by Papa K on December 30, 2013
Something really special happened on Sunday night. Around 6 PM Hawaii time, my mom texted that my Grandpa Irv (GG Irv on this blog) was completely lucid and having conversations with people. This was strange because my Grandpa hasn’t said more than a few words strung together for a few years now. We’ve visited him a few times and “introduced” him to Maile and Lauren, but other than a twinkle in his eye, there was no real acknowledgement that he knew who they were.
Well, that changed on Sunday night and it was incredible. My Aunt Julie went over to the nursing home he stays at and we were able to Facetime with him. (He was absolutely blown away by Facetime – kept asking how he can see us and if we could see him too.) Maile was able to say hi to him and told him a bit about Hawaii and he said she was such a pretty little girl and I introduced him to Lauren as well.
GG Irv gets a good look at Lauren, his youngest great grand daughter!
I then got to speak with him for about 10-15 minutes along with my folks and Aunt Julie. It was surreal. He told some jokes (“I’m 95!? I look at least 30 years younger than that!”), talked about how much he loved his children and was proud of them and complained about work. It didn’t all make sense all the time, but just hearing his voice again and having him acknowledge all of us was such an amazing gift.
I have no idea what it all means, but it was just nice that I got to really introduce him to my girls and that he acknowledged them. It was special.
by Papa K on December 27, 2013
On Wednesday, we made the move from Oahu to Kauai for the rest of our vacation. Great Grandma lives on Kauai so we went over to visit her yesterday – she has a pool too! While Maile Girl, Katie and Emily went swimming, Lauren had some quality catch up time with Great Grandma…
It's kind of hard to get a 1 year old and a great grandma to both look at the camera at the same time...
See what I mean!
For her part, Maile is getting braver and braver in the water. Here she is swimming across the whole pool…
… and then she even ditched her floaties (although she was much more particular about how far away she was willing to let Mommy stand…)
(Click here for the first video.)
(Click here for the second video.)
by Papa K on December 26, 2013
Per tradition, we spent Christmas Eve with Grandma Gail’s side of the family on Oahu. We had a great time with all the uncles, aunties and, especially, cousins – but the best part was definitely the visit from Santa Claus. Yep, the big guy took some time out of his rounds to visit with Maile, Lauren and the rest of the kids.
For Maile, it was a big year – our fear of Santa has finally gone away and we were just plain excited – Maile even made a card for him. Christine was sitting with her when Santa arrived and she said Maile’s heart was beating a mile a minute.
I didn’t capture it in the video, but Maile Girl was absolutely floored when she opened her present and it was the Barbie she had asked for in her letter. “He got my letter! He got my letter!” she was screaming and giggling all over. Big time win for Santa.
As for Lauren, unfortunately, Santa got a little tied up so he didn’t make it until after little Lauren had already crashed out. For posterity’s sake we made sure she got a photo op with him and she later stirred to play with her new toy that he brought her. We’re giving her a “no tears on her first visit with Santa” nod anyways.
Maile Girl and Santa - not a tear or fear in site!
Did you get my letter?
Lauren meets Santa (sort of)
Maile Girl showing Lauren how her new toy works...
Thank you Santa! I'll try to stay awake to meet you next year!
(Click here for the first video.)
(Click here for the second video.)
by Papa K on December 25, 2013
It’s late on Christmas Eve and time to hit the sack to make sure Santa has time to come – but thought I’d post a couple great shots from yesterday. We headed over to a local park to get some family pictures taken – while we were waiting for the photographer we were playing around on the grass and I managed to snag a couple pictures of the girls. I imagine the real family photos will be even better and am excited to see them!
Maile Girl showing what happens when a city girl is unleashed on wide open green space!
Lauren managed a smile in between mouthfuls of grass 🙂
Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate – we had a great Christmas Eve with Christine’s extended family and will be sure to post pictures and video soon!
by Papa K on December 23, 2013
We arrived on Oahu on Saturday afternoon and wasted no time hitting the pool. Maile Girl was in her bathing suit as soon as our bags landed in our room and imploring Daddy to blow up her floatie. Lauren got in on the action too – she had no idea what to expect, but once she got in to the water, she loved every minute.
Maile Girl. Ready. To. Rock.
Lauren went more gracefully, but was a fish in her own right...
Not sure who enjoyed this more, Daddy or Lauren...
