Christmas Eve

This month started off with the state gymnastics meet. Our gym was in charge so it was a busy weekend of setting up, working the different levels, and then clean up. Megan worked with the floor judge during Anja's meet and Anja worked with the floor judge during Megan's meet. The judge said they did great and stated that Anja only fell off her chair once during the whole meet. Megan got first place on bars with a 9.6 She got the best score of all level 5's. Anja got 4th place all around for her age level. We were very proud of both of them. Megan has moved up to level 6. Secondary to Anja's injury, she will stay a level 4 and be on team with Jackie who tried out the day after state and made team. All my money goes to ITG(our gym.)








The day after states, we got our hair cut for Locks of Love. We had been determined to do this since a friend of the girls was diagnosed with Leukemia 4 years ago. I had to cut off all my highlights and grow my hair out again. The girls patiently waited until my hair was long enough. I then made them wait until states were over because putting short up would have been impossible. Here are the before and after pictures.







The following day, we finished school and I began to prepare lunch. The girls were doing gymnastics in the living room. Nothing new. Anja was attempting to do an ariel(a no handed cartwheel for you non gymnastics types.) Mind you this is a level 7 skill and she is only a level 4. She completed several decent ariels before she grew tired. On her 3rd or 4th attempt, I heard crrraaaaccckkk!!! Yes, I heard it and so did the other kids. I was on the phone with my mom. I threw the phone down and ran to her. Her wrist was bent down and her forearm was in a U shape. I yelled at all the kids to get in the car and we rushed to Tripler(our military hospital) Anja broke both her radius and ulna in half and fractured the radial head near her elbow. She's now in a cast for 9 weeks. Lucky for her it was after states and the tech was willing to give her a cast with Christmas colors.






Now it's Christmas Eve and my parents are here. We've had fun making gingerbread houses, seeing the military boats and subs decked out in Christmas lights, and even taking them to our anual Christmas Party at the gym. It was potluck, the only way my dad would have gone. As I sit here and write I thank God for sending His Son. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because of the sacrifice God made. What a blessing that is. May God bless you in the coming year as He has blessed us.

Fall Fun

Yes, Jackie did play soccer. I only got a few shots because either I forgot the camera or when I finally did bring it, the batteries died. She had a great season and all but one of the girls will be returning to play together in the spring. Pete and our old neighbor will co-coach Jackie's team again. Jacob will get a chance to play on his own team and Anja will be playing on a team as well as continueing with gymnastics. I thought the fall was busy!


Here are a couple of pictures of our Halloween pumpkins. They do have a pumpkin patch in Hawaii! We had to make 2 separate trips because the pumpkin patch was only open on weekends and the older two girls swap times at the gym. Megan had to go it alone with daddy. Anja took forever finding just the right one. She had to get imput from everyone and still had to play eeny meeny. Jacob and Jackie were quick to pick little round ones and Megan went for the biggest she could find.

Jackie is into self portraits. Thought you would think this was funny. She's pretty technologically smart. She's not afraid to "play" with my phone, the computer, the camera, the T.V. She's always having to teach the others how to use things.



Jackie is playing soccer this season and loves it! She says it is more fun than gymnastics. It's a better way to get out her aggression than taking it out on her brother and sisters. Her team colors are purple and black. I have yet to remember the camera to take pictures. Jacob loves to practice with them on Wednesday nights and can't wait until he's old enough to play. He was the first one to try on Jackie's uniform





Megan and Anja have had two meets so far this season. They both are working hard to improve their skills. Lucky for me, a friend watched Jackie and Jacob during the meet on Sunday. We were there from 9a.m. until 5p.m. Those two would never have survived that day. The girls have this weekend off and will compete next weekend at our gym's sponsored meet, The Princess Classic.


Jacob got a new bike and asks to go riding every day. Bummer for both of us that we have to pack the bikes in the van and head to a park somewhere because the hill we live on is too steep to ride your bike on. He loves riding without his training wheels but still needs some help getting started. He's also swimming by himself now. My baby is growing up!

Fun with Meemaw

Jacob learned to ride his bike without training wheels with Meemaw's help. He could have learned before he turned 4 but I was too lazy to take off his training wheels. He really wanted to try so I gave in and off he flew. He didn't need any help except a little push for takeoff.



This is a picture of the kids with Meemaw on our hike up Diamond Head. The view was amazing. We could see Maui, Lanaii, and Molokai. A guide that was up there said that it was a rare treat.

