Happy Birthday, Gwyn!

Four years ago, labor day took on a whole new meaning to me.  I was in labor.  I had started contractions around midnight on labor day.  And they just kept coming.  After 36 hours of active labor, little miss Gwyneth Jane appeared before our very eyes.  She was beautiful!

That was the day Wes and I became parents for the very first time.  It's been one very interested ride, so far.  Today, Gwyn is four years old (and going on 13).  She is funny, silly, shy around crowds, creative and most importantly - just Gwyn.  I am one proud mommy of this little girl.  Or shall I say, little lady?!

I asked Gwyn about 6 weeks ago what kind of birthday party she wanted.  On several occasions, she replied "Strawberry Shortcake".  So, Strawberry Shortcake it is.  I never thought it would have been so difficult to find SSC anything on this island.  What a nightmare!!!  Needless to say, we had a strawberry party with SSC highlights....

(Thank heavens for the Cricut I borrowed from a friend.)

Some centerpieces were strawberry plants, some were strawberries and others were full of strawberry bon bons.

The party favors.

 For the food, we had Strawberry Shortcake Friend inspired dishes....

Raspberry Torte's Warm Brie with Raspberries and Almonds

Plum Pudding's Pulled Pork with Plum BBQ Sauce

Pupcake's Pups in a Blanket

With those, we also had Blueberry Muffin's Summer Blueberry Salad and Orange Blossom's Orange Chicken.  I had Lemon Meringue's Lemon Rice, but it wasn't ready in time for lunch.  Oh well, you win some, you loose some.  It finally cooked just in time for cake....LOL.

Speaking of cake....

Strawberry Shortcake's House 

Sorry, this isn't a very good picture.

Here it is at the party.  The darn thing started to settle on me.  So it doesn't look as good.

Along with the pool and playground, we had a strawberry pinata.  This was HILARIOUS!!!  I loved seeing all the kids take turns whacking this pinata.  But, this strawberry wasn't giving up the ghost so easily.  It took another parent (thanks Tina) and me to knock it down and then rip it apart.

Birthday Girl and her cake

Gwyn and Gabriella

Many thanks go out to all who came to celebrate Gwyn's birthday.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  Also, thanks for all her presents.  We had to open everything as soon as we walked in the door.

Our New Favorite Island Excursion

A few months ago, Wes went up to the Kaneohe Bay Marine base and applied for his boating license.  With this, we can rent a pontoon boat for four hours and ride around in the Kaneohe Bay.

My parents have just about done everything they possibly could on Oahu.  I feel better this visit because we all went to the Big Island.  (See earlier post.)  But, one thing we haven't done on Oahu is rent a pontoon boat.  Today was the day!!

This morning we hopped on board the #5 pontoon boat at the marina.  We piled all our stuff: life jackets, cooler, towels, etc. and headed out to the sand bar.  I was the lucky duck chosen to jump in the water and anchor the boat in the sand.  Let's just say the water is a little chilly, only about 80 degrees.

Oh Captain, my Captain

Anchored at the sand bar

Sporting the dreaded life jacket.  She hated it!

Splashing in the ocean

This is about as much as I will ever post of myself in a bathing suit.

Wes's First Mate learning the ways of the sea.

I have to say that this was one of the best activities we have done in a while.  I can't wait to take the family again.  If anyone ever wants to join us, come on over.  We love visitors!

Gwyn's 3yr, 11mo Birthday Present

I know, I know.  She's isn't four just yet.  But, the grandparents wanted to see Gwyn get her birthday present.  (I blame them, not Wes....LOL).

Shhh, it's a surprise....

Gwyn's new bike

Brooke's new bike...(yes, it's Lightening McQueen).

They see the bikes for the first time....

Getting their helmets on and ready to ride....

I am sure you notice here that Brooke is no longer riding her new bike.  She seems to prefer the Radio Flyer we already had.  We're not too sure she's ready for the training wheels.  Not yet anyway!

The three of us climb on our bikes for a little rounding.

Ahem, Can I Have Your Attention?

Now that I have your attention.... I have to take a moment to brag a little bit on my dearest, talented husband.  I know most of the time you read about our two little girls.  But this is something I just had to share.

Our church podium was in need of a little tender, loving care.  Here is what it looked like:

From the front, you can see that the fabric covering the podium was "weathering" a tad.  (It used to be bright white.)

Wes and I were asked to recover it.  I guess my fabric magic spells have reached many ears by now.  But who needs fabric when you can use wood!!  Wes picked up the podium from the church building on Sunday, the 8th.  Monday night, we stripped it down to it's bare bones.

