Back to the Big Island

Last week we took a trip to Hawaii.   Jason was unable to get our usual February break off (he got a bad vacation lottery number this year, more on that in the weeks to come....).   But we wanted to get away for a bit, so we pulled Ethan out of school the week before break for 4 days and headed to Hawaii.

We started our trip on the Hilo side, heading back to Volcanoes National Park.   We really enjoyed our time there 5 years ago, pre-Alaina.   Unfortunately this time, the weather did not cooperate, and it was mostly pouring for the two days we were there.   We were not able to hike.   The clouds cleared briefly to see the caldera for a few seconds both by day at and night, but mostly it was a pretty unenjoyable experience.   Why do you do in the pouring rain?  Well, we found a bowling alley that provided some indoor entertainment.

Alaina, our less anxious child, was nervous about going to the volcano.   Before we left, she drew a picture of a volcano erupting onto 2 houses.   When we headed to see the volcano glow at night she completely freaked out and did not want to get out of the car!

  

After visiting the volcanoes, we crossed the island on the saddle road that separates the two sides of the island, and traveled between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.   Both of these volcanoes are over 13,000 feet in elevation, and the road goes from sea level to over 6000 feet in between the mountains.  A neat drive, for sure.

The reminder of the vacation was spent on the beach.   We taught Ethan how to body board and he had a blast in the waves.   Weather was much better on the other side of the island, though we still had one rainy day.   But we got to enjoy three beautiful Hawaiian sunsets and definitely felt relaxed.   On our last night, it rained again and we woke up to a snow covered Mauna Kea, as well as a snow covered Haleakala in the distance on Maui.   Pretty cool to see.

     

This was one of the first trips where we noticed that the kids are getting a bit more self sufficient--now that Alaina can swim we didn't have to be in the pool with her every second, which was pretty nice!  They are growing up.

Ethan's Party and some observations by Alaina

We had Ethan's birthday party this weekend.....a bit delayed due to our call schedules, but so it goes.   He had really wanted to have it at a place called "Rebounderz" which is a trampoline place about 25 miles from our house.  We told him to pick 7 friends, and planned to drive 3 cars up (Jason, Pri and I each being drivers).   He was thrilled.

About 30 minutes prior to our scheduled departure time, Pri went to the gas station to fill up.   As she was leaving her car wouldn't start!   Jason raced over there, only to find that her starter broke.  Ugh.  Luckily, our neighbor saved the day and loaned us their car.   Crisis averted.


The kids had a blast at the party.  Ethan requested a "candy" cake--we had seem one at Safeway.  I made one at home for about half the price and it turned out pretty good:

So now we are done with birthdays, parties etc for a while.   whew.


In other news, Alaina has said some funny things recently that are worth a mention.
Today, we were doing her class valentines.   She said, "Mom, do you know why hearts are red?"  "Because the is the color of lips, and lips are used for kissing and stuff."

A few days ago, I am eating breakfast, and she sees the OJ bottle:

Her question for me "Mom, do oranges bleed? Does that straw make them bleed?".
Hmmmm.

Happy 9th Birthday Ethan!

Today Ethan celebrated his 9th birthday.   In a year he will be a decade.   He had a nice day at school, and apparently sold a piece of the candy bar I sent with him as a birthday treat for a quarter.
Jason and I both made it home early, and had a nice birthday dinner with him.
Our tradition of letting the birthday celebrant choose a birthday meal is getting more labor intensive.  Ethan chose homemade pasta and meatballs.  I basically spent all day on sunday preparing the meal, which got thawed tonight.   It was pretty delicious.  Again no cake this year--ice cream sundaes.   So that part was easy at least.

For his birthday, Jason and I gave him a desk.   He has needed one for a long time, especially now that he has more and more homework.   He also asked for a microscope, which one can conveniently get quite cheaply on amazon.   Not sure how it will work, but glad that he is excited about it.

Our au pair, Pri, gave him the game "Life".   I remember loving that game at his age.  Kinda cool.

Happy birthday to our kind, gregarious little boy who is really not so little anymore.