Jacob's birthday

We celebrated Jacob's birthday at none other than "Gymnastics!" Why not spend 7 days a week at the gym instead of our usual 6. The only boy Jacob invited was the coaches son. Poor Jacob. He's always surrounded by girls. For some reason all the family friends we've made have only daughters. This may come in handy when Jacob gets older. Right now, it's just more girls to boss him around.

Jacob cut his hair

This post is by Megan.

This is what happens when you cut your hair. You get it cut really short. While I was brushing my hair on the 24 Jacob walks in, takes a piece of hair, and holds the scissors up like he's going to cut it. I said "No Jacob you'll get your hair shaved short." He said "I not really Meme." (Thats what he calls me.) So we go on with a normal day but after picking me up from gymnastics, coming home, and going into the bathroom to brush our teeth we saw hair all over and scissors 2 feet away. At first we thought someone must have cut dolls hair but it was real. Mom asked Jackie, Anja, and Me if we cut our hair. Then she asked Jacob and he said "Yes Mommy I cut my hair." Mom asked him "Do we cut hair." Jacob said "No." "What can you cut." Mom said. "Paper." Jacob answered. Mom then told him he'd have to get it shaved short tomorrow. Anja always not liking people to get in trouble said "Mommy, Mommy No don't shave his hair." Mom told her "It's his punishment. He shouldn't cut his hair next time." She added "It's funny you could hardly see he cut it he has that much hair." As soon as I could I grabbed a camera and took a picture of him so we could always remember how he used to look. The next day We went to the barbers shop. Mom told the lady to cut his hair Military style and she did. As his bangs got shaved away I closed my eyes so I could not see how different he looked. After he was done the lady spun him around so he could see himself in the mirror. Instead of looking he hid his face. Mom picked him up and faced him towards the mirror but he only hid in moms shoulder. We all kept laughing because we were shocked. Jacob said he didn't like us to laugh so we tried hard not to laugh. At home I asked if I could take a picture of him now that his hair was gone. he said "I guess so." In a sad kind of way. I took a picture of him and compared it to what he used to look like... He looked pretty different. We're all getting used to it now still its a shock. Hope you guys can get over it like we did soon.

Sleep Over 21 Jul

Last night my friend Rachel came over with her 3 girls. Her husband is deployed in Iraq and our girls go to gym together. Since Pete is gone, we decided to have a sleep over. She made dinner and I made breakfast. Anja and Megan made brownies for dessert. We all stayed up until after 12 p.m. Needless to say, everyone's a little grumpy today. Rachel has 3 girls and then there's my 3 girls, Rachel and me, are you feeling sorry for Jacob yet? He survived! Someday, he's going to make a great husband. We all had a blast. Jacob and Megan slept with me, Jackie, Anja, and Elizabeth(Rachel's oldest daughter) slept Sorry, no pictures. I forgot!

Anja and Megan passed their swim tests today and move up to the next class. Megan will be in an intermediate class and Anja moves to the advanced beginner. Jackie has to repeat and I'm hoping to enroll Jacob in the next session. In Hawaii, you get to have swim lessons year round. Yay for us!

I'm in the process of learning how to download pics from my camera to the computer in order to put them on this website. I may have to wait until Pete comes home. It may be awhile before new pics arrive.

pictures

This picture is of the kids checking out helmets worn on a war ship in WWII.


This is a picture of the kids on a pontoon boat in Kaneohe Bay. There is a huge sand bar in the middle of the bay where you can get out and play. People even BBQ out there with their grills in the sand.

The second picture is of the kids checking out helmets worn on a war ship in WWII.

First Attempt

A picture of Anja,Megan,and I at the gymnastics banquet.

My friend Tricia has wanted me to start a blog for a long time now. So here goes...

The girls are still busy with gymnastics. Megan will be competing level 5 this year and practices over 16 hours a week. Anja will be in her first year of competition as a level 4. Jackie is on pre-team but I think she likes soccer better. Jacob takes one class a week just until he is old enough for soccer, t-ball, football, or something. He likes it okay.

This year I have enrolled the kids in a public charter school. They will go to school one day a week and be with me the other 4. It is mastery based so they can work at their level. I will have teacher support so that is a good thing. My only bummer is that I will have to be on a public school schedule.

Pete is in Virginia until the end of August. He is taking some military course. Typical me, I can't remember the name of it. He is studying hard. Lucky for me my mom is coming for the month of August to help me out.

I am busy being a housekeeper, cook, taxi driver, schedule planner, referee, etc. I love my jobs and being home with the kids. I count it as a huge blessing.