Ichiban

My Number One Daughter, Sydney.
She is all that a daughter should be. Wonderful, Dynamic, Smart, Beautiful, Difficult, Amazing, Talented, Helpful, Interesting, Fun and growing up so fast right before my eyes.
I love her.
I learn so much with her.
She is such a good girl and a wonderful example to her little sisters.

Right now she thinks its gross when Troy and I kiss.
She is reading the Little House on the Praire Books.
She loves to read.
She loves to eat White Nectarines.
She has size 10 feet.


She still thinks I am cool.
I am still taller.
She has a big smile.
She loves her Dad.
He loves her.


Almost 12.
So ready to leave primary.
She has such a bright future.
I am excited to see what she chooses to fill it with.
Thank Heaven for Sydney!

Ethan's First Surf Competition

So Ethan mentioned that he wanted to do a Surf Competition last weekend. We looked it up online and saw that there was one this weekend! He was excited and nervous, but without hesitation, he said that he wanted to do it...here are the pictures:






The famous board shaper "ole" was there. He is 80 years old and he competed. His wife surfed too! Very inspiring.

Ethan did great. He rode a smaller board than most of the other keiki so he didn't catch as many waves, but he was happy and felt good about the experiance.

What makes Amy Work?

Happy, Busy, Optimistic, Cheerful, Overwhelmed, Productive, Driven, Playful, Hungry, More...I always want more...
I feel like I go. I go hard. I usually enjoy it. Until I don't. What is the difference. When does the enjoyment end and the drudgery begin.
I like to run on my terms, my time, I don't like to wait. I am a bit impatient, but I am learning to live in the moment and enjoy waiting. I enjoy it a lot more if I have something to read or learn or do...okay maybe I am not learning to live in the moment, but I think about it.
If I walk in the morning and do something for me, then my day is smoother. Something done for me makes doing for everyone else all day easier.
Paint, play piano, draw, sew...utilize that other side of the brain. Miracles happen. Coloring with Sophie kind of counts.
Friends are the chocolate of life. Sweet moments in a otherwise bland smorgasbord.
Husband. He makes my day better. Even when it is already good.

Ethan Maui Boy

Bittersweet

Well it is with sadness and a full heart that I write this post. Tomorrow is the first day of school for Ethan - 5th grade and Ember - 1st grade. Sydney starts 7th grade on Wednesday and I will be left home with my little Sophie. We have had a busy and full summer. We have surfed, hiked, danced at ballet, played piano and violin and swam every week. We have visited the goat farm, the tropical plantation and the aquarium. We have mowed the lawn, planted a garden, mountain biked, filled our home and yard and car with all the neighborhood kids, eaten ice cream, camped in Hosmer Grove, directed Stake Girls Camp and celebrated birthdays. Ember turned 6 and I turned 35!

So what have we learned:

Amy: My favorite thing was that I love spending time with my kids. I am exceptional at taking them on adventures of fun. I will miss them terribly when they are back in school. I learned that I am tired.

Sydney: Favorite thing was going to swimming and she learned to play "Each Life that Touches ours for Good" on the piano.

Ethan: Learned to short board and his favorite thing was surfing.

Ember: Learned how to make Phoenix Birds cut out of painted papers and her favorite thing was playing with her friend Eden at the beach.

Sophie: "My favorite thing was going to the goat farm" and she learned how to jump into the water all by herself at the pool and off a 3 foot rock at the bamboo hike!

Troy: "My favorite thing about this summer was taking my kids mountain bike riding and I learned that nothing says I love you like chocolate."