Day 75- Summer is ending soon!

So much activity! Behind on posts, so here is a recap of several weeks highlights.

Finished our Summer book study of "The Mean Mom's Guide to Raising Great Kids" with some MOPS moms... Had a Skype session with author Joanne Kraft from Tennessee... Super fun!

Took a trip to Great America with friends. K is big enough to go on rides by herself. Yay! So I don't need to get nauseous, lol.

Took our annual outing to a local street art festival

I waiting in line for an hour on Tsum Tsum Tuesday for Aladdin toys, only to find half already sold out...

Went to see a musical production of Mary Poppins

K tested for her yellow belt in karate...

K did 3 VBS camps in July and August. The Captain's Aye at our church, where she filled out a decision card to follow God, and a Mega Sports camp, where she did cheerleading. So much fun! 

And we just got back from a weekend in Monterey, where K went kayaking for the first time. We saw seals and sea otters up close, it was awesome! We also saw whales just off the coast from shore!

School starts next Monday! Hard to believe!

Day 56- home improvement

Had most of the interior of our house painted. Now carpet going in upstairs. This is our living room now...

Now, to move stuff back upstairs, to get the downstairs installed! Summer of leisure? HA!

Here are some shots of the new carpet...

Day 54- Monterey weekend

My husband's mom is moving to Japan next month, and we went down to spend the weekend. We have Monterey Bay Aquarium membership, and our favorite spots to eat. Always a good time!

Here are some collage highlights...

Some other highlights from last week, dressing like cows for free Chick Fil-A meals...

Create a book camp, sharing her origami story book...

Day 51- The Project

Had the interior of our home painted. What a difference! Looks like a new house. It's been hectic boxing up stuff and cleaning. But the results are worth it!

Master bed and bath:

Downstairs:

K's room:

Other fun outings: Great America, K loves the big rides now. 

And meeting stars of Aerial Ice Extreme:

Backyard camping:

Day 46- Summer is flying by

I have not blogged in July yet. It's been crazy! We have had swim classes. We gave up in Preschool, when K couldn't progress to a ribbon, or put her head under water for long. 4 years later, she gets 3 ribbons in 7 lessons! Amazing!

For the 4th of July, we have gone to our city's parade for the past 4 years with friends. This year, the friends multiplied, and took over the entire corner. So much fun!

Here is a photo from 2 years ago:

And this year:

Then, we went to SF Symphony at Shoreline Ampitheatre, with selections from The Sound of Music, and fireworks! My daughter was part of one of the pre- show entertainer's bit- we know him because I had booked him to perform at my library. We ran into friends too, but I didn't get pictures.

Day 34- Busy!

Took on some home improvement projects, which are taking up my time. We are getting new carpet upstairs, painting interior, and eventually redoing floors downstairs, and window treatments.

To get it all done, I have been getting estimates, and trying to declutter. When my husband and I got married 9 years ago, we combined two households of stuff. We both owned homes, and are both pack rats. Since the addition of our danger, also a pack rat, we have amassed a lot of stuff! I've been shredding, recycling, and donating, but it doesn't seem to make a dent!

K has science camp this week, so it's the first week since vacation I have been kid free for a few hours. She is a good kid, in that she will sit and read or play self directed, so I realize I have it pretty "easy" as a stay at home mom.

Day 27- Stay at Home Mom

Why do they call it being a stay at home mom? I feel like I'm out more now than when I was working.

Today, errands, plus swim class for K. She hasn't been taking swimming since she was about 3.5. Did well today, I think being in the water in Hawaii helped. Whew. Hopefully she will learn to swim, as I never did. It was a Groupon 4 class deal, and she did back to back classes, and had a private lesson the first half today.

She did so well, I treated her to Menchie's frozen yogurt, and almost forgot about free donut day at Krispy Kreme. We missed National donut day. Because we were in Hawaii. That's one happy girl!

She is also rediscovering the rainbow loom, the hype of that blew by fast. She occupied herself for 3 hours at my hair appointment yesterday! I love her big heart. Today, out of the blue she said, "I wish we were a little bit rich, so we could give half our money to help the poor."

