Sunrise at the volcano

Maggie and tony took a sunrise bike ride down the volcano in Maui this year. They had to get up at 2:30 in the morning, get picked up at 3, drive to top of volcano and see sunrise, bike down, have breakfast. They had a great time.

Hawaii

We had another great time in Hawaii this year. We went over Maggie's spring break in March (usually we go in May) so it was a bit more crowded but it doesn't matter, it's Hawaii! Some highlights this year were -

1. The Easter Egg Hunt

2. Tony and Maggie took a sunrise bike ride down the volcano

3. Mags and I went sea kayaking and snorkeling one morning and saw tons of fish and some Honus(sea turtles)

4. One afternoon we saw 3 whales from the beach where we were swimming, they were only a few hundred yards away and the baby was breaching like crazy and putting on a show

5. Nick, Cheryl and Madeline were there again at the same time and had us over to their villa for a cook out. Then Cheryl took the big girls on the Ocean walk and they heard these birds that sound like crying babies - creepy

We got into a nice routine, Sally went to the kids club each morning til noon, so Maggie, Tony and I would spend the morning reading by the pool, pick up Sal, lunch by the pool, swim with Maddie in the pool, go down to beach at the end of the day, get milkshakes before dinner, dinner, bed. Rinse and Repeat. Heaven.

lazy weekend

Here are some pictures from our weekend. The weather was gorgeous so we went in the pool for the first time this year. And by 'we' I mean Sally and Jamie(our neighbor). The pool was probably 75 degrees which is about 15 degrees too cold for me.

Besides swimming, we went to see Alice in Wonderland last night, which we all liked, and we did some shopping for Hawaii. Oh, and we went to church. The picture of Maggie and Sally is taken at church. Super cute thing I overheard between Sally and Jamie- Sally said she was going to bring Jamie back a 'chandelier' from Hawaii. Jamie was a little confused and asked Sally if she meant 'souvenier'? Sally said she did. I was happy because I did not look forward to packing a chandelier in our luggage.

school birthday

On Thursday I brought treats into Sally's class to celebrate her birthday. Sally chose Italian Ice because one little boy in the class is gluten and dairy free and often has to sit out when others are eating cupcakes or cookies. He was so excited that he got to eat what the other kids were eating. He asked Sally to ask me where I got them so he can tell his mom. It was so cute to watch Sally write "Smart and Final" on a piece of paper and put it in her backpack.

Today was another reminder how far Sally has come. The first year I brought her birthday treat in, she was so shy and uncomfortable with all the attention, she sat in my lap the whole time. Today she confidently helped me pass out the treats and when one little girl asked if she could have strawberry, Sally said, "You get what you get and you don't get upset." (and then she made sure Zelia got strawberry.)

I also got to witness Sally's 'club', the blue butterflies, initiate a new member. Sally and some of her friends have this club, I don't think it has any function, except to be something they could name, and make signs for club 'meetings'. Anyway, this girl Olivia walked up and asked if she could join. The girls said she has to like blue butterflies and she has to be in the 'play' they are going to make up. Olivia agreed and the girls toasted her with their ices.

Girls, look over here ...

That's all I have to say these days to get them to look away. They WILL NOT cooperate with picture taking. This was taken at Disneyland on the Jungle Safari boat ride. We went to Disneyland for Sally's birthday yesterday. Sally didn't have school and Maggie played hookey. Unfortunately Tony's directing an episode right now so he couldn't come. It was crowded. Too crowded for a Monday in the beginning of March, and our favorite ride, the Matterhorn was closed for renovation. Maggie and Sally stood in line for a half hour to ride the Indiana Jones roller coaster and by the time they got up to the front and saw how dark and scary the ride was they bailed. They came out smiling and relieved! We rode the teacups and the log ride, it's a small world, winnie the pooh, and a few others. We waited for Tony to get home last night and then Sally opened her presents, a soccer goal and soccer ball, lacrosse sticks and ball, a new American Girl Doll, Ivy and her best friend Julie(Julie was from Amy), some books and a beautiful necklace from Grandma Kitty and Grandpa Tony(plus $25!), some books from Aunt Anne. Grandma Carolyn's gift is getting her Wednesday. Sally also get tons of calls - both grandparents, Dan and Don, Amy, Emma and Mei Mei. Her party is this Sunday and I'll post pictures then.

Birthday week

While Maggie was at her party tonight, we took Sally out for Japanese food and began the weeklong celebration of her birthday. The birthday is actually Monday and her party was supposed to be tomorrow but we rescheduled it for next Sunday due to rain. So now we'll celebrate Monday, she'll bring treats into her class on Tuesday(they don't have school Monday) and then we'll have the party Sunday. It better be a sunny day. We're having a petting zoo and Mulan. Oh, and a bouncey thing. And yes, I know it's way over the top, but I can't control myself these days.

Anyway, at the restaurant tonight, they were so sweet to her and brought out this chocolate lava cake(think the yummiest souffle you've ever had) with her name spelled out in chocolate. Yum.

Bat Mitzvah

Maggie went to a Bat Mitzvah today of a girl from her school. The service was this morning and tonight was the party - a black and white masquerade ball! Maggie bought a beautiful dress a few days ago that suits her perfectly. She looked gorgeous.