Ah, October

This morning was the first real frost of the year.  Crunchy white leaves and grass.  The pumpkins got carved last night for pre-fhe.  We're getting ready for trunk or treat and the chili cook off on Wednesday.  Thanks to Enoch, I have the awards ready for the winners.  We should see how far and wide his design has spread.  You might be surprised to hear that the girls are going as...Fairies!  Again! For how many years in a row?!

School.  Miriam is at home going to on-line school.  The learning curve for me has been a little steep, but I think I kind of have the hang of it.  It's not ideal, but it is what it is.  Gwyn is in second grade.  I have a whole new appreciation for the simplicity of seven.  Jesse is so close to being done with this trimester he can almost taste it.

This last year I spent a lot of time with the youth at church.  Sunday school teacher and girls camp director.  F-U-N!  I was a super awkward 15 year old, but I sure love hanging out with them now.   I was pretty sad to be released from those calling last week.  I'm in primary now, a little lost, but the kids are happy to tell me where I'm messing up.  Miriam was pretty appalled that I forgot to have the kids give the theme and scripture.  Who could forget that?  Obviously, Me.

The countdown has begun for December break.  The kids are motivated to work hard so that they can play hard with their cousins.  A whole month of Palmer fun in the Aloha state, I'm jealous of me.  How did I get so lucky?

Monday

A beautifully cool Wisconsin Monday.  The girls are on their fourth week of swimming lessons.  Miriam really is a Mermaid!  She is fun to watch.  So swift, she overtakes the other kids in her lane.  Gwyn is also improving.  I love watching her jump off the diving board.  Absolutely no hesitation.  Climb, walk to the end, jump.  Love it.

Meet Maggie

Jesse said that I really have to blog about Maggie. I think she makes up for not blogging for the past three months (or more)!

I went to Santa Barbara to help out Kaity while Danny was on a research trip. While I was gone, Jesse and the kids found Maggie at a shelter, paid for half of her (probably the friendly, non-aggressive half), and let me know I could pick her up the day after I flew home.

We've been looking for a companion animal for the family and especially Miriam. So the fam chose Mags. She's a Cairns Terrier, the same breed as Toto.  The shelter thinks she's around two, but who knows. 

And guess who Mags loves? Just call me Alpha Mom. Finally, some respect!  Although having a small dog at your feet all day can be kind of crazy.  I do a bit of tripping over her a couple times a day.  She has run with us in the morning.  She goes my pace and never complains when I want to walk.  Not incredibly motivational, but it's fun.

Maggie was a breeder for a puppy mill, so she has quite a few hang ups. Strangers, cars, trains, other dogs, children who try to leash her... Um. Should I go on? The ASPCA has some great pages on training, disciplining and taking care of your puppy mill dog.

It has been a challenging four days. I will be so excited when she poops outside, I'll probably brag about it more than when my kids potty trained! Her aggressive behavior towards other dogs is very challenging. She has little (wo)man syndrome plus puppy mill (un)civilization so we have out work cut out for us.

Despite all the challenges, we're super excited to have Maggie in our home.  She is very affectionate and loving, wants to please, and is happy to eat all the rest of the turkey bacon as treats that the kids thumbed their noses at.  We can't wait for everyone to meet Maggie!

Living

We can actually live in our living room now! Last Saturday, we brought home a piano and that groovy yellow chair. It may get reupholstered someday, but for ten smackaroos, it's perfect.
Jesse couldn't believe that I finally found my piano. He would scour craigslist for me and be baffled when none of them interested me. Then we saw this one. It's an older Baldwin studio piano, pretty good tone and pitch. Best of all, it was under budget.

I think I'm finally getting used to a mostly finished living room. For awhile there I felt like I was in the wrong house! I'd still like to find the perfect area rug, hang something over the mantel, put in some sort of heating unit (pellet or wood stove? Fireplace?), and wouldn't an antique umbrella stand with mirror look great next to that window? For now, it is pretty delightful having a mostly finished space.

Come visit us!  We'll hang in the living room!

Double Digits! 1-0

Miriam at about a year

It's hard to believe that my little baby is growing up so fast.  We love her so much and can't imagine life without her.  Miriam is so sweet.  She is so even tempered, kind, and helpful.  She keeps Jesse company on hikes and kayak trips while we wait for Gwyn to get bigger.  She loves her sister and is intensely protective of her.  She is probably the best older sister ever. 

We love and hate that she is growing up.  It's bittersweet to realize she won't be ours forever. 

Miriam this Christmas at Judd Memorial

We love you Miriam.  Thanks for letting us be your family. 

June's Fabric

This is my favorite place in Kalihi.  Ok, so Kalihi isn't on my top ten places to visit, but June's Fabrics is!  Cotton Poly blends start at 3.50 a yard.  100% cotton is 5.50 a yard.  I stocked up on fabric for muumuus, skirts, a shirt for Jesse, and lots of fun projects to be decided.

I was a pretty upset when I thought that they might have closed since they are no longer at their school street location.  (Yikes!  When I asked, they said they moved 5 years ago!)  I found them next to Kaiulani Elementary school on Austin Lane.  Jesse might freak, but I kind of want to go back and get even more!!  Or, we can just come back to Hawaii more often.  Hmm.  I like that one better.

If you are planning to go:

June's Fabric

938 Austin Lane

Honolulu, HI  96817

808-845-5400

Open 9-6 Mon-Sat

Happy Birthday Jesse!

So glad you were born.  So glad you married me.  So glad we have two great kids.  Hope your birthday was Awesome!

Heavenly Seven

Our baby girl just turned seven.  Can you believe it?  I can't imagine our lives without her.  Who would we play boardgames with?  Who would make us get shave ice?  Who would play with Miriam?  

We love her sassy spirit.  We love her salty looks.  We love that she lets us know that our idea of fun is not everyones.  We love that she keeps us social with her playmate demands and insider knowledge of everyone on the block.  

We love you G-wyn.  Love your smile.  Love your hugs.  Love your mafioso kisses (one on each cheek while grabbing your face.)  Thanks for letting us be your family.