We Are Going To The Zoo Today!

Wow, we had a great time at the Honolulu Zoo today! Here are some of our sitings there....

After a long day at the zoo we came home and did some investigating. Right before we left the Zoo we stopped at the gift shop and each one of the boys picked out something to get. Colin picked out a Dig and Ryan a Cheetah (his favorite animal I think). Colin had to dig his prehistoric bones out of sand to see what he had.

Then on to make Pizzas for dinner! Pineapple, pepperoni, and ham for Colin and Ryan, Pepperoni, scallions and green pepper for Grandpa and Pineapple and Chicken for Grandma.


YUMMY dinner!! Since Riley had been in the house all day, the boys hopped on their bikes and we all headed down to the park and played a wild game of Riley and his leash with some of the neighborhood kids.


It wore everyone out! Came home and got into PJs and climbed into the tent. A couple of stories and time for bed. The boys spent another great night in the tent...all night.

Friday

Just a very busy day today. Neither Colin nor Ryan had school as it was one of the Prince's Birthdays so we played games and went to the pool. Ohhhhh...bursey! It's been cool and rainy all week and the water was very chilly! They didn't last very long before we headed to the side and some drying out and warming up! Mom finished packing and we had lunch and then headed for the airport. We dropped Mom off and then took Colin to art where he drew a cello with charcoals. He did a very nice job, but Grandma forgot to put the camera back in her purse so no pictures. That's okay--we'll get the real thing next week.

Made a quick stop at Costco while we were waiting and then headed home to set up the tent in the playroom for the big weekend campout! Had hot dogs and beans for dinner, had a great ride/walk after dinner and then headed for the tent! Some stories, a few books and time for bed. All of their animals had come down earlier in the day, so they had alot of company in the tent. Riley came in and laid down while we were reading books and spent the whole night. They actually did sleep all night!

One Very Busy Thursday!

Up this morning and Mom packed lunch for Ryan for the Thursday Lunch at School program and she dropped him off at school and then the rest of us headed for the Dole Plantation near the North Shore to meet with Andy and Zach and Conner and their Moms. The boys and Moms were going to go through the Maze (in 2008 it was the Guinness World Record holder for largest maze) while Grandma and Grandpa were going to go through the Botanical Garden there. It was a beautiful day--sunshine finally! Here is a walk through the garden with us....

Gum Tree - one of our favorite Hawaii trees!

Meanwhile the Moms and kids finally made it through the maze. It was a tricky one! But, they got all their stations stamped and made it out! Congratulations!!!

Colin and Jill then joined Grandma and Grandpa for a real treat on the patio - Pineapple Whip! Yum!!!

Mom dropped us off and then went to pick up Ryan. That afternoon we got out Colin's Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do and did a little experimenting with vinegar and baking soda....made a great volcano!

Then a little computer time with some games on www.pbskids.com--very fun! Mom went to run last minute errands for her trip to the Mainland and before we knew it it was time for dinner. Then prep time for the practice run through with sleeping bags on the bedroom floor.

and the last book before Mom heads out of town....

Whew, very busy and fun day again!

Ice and Rocks Today!

Another busy day today. Ryan headed off to school and when Mom and Colin came back they got in their warm clothes and headed for the skating rink. Grandpa headed to the gym across the street and Grandma worked on a menu for next week when we have the boys and a shopping list.

Colin's skating has improved a lot since the last time we were here.

They skated as long as they could before they had to go get Ryan at school. They all came home and we had lunch and talked about the morning events and then about 2:00 we headed for the Rock Climbing Wall. The Barkers joined us and two other friends of the boys. It was a good climbing session. Colin got all the way to the top of one wall and then over it to a small wall higher up and got to the top of that. Then he tried lots of shorter trips.

Ryan did a great job too. He found great delight in going half way up and then jumping down...fearless!
They really had a good time. Home again and some time in the park across the street to burn off any energy they might have left. Dinner and then off to bed for sweet dreams. Fun day!

Game Day

Off to school for Ryan this morning. When Mom got home we decided to check the butterfly situation and one had emerged from the chrysilis. We took the cage outside on the lanai and turned the top so the butterfly could fly away when her wings were dry.
Colin decided to have a game day today. First game...Monopoly Junior. Colin whipped all of us both games!
Then on to Sorry, Toy Story 3 Operation and a couple of others after that. A fun, challenging morning. Mom went to get Ryan and we had lunch when they got back. Some stories and more play while Grandma walked and before we knew it it was time to take off for baseball practice. This was the first meeting, but the kids got a lot of playtime.

Colin and Caroline (the only girl on the team) listen intently to Coach Ryan.

Throwing practice...

Nice throw Colin!!

running through first base.

It was a great practice. Unfortunately, we will leave before the first game. Alot of these kids were on the same team with Coach Ryan last year so should be a good year for them all. We headed home and Grandpa fired up the grill and steak, cheese broccoli and rice appeared shortly with banana pudding to finish it off. Yum! Baths and story time and off to bed. Busy day but another very fun one!