Noa Louisa Kaopuiki-Delaney
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
10:46 am
8 lbs, 10 oz
22 in
Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, Oregon
Congratulations to Shannon, Cory, and big sister Malia!
Everyone here is so excited about our new niece/cousin! We can't wait to meet her in Portland this July, and to see our sweet Malia again!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Backyard metamorphosis
What we're focusing on is the bed along the garage wall...
here's how it looked before we moved in (bushes were torn out during escrow to make repairs to the garage wall)...
For a long time it looked like this, although I knew what I wanted to do with the space:
here it is last July (1.5 years after we moved in), when I finally found an arbor...
then, thanks to my mom, I finally got the climbing roses I'd been meaning to put there (this April)...
then we stained and sealed the arbor ... and last weekend, another new development - trellises so the climbing roses will have lots of space to spread out and grow! Won't it be pretty when they are covering the arbor and trellises?
Upcoming on the agenda:
Small flowers to fill in spots between roses
A bench inside the arbor
Some sort of wall decoration inside the arbor
Thanks for the roses, Mom!
here's how it looked before we moved in (bushes were torn out during escrow to make repairs to the garage wall)...
For a long time it looked like this, although I knew what I wanted to do with the space:
here it is last July (1.5 years after we moved in), when I finally found an arbor...
then, thanks to my mom, I finally got the climbing roses I'd been meaning to put there (this April)...
then we stained and sealed the arbor ... and last weekend, another new development - trellises so the climbing roses will have lots of space to spread out and grow! Won't it be pretty when they are covering the arbor and trellises?
Upcoming on the agenda:
Small flowers to fill in spots between roses
A bench inside the arbor
Some sort of wall decoration inside the arbor
Thanks for the roses, Mom!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Talent Show
Holy Family School has its Talent Show every other year (alternating with the Science Fair). In first grade, Katie joined a group of Kindergarteners dancing to the theme from "Veggie Tales." Very cute.
This year, she wanted to do a dance with Julianna. When we found my trick top hat (given to me when I was a young teen by my dance teacher -- we don't know how old it is, and it is very special to me) at my parents' house this Christmas, the girls really wanted to come up with some way to use it in their dance.
We started working on the dance when Grandma was visiting us in March.
Katie wanted to dance to Harry Connick, Jr.'s "A Wink and a Smile" from the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack, remembering when she and Grandma danced to it at Grandma's birthday party. Grandma and Katie listened to a bunch of song options, and Katie ended up going with her original idea.
We thought up a "story" for the dance, with Grandma's assistance. The story was:
Two girls are performing a dance. One is wearing a top hat. The other is jealous of it and steals it off her head during the dance. They continue doing their dance, and then the first girl steals it back. They dance some more, and then they have a tug-of-war over the hat. It falls to the ground, and they both scramble to grab it, falling on the floor on top if it, and it gets flattened! Oh no! They do a bit more of their dance, and then they try to figure out how to un-flatten it. All of a suddent, it pops up, back into shape! The girls are so happy that they decide to share it, holding it together and strolling off stage.
We quickly choreographed the steps, showed it to the organizers at the auditions, and then during the weeks leading up to the talent show, we practiced it nearly every night in the kitchen. Nick was very involved in the rehearsals, singing along with the music and helping me say "step, kick, step step ..." Noni came to visit us for a few days at the beginning of May, and she got to see the girls rehearsing.
While she was here, I also got started whipping together some costumes. My sewing skills leave much to be desired... I'm no Grandma. I make a lot of mistakes and have to go back and re-do things. (For example, Julianna's skirt was too long, so I shortened it. Then it was too short, and I had to go back and add fabric along the hem.) I do think they came out really cute, though!
I just love the talent show. The hall is packed for the performance, and the students in the audience cheer and applaud enthusiastically for every performer, no matter if it's their friend or not, no matter what grade they're in, no matter if they mess up on the piano and start over. Even the eighth graders! Especially the eighth graders! They're so supportive, and it makes me glad my kids go to school there.
The girls were the second-to-last act before Intermission. They were great! They had huge smiles on their faces (something they had trouble remembering to do in our practices). Everyone remarked that they looked like they were enjoying themselves up there. I know that they were SO nervous, especially Julianna. They did a terrific job, though!