Day 21- Fair Day

Today we went to opening day at the County Fair. $1 entry, $1 rides. It was about 400 degrees though. I hate heat. Armed with a spray fan, cool it towel, and water bottles, we met friends, rode rides, ate corn dogs, and got Icee. Had to get cool in the shopping areas. Pirate show was fun too. Making memories... 

Day 20- Proud Mama Moment

We try to teach our daughter strong moral values, and what is important in life isn't material things. She loves to learn about Jesus, and has a sweet heart. Today I got a call from a cancer charity we donate to. After I got off the phone, K asked who I was talking to. I told her, and she inquired, "What's cancer?" And I explained that it is a very bad disease that makes people sick. We have been praying for my cousin battling pancreatic cancer, but haven't really specified what she has. K immediately responded, "I'd rather give to that than go to Japan." We have been planning to visit family there next year, and her beloved grandmother is moving there this Summer. I was so moved by her statement, tears sprang into my eyes, and I gave her a big hug and told her she is very giving, and that I am proud of her. She was kind so surprised, like what's the big deal? I love moments like these, and if I was at work, this conversation would not have happened.

Day 19- Summer fun

Today I finally woke us both up in time to make Zumba class at the gym. Yay. I sweat some bullets, and had lots of fun too. It's been a couple weeks. After shower, we went to my summer moms book group. I was on the book launch team, and was included in some quotes for "The Mean Mom's Guide to Raising Great Kids." And about 7 of us are doing a book study this Summer. I love my MOPS moms. Even though I graduated a year ago, they are still my peeps.

I promised K that I would take her to Subway for lunch, and after lunch, we did hide and seek with a Shopkins 2- pack. If you don't know what Shopkins are, it's the hottest toy on the market, and hard to find. She was clingy at book group, so I had to bribe her to let me lead the group. 

Then a friend texted to meet up at our favorite milk tea place, and we took off. I love this new found freedom. After that, we went to the library to play the summer reading game, and collect our first prizes. Then Dinner before karate class. 

Day 15- I love sleep

Still sleeping past 8 am. It's 1 pm now, and K is still in her Jammie's, watching a movie, and eating lunch. I have cleaned, done laundry, and prepped for small group. We spent some time drawing scenes from our vacation.

I took K to the American Girl store for an event, and let her stay and enjoy herself leisurely for almost 2 hours... She got Grace, the girl of the year, and a few other things. We didn't rush. I took pictures of other things she wanted. She spent some of her own money, and watched dolls get their hair done. And then we went and had dinner at The Melt... No worries about sitting in traffic, since I won't be rushing to After care at school. I took back roads, and it didn't seem to take long. Amazing how this same commute while working would stress me out.

Life is good.

When hubby came home from work, this is how he found us...

Day 13- Summer sinks in

Today I would normally be back at work after vacation. Since I don't have to work, I get to sleep in, no alarm clock. It's going to be difficult to get back on PST at this rate. Daughter is up earlier at least. Her friend is spending the day with us, so I guess she is motivated to wake up.

She is waiting and waiting for her buddy to come over. We have a leisurely morning, as they do workbooks (this Asian mom, not so much tiger, but still fighting the "Summer slide"). I can hear them chatting and giggling as I work on my trip photo book on the computer. After lunch, they watch a movie, and I finish a book. A book that I just started last week on vacation. I could get used to this life. We go over to the park for a bit, but it is cloudy and windy... Compared to the 90+ degrees of sunburn in the park yesterday. I start a new book.

After dinner (Taco Tuesday), K gets to go with her friend to piano lessons. And I watch the basketball game with hubby. I am enjoying this Summer of leisure so far! And I didn't spend any money today. Except for the photo book order, which I had a coupon for.

Book finished: A Brewing Storm by Richard Castle

Book started: All the light We Cannot see by Anthony Doeer

Number of Summer reading logs daughter is working on completing: 4

Day 12- Home sweet home

Back from Hawaii a couple days. Still on the wrong time zone, and came home to a heat wave. It's hotter than Hawaii today. And I got sunburned at the park!

Here is my top food picks for our trip to Oahu:

Shaved ice at Waiola- lilikoi, mango with ice cream

Chicken musubi from Foodland 

Guava bread from Foodland

Chicken katsu curry at Curry House CoCo Ichibanya

Manapua (pork buns) from Chun Wah Kam

Fresh Strawberry mochi from Kansai Yamato

Matsumoto's shave ice- tropical- guava, lilikoi, papaya with condensed milk

Dole whip at Dole Plantation

Zippy's chocolate dobash cake

Chocolate peanut butter mochi from Kansai Yamato

Coco puff from Liliha Bakery

Plate lunch from Rainbow Drive Inn

Shaved ice from Shimazu Store- Georgia peach, guava, lilikoi

Hot malasadas from Leonard's 

Misoyaki butterfish, crab cakes, and chocolate soufflé from Roy's

Ko'Olina sunset (cocktail at our resort)

Fried shrimp saimin from Shiro's

Chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies from Betty's Cookies

Chocolate dipped shortbread from Honolulu Cookie Company

No surprise, I gained a few pounds on that trip? Time to hit the gym! 

Today, we had a play date with friends, picnic in the park, visited the grandparents, and signed up for another library Summer reading program. Karate class tonight, and a baby shower dinner with the girls.

Day 9- Last day in paradise

Pretty much did a whole lotta nothing today. Started in the pool, progressed to snorkeling at the beach, and back to the pool. Leftovers for lunch. Packing. Quick trip to Target and a Starbucks stop with the kid. Hubby took K back for pool time, and I kicked it on the lanai. Does vacation have to be over?

Last dinner in Oahu... Where shall we eat? I've hit about 18 spots on my massive food list- not too shabby! We end up at Shiro's Saimin Haven. I had fried shrimp saimin. Hit the spot. And another slice of Zippy's dobash cake, yes please!

A week flies by, but I think I gained 8 pounds, so it's probably long enough! K just said, "this week sure flew by fast! I feel like I've been here just half a day!" From the mouths of babes...

Some parting shots from our resort...

Day 8- To the top of the world!

Hiked up Diamond Head. Got parking close to the trail head- cool, saved from walking another mile! Cloud cover helped us stay a bit cooler, but it was strenuous, and I barely made it. I knew to take the route to the left after the tunnel, but hubby and daughter were ahead and took the steep route. They did fine though, and K wanted to take the steep route back, but I made her take the easy road. :-) It is gorgeous, but you really should wear sneakers, we only packed Crocs and flip flops.

Worked up an appetite! Luckily, Rainbow Drive Inn is only a mile away! Hello mixed plate! (Mahi Mahi, teriyaki beef, chicken). Yum!

Followed by shave ice #4 for me at Shimazu Store. Probably the priciest shaved ice, but lots of choices. Parking is difficult, and K fell coming out- watch out for that step! She dropped her shaved ice, bit they quickly made her a new one. The small size is as big as her face!

Quick stop for coco puffs at Liliha Bakery... Probably the best thing I ever ate on Oahu! I only bought one, and one chocolate covered puff, cuz we have so much food collected. You can pick up a pack of frozen ones, and I am tempted... But we already have one extra bag going home, filled just with cookies!

Back for a rest for my kid, and her swollen ankle, then a dip in the pool before dinner. Hubby fell asleep on the lanai, but took her to snorkel when we got back from pool time.

We love Roy's restaurant, and there is one in the Ko 'Olina golf course nearby. Love how kid friendly this Roy's is. Kid's meal comes with starter, brought out right away, juice, entree (K got the short rib), and cookie ice cream sandwiches. One happy kid. I checked in on Yelp, and scored a chocolate soufflé, one of my all time favorites! I had the crab cakes, which were awesome! Misoyaki butterfish (sublime), and soufflé. I asked for the cocktail I had at our resort, Ko 'Olina sunset, but our server wasn't familiar with it, and had the bar whip up a peach martini with citrus and guava juice. Yum! 

Our nicest meal so far on the trip!