September 30, 2012

Okay, I promise... this is the last Blue Angels picture I'll post for a while.  Today was the last day of the air show weekend and all of the guest have either taken off or will be within the next couple of hours.   It was a great weekend for watching stunt planes, walking through and sitting in various parked aircraft and laying hands on static display weaponry.  

Kaneohe, Hawaii

September 29, 2012

This sweet, delicate beauty is quite deceptive.  The little purple flowers are very cute, but the green nubs are like burrs that snag onto anything that brushes by.  I am constantly pulling them off my longer clothes, my ankles and calves and wheedling or yanking them out of Remi and Levi's hair.   And it's never just one here and one there... it's dozens and dozens everywhere!  Even the plant stem has sticky hairy-like villa that seems to velcro to my arms when I pull the plants out by the root.  Be gone you nasty weed!

Kailua, Hawaii

September 28, 2012

I woke to dark, rain laden clouds rolling in overhead.  After a quick walk with the pups.... rainy, clean skies I like, but soggy, smelly dogs I don't care too much for.... I decided to whip up a breakfast of warm apple cider and English lemon-yogurt cakes.  The boys were, to say the least, quite pleased to stumble from their cozy beds and get the day started.   First lesson of the day.... just because one dozen muffins are made does not mean one dozen muffins need to be eaten in a single sitting.  We're still working on this one. 

Kailua, Hawaii 

September 27, 2012

We broke from our normal (if you can even call it that!) school routine to go on base and watch the Blue Angels practice.  They were zigging, zagging, dipping and darting all around the brilliant blue sky.  For most of the morning the sun was so bright.   I just love how the sun rays work their way into this photo!  After about an hour, we decided we needed some lunch and to finish up the classroom work so we headed back home.  Our timing was perfect because it started raining soon after we packed up in the car.

Kaneohe, Hawaii

September 26, 2012

May we find peace and comfort in His glory during our times of loss and great sadness.
Kailua, Hawaii

September 25, 2012

This is probably the most school-like we've EVER been since we started home schooling many years ago!  Usually, I let them sit wherever they are most comfortable to work on their studies. For some reason today they all had some sort of writing to do that required my assistance.   So here they sit in my kitchen so I can go from one to the other with ease.

Kailua, Hawaii

September 24, 2012

Dave and I spent the day in a(nother) "separate from the military" seminar.  Since I'm not working on perfecting the ultimate resume, I'll be staying home tomorrow.  The drive in to Honolulu this morning was full of rainbows and beautiful, flowering trees.   Lunchtime break was spent picnicking at the park under the many brilliant green monkey pod trees.

Honolulu, Hawaii

September 23, 2012

This is the mysterious breadfruit.  I say mysterious only because I can't find any decent recipes using it.... or at least anything I'm interested or willing to try.  I have sampled it in raw form and that was just wrong.  The locals I've spoken to at our weekly Farmer's Market say it tastes great when cooked right.  What does that mean?!?!  And, really.... you think poi is a mouth watering delicacy!   I think this is going to require a little (or a lot) more investigating before I jump on board.

Kailua, Hawaii

September 22, 2012

First Campout for the new scouting season was a tremendous success.... with a few learning opportunities thrown in the mix! Here are the guys getting ready to earn their BSA Kayaking Patch and the new Kayaking merit badge.  This merit badge has only been available for three weeks now making this group the first in the National Council to earn it.  Fantastic job gentlemen!   Huge thanks to the MCBH Marina for supplying the equipment and to Instructor Ken for taking the time to teach.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

September 21, 2012

My morning walk with the pups had me strolling down to Lanikai Beach.  The Mokes far off in the distance were getting some rain.  Both Moku Nui (North Mokulua) and Moku Iki (South Mokulua) are state seabird sanctuaries, but only Nui allows public access.   It's a great area for kayaking and paddle boarding.

Lanikai, Hawaii

September 20, 2012

Happy 10th Birthday Samuel!  Chocolate chip, peanut butter oreo brownie cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the birthday celebration dessert.  Basically, my entire daily caloric allowance all in one dish!  It just means I need to spend more time on the water.  Anyway... now all of my children are in double digits.

Kailua, Hawaii

September 19, 2012

Chicken Parmesan for dinner tonight?  No, sorry boys.  Once or twice a month I make up a big batch of chicken strips to put in the freezer for quick meals or snacks later on.  This giant pile was only the halfway point with the remainder still in the oven.  I do the same thing with small pizza crusts.  It makes for easy prep and healthy food choices for the boys when they are hungry NOW.  And as for  that rich, beautiful red sauce?  Well, that IS dinner for tonight, but it's a large enough batch for some leftover freezing action and later meals.  I'm taking an iced coffee break before I start in on preparing the (birthday) meals requested for tomorrow.... Homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, Frites (French fries) with paprika for lunch and Cheese Zombies for dinner.  You'll have to wait for details of the celebration dessert!

Kailua, Hawaii

September 18, 2012

Aaaahhhhh... there's no better feeling than the wind whipping through your ears as you lean out the passenger window while cruising down the road!   Since I only had one stop to run errands today I decided to take the pups along with me.  They're getting much better about going on short road trips, but still need some practice for those longer drives.

Kaneohe, Hawaii

September 17, 2012

I finally got the boys out on the water sailing again!  No, classes haven't resumed, but my guys have two more races before the season ends and they need the practice!   It's looking pretty dreary here, but the weather and winds were fantastic on the water.  I had never noticed the "bowl" in the mountain range before, but the lighting set it off perfectly.   Since I was so busy paddling upwind and hollering at my boys to hike out a little further, I didn't get an opportunity to take many pictures.  I guess that's how it goes for the substitute coach.  I think I need to get myself a whistle!

