From the monthly archives:

July 2015

Cashing In Her Chips

by Papa K on July 28, 2015

For the past few months, Maile has become very intrigued about money. She has a little purse that her Aunt Suzy gave her and she has it filled to the brim with all the coins she’s collected from various places (around the house, on the street, allowance, etc.) She likes spending her money too – and not just on toys, “Daddy, I’ll buy the ice cream.”

After camp today, Christine decided to take Maile to the bank to teach her a bit how it works and also convert all those coins into cold hard cash.

Some serious money counting going on here...

According to Christine, she went up to the teller and told her what she wanted to do. And in the end she came away with 10 bucks! More than we thought was packed into that little purse of hers.

That’s a lot of Shopkins (well 1.5 packs anyways). What’s a Shopkin? Well, that’s a story for another time…

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Maile, the One (Wo)man Band

by Papa K on July 26, 2015

Last week Maile attended Camp Galileo and the focus for the week was around art and music (right up her alley!).

A guitar art piece that Maile made at Camp Galileo

For their final project, Maile and her campmates made their own one-man band contraption. For those who read this that I grew up with, it totally reminded me of something Pete Sawin would be proud of!

Maile was a great big sister, letting Lauren have a try too...

This is so cool - when do I get to go to camp?!?

As a side note, every day Maile’s counselor sent a little note home with her. They always praised her for her “determination” – I thought it was a nice touch and a cool way to provide praise. Here’s an example:

Maile: You were super determined in science today! You worked super hard on your harmonica even though it was difficult. But you didn’t give up! 🙂 You’re Awesome!

(Click here for the video.)

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Crazy Hair Day

by Papa K on July 22, 2015

Maile had crazy hair day again at camp and the girls in our household turned it into a family affair. Definitely felt like odd man (literally!) out – but it was fun to watch all the girls get ready. I imagine only the beginning and can already hear the “dad, get out!” shouts 🙂

Mommy was working on Maile's hair, so, of course, Lauren lent a hand with Mommy's hair...

Things got pretty serious when we moved to the bathroom - needed to sort out exactly which braid got which color.

Success!

Lauren too!

Crazy Hair Day 2015 in the books!

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Sometimes things get weird on the way home from camp…

by Papa K on July 20, 2015

What are you doing back there?

What's for dinner, Clarice, I mean, Mommy? Fava beans????

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A Saturday Ride Across the Golden Gate

by Papa K on July 19, 2015

I’m in the home stretch of my training for my annual Pan-Mass Challenge ride (I’d love your support if you’d care to donate!). On Saturday, I decided to step up my training and bring the girls along, Rocky IV-style. We rented bikes and rode up over the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito. It was a beautiful day and actually Christine’s first time biking with me over the bridge as well. We had a blast and it was definitely a good work out – needless to say, I will not be bringing that trailer on all 192 miles of the PMC!

Maile and Lauren ready to rock in their trailer!

Things work well on flat ground, the hills get a bit tougher...

Pausing for some pics in the middle of the Golden Gate...

Family shot - AAAAAAH!

Mommy and the girls at lunch...

... okay Lauren, now that's a better smile...

Mommy and Lauren had fun on the top of the Ferry, Maile and I stayed down below (she was too hot outside)

Lauren is a big fan of the ferry!

Hard work for the girls, they conked out on the ride back after the Ferry...

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#tbt – Finishing Birthday Week With A … Sparkle

by Papa K on July 16, 2015

Remember this one? I like to call it “The one where daddy learns that sparklers aren’t made for 2 year olds…”

(Click here for the video.)

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The Potty Training Begins…

by Papa K on July 15, 2015

The blog has been all about Maile Girl this week since it was her birthday. But 2.5 year old Lauren is making moves as well. Christine started potty training with her when they were in Hawaii a couple weeks ago. She’s making pretty good progress – today alone she went in the potty 6 times(!), but still had a couple accidents.

