat the marshmallow over the fire. You have to make sure not to touch the coals at the bottom otherwise your marshmallow will get dirty.

... then you stand at a safe distance and heat the marshmallow over the fire. You have to make sure not to touch the coals at the bottom otherwise your marshmallow will get dirty.

NOTE: If you have a nice Papa, he'll let you eat one of the marshmallows he made while you are waiting for your to heat up!

NOTE: If you have a nice Papa, he'll let you eat one of the marshmallows he made while you are waiting for your to heat up!

Then you smush the marshmallow between two graham crackers and you are good to go! NOTE: Some people add chocolate too, but I don't like chocolate so I didn't.

Then you smush the marshmallow between two graham crackers and you are good to go! NOTE: Some people add chocolate too, but I don't like chocolate so I didn't.

I taught Lauren how to do it and she made sure that Daddy did it right too...

I taught Lauren how to do it and she made sure that Daddy did it right too...

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Tortoise & Hare: A Slip ‘n Slide Story

by Papa K on June 23, 2013

We didn’t waste anytime hitting the backyard once we arrived on Kauai last week. Within mere hours of our plane touching down, we had our swimsuits on and the slip ‘n slide setup in the backyard. Maile and I started off by having some races…

While hilarious, we quickly learned a valuable lesson – the tortoise and hare should work together 🙂 (Note: perhaps not the moral of the real story, but in our case, that’s what we learned…)

After our initial races, we realized that things might go better if we worked together...

After our initial races, we realized that things might go better if we worked together...

And boy, did Daddy get me flying down that slip 'n slide!

And boy, did Daddy get me flying down that slip 'n slide!

Lauren and Papa watched from the sidelines ;)

Lauren and Papa watched from the sidelines 😉

(Click here for the video.)

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Father’s Day 2013: Flying Kites & Riding Bikes

by Papa K on June 20, 2013

So much has been going on I haven’t even posted about Father’s Day last week. It was a beautiful day in the city so first we headed down to Marina Green for a picnic lunch and to fly some kites. We had a lot of fun running around and the wind was perfect for the kites.

In the afternoon, Maile and I headed out to ride bikes and I realized that it was time for a bike upgrade – she still had one of the coaster bikes and had definitely outgrown it. We headed over to the store and found her a new big girl bike with training wheels. When we got home we took it for a test spin around our courtyard. It reminded me so much of this old video I have of Papa Mike and Grandma Jill showing me how to ride my red bike back in the day. It was the perfect way to spend a father’s day!

Father's Day 2013 with my girls - Maile (almost 4!) and Lauren (5.5 months)

Father's Day 2013 with my girls - Maile (almost 4!) and Lauren (5.5 months)

Lauren Girl enjoying the wind on her face

Lauren Girl enjoying the wind on her face

Heading out to fly some kites...

Heading out to fly some kites...

I'll just stay here, but don't worry, I'm watching...

I'll just stay here, but don't worry, I'm watching...

Picking daisies...

Picking daisies...

I love this picture that Christine took of Maile...

I love this picture that Christine took of Maile...

Maile Girl on her brand new, big girl bike!

Maile Girl on her brand new, big girl bike!

A little hard to get the pedals moving...

A little hard to get the pedals moving...

... but once you get going - no problem!

... but once you get going - no problem!

I had a blast on Father's Day teaching Maile how to ride her bike :)

I had a blast on Father's Day teaching Maile how to ride her bike 🙂

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Milestone Week 2013, Part 3: Maile Completes Year 2 of Preschool

by Papa K on June 20, 2013

We’ll end our milestone week updates with Maile finishing her second year of preschool at Presidio Knolls.

Maile's Certificate of Completion - we love how they did this, each child painted with water colors over the certificate - Maile's came out beautiful!

Maile's Certificate of Completion - we love how they did this, each child painted with water colors over the certificate - Maile's came out beautiful!

The teachers and kids put on a really nice end of the year ceremony – with some Chinese songs and then the teachers calling each child up one at a time and saying a nice, very personal blurb about them and giving them a certificate. For Maile, her teacher said:

Maile is an artist. She loves art, loves dance, and enjoys good music. It’s a pleasure to see her humming and start dancing in the middle of the playground. She would say, “Look Ruth Lao Shi, this is my ballet concert.” And then she starts twirling.

I have to add that Christine and I couldn’t be prouder of our little girl. My guess is there will be many years like this one where we reflect back and are absolutely amazed at how much she has grown. She really blossomed this year at school – the art and writing she comes home with on a daily basis floors us and it’s clear that the Chinese is really setting it. It’s become more than just a cute trick where she knows some songs and colors – she really can communicate in Mandarin now and it’s so cool to see that.

She’s still a little girl, but she’s also grown a lot emotionally and how she interacts with her friends. She still has her moments to be sure, but she also has those moments where you can’t believe how much she has matured in such a short time.

Maile Girl on her last day of year 2 of preschool - just one month shy of her 4th birthday...

Maile Girl on her last day of year 2 of preschool - just one month shy of her 4th birthday...

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When Daddy Does My Hair…

by Maile Girl on June 18, 2013

Mommy does my hair every morning. You may have noticed some of her creations in various pictures. I always feel so beautiful when she does my hair. She’s really good at it.

Daddy, on the other hand, is not as good at it. And, unfortunately, when Mommy goes away (like she did last week to New York), I’m subject to Daddy doing my hair. Let’s just say, the kids at school know when Mommy is out of town.

On Day #1, Daddy went with the pig tails. Not totally balanced, but passable...

On Day #1, Daddy went with the pig tails. Not totally balanced, but passable...

On Day #2, he just simply forgot to do anything to my hair - yeah, in my face all day long. Thanks Dad.

On Day #2, he just simply forgot to do anything to my hair - yeah, in my face all day long. Thanks Dad.

On Day #3, he tried a few pig tails, but then resorted to the ol' pony tail. I think it stayed in for about 5 minutes when I got to school.

On Day #3, he tried a few pig tails, but then resorted to the ol' pony tail. I think it stayed in for about 5 minutes when I got to school.

On Day #4, he added some clips to try to get things to stay put for longer. Let's just say those clips didn't come home with me.

On Day #4, he added some clips to try to get things to stay put for longer. Let's just say those clips didn't come home with me.

On Day #5 - looking good, right? Yeah, Mommy came home that day.

On Day #5 - looking good, right? Yeah, Mommy came home that day.

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Milestone Week 2013, Part 2: Lauren’s First Solids

by Papa K on June 17, 2013

Those cheeks are full of solids!

Those cheeks are full of solids!

Things got a bit more exciting for Lauren around meal time on Friday PM – we started her with some solids, specifically a very un-solid rice cereal!

I've been watching you all eat for so long now, it's a pleasure to finally be joining the world of solids!

I've been watching you all eat for so long now, it's a pleasure to finally be joining the world of solids!

She took right to it – in fact, on night #2 she practically licked the bowl clean! She eats like a champ and has a very willing helper in Maile Girl…

(Now this is pretty weird, I went back to find when we gave Maile her first solids and it turns out we did it around the exact same time and also during a series of blog posts titled “Weekend of Firsts” – I guess lots starts to happen once the rice cereal is introduced. Here’s the blog post about us feeding Maile for the first time.)

(Click here for the video.)

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