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

September 16, 2012

I think Fall is in the air.  The temperatures have dropped a bit and it's much more pleasant to be outside during the day.  Leaves are withering and dropping from trees as well.  This one is just at the end of our road.  I love how the trunk is so ragged and twisted.

Kailua, Hawaii

September 15, 2012

Just one of the many reasons why I support the home schooling effort here in Hawaii.
Kailua, Hawaii

September 14, 2012

Guess who got glasses today?  Yep, that would be Samuel.  Unlike his brother and father, Sam is farsighted and needs to wear glasses when reading and working on the computer.  The best part for him is that he might out grow it.   In the meantime, he's looking pretty stylish in his new specs from Island Girl Eyecare!

Kailua, Hawaii

September 13, 2012

I finally got some time on the water today.  While the boys were painting their masterpiece (the newly built storage shed) I took off on a stand-up paddle board toward the mud flats.  This is the remains of an old pier near the Kaneohe Yacht Club.  As a boater, if you can read the signs posted here, you're much too close!

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

September 12, 2012

I took my third trip in three days through the mountain range to the Scout Council office and store to clear up some business.   That equates to 6 passes through the Pali Highway tunnels.  The light at the end of this tunnel is home.... Kailua and the windward side of the island.  No more trips for this week!

Somewhere along the Pali Highway, Oahu, Hawaii

September 11, 2012

The older boys had their quarterly Court of Honor this evening.  Since Sam is only a few short months away from moving up to Boy Scouts, I require (as his den leader) that he and any other attending Webelos II scouts be in uniform.   Boy Scouts of America is not a military organization, but it does train, mold, teach and encourage young men to become kind, honest, helpful and productive members in our society.  

Kaneohe, Hawaii

September 10, 2012

I love fresh flowers in the house, but I rarely splurge.  Honestly, I just don't think that much about it when I'm out at the stores.  Yesterday, my friend Laura gave me this beautiful bouquet of roses for appreciation.  Not necessary, but SO sweet!  It really brightens up my (now) clean house and smell magnificent!

Kailua, Hawaii

September 9, 2012

I had a photo shoot this morning down on the flight line on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  We had some rain shower action going on at one point, but it didn't seem to bother anyone.  Look at what was left in it's wake!  A big thank you to the lovely ladies of HSL-37 for a beautiful, fun-filled morning.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii 

September 8, 2012

Sam and I had a Cub Scout campout last night.  In the rain.  As morning dawned, the sun came out, the birds were singing and all was right with the world.  After breakfast and flags we had some "Leave No Trace" training, moved out for a 3 mile hike on the beach and trash pick-up, then headed back to the campsite for some den time, games and fun!  Here are my guys playing some 1-hand touch football in the rubberized pit.   It was a fantastic scouting day!

Kailua, Hawaii

September 7, 2012

I don't think I've ever seen anyone use this grill and/or picnic tables.  The water is too shallow and reefy for a boat to moor there.  Maybe kayakers could use it?   This spot is just across from where we've been working all week.   The boys and I had another day of helping out at the marina after our school work was finished.  The shed is now sporting a door and all the trim pieces.  The roof is the last step and it will have to wait until monday.   

Kaneohe, Hawaii

September 6, 2012

Despite the calendar telling us it's almost Autumn, we're still seeing new growth on many of our plants and shrubs.   I think I'll start baking and cooking with pumpkin, apples and cinnamon so it will at least the house will smell as if it's fall!
Kaneohe, Hawaii

September 5, 2012

Schoolwork was finished early so we went to help work on the sailing storage shed at the marina.  While the boys measured plywood, cut 2x4s and pounded nails I wandered around looking for good picture opportunities.  This colorful Hobie Cat was zipping around in the cove for a short time before it took off for the open waters of the bay.  He came back several hours later as we were cleaning up to call it a day.  Light winds, moderate temperatures and cotton ball cloudy skies make for the perfect day on the water.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

September 4, 2012

First day of school at Cutter Christian Academy!   All three boys were dressed for the day by 8 o'clock and performing chemistry experiments in the lab.... or just making blueberry and chocolate chip muffins in the kitchen for their breakfast.   I just want to reiterate the "dressed for the day" part.  None of them are still in pajamas.  This year Zach is a Sophomore, Nate is an 8th grader and Sam is a 5th grader.  Not to exclude the girl.... Jordan will be starting her Junior year at University of Washington in Seattle at the end of this month.

Kailua, Hawaii

September 3, 2012

We've enjoyed our much needed down time day.  The boys have all been doing their own thing around the house, while I've been lounging, reading and relaxing.  A light, gentle breeze has been serenading us throughout the day with the melodious bamboo chimes hanging on our front lanai.

Kailua, Hawaii

September 2, 2012

It's been an Eagle Scout kind of weekend.  Today we had Zach's Eagle Scout project of revamping the sail locker and storage area.   Besides moving all the sails to the new, larger locker space, Zach was responsible for designing and building a life jacket peg rack (to hold 18 vests) and a heavy duty rope spool rack.  Here Nate is using the chop saw to cut the metal pipes that will hold one of the dozen 70 pound rope spools.   Look at those sparks fly!  Zach's not cutting because his job for this project was to direct, advise and supervise the other scouts.   It was a long day at the marina, but a satisfying one.  Another fantastic job!

Kaneohe, Hawaii

September 1, 2012

Nate had his Eagle Scout project today getting the sailing classroom set up and ready to go.  He created a full sail display, made several knot-tying practice boards, framed and hung almost a dozen large pictures (taken by yours truly) from various sailing classes/races, arranged the room for teaching/learning and made this framed board of the most commonly used knots for rigging a sailboat.  Then, of course, the scouts ate lots of sandwiches, chips and cookies.  That's to be expected from growing young men.  Great job, Nathan!

Kaneohe, Hawaii