"Bye-bye, love/bye-bye one-sided deafness/hello, noisiness/I think I'm going to try-y"

Good morning, gang...

I wonder if this isn't too public a forum to post on a matter as sensitive as this--ha! Now I've got your attention, eh? :D

No, really, in all seriousness, I just wanted to let the interested and concerned know--and there seem to be more of you out there than I realized--that my ear surgery is scheduled for June 11th. If you don't know what I'm talking about, but would like to, feel free to e-mail me; I'm going to spare the faint-of-heart the details here. :p

Anyway, I hope you're having a great weekend; I'll check in later, and let you know how I feel about laser light shows...(oh, the suspense!)

A hui hou!

Armed Forces Day Parade

It was a big day here in Bremerton. As many of you know, Kitsap county has a huge military population, being home to a naval shipyard, a trident submarine maintenance facility, and a naval underwater weapons center (obviously, my husband is sitting here with me, feeding me this information. :p And he says I should not fail to mention all of the other military installations found throughout the Puget Sound. :)). So it should come as little surprise that it is also home to the oldest, and purportedly largest, Armed Forces Day parade in the nation. Armed Forces Day is celebrated every third Saturday in May, to honor those in all branches of the military. Apparently, it's a bigger deal than I realized; we saw the likes of local TV personalities, Congressman Norm Dicks, and even Adm. Gary Roughead, the Navy's top officer, flew in from D.C. to be part of the festivities. (You learn something new every day...as his vehicle--with security detail--went by, I asked Daniel, "Who's that guy?" He could only look at me in disappointment and shake his head. :p)

It's been a while since I'd been to this parade, so when Uncle Josh--known around B-Town as "The Man"-- told us he was helping build a float for it this year, we just knew we had to brave the crowds and go cheer him on. Here are a few pictures from the chaos--I mean, the fun:

Local Royalty

Military Vehicles (Seabees, Uncle Terry!):

Various car clubs

And some pretty cool floats:

Of course, our favorite happened to be PSNS's Apprentice float:

Heyyyyy....wait a minute! I recognize some of those kids!

Yep, the girls also got to be in the parade this year! Like I said, Uncle Josh is "The Man." Here they are with the float, post-parade:

Needless to say, they had a blast. In fact, Malia wants to go back tomorrow and do it again. :) She'll be kind of lonely! :)

"Fruit-O, O Fruiti-O, Where Art Thou, Fruiti-O?"

Okay, so this may be the oddest post ever, BUT....

The girls and I were having a deep, intellectual discussion about--ta da!--fruit snacks. (Yes, this is my life. And I would not trade it for anything.) We were comparing the merits of various brands, considering what makes a fruit snack worthy of falling upon our lips. (Believe me, we're not that picky. Some of us less so than others. "Ha-choo-malia-ha-choo!").

In any case, this brought to remembrance an old favorite--Brach's Fruiti-Os! Do you remember those? I'll be honest--when my sister whipped out my inaugural packet, I was not impressed. But, over time, they kind of grew on me. I don't know if it was the simplicity of their plain O-shape, or the perfect consistency of these little treats, but they did become a matter of habit for me. Fortunately, I had a child with which I could justify this kid-ly indulgence. I hear real grown-ups don't eat fruit snacks.

In any case, I scoured the internet--okay, not really--but could find no sign of them.

Does anyone know what ever happened to the Great and Wondrous Fruiti-O?

By the way, if you're still reading this, I applaud you. You either have a high tolerance for the mundane ramblings of a chaotic mind; or you're a great friend who loves me more than I know; or maybe now, you were once a great friend who has lost all respect for me after reading this post. :p

Kiana's 8?

So, Kiana Re' turned 8 years old yesterday.

I meant to post on her actual birthday, but I was a tiny bit busy trying to put together the mini birthday party I said we weren't having. I kind of burned out on birthday-party planning, just in time for them to become important to my children--go figure!

Here's the birthday girl, on her way to school.

Her birthday cake. She originally requested a purse cake from Baskin-Robbins, but then changed her mind after she sampled some "Sin" at Aunty Jen's house. We made a chocolate-peanut butter version of it.

(It was her idea to sprinkle her name into it. :) )

The birthday girl, post-present-opening. Her "theme" this year is American Girl, and everyone kindly indulged that. Thanks, Uncle and the DeGroots!

Josh, hassling Anya; Anya, pretending she doesn't notice

Earlier in the day, we did the cupcake thing with her classmates. I was going to take pictures of that, but, as usual, I forgot my camera. Oh, well. It was fun, she was smiley, spent a good amount of time on the phone with various ones who called with birthday wishes. I should end this post before I start getting all sentimental; I just can't believe how quickly time flies!

A hui hou!

A Message From The Girls

Same Day, Different Video

Here's another one to tickle your funny bone:

Goofy, huh? These are the videos I pull up when I'm having a "Go-to-your-room-right-now-I-am-fed-up-with-your-attitude-where-did-you-learn-to-be-so-sassy?!?!" day, and I need to remind myself how lovely they can be. :)

Hula Hooping, Miki-Style

This following gem of a video needs no introduction.

I burst into fits of laughter every time I see it. Every time I think of it, for that matter.

In fact, I'm probably laughing about it, at this exact moment.

Sugar, And Spice.... And A Few Funky Outfits

That's what THESE little girls are made of, at least.

This afternoon, as I was wrapped up in doing laundry and various other domestic pursuits, it suddenly occurred to me that I had no idea where my daughters were. (I am the best mother ever. Not.) I found them in their room, producing, directing, starring, AND being the audience for their first major ballet production.

A few glimpses from a delighted mother:

This afternoon, they are ballerinas. Of a slightly Bohemian persuasion.

This is Miki's "Audience Member" outfit.

A little bit of the cuteness I must endure each day.

"Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire!"

Last night, the girls attended their first official 50's Sock Hop. It was a PTA-sponsored Family Fun Night (you rock, Michele!), and the girls had a blast!

All dressed and ready to go!

Daddy & his girls

Two cool dudes. :)

And, finally, my little twisters...

Hope everyone is well! A hui hou!

Um...

What am I doing here?

Wow. I think that's about as deep as it'll get, since what I really mean is, what am I doing trying to write a post, with no pictures or even coherent thoughts to show for it? :) Just warning you, I might bore you. Hang on a sec, while I go hunt for my memory card.

Okay, I'm back. Let's start with posting some pictures; perhaps that will inspire me, or at least give me something to talk about. :)

Let me start with a picture of Shilani and family. They came to visit us back in February, and I just never got around to posting this little family picture we took of them as they were heading out the door. It was so good to see her, and actually spend time with Jess, and the kids were happy to have some kid company! (Well, most of them were, anyway...:p)

Joey, Malia, Abby, Mikela, Kiana, and Jeannie, hanging out in Kiana's room. Kiana was pretty much bedridden for the last half of their visit--poor girl!








These are our girls, the morning after the Hawaii contingent arrived. (sigh) Let's just take a moment to gaze upon their cuteness....

The girls, being silly in the pool with Uncle Noah. I think he's a serious contender in the "Favorite Uncle" contest. I'm just saying.

Bruddahs. Minus One. (We missed you, Kale!!!)

We've spent most of our spring break outside; it's been exciting, as this video will demonstrate. :p


I apologize for the pic/video quality; I've officially lost my cute little pink camera, so most of these are off of my cell phone. Until next time....