Waipio Valley Hana Hou

Even though the summer solstice has long come and gone, yesterday was our family's self-declared summer solstice, since we were up from dawn to waytoolate and it sure felt like the longest day of the year. I rose at 6am to make and pack a picnic lunch (mama's on a budget) before we picked up the boys to join our friends on a trip to Waipio Valley. The last time we were there, Ryan was about 6 months old (see below). And get this- he claims he doesn't remember a thing. Wow. Super ungrateful.

Ryan's first trip to Waipio Valley with his godmother Aunty Kathy...pants optional of course. (Also...I can't believe how light his hair was!)

And big surprise he can't remember a thing...look at how captivated he was by the scenery! Apparently it was quite the snore fest.)  

Sorry, couldn't resist. How cute was he? Hairless, chubby...so different from today. :-)

The always stunning, captivating view from the top... 

The view from the floor of the valley

The boys spent the entire time in the freezing (fresh water) river instead of the ocean

The fun (aka 'dangerous') discovery of the day- scrambling up the dry river rocks and then jumping back into the water to ride the strong current back down to the ocean (nearly getting 7 concussions as you bumped your way down). I nearly broke all ten of my toes (which to be fair, are freakishly longer than the average persons, therefore making me far more prone to rare accidents such as these) on the slippery, uneven river rocks trying to retrieve a ghetto, makeshift boogie board Rich gave them). Though I swear I was literally frozen in pain and could barely walk after the accident, I have managed to adapt by walking around entirely on my heels. It looks like I'm 70 (since I have to leverage my weight by hunching over while I waddle around). But thank God, I don't have ten miniature casts on my tootsies.

Where the river flows into the sea (love the silt-like black sand beach)

Because we are gluttons for punishment, after we were done swimming and picnicking in the valley (sadly, no wild horse sightings...thereby leaving me with a dozen carrots in my fridge), we stopped at the pumpkin patch in Waimea. And like all pumpkin patches, I will only say that it was NOT a bargain. Fun, but sooo not cheap.

Riding a train never gets old for him...ever, ever, EVER.

We had to haul our okoles home to get back in time for Riki's birthday party at the pool...and thanks to a fondant-related crises the night before, I had only an hour to finish Riki's cake. (Which was a failed attempt to create a Hanshin Tiger's souvenir cheering toy that would be almost unrecognizable to even the most die hard of fans.) I managed to put his name on it in katakana/kanji and the team logo...but that was about all. I think it looks like a cross between an elongated light bulb and a spanking paddle. (God, I'm good!) Thankfully, he was not picky. Critical ("I had no idea what it was, Aunty."), but not picky. Love how kids spare your feelings! ;-)

Happy birthday to one of my favorite nephews ever! (He definitely ranks in the top 4...of 4.) :-)

We managed to get home about 12-13 hours later, only to find that Ryan's brand new, freshly laundered Monsters, Inc. blanket from Costco had been attacked by ants! Welcome to island insect life!!! Apparently, they love to eat cotton. Who knew?! Thus far, they've attacked our stash of Costco toilet paper, tissues, paper towels and now- Ryan's blanket. ??!?!?! So we got to spend half an hour vacuuming the bed, stripping the bed, picking the ants off Ryan, etc. Fun after a long, hot day. Great, great fun...

As tired as we were, and though we have sworn off doing any activity longer than 5 minutes with the boys on the weekend, we were happy to see the three of them so happy. And that's what life is all about right? Putting smiles on the faces of those you love, losing all of your money at the pumpkin patch, nearly breaking all of your toes and making misshapen light bulb birthday cakes...it's all good. :-)