Daddy definitely had his hands full with both girls! Good luck once Lauren gets a little older...
Maile Girl is so comfortable in the water now - really a joy to see...
Building on the last point – it’s really great watching Maile take to the water now. As you can see, she started with the inner tube floatie, but quickly ditched that in exchange for the arm floaties. We done a lot of swimming over the past couple of days and every time she pushes her self. Our “short swims” where I stand a bit away from the edge and she swims to me without help have become “medium” swims and she has no problem putting her head in the water. We’re still working on the “small” water slide vs. the “big” one – but we’ll get there. Huge kudos to La Petite Baleen – while I’m some of it is just her age, I’ve been really impressed with the classes and Maile’s whole attitude towards swimming since we started classes there this summer.
Can’t wait for the rest of the trip!
by Papa K on December 20, 2013
Perhaps we have a doctor on our hands?
(Click here for the video.)
by Papa K on December 18, 2013
Tuesday through Friday, Maile takes after school classes at her school. She’s taken soccer, gymnastics, Lego class, art – but lately her favorite is the Chinese Dance class she takes on Fridays with Lily Lao Shi.
Our little Chinese dancer...
Last week, Christine and I were invited to attend the last class of the semester – a performance! It was pretty awesome – and Maile did a great job listening to the teacher and it was clear she had picked up some of the moves over the past couple of months.
Maile Girl is pretty good with the ribbon!
Fair warning, the videos below are a bit longer than normal, but I think you’ll enjoy 🙂
Bring on the ribbons!
And, of course, Maile’s solo:
Proud daddy!
And Mommy too!
(Click here for the first video.)
(Click here for the second video.)
(Click here for the third video.)
by Papa K on December 17, 2013
It’s definitely been on the chilly side here in San Francisco. (I know east coast/midwest family/friends – cry me a river!)
Brrrr....
Don’t worry, Lauren Girl, things are looking up – t-minus 4 days until Hawaii!
On Sunday, Mommy and I went on a special date to go see the Nutcracker at the San Francisco Ballet! I was so excited all week – every day I counted the days and it got closer and closer. When I woke up on Sunday morning, Mommy helped me pick out a special dressy to wear – I decided on the purple one I wore at Auntie’s wedding – it felt like it would well at the ballet.
BTW – Guess who was at the Nutcracker!!!
Apparently, a couple Sundays before Christmas, Santa hangs out at the ballet!
Okay, back to the show. It was amazing. I was a little scared at some parts, but Mommy was there. My most favorite part was the Waltz of the Flowers. It was magical.
Every year for Christmas I get a new ornament for our tree (it's a tradition Mommy started when she was a girl). This year I got three dancing fairies at the Nutcracker so I can always remember!
Do you think one day I might be able to be in the Nutcracker? I think so – I’ll keep working at this…
Thank you Mommy for such a wonderful adventure!
(Dad note: Special thanks to neighbor Bill for getting us the tickets!)
(Click here for the video.)
by Papa K on December 15, 2013
Maile Girl wrote her first letter to Santa on Friday morning. Maile told Mommy what she wanted to say and then Mommy helped Maile write it by dictating each word letter-by-letter. (A good mommy indeed). She even (at the slight urging of Mommy I’m told) included a plug for her little (not yet able to write) sister.
The proud letter writer!
The letter itself
In case the photo is too small:
“DEAR SANTA
I HAVE BEEN GOOD
FOR CHRISTMAS PLEASE BRING ME
A BALLERINA BARBIE
A RAINBOW LOOM
AND SOME ART PROJECTS
LAUREN WAS GOOD TOO
PLEASE BRING HER A NEW BOOK
A HELICOPTER TOY
THANK YOU
LOVE MAILE”
She also wrote the number 1-29 in the right margin – just to impress the big guy 🙂
Her choices were kind of funny. The Ballerina Barbie came out of left field – we’d been purposely trying to avoid Barbie. She says she saw it in a store – I’m guessing she saw a commercial for it. The Rainbow Loom is something we’ve been talking to her about and she received a bracelet from her older friend Jennifer when we were home in Swampscott. No idea on the helicopter toy – maybe Lauren mentioned it to her 😉
After putting the letter in an envelope, we addressed it, put a stamp on it and then brought it to the mailbox.
(Click here for the video.)
