Flashback Friday

Clark's first time in the ocean.  He was only a month old.  I can't believe how big he is, two years old!  It is so hard for me to remember him at this age, he is so different now.  It makes me a little sad that I will never know or have him as a little baby again.  As you can tell he hated it, I think the water was a little chilly.  Now, you can't keep him out of the water...no matter how cold it is.

Children's Museum

Last weekend we took the boys to the Children's Museum in Honolulu.  It is not very expensive, and a great place to spend a rainy afternoon.  Clark had such a great time, and ran from one play area to the next all afternoon.  He loved playing at the pretend car shop, and with the giant Lego's.  There was even a airplane with real plane seats, and buttons you could operate, that Clark would not go near (still afraid of planes I guess).  It was a wonderful afternoon, a great way to spend the day together.

Clark checking the oil, it would make a funny sound when ever he took the dipper stick out that would send him into a fit of giggles.

Chef Harry.  Playing dress up with Harry, while Clark made pretend cupcakes.

Harry chatting things up with the chunky baby in the mirror.  He could not get enough of himself, and was laughing and slapping the mirror.  It was so cute.

There was this bubble blowing station, that if you did it correctly, would blow the biggest bubble I ever saw.  Clark would puff and puff trying to make it bigger, and then squeal with laughter whenever they popped.

In his construction hat building Lego's, and then promptly knocking them down.

Chunky

Jason made this music video for our little Chunky.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

A Breath Of Snow And Ashes

A Breath of Snow And Ashes is the sixth and last (for now) instalment of Diana Gabaldon's Outlader series.  This book was amazing, so full of action and emotion.  Not since the second book (Dragonfly in Amber) have I cried so much.  If I am rating books, I would say it was my favorite after the first two books.  I was a little unsure of starting this book, for two reasons...   First I did not want to finish all the books I had.  The next one is not even slated to come out until September (at the earliest), and that is going to be a LONG wait.  I am just going to miss my heartbreakingly heroic highlander Jamie and his time traveling wife Claire so much (not to mention Roger, Bri, Jemmy, and Ian).  Second, the fifth book was kinda slow for me.  Way too long, and not as good as her previous work.  However, whatever was lacking in the fifth book was made up, plus some.  From the opening chapters I was swept away in life on Fraser's Ridge.  Along with Claire and Jamie for one crisis or another, meeting the challenges of frontier life.  I feel such a strong connection with these characters, and their story.  Starting about two years before the revolutionary war, this book is full of historical and fascinating information.  I loved reading about the conflict through our characters, it always make it a little easier to understand.  

I always have such a hard time blogging about the books I read.  I never want to give away too much of the story, in case one of you actually feels inspired to read the book.  But I also don't just want to gush, which is all I ever do when I am talking about the Outlander series.  I read quite a few bookish type blogs and websites, and I am blown away at the things they write...maybe I should just copy a link so you can read theirs (ha ha ha).  I can never get the jumble of thoughts going on in my head OUT and on the page (or computer) in an intelligent way...and without giving away key information.   Maybe I should just start, April's One Word Reviews...hmmm good idea.  But anyone who knows me well enough, knows I am too long winded to ever just stop at one word.  Besides, I couldn't start that now...finding one word to describe these books would be too hard.  My very favorite series I EVER read, right after Harry Potter...but it is a very very close second.

Happy Birthday Clark!

Dear Clark on your 2nd birthday,

Happy Birthday Clark!  I can't believe you are two years old.  You have grown so much.  I still remember holding you for the first time, and loving you right off the bat.  I remember when we brought you home, and for the first time in a long time I felt complete.  I remember leaving you with Daddy for the first time, and how silly I felt because I missed you so much.  I remember hearing you laugh for the first time (it was actually in your sleep), and it brought tears to my eyes.  I have loved watching you grow.  There are so many things I love about you.  Your sense of humor, and your contagious laugh.  I love how happy you are when you wake up, ready for a fun day.  I love your hug and kisses, and even when you tackle me when I least expect it.  I love to read books with you, even when you skip the pages.  I love watching you chase Gary around the house, and playing with your Dad.  I love how exited you get when we go to church or the mall, and how playful you are with your friends and other kids.  You have such a fun loving nature, and I know I am always going to have a good time when I am with you.  I love to watch your shows with you, and dance and sing.  I love to cuddle with you and watch you love and snuggle your brother.  You are going to be such a good brother.  I am so proud of you, and I can't tell you enough how much I love you.  I hope and pray that I can be the best Mom for you, give you everything you want and need.  Happy Happy Birthday 2nd Son!

We had a small birthday party for you downstairs with our friends (and neighbors).  Uncle Loa barbecued a feast for us.  You loved blowing out the candles, your most favorite thing right now (you are fascinated with fire, although which little boy isn't).   I didn't make your cake, cause Mommy is a little lazy, but I did make cupcakes for your nursery class.  We also went to the beach the day before with Carol and Eddie.  And being the total goof that I am I forgot my camera (I am still mad about it!!).  You love the beach so much, and being in the water.  You got a Little Tikes picnic beach that you LOVE and now refuse to sit anywhere else.  

Cake time!  You couldn't get enough of the cake.

Eating some cake on your 1st birthday.  You had NO hair.  I can't believe how much you have grown in this last year.

 21 months.  I love your cheesy smiles.

18 months.

15 months. Looking back over the last couple years, I realized that we hardly ever dressed you (weird?).  Around 14-15 months you FINALLY started growing some hair.