This year, she wanted to do a dance with Julianna. When we found my trick top hat (given to me when I was a young teen by my dance teacher -- we don't know how old it is, and it is very special to me) at my parents' house this Christmas, the girls really wanted to come up with some way to use it in their dance.
We started working on the dance when Grandma was visiting us in March.
Katie wanted to dance to Harry Connick, Jr.'s "A Wink and a Smile" from the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack, remembering when she and Grandma danced to it at Grandma's birthday party. Grandma and Katie listened to a bunch of song options, and Katie ended up going with her original idea.
We thought up a "story" for the dance, with Grandma's assistance. The story was:
Two girls are performing a dance. One is wearing a top hat. The other is jealous of it and steals it off her head during the dance. They continue doing their dance, and then the first girl steals it back. They dance some more, and then they have a tug-of-war over the hat. It falls to the ground, and they both scramble to grab it, falling on the floor on top if it, and it gets flattened! Oh no! They do a bit more of their dance, and then they try to figure out how to un-flatten it. All of a suddent, it pops up, back into shape! The girls are so happy that they decide to share it, holding it together and strolling off stage.
We quickly choreographed the steps, showed it to the organizers at the auditions, and then during the weeks leading up to the talent show, we practiced it nearly every night in the kitchen. Nick was very involved in the rehearsals, singing along with the music and helping me say "step, kick, step step ..." Noni came to visit us for a few days at the beginning of May, and she got to see the girls rehearsing.
While she was here, I also got started whipping together some costumes. My sewing skills leave much to be desired... I'm no Grandma. I make a lot of mistakes and have to go back and re-do things. (For example, Julianna's skirt was too long, so I shortened it. Then it was too short, and I had to go back and add fabric along the hem.) I do think they came out really cute, though!
I just love the talent show. The hall is packed for the performance, and the students in the audience cheer and applaud enthusiastically for every performer, no matter if it's their friend or not, no matter what grade they're in, no matter if they mess up on the piano and start over. Even the eighth graders! Especially the eighth graders! They're so supportive, and it makes me glad my kids go to school there.
The girls were the second-to-last act before Intermission. They were great! They had huge smiles on their faces (something they had trouble remembering to do in our practices). Everyone remarked that they looked like they were enjoying themselves up there. I know that they were SO nervous, especially Julianna. They did a terrific job, though!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
May Crowning
One of the traditions at Holy Family School is May Crowning, which is a celebration of Mary and Mother's Day. It is the Third Grade's Mass. The Third Graders wear their First Communion clothes and conduct the ceremony.
It begins outside, at the Mary statue. The priest and third graders lead the prayers, and Mary is crowned with flowers. Also, each grade brings a basket of flowers up to the statue, which is placed at her feet.
After crowning Mary, the school processes around the church saying the Rosary, then enters the church through the front doors. 8th grade first, and on down to Kindergarten. Last are the third graders and the priest and altar servers.
Inside the church, the school celebrates Mass. The third graders do the readings and, after the homily, conduct a tribute to their mothers: a few of the third graders are chosen to each read something he or she wrote about their mother.
After Mass, the Third Graders have a retreat. After enjoying refreshments, they and their parents reflect on the significance of the day.
It begins outside, at the Mary statue. The priest and third graders lead the prayers, and Mary is crowned with flowers. Also, each grade brings a basket of flowers up to the statue, which is placed at her feet.
After crowning Mary, the school processes around the church saying the Rosary, then enters the church through the front doors. 8th grade first, and on down to Kindergarten. Last are the third graders and the priest and altar servers.
Inside the church, the school celebrates Mass. The third graders do the readings and, after the homily, conduct a tribute to their mothers: a few of the third graders are chosen to each read something he or she wrote about their mother.
After Mass, the Third Graders have a retreat. After enjoying refreshments, they and their parents reflect on the significance of the day.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Milestone
We've hit another milestone.
Check it out:
Nick's in a booster seat! All of my kids are in booster seats!
Oh my. I am a mom of big kids, huh?
But wait... what's this?
I guess I can't let go completely.
Check it out:
Nick's in a booster seat! All of my kids are in booster seats!
Oh my. I am a mom of big kids, huh?
But wait... what's this?