She’s working hard though and is quite pleased with herself – as this picture shows…

Lauren sans diaper, rocking the potty training!

We’re very proud of our little girl!

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Annual Questions for Maile (2015 – 6 years old)

by Papa K on July 14, 2015

(We got this idea from friends of ours, Angie and Gabe. They came up with a list of questions that they started asking their son when he turned 3 years old. They ask him the same questions every year and see how the answers change.)

Here are Maile’s answers from last year when she turned 5.

Maile Girl on her 6th birthday

1) Where do you live?
Gough Street

2) Where do you go to school?
PKS – Presidio Knolls

3) How do you get to school?
I don’t know [she thought I was asking for directions]

4) Name the members of your family.
Daddy, Mommy and Lauren

5) What is your favorite color?
I have a whole bunch. One of mine is blue and white and pink and silver and purple. And yellow. And red.

6) What is your favorite toy?
Giraffe and giraffe blankie.

7) What is your favorite food?
Chicken Katsu!

8) What is your favorite fruit?
Watermelon (giggles)

9) What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Mommy cereal. No, waffle. Why don’t you say Mommy cereal and waffle.

10) What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
Dumplings

11) What do you want for your birthday dinner?
Chicken Katsu.

12) What is your favorite snack?
Watermelon

13) What is your favorite drink?
Milk

14) What is your favorite outfit?
I don’t know. [It was clear that she was thinking about a whole bunch and just couldn’t decide on one.]

15) What is your favorite animal?
Giraffes

16) What is your favorite tv show?
Lalaloopsy. And Fresh Beat Band of Spies.

17) What is your favorite book?
I don’t know. I like almost all the books.

18) What is your favorite story?
I don’t know. I think I like all of them.

19) What is your favorite song?
Jax [from American Idol]

20) What is your favorite game?
Catan [Junior].

21) What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy?
Umm… cook dinner.

22) What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?
Go on dates.

23) What is your favorite thing to do with Lauren?
Play.

24) What is your favorite thing to do outside?
Look around me to draw beautiful pictures.

25) What is your favorite thing to do inside?
Draw. No, not draw. Dance and sing. And listen to music.

26) What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

27) What do you take to bed with you at night?
Giraffe and giraffe blanket sometimes.

28) Who is your best friend?
Lauren

29) What do you want to be when you grow up?
I don’t know. There are lots of things I want to be.

30) Anything else you want to say?
I like school! And camps! And everything. Except boys stuff okay. [That’s it?] Say bye bye.

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Maile Turns 6(!), Part 2: A Hip Hop Party

by Papa K on July 13, 2015

Maile had her birthday party on Sunday over at Nagata Dance where she takes dance class. Ms. Nagata put on a great party for Maile and her friends – and she was absolutely masterful keeping the kids entertained and paying attention.

Maile had a blast playing all the different games and dancing around with her friends. She was awesome with Lauren too – making sure she felt included – just a model big sister.

Good times had by all and a great way to celebrate turning 6!

Maile Girl all ready to party - the blue hair streaks are courtesy of her birthday present from Grandma and Papa Boston...

Dance class in action - Maile and her friends had great fun playing all types of dance and movement games with Ms. Nagata

Digging into some snacks on a beautiful day outside after working up an appetite with the dancing...

When you say 'smile' Lauren really give it her all these days!

The full group

Nothing like ending a birthday party with a big group hug for the birthday girl!

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Maile Turns 6(!), Part 1: Notes from the first few days

by Papa K on July 12, 2015

Last week while the girls were in Hawaii I did a deep clean of our apartment. In the process, I discovered an old notebook that I had used to take notes back when Maile was born. I completely forgot this existed and reading over the notes, I also completely forgot some of the things that happened right around her birth (apparently Christine made blueberry pancakes the morning she went into labor!)

It was great fun re-reading these notes again. I I took them with an eye towards this blog – so kind of fun 6 years in to read and reflect on all that has happened.