Tuesday night, Wes took it to the mystical, magical wood workshop and started transforming it into something better.

And then Wednesday night.....

Finally, Thursday night....

Isn't it amazing?  If you ask Wes, he will tell you not to look too closely.  However, I disagree.  I think he has a talent for wood and for detail.  (To brag on him even more, he built me a jewelry box a few years ago for my birthday that is absolutely beautiful.)

At this stage, the podium was mine.  I don't understand why the men in my family do not like to paint.  I love it!!  And so, painting the inside of the back and polyurethane-ing the outside was my job.

There is a plexi-glass protector on the top surface to give the preacher a complete flat surface to work with and to protect the monitor.

I wish we had taken a picture of the podium before we ever moved it from the pulpit so there would be a side-by-side comparison.  Nevertheless, I think you can tell that it looks much better.  I am quite proud of Wes and his handy work.  He put several hours in working on it.

Herbs, Herbs, Herbs

Have you purchased herbs at the grocery store lately?  Unbelievable!!!  I get so annoyed when I know I have to buy cilantro or basil at the store.  It's the same story every time.... they are out or it's expensive OR the stuff goes bad after a few days!  Frustrated is probably a better word for it.  Yes, frustrated.

So, what to do.... what to do....

Build me an herb garden.

I would love to be able to have a gorgeous, lush herb garden with all the herbs I could think of.  But, let's be realistic here.  I live in Hawaii where land is more than a premium.  It's greater than gold just about.  And if you can't go outward, you go upward!!

Here is my new lovely herb garden (that I hope not to kill before I reap any benefits).

The tipsy potted plants.  (I plan to add at least one more in the middle.)

This is Osmin Purple Basil.  I found it quiet interesting at the nursery.

I would love to say that I completely built this thing all by my lonesome.  But, I can't.  I had a helper (or two).

Gwyn loves to help me plant stuff.

PS. I do actually have another daughter.  She just doesn't like to have her picture taken.  NOT AT ALL.  I am lucky if I get one picture out of 500 of her.  The next good picture I get of her will definitely be posted.  

Princess Gwyn

Gwyn and I had the greatest honor to attend a Princess Tea Party this afternoon.  This has to be one of the best birthday parties I have ever attended.  Imagine it: seven little girls (and one boy) all sitting around a table with breakable dishes, eating food while wearing princess (or prince) costumes.  The best part was that they were quiet and behaving and quiet.  Did I mention they were quiet?

Upon arrival, Gwyn decided to be her typical self - non-conforming, withdrawn and shy.  She didn't want to change into a princess dress, nor have her make-up done, her fingernails painted, or hair did.  I thought we were doomed.  Then, there was a flicker of hope when she wanted her fingernails painted.  That's when I saw the light opening up at the end of the tunnel.  Next came the make-up, then the hair.  Lastly, she finally asked me for a dress.  Pink, it had to be pink.

Here's what we ended up with:

Throw in some accessories and you have Princess Gwyn:

First, they talked about manners at the table.  Then, out came the "first course" with cheese, goldfish, grapes and carrot sticks.  I don't think I have ever seen Gwyn eat so much in one sitting.  It didn't stop with these snacks either.  "Second course" was little sandwiches and hot dogs bites - Cleared. Her. Plate. (Insert smiling mommy face.) 

Here is Princess Katelyn and her royal court:

These seven little girls (and one boy) were amazing.  I have never seen such good behavior for such a long period of time (1.5 hours or so).  Cupcakes, gummy bears, twizzlers, and animal crackers finished off the "meal" like no other.  Of course Gwyn ate all that, too!

A huge THANK YOU to Katelyn for inviting Gwyn to be a princess for the afternoon.  She had so much fun (once she moved past the shy stage)!

Another First...

Back in March, Gwyn started Pre-school at the Armed Services YMCA on base.  I absolutely love her teachers and how they have given her so much more than I ever could (in the educational department, anyway).  So, tomorrow is Gwyn's last day of school for the spring.

It's my first time showing her teachers how much we appreciate them.  I searched and searched Pinterest to find the best gift I possibly could find and make.  There were so many to choose from that I was getting overwhelmed.  Wes even told me that I was over thinking it, too.  Ha, me?  No way!

I settled on this....

It may be hard to tell from the picture, but it's an insulated cup with candy (chocolate, of course) and a Starbucks gift card.  The flag reads "thanks a "latte" for quenching my thirst for knowledge".  I love it.  And, I think they will, too!

Here's to Ms. Joanna and Ms. Katie for all that you do for a little ones!  I am utterly grateful!