I guess I can't let go completely.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Aquarium Field Trip
Katie's class took a field trip to the Long Beach Aquarium, and Katie really wanted me to be one of the chaperones, since she thought it would be cool to tell her classmates that her Mommy used to work there! (I let her hold my old ID Badge while we were there - she was excited about that!)
Eric and I arranged for Nick to be at the back-up daycare place by his office, and I was able to be a driver for the field trip.
Well, I had a fabulous day! I felt kind of guilty -- the moms overseeing groups of 4-5 energetic boys exploring the aquarium were dead-tired at the end of our time there, while I had a group of 4 girls, AS WELL AS Mrs. Arnold (who came in my car to hear about my time at the aquarium as well as other marine biology experiences, and then stuck with my group inside the aquarium as well to get the inside scoop), AND I knew the place like the back of my hand! Easy peasy!
The program Mrs. Arnold had booked was a theater program (as opposed to a classroom program), one I had seen and helped with a few times. I was disappointed because that meant I didn't get to go inside the classroom area, so didn't get to peek in the office and see if there was anyone there I knew.
I knew that, since it has been over six years since I worked there (and I worked there less than a year), there would be plenty of rust in the old noggin. I didn't know that I would mess up our arrival! We were shown inside Gate 8 by Guest Services (who, in typical Guest Services style, neglected to tell us what we were supposed to do next and vanished), and then I led us into the aquarium to the public theater entrance, went in myself, and was told by the Educator to go back outside and wait for her there. OOPS!
But when we got back outside and she met us at that door, she recognized me! Not only that, she remembered me! She (Lori) said, "I know you! Dissolved Oxygen! Hi Barbra!" (Dissolved Oxygen is one of the lab classes that I wrote for them - I have been told it's been a popular one.) That sure made me feel good!
An ego-boosting day with a fun group at one of my favorite places!
But enough about MY day at the aquarium... how about KATIE'S day at the aquarium?
She and the rest of her group were very engaged. They explored every area of the aquarium, touching animals in all of the touch tanks and discussing what they were seeing in the exhibits. I love seeing a group of girls getting their hands wet without hesitation!
I love this photo. Leg up in the air for balance, hair in the water... petting a leopard shark!
The girls decided to buy some nectar to feed the lorikeets. This was actually my first time in that exhibit, believe it or not. No sooner did we get inside, than this happened:
She handled it remarkably well, remaining reasonably calm until Mrs. Arnold got the bird onto her own finger! Impressive, since it was walking down her hair, sort of pulling it with its beak for balance.
She even fed more birds afterwards!
A day to remember for both of us!
Eric and I arranged for Nick to be at the back-up daycare place by his office, and I was able to be a driver for the field trip.
Well, I had a fabulous day! I felt kind of guilty -- the moms overseeing groups of 4-5 energetic boys exploring the aquarium were dead-tired at the end of our time there, while I had a group of 4 girls, AS WELL AS Mrs. Arnold (who came in my car to hear about my time at the aquarium as well as other marine biology experiences, and then stuck with my group inside the aquarium as well to get the inside scoop), AND I knew the place like the back of my hand! Easy peasy!
The program Mrs. Arnold had booked was a theater program (as opposed to a classroom program), one I had seen and helped with a few times. I was disappointed because that meant I didn't get to go inside the classroom area, so didn't get to peek in the office and see if there was anyone there I knew.
I knew that, since it has been over six years since I worked there (and I worked there less than a year), there would be plenty of rust in the old noggin. I didn't know that I would mess up our arrival! We were shown inside Gate 8 by Guest Services (who, in typical Guest Services style, neglected to tell us what we were supposed to do next and vanished), and then I led us into the aquarium to the public theater entrance, went in myself, and was told by the Educator to go back outside and wait for her there. OOPS!
But when we got back outside and she met us at that door, she recognized me! Not only that, she remembered me! She (Lori) said, "I know you! Dissolved Oxygen! Hi Barbra!" (Dissolved Oxygen is one of the lab classes that I wrote for them - I have been told it's been a popular one.) That sure made me feel good!
An ego-boosting day with a fun group at one of my favorite places!
But enough about MY day at the aquarium... how about KATIE'S day at the aquarium?
She and the rest of her group were very engaged. They explored every area of the aquarium, touching animals in all of the touch tanks and discussing what they were seeing in the exhibits. I love seeing a group of girls getting their hands wet without hesitation!
I love this photo. Leg up in the air for balance, hair in the water... petting a leopard shark!
The girls decided to buy some nectar to feed the lorikeets. This was actually my first time in that exhibit, believe it or not. No sooner did we get inside, than this happened:
She handled it remarkably well, remaining reasonably calm until Mrs. Arnold got the bird onto her own finger! Impressive, since it was walking down her hair, sort of pulling it with its beak for balance.
She even fed more birds afterwards!
A day to remember for both of us!
Spring Break
In addition to egg coloring Saturday, Spring Break started off with my usual singing-in-church bonanza: Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter morning.
Easter morning itself began very early: up at around 6:30, the kids had found their Easter baskets, opened everything, and finished the treasure hunt the Easter Bunny left for them, all by 7:13 am!
There was enough time for everyone to go to church (not just Mommy)! Later, Darell and Kathryn came over and we had a lovely meal (Darell brought lamb).
As to Spring Break, the main item on the agenda was "open-ended hanging-out time," which is SOOOO good for my kids. They do really well when we don't have to be anywhere!
I did take them to the zoo one day, and Katie went to a birthday sleepover. Shelby came to visit late afternoon Friday - noon Saturday (he and Annie captivated their audience).
Thursday was the one "big" thing we did for Spring Break - Eric took the day off and we drove down to Legoland!
They have various American "cities" built out of Legos: New Orleans, Las Vegas, Manhattan, Southern California, etc. In Washington, D.C., they have replicated President Obama's Inauguration! It's fantastic. I took pictures:
It's very interesting to me that they went back and redid it to reflect what everyone actually wore! Here's the updated version, also from google:
Other highlights of our visit to Legoland:
The Mission in Santa Barbara (I built a model of it in 4th grade, but I didn't build it out of Legos!) --- with Griffith Observatory in the background!
The Hollywood Bowl: we go there every summer!
San Francisco!
Nick liked Daytona Speedway:
Yep, kids get to drive at Legoland! No parents allowed!
This was really smart: while the parents wait in lines for the rides, the kids can play with Legos in special gated areas right off the line!
Easter morning itself began very early: up at around 6:30, the kids had found their Easter baskets, opened everything, and finished the treasure hunt the Easter Bunny left for them, all by 7:13 am!
There was enough time for everyone to go to church (not just Mommy)! Later, Darell and Kathryn came over and we had a lovely meal (Darell brought lamb).
As to Spring Break, the main item on the agenda was "open-ended hanging-out time," which is SOOOO good for my kids. They do really well when we don't have to be anywhere!
I did take them to the zoo one day, and Katie went to a birthday sleepover. Shelby came to visit late afternoon Friday - noon Saturday (he and Annie captivated their audience).
That's Violet.
Thursday was the one "big" thing we did for Spring Break - Eric took the day off and we drove down to Legoland!
They have various American "cities" built out of Legos: New Orleans, Las Vegas, Manhattan, Southern California, etc. In Washington, D.C., they have replicated President Obama's Inauguration! It's fantastic. I took pictures:
Look at Aretha!
When we got home, I did some googling and found out that they actually built it shortly before the Inauguration. I found a picture of what it first looked like:
It's very interesting to me that they went back and redid it to reflect what everyone actually wore! Here's the updated version, also from google:
Other highlights of our visit to Legoland:
The Mission in Santa Barbara (I built a model of it in 4th grade, but I didn't build it out of Legos!) --- with Griffith Observatory in the background!
The Hollywood Bowl: we go there every summer!
San Francisco!
Nick liked Daytona Speedway:
Yep, kids get to drive at Legoland! No parents allowed!
This was really smart: while the parents wait in lines for the rides, the kids can play with Legos in special gated areas right off the line!
We love these visits
After we finished coloring eggs at our house, we got to go visit with our friends from Australia! The Hoffmans were staying at Kim's parents' house, so we went to see them and help them color their eggs.
Katie, Julianna, and Nick have a lot of fun with Stuart and Quinn when they come to visit!
We've been friends for a long time; aren't we lucky?
Katie, Julianna, and Nick have a lot of fun with Stuart and Quinn when they come to visit!
We've been friends for a long time; aren't we lucky?
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