1 year old!

9 months old. 

6 months old.   

3 months old.  You were such a smiley baby!

You were such a cute little baby (and are growing into a handsome little boy).  I am glad you have finally grown into your nose (sorry Clark, that comes from Mommy) and grew some hair!  I am so happy you are here in our lives, I can not imagine it any other way.  Hope you had a fun 2nd birthday.

Love Mommy ( Daddy and Harry too). 

Pro Bowl 2009

On Sunday we took Clark to the Pro Bowl (as an early birthday present).  I am not sure who was more excited, Jason or Clark, but Jason did get up really really early, and was ironing the matching t-shirts we bought to wear.  I think Clark was most excited to get some alone time with Mom and Dad (we dropped Harry off at Auntie Carol's).  He loved being around all the people and could feel the excitement of the game.  I was just happy to see those Manning boys in the flesh (num-yummy).

The boys outside Aloha Stadium.  It was such a beautiful sunny day, the first in a few weeks (we have been getting a lot of rain).

Clark did NOT like the fireworks!  There were a lot at the beginning of the game and at half time.  Every time he would calm down and relax, some more would go off.  He would just close his eyes and try to block everything out, Poor Tuna.

Just the three of us, after the game. 

After the game we snuck down to the field to wait for the players, and hopefully get an autograph.  Clark loved seeing everything up close (our seats were in the nose bleeds) and had fun cheering for the players.  It was such a great day.  I loved having a special day just for Clark. I can't believe my little baby boy is turning 2!  My Dad always had the tradition of taking my us (me and my brothers and sisters) out on a birthday date every year, whatever we wanted to do, just me and my Dad. I hope to continue that tradition with Clark, and glad this year I got to sneak along.

Watching the iPod

Clark's favorite thing to do lately is to sit at the counter; to eat, color, beg Mommy for food and chocolate milk, or just watch Daddy's iPod (we have  charger that sits on the counter).  Likewise, Harry likes to always be by Clark.

I thought it was the cutest thing ever that they were watching the movie together. 

Even Harry was mesmerized.  One guess what the movie was...Wall-E.

I love his fat bum in this picture, ha ha ha.

I love little moments like this.  When Clark is not torturing Harry, and they are happy just hanging out together.

He speaks...

Well almost.  Last week were watching  tv, and the people on his show were making a fruit salad.  The lady was cutting up an apple and talking about it, when all of the sudden he says 'appum'.  Hooray!!  His FIRST word!!!  I spent the next 2 days getting him to repeat it as often as possible.  I would say, "say apple Tuna".  And he would always reply, "appum". 

So,  I get out my video camera to document the historical moment, and he won't say it again.  In fact it has been like 4 days, and no matter what I do, I can not get him to repeat it.  Why is he such a stubborn little Tuna?!  

This is not the only time he has done this...

At Christmas time, when he got his Walle book, he was so excited he said, "Walle".  I was not the only one that heard it either.  But he never said it again, no matter what bribery we offered.  Another time I thought I heard him say, see ya later (mimicking his favorite cartoon) it was slurred and sounded like one word...but it was there.  

Baby steps I guess.  At least he is trying now, which is way better than the silence.  We had his evaluation a couple weeks ago, and he qualifies for help with his speech.  So a few times a month they will come over and help Clark, and teach us how to help him.  I am really looking forward to it, and I think it is going to be so good for Clark.

Before we know it, he is going to be talking...and we aren't going to be able to get him to shut up.

The Fiery Cross

Well, I am back on the wagon...
I had to take a small break for our mega busy Christmas, and January was a disaster with recovering from our trip, me and all the kids sick at the same time...and (still) trying to get out our late Christmas cards. But I did miss the Fraser Clan and Diana's wonderful story telling.  As soon as picked up my book, I was sucked right back in.  She has such a way of tugging at my heart strings, and peaking my curiosity.  The fifth installment in Diana's Outlander series, continues with Jamie, Claire and family building their life on Fraser's Ridge, and getting ready for the Revolutionary war.  I love the descriptions of farm and family life in the 1770's.  And I find it fascinating reading of Claire and her trials trying to make penicillin.  Can you even imagine being a doctor in those olden days, with the modern knowledge, trying to save your patient with twigs and berries and your own homemade penicillin.  She is pure genius, and spunk...that Claire.  We got a few tasty answers left from the last few books...about the missing gold, and Jemmy's parentage.  But in true Gabaldon fashion, she doesn't give it all way...and she gives you more and more reasons to keep turning the pages.  I was so pleased with the return of Ian (my favorite character after Jamie and Claire).  And I loved the little murder mystery we had during Jocasta's wedding.  Over all I really can't say enough how much I love these books.  I have enjoyed so much spending the last few months in the lives and stories of these characters.  (Thanks Gramps!)

I have been thinking quite a bit about the upcoming movie or tv show.  I am really hoping for a tv show (by a decent television network PLEASE).  There is so much story and character depth, you could get so much out tv show...for years really (as long as you had good writers and kept to the books).  Anywho, I found my Jamie.  He is Scots and fits the description really well.  I have seen him in a few things and I think he is a great actor (I am LOVING what he is doing on Grey's right now).  He may be a bit too old to play the Jamie in the first couple books, only cause he is so young in the first one (like 24 if I remember right), but he is who I always imagine.  Quite the hottie if I must say so myself.

Kevin McKidd.  My Jamie.