location: secret beach

On Saturday we were pumped to spend the day with our good friends Marc, April, and Kanoa at a beach on the north shore. Quite a few months ago we did a "north shore playdate" with them at Ehukai Beach Park, just down the way from world famous Pipe, and it was a blast. Yesterday we decided to venture over to a part of the north shore where none of us had ever been, and I'm really glad we did. The beach was empty. On a Saturday. In Hawaii. Mostly just us, a few kite surfers, and a bunch of turtles. There weren't any waves (big waves don't role in until winter), so the boys didn't go surfing, which meant that us girls could go snorkeling!

The little boys had fun digging in the sand, as did the big boys! ;)

I love the north shore, and would actually love to live there. But it's just so.darn.far.from.everything. (Relatively speaking.) It is definitely country. Beautiful country.

Passing fields of pineapples. Pineapples from the source are the sweetest, juiciest pineapples I've ever tasted. 

We setup shop, and were ready to have fun.

Until a storm blew through, just like last time. We hunkered down for about 10 minutes until it passed. And felt sorry for the kayakers we just saw paddle out, the boat out in the distance, and the plane full of skydivers. 

The skies cleared and it was blue skies and sunshine for the rest of our morning and afternoon.

Rob decided to take out his spear gun (technically a Hawaiian sling) and see if he could catch some lunch. Say hello to the state fish of Hawaii.

They boys asked things like, "can we touch his eye?" Cue groaning moms. 

And then they went back to playing some more. I tried really really hard to get a good shot of the boys, both looking at the camera in a semi-still state. Yeah, impossible. These two were constantly on the move. 

"Can I invade your personal space a little more, Kanoa?"

Rob spotted a honu down the beach so we went to check him out. We later saw quite a few more, eating the algae off the rocks and coral at the shoreline. 

This little stinker was in a timeout. I guess timeout isn't so bad when you're staring at the ocean. 

We had a fantastically exhausting day. We left soon after the effect of no naps took place. Meltdowns, sand throwing, high levels of chaos (more than normal), and we were all just plain pooped. So we packed it up and headed back to our sides of the island with the promise of doing this again very soon! I love this family, and am so glad that April and I met each other at random chance. Our (big) boys surf together on the semi-regular, and our little boys play well together. Well, they play like boys together. 

We were all pretty worthless when we got home. Oh, except Rob. He went surfing for a few hours. Beast. Christian and I chilled on the couch for the rest of the afternoon with early bedtimes. And as I reflect on yesterday, I can't help but think about how much I love Hawaii. I love living here. I love the beaches. I love our friends. I love our place here. I am spoiled, blessed, lucky, and I don't take it for granted. April and I were talking about that yesterday - neither of us, after living here for a few years, are "used" to how awesome it is. I pray that day never comes. God willing, we are all Hawaii "lifers." 

THREE!

Christian, my love -

You are three, and you are my "big boy." At least that's what we tell you. But when I slip and say that you're my "sweet little boy," you quickly correct me with "No, I a big boy!" Sigh. I love your charisma, your passion for everything you do. You are all boy, holding nothing back. No fear. I've learned to just roll with it, a little bit more, but you still make my mama heart skip a beat at least fifty times once a day.

Things that you love... you love PAW Patrol, and Tom & Jerry, with a sprinkle of Chuggington, Curious George, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Ok, so maybe we've given you a bit too much screen time. You also love the "cupcake game" on the iPad. You love the water. The beach. A beach baby through and through. You and daddy have this game you play in the ocean. Daddy yells, "HEAD FOR IT!" and you two charge the incoming wave to shore. A little body surfer. With your goggles on, you have no qualms about diving head first into a body of water. You love lizards. Especially all the little baby ones that live by our steps. And you're always trying to catch one. You love to ride your bike, and charge hills... even if you take a spill. You shake it off so fast and you're right back to it. No fear. You love your skateboard too. Thrill seeker.

You love and care deeply for your friends so so so very much. You love Mimi & Papa, and Nannie, and me too. But I know who really has your full heart and attention - Daddy. A daddy's boy all the way. The bond you two have makes my heart melt and I try not to get jealous. Daddy is the one who has taught you how to climb to incredible heights at the playground, so that when I take you, I know you know what you're doing. I know that I am your comforter. I kiss your boo boos. You know I can't start my day without your giant "Good Morning" hug, and I tell you how much I missed you while you were sleeping. I can't help but crawl into your tiny bed with you at night just before you fall asleep... partly from my own exhaustion and because I want your snuggles. You wrap your arm around my neck and my heart bursts. And then I wake up an hour later. You are so sweet, affectionate, and love deeply.

Birthday loot! Thanks Nannie! 

Just the frosting, please!

You love going to church, probably mostly to see your friends, especially Joey. And you drive me totally crazy when you kiddos run laps around fountain pool, and every week we say, "no running" to no avail. But you have learned that Jesus is your friend, and how much He loves you. You know that he has created the sun, the sky, the ocean, the mountains, and we constantly look around and say, "thank you God" because we have so very much to be thankful for. When I told you the baby girl in mama's tummy went to live with Jesus, you just looked at me thoughtfully, like you knew she was in good hands and that she was with a friend. Occasionally you would rub my tummy and say, "the baby lives with Jesus." And some days I would just lose it. I just love you so much and you are my miracle. Our miracle.

Belly buddies and best friends!

Some days my patience runs (really) thin, and I'm sorry. I'm working on it, I promise. I'm praying about it. It's a scary thing to pray for more patience.

You love people. You love to play tag at the park, or chase. There isn't a person that you wouldn't have as a friend. You love books. Right now your favorite books is this really really long one by Richard Scarry. It's not so much that you love when I read it, but you love to hunt for Goldbug.

You know your ABCs, can count to twenty, are potty-trained (WOOT WOOT! but trying not to jinx it) and are learning how to throw a proper shaka. A requirement for all people living in Hawaii. You frequently say you're "all pau" when you're finished with something, and you know them as slippers, not flip-flops. You know that a sea turtle is a honu, and that papaya grown on the tree out front is delicious. You love shave ice, and realize that it's a staple food. And every lady is an "aunty" and every man is an "uncle." You have so many aunties and uncles.

You love Baxter. Maybe just a little too much. But Baxter I think just loves the extra attention, no matter how rough it may be. Although you get quite irritated if Baxter (or Babu, as you call him) lays on or across your toys, especially while playing with them. Don't take it personally, it's just a thing that cats do. But I still love to hear your, "NO THANK YOU BABUUUU." Manners. Ah yes. Always a work in progress, but you're pretty good at using your pleases and thank yous freely. 

Gosh. You are such a light in our lives, a gift, Christian. Our wild, fearless boy. And we are so blessed that we were chosen to be your parents. We love you so much. And there's nothing in this world that would ever change that. 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy