Wilson Family

Wounded Warrior Regatta Honolulu, HI

2009-05-30T02:53:00.002-10:00

James will be in the Wounded Warrior Regatta today.

Check out more information on it at:
http://ourohanastory.blogspot.com/

If I get any pictures, I will post here.

Last day of Preschool

2009-05-29T23:43:00.003-10:00

Just thought that I would let everyone know that today was J's last day of preschool. It was kinda sad for all of us. She was worried as we left for school, her tummy "didn't feel right." I think she had fun today as she didn't cry while I was there like some of the other kids did. I believe she is excited to be able to ride the bus and go to school "with" M next year.

Gotta go.

Aloha Friday Recipe!!

2009-04-17T14:54:00.003-10:00

I decided for a change of pace today, instead of a main course, I would list a bread instead.

Bacon Cheddar Bread
Ingredients
1 Homemade Gourmet® World Vision for Life Basic Bread Mix
1 Homemade Gourmet® BLT Seasoning Mix
1-3/4 cup milk (or substitute 12-ounce can of beer)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 1 stick butter/margarine, melted

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, blend first four ingredients. (Batter will be lumpy.) Spoon batter into a greased 9x5 loaf pan.
2. Pour melted butter over batter. Place loaf pan on a baking sheet to catch any spillover.
3. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Times
Cook Time 45 minutes
Preparation Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

By Kimberly Wilson - jwilson001@hawaii.rr.com
www.homemadegourmet.com/kimberlywilson

Logan Playing the Wii video

2009-04-15T10:59:00.001-10:00

Here is Logan in the garage where we have our Wii set up. It moved there during spring break! He is sitting on the Wii Fit board, with the Wii remote in his hands. Before I started to record him, he was using the remote the way you do when you are playing one of the racing games.

Isn't this adorable? He got the Wii on all by himself and everything!! I was looking for a broken Wii remote so he can "play" without breaking anything important but it doesn't look like it is going to happen!

The Toy Society -- REALLY NEAT!!

2009-03-19T14:28:00.003-10:00

I heard about The Toy Society a few minutes ago through the Hawaii WAHM Blog. I think this is an amazing idea! I just had to share with everyone here!

This is what The Toy Society is all about:
The Toy Society spreads the love throughout the streets of the world. Nothing to it really just a bunch of handmade toys looking for a nice home. What started as a small street art project in Australia is slowly spreading around the world. Should you come across a member of The Toy Society on your travels collect them up and take them home with you! But don't forget to let them know about it at their blog or this email address: thetoysociety@gmail.com They are also on Facebook with the name - The Toy Society!

Imagine someone working so hard to make handmade toys then giving them out for free to anyone who may stumble across them. The toys could go to a little child or to a collector or anyone else who needs love from a stranger and the company of a sweet toy -- how inspirational and fun! Take a look a The Toy Society's blog and see what items have been dropped off. There was a drop off in Hawai'i a couple days ago. To see about it see info on this drop off see Darth Mama's blog at Softie Happiness.

Since Spring Break is next week, I think the kids and I are going to have fun with this one! We are also going to Maui on vacation during spring break so maybe we can make a couple drops there! I will keep everyone posted as to what we do!

MY CHALLENGE TO ALL OF YOU!!! I challenge each of you to make one Toy Society Drop!! When you make the drop put the information about The Toy Society in the bag so whomever the person is who gets it can post they received it!

With much Aloha,
Kimberly
http://bubbleheadfamily.blogspot.com/

March Madness Sale (until March 20th)

2009-03-15T22:29:00.002-10:00

Homemade Gourmet Home Office is having a March Madness Sale that will be good until March 20th! I thought I would go ahead and share it.

This week (March 16-March 22, 2009): Get Maria's Salsa Pantry Staple for half price this week! That's the equivalent of 12 individual mixes for only $8 retail! The Maria's Salsa Pantry Staple Combo with container and recipe card set is $16.00.*

Of course, Maria's Salsa is an affordable alternative to jarred salsa for your corn chips at your basketball playoff parties this month, but you can use this versatile mix for everything from meatloaf and pot roast to cranberry salsa, too (check out the Key to the Kitchen recipe database). Or how about this creamy chicken entrée in honor of one of the 2009 NCAA Tournament venues:

Phoenix Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup Homemade Gourmet® Maria's Salsa Mix, prepared
1 can black beans, drained
1 can Mexi-corn, drained
1 10.5-ounce can tomatoes with green chilies
8 ounces cream cheese, cut in cubes

Combine all ingredients, except cream cheese (can be frozen in a gallon-sized ziptop freezer bag at this point).
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Stir in cubed cream cheese and cook for additional 15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.
May also be prepared in a slow cooker (4-6 hours), adding the cream cheese when only 1 hour cooking remains.

*This sale does not include direct ship orders, so you would need to order through me.

By Kimberly Wilson - jwilson001@hawaii.rr.com
www.homemadegourmet.com/kimberlywilson

Aloha Friday Recipe!!

2009-03-13T23:29:00.003-10:00

Here is another 4 meals in 4 minutes™ meal! I have three children (age 5 and under) and being able to get my meal prepared and cooking quickly is the best thing in the world to me. I really value being able to provide my family with a home-cooked meal and everyone sitting around the table to enjoy it. Homemade Gourmet has allowed me to do this with the 4 meals in 4 minutes™ meals. I also get my children to help. My 5 y.o. son can measure the ingredients. Then both my 5 y.o. son and my 4 y.o. daughter can mix the ingredients together for me using the method below! Plus there is NO MESS to clean up that usually happens when little ones get in the kitchen.

Mahalo & enjoy!!

Hawaiian Pork Chops

Ingredients
3 pounds pork chops*
4 tablespoons Homemade Gourmet® BLT seasoning (or one package)
1 15-ounce can pineapple tidbits
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 gallon zippered bag

Directions
This is another great 4 meals in 4 minutes™ meal!

Place all ingredients into the freezer bag. Seal and SMOOSH!

Before freezing, label as Hawaiian Pork Chops and list cooking options:

BAKE: Thaw and bake (covered) at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

GRILL: Thaw, discard marinade, and grill over medium high heat until chicken juices run clear.

SLOW COOK: Defrost enough to empty contents into slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

*You may substitute the chicken with 6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts for a variation on this recipe . . . make both and fill your freezer twice as fast! This has about 150 calories per serving if using skinless chicken breast!

Brought to you with much aloha by Kimberly Wilson
www.homemadegourmet.com/kimberlywilson

Our little artists!!

2009-03-08T19:56:00.006-10:00

Well, we told the kids that if they were good today for Auntie Latanya and took pictures without goofing off that they could paint. Yes, Auntie Candice, this is because they are so excited to paint that they can't wait until you get home! Jordyn thinks that we are hiding you from them! So the paints that I bought for Auntie Candice to paint with them/for them, plus some extras got put to great use today!! Here are their wonderful creations!!
By Morgan, here is Diamond Head in brown, surrounded by a gray outline. Then he painted decorative corners and pink border. Then came the tahitian blue ocean with waves. The pink zig zag with dots and the lighter pink at both sides of the painting even with Diamond Head is a pretty pink sunset, he described! Then because it has been raining so much (and because mom didn't have any yellows for the sunshine) he made gray clouds and light blue rain drops. There is green sailboat on the last wave and two little dark brown birds flying beside Diamond Head. I think he did a wonderful job!!

Here is Jordyn's masterpiece. She said she couldn't leave any white on the canvas. Yes, they are canvas boards that I bought for them! She started with a quilting hibiscus stencil. She has two pretty blue flowers on the left and a hot pink one on the right, under that is a dark green flower. Then the gecko green (the light, bright green) is her leaves and the rest of the colors around it is here pretty decorations to cover all the white. Auntie Candice has no white on her canvas so Jordyn had to color all her's too!

Aren't they the most amazing paintings that you have ever seen?

They are to me!! Wonder who will be the lucky person who gets to hang these on their wall? They were still deciding that as we were off to Ben Franklin's to get more supplies for next time!!

Aloha Friday Recipe!!

2009-03-06T09:26:00.002-10:00

Aloha Friday!
I love great food and amazing food, even though I don’t feel I am a great cook. I also love spending time with my family and not slaving away in the kitchen over the heat to cook great food! So this week the recipe I will share with you will be a 4 meals in 4 minutes recipe! Plus, I will give you 3 options in how to cook the meal!!

Garlic Lemon Chicken
6 Boneless skinless chicken breast (3 pounds)**
2 Tablespoon Homemade Gourmet Garlic Lemon Marniade
1 14- ounce can chicken broth (or 2 cups liquid HG Margarita Mix)
1 Gallon sized zip top freezer bag Place all ingredients into the freezer bag.

Seal and SMOOSH!! You can freezer at this point if you would like. If you are freezing please label as Garlic Lemon Chicken and list cooking options. Be sure to defrost completely before cooking.

Cooking Options:
Option 1) Bake – 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Option 2) GrillOption
3) Slow Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

**You may substitute the chicken with 3 pounds of pork chops for a variation on this recipe.

Suggested sides: Cole Slaw, Baked Potato, Cobbler for dessert.

EXTRA! Make extra and make this “extra” meal fast and easy! Slice chicken or pork chops and place on mixed salad greens and top with ½ cup of your choice of dressing, for a light and tasty meal.

Brought to you by Kimberly Wilson
www.homemadegourmet.com/kimberlywilson

Logan videos

2009-03-06T09:10:00.002-10:00

Here is Logan falling asleep as he is eating!!

Logan somehow got James' itunes playing! Don't ask me how because I don't know how to do it!! LOL!

Different song!

Jordyn's Haircut

2009-03-05T17:29:00.002-10:00

Jordyn cut her own hair so we got it all cut off. She picked out the hairstyle. This was done in December. (I may catch up!! LOL!)

2009-02-27T12:20:00.001-10:00

Homemade Gourmet
I am very excited to announce that I am a new independent consultant for Homemade Gourmet ! I am currently the only consultant in Hawaii!! This is very exciting to be able to bring such a wonderful company to the islands!! There are 1,600 Homemade Gourmet Consultants nationwide who help people make great-tasting meals fast. I am committed to the company motto of striving to bring families back to the dinner table by providing quality, affordable, easy-to-prepare meals for both those on the go and those who have time to plan out a weekly menu. I also teach families how to make these affordable and delicious meals at in-home Gatherings of friends and family. Homemade Gourmet has a new product line called Homemade in a Hurry that helps busy parents get dinner on the table fast so they can enjoy meals as a family.

To let you know a little about the company: Homemade Gourmet ® was founded in 1997 by Tami VanHoy, a Texas mother of four. “I believe with all my heart that God created this company to give us all an opportunity to share our gifts with others, make a difference in the lives we touch and to inspire dreams in those who would join us,” said Founder Tami VanHoy. The Texas-based Homemade Gourmet offers a line of more than 100 food mixes and beverages distributed through a network Consultants nationwide. Dedicated to its mission to inspire families and friends to gather around the dinner table more often, Homemade Gourmet unveiled a number of new easy-to-prepare entrees, side dishes and desserts with the spring catalog and tastings across the country, including one here in Honolulu that I was able to do.

Contact me, Kimberly Wilson, at jwilson001@hawaii.rr.com today to learn more about how to make 4 meals in 4 minutes™ for your family dinners, how to host a Homemade Gourmet Gathering or to learn more about a career with Homemade Gourmet. Or you can find more information at www.homemadegourmet.com/kimberlywilson.

Local contact:
Kimberly Wilson
Honolulu, Hawaii
jwilson001@hawaii.rr.com

Some Pictures from September

2009-01-23T14:09:00.003-10:00

This is the blowhole that we always go to. It is wonderful to watch.
This is what Bellows AFB Beach looks like in the military only section. I just though this was a great view!

Aunt Linda making sure her hat doesn't blow away while James poses and Logan tries to figure out what is going on.

James with Sylvia and Linda at the Admiral's Boathouse in Pearl Harbor. They took a tour of Ford Island from the water. It is a really neat trip. (James took me later when we had a sitter since children under 8 or 10 can't go.)

This is in front of Rabbit Island. We loved exploring out on the rocks and found out that Aunt Linda did too! Morgan followed her around the entire time -- he is our little explorer!!

SO LONG

2009-01-23T13:39:00.003-10:00

It has been so long since I blogged, I can't believe it! We have had company come - twice! James' mom, Sylvia, and Aunt Linda came out in September. They were actually here when I posted last the field trip posting. We have some amazing pictures from there trip that I will post. Then in November, my parents came out to visit -- and I posted the Giving Grammie Lovin' video. It was Logan's first bithday on Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving dinner with great friends of ours - yes they let all SEVEN of us come!!! Kevin and Candice have become like family to us - the kids have asked their permission to call them Auntie and Uncle. We also got amazing pictures while mom and dad were out here. The waves on the North Shore were huge! Oh yeah, we went to a Luau for Logan's first birthday -- we went to Germaine's in Honolulu instead of throwing one ourselves! Christmas was rather quiet. We had Kevin and Candince over on Christmas eve for dinner as they were going on vacation the next day. We got a Wii for the whole family and the children got Ukes from Santa. The Wii was a family gift from James' parents and us to all of us! LOL! It was easiest for James' parents to send us gift cards which we used to purchase the Wii, Wii Fit and controllers and such we got with it -- we paid the other half ourselves. The kids break from school was really long! Jordyn is still having a hard time adjusting to being back at school. Oh we have hiked to Makapua lighthouse and we have hiked to Kapena Falls (during which our van was broken into and we returned to shattered drivers window, diaper bag and all it's contents, leapster battery pack only, and our entire library of 500 children's movies gone). At least the falls were nice and we got some decent pictures, right?!?! LOL! I will work on posting pictures of these past things and trying to keep up -to -date with blogging!

Video of Logan & Grammie

2008-11-27T11:14:00.001-10:00

Here is a "Givin Lovin" video

CRAWLING!!

2008-10-08T13:51:00.001-10:00

Boy, are we advancing now!! He does an army crawl with just his arms carrying him around while the rest of his body looks like a snake following his head/arms! LOL! It is really cute. However, he gets where he wants - while ruining his outfit because he stretches out the neck and it never goes back to it's regular size!!

Fire Department Class Trip

2008-09-19T10:51:00.003-10:00

J went to the fire department at the sub base for a field trip. The kids loved the trip and the chaperones enjoyed watching the children.

One of the highlights was that each child got to shoot the fire hose!!
The firefighters took the time to pose with the children!!
J took the time to pose with mom before we left! We had a great time. I also made all the children from both classes sock monkey finger puppets. The fire department gave them all hats and dalmations....so all these children went home with 3 neat gifties!

Sightseeing

2008-09-19T10:51:00.002-10:00

holding spot

Awards and Farewell to Friends.....

2008-08-19T07:04:00.003-10:00

Last Friday was the final ceremony for the USS MSP! She is almost officially decommed and no more. James got an award from CO Brown and XO Shultz is in the background at the podium.
Here is our family picture from that same night. Of course since some man besides dad is taking the picture J has to hide! L was trying to eat my lei. M was starting to not feel well.
This is M and his little buddy "W"! They seem to really like each other. L kept trying to kiss him and W kept trying to grab L and pull him in closer! They are so cute together. These boys look so much like their dads!
This is probably the final picture of L & W together for a long time! I feel I will always have a bond with Michelle since we spent so much of our pregnancies together, standing in for the other's husband for u/s and doc appointments. I am so VERY grateful to her for letting me live with her until I could get housing here in Hawaii. I don't know what I would have done here alone in a hotel, pregnant, without a car! She was a real life saver. Then her and Jason stepped up even more allowing James & I both to stay there for the week that the guys were home but before our house was ready. I wish I could have done more with her after the babies were born! Jason was also an amazing friend by coming over and putting stuff together at my house while James was on duty! He never once complained -- that is a true friend! Michelle was always the one that I knew I could call and she would be here in a moments notice....like the time that Jordyn ate something and was foaming at the mouth. I called Michelle right after 911 and she was there within minutes of EMS getting there!! She was such a support and could maintain a level head and keep calm at the times I needed it the most. Michelle will never know how much she means to me! I will miss her terribly as she is moving soon.

Kissing the baby...

2008-08-14T07:59:00.003-10:00

Isn't this adorable? I kept telling L to kiss the baby in the mirror -- and he kept doing it. He is getting so big and responding so much more! We are so thrilled to be able to interact with him and have him do what we are asking!
L is trying to kiss the camera! LOL!
This is how J picks L up. She will grab him and then roll over with him so that he is on her tummy. We fuss about this all the time but soon enough L will sock her when he doesn't want to be "picked up" by her!

Pictures

2008-08-14T06:59:00.005-10:00

She feel asleep on the way home yesterday at 4pm and slept until 6 am this morning!! Dad laid her on the living room floor thinking she would wake up but all she would do is lift her head look around and go back to sleep. Yes, this was the first time we were eating dinner in the car since we moved to Hawaii! We needed to make sure that M got to karate class on time. Her drink is tucked under her arm and her hotdog on her lap!!
This was what L looked like at the same time!!
And here is M. Yes, that is pizza in his lap. We decided to get food at Sam's so that we wouldn't be late and the kids love it -- plus it is one of the cheapest places on the island to eat!! The four of us can eat for under $10.00 the only other place I know we can do that is the cafeteria at Tripler Hospital!!

This is the kids before school one morning. J has on a dress that Grammie made her and M is in his uniform!

J showing off her new shoes! She has sparkly Princess sneakers so that she can run in running club at school.

Help J Raise Funds for NAVY HALE KEIKI SCHOOL

2008-08-07T13:28:00.004-10:00

Please Help Support J Wilson!

I am selling Sally Foster® products. 50% of all profits will be used for NAVY HALE KEIKI SCHOOL. If you'd like to help and get a great deal, please purchase some high-quality Sally Foster products today!

Here's How You Help

Just click the button above and J (257594) will automatically get credit for the purchase.

Sally Foster will notify me of your order! And 50% of your purchase amount will go to NAVY HALE KEIKI SCHOOL .

If clicking the button does not take you to the Sally Foster® Online store, just visit http://sallyfoster.rsys1.net/servlet/cc6?kHtPQUQqSVrOptkhgRRSQImIItLoLHKMHuptPxIthnnLjQJhuVaVA to make your purchase and enter my seller number (257594) during the checkout process so I get credit.

Thank you very much for your support, and enjoy your Sally Foster Products.

J is having a fundraiser at her preschool. Please buy if you can she will be able to win prizes. Thanks for helping her out!! If you know someone else who may like to purchase to help her out please forward this own! Thanks a lot!!! Mahalo!

Thanks again,
J

SAVE THIS EMAIL

Place your order today so J and NAVY HALE KEIKI SCHOOL get credit. NAVY HALE KEIKI SCHOOL will continue to earn 50% profit on online orders made through June 30, 2009. So be sure to keep this email should you decide to order more Sally Foster products.

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How it went today

2008-08-06T10:46:00.002-10:00

This is where I will put how it went today at the parent meeting. I am "posting" this now to "hold" the spot with today's date!

M's first day of Kindergarten!

2008-08-05T09:06:00.003-10:00

M started his first day of Kindergarten yesterday. He was excited -- I don't think he was nervous at all! He was very easy to wake up and got dressed quickly. He picked out some breakfast and was ready to go. He was a little disappointed that he couldn't eat at school but I just can't get him there and get J ready for school at the same time....if I could duplicate myself that would be AMAZING!

When he gets there he has to wash his hands before entering the classroom. This is just outside his classroom door, the door in the picture behind him is the girls restroom for his class and just around the corner is the boys room. I am standing by the class door and bag hooks to take the picture.

This is him in his class for the first day of school. He has a sub teacher which I didn't realize I was getting in the picture as she was not my focus. I would venture to say that about 1/2 of the classroom is used for storage behind the kids tables. It is very heartbreaking to not see bright, happy, colorful, stimulating stuff in his class for him.

We have to wait out in the "abandon courtyard" for M after school. Here are the happy brother and sister waiting and posing. I am not sure why it is called that but that is what everyone keeps calling it. The kindergarteners get walked out there by their teachers. I guess I need to find out today about how it works for him to ride the bus.

M was so uninterested in whether we were there, he came out and sat on the wall not really caring that we were standing waiting! LOL! He jumped up there and was talking with his new buddies and J was fighting to get to him!

Signing off for today!

Last week

2008-08-05T09:05:00.003-10:00

We had a great week last week! We started the week with a trip to the Ocean Arium restuarant. It was really cool and kept the kids entertained while they stuffed their faces! My kids were eating the shrimp tempura and the boiled shrimp - but I didn't see many others eating it. Thanks for teaching them shrimp is good pop-pop! M said these shrimp are like what pop-pop cooks for us, I hope they are as good.

L is attempting to sit up but high chairs still aren't too safe for him. He will strain to sit up higher in his car seat carrier but can't hold his balance on his own. He still doesn't care if he eats anything but baby mum=mum's. Thanks to Courtney and her boys, we have found something that he will eat!

J has enjoyed school a lot. She gets good reports back every day and she got a Star for having a good week. She is seeing kids she recognizes in the parking lot and yelling out to them. And as shocking to me as it is, she forgets who drives her to school! LOL! Well this is my opinion of it. She gets out of the van and if the person that unloads her doesn't remind to tell me bye she takes off. Oh well, I guess that is a sign of growing up, huh? I thought I was ready but some days not so much!

First week school report!

2008-07-31T21:22:00.002-10:00

J had a great week. She is really excited and has great stories that I need to finish typing. I will get this done as quickly as I can. Here is what her teacher had to say though!

J has been exceptional this week and has no reason to say she has been bad. Other than being a little sad on Monday she has been pretty chipper. We have actually had a fantastic week.

This is great! J has been telling me in the mornings, "I don't think I will be bad or sad today." So I had to ask the teacher if she had been bad, because it is funny what they say. I feel that this is her saying I know I have a choice to be happy, good and enjoy school or be sad, bad and get in trouble at school.

Will be writing more over the weekend hopefully.

FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL!! :)

2008-07-29T09:59:00.002-10:00

Jordyn did well after the first 15 minutes of being sad. Not crying, but just being sad. Here is what she told me she did.

I rode a purple dinosaur, not a real one, it is a pretend one. It is outside on the ground but not on the playground.
I played on the playground. On all of the parts, a slide, a climbing post and all kind of things.
I played with a submarine toy but not the car toy.
I colored a raccoon from the teachers.
I played with playdough. It was blue.
I meet a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a whole bunch of new friends. I don't know their names, they didn't tell me, just the teachers told me. Alexisa and Chloe were not there (these are her friends from Hickam Harbor)
I rode a tricycle but didn't play with any of the balls.

We got a note from her teacher last night that says:

Everyone had a fabulous first day at school, here are some activities we participated in:

Read "The Kissing Hand"
Painted hand prints
Colored "Chester" the Raccoon from "The Kissing Hand"
Learned the "Rule Song"
Played on the Preschool playground, and followed all of the playground rules

J did a great job remembering what she did, huh?

She didn't even attempt to cry this morning! She told me she had a funny feeling in her tummy. I asked if it was jittery? She said yes. I told her since we had left our jitter glitter at home to ask her teacher for some. So she got out of the car on a mission to find her teacher and some jitter glitter for her tummy! So the second day of school is well on it's way!

FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL!! :) - Mrs Neuman

2008-07-28T22:35:00.000-10:00

Everyone had a fabulous first day at school, here are some activities we participated in:

Read "The Kissing Hand"
Painted hand prints
Colored "Chester" the Raccoon from "The Kissing Hand"
Learned the "Rule Song"
Played on the Preschool playground, and followed all of the playground rules

I hope to see you all smiling in the morning!

Sleep tight,
Mrs. Neuman :)

First Day of School!

2008-07-28T16:35:00.000-10:00

Today was Jordyn's first day of preschool. Mrs. Neuman had us do a great activity last night with Jitter Glitter. James was home from work today since he is in shiftwork. She wanted daddy to take her. So he couldn't refuse. NHKS has this GREAT system for dropping off and picking up the students. You don't have to get out of your car, you drive up and they unload the student while you are signing her in. This is great! She cried and tried to climb in the front with James when they unbuckled her. However, dad got her to show her bag to the student helper that was helping get the students out of the cars and to their classes. Dad left her crying. I think it was a big day for Dad too! (He probably used some jitter glitter to get out of the parking lot!) She usually talks dad into doing what she wants and she wanted him to come to school with her for the day!

They read the book The Kissing Hand and colored a picture to go with it. I also know that they painted, played and had a snack. She really hasn't told us anything else but that it made her tired and that she enjoyed it! It apparently worked up an appetite too because she ate a huge lunch compared to other days!

At the end of the day we all went to get her. We pulled up in the line, displayed her placard and when it was our turn, Mrs. Neuman put her in the van and buckled her up all while I was signing her out. She said that Jordyn was said for about 10-15 minutes this morning but did good all day! She listened and interacted with the others well! Our little girl is growing up!

This is what Jordyn wants to tell you about school today:

I rode a purple dinosaur, not a real one, it is a pretend one. It is outside on the ground but not on the playground.
I played on the playground. On all of the parts, a slide, a climbing post and all kind of things.
I played with a submarine toy but not the car toy.
I colored a raccoon from the teachers.
I played with playdough. It was blue.
I meet a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a whole bunch of new friends. I don't know their names, they didn't tell me, just the teachers told me. Alexisa and Chloe were not there (this is her friends from Hickham Harbor.)
I rode a tricycle but didn't play with any of the balls.

'Twas the Night Before Preschool Starts

2008-07-28T16:33:00.000-10:00

'Twas the Night Before Preschool Starts - Tonight we prepared Jordyn for school tomorrow. She decided that she wanted a new skirt out of red Hawaiian fabric to match her school spirit t-shirt that she got on Friday. So of course, we ran out to Wal-Mart and let her pick out the fabric. I, of course, got the job of figuring out a pattern that I could make in under 1 hour; which I did. I am not happy with the way the waistband worked out but I will re-do it after she gets home from school in the morning.The next thing that had to happen is to do the activity that the teacher sent home for tonight. This is the instructions that we got from Mrs. Neuman her teacher at Navy Hale Keiki School.The night before your first day of school, I would like you to have your mom and dad read the poem below to you and follow the directions. I will be doing it too and remember...I can't wait to see you!

Jitter Glitter
When you're feeling nervous and in your tummy there is a jitter,
Think of your new teachers and sprinkle on some glitter,
You will find a brand new feeling when you are done,
And then you are ready for a year of exciting learning that is fun!
Mom or Dad might need some glitter...for they're nervous too!
I have a secret between me and you,
Your teachers at this moment are sprinkling jitter glitter too!
Now we are all sparkling and ready for the year to begin.
This glitter is filled with love from your teachers....
Your new friend!

While dad read the poem and passed out the glitter, mom video taped (to see the video visit mom's blog). This is all for today. This is posted a day late!

'Twas the Night Before Preschool Starts

2008-07-27T22:18:00.005-10:00

Tonight we prepared J for school tomorrow. She decided that she wanted a new skirt out of red Hawaiian fabric to match her school spirit t-shirt that she got on Friday. So of course, we ran out to Wal-Mart and let her pick out the fabric. I, of course, got the job of figuring out a pattern that I could make in under 1 hour; which I did. I am not happy with the way the waistband worked out but I will re-do it after she gets home from school in the morning.

The next thing that had to happen is to do the activity that the teacher sent home for tonight. This is the instructions that we got from Mrs. Neuman her teacher at NHKS.
The night before your first day of school, I would like you to have your mom and dad read the poem below to you and follow the directions. I will be doing it too and remember...I can't wait to see you!

Jitter Glitter

When you're feeling nervous and in your tummy there is a jitter,

Think of your new teachers and sprinkle on some glitter,

You will find a brand new feeling when you are done,

And then you are ready for a year of exciting learning that is fun!

Mom or Dad might need some glitter...for they're nervous too!

I have a secret between me and you,

Your teachers at this moment are sprinkling jitter glitter too!

Now we are all sparkling and ready for the year to begin.

This glitter is filled with love from your teachers....

Your new friend!

While dad read the poem and passed out the glitter, mom video taped. This is all for today. Will update soon on how the first day of school went. M has orientation on Wednesday and has some weird wacky schedule for a week before he starts his regular schedule.

The Next Food Network Star!

2008-07-23T17:37:00.007-10:00

Ok, so I am not talking about the show...I am talking about M. M went to Dream Dinners with me a few weeks ago to prepare our foods for the month. I did take my camera but I forgot to take it out. In August when we go back we will take the video camera and see if we can get a clip of him preparing the foods with me. We have about a 20 minute drive home from Dream Dinners...he talked to Grammie the entire way home about how much fun he had, what he made, how to cook it, what she needs to do when she goes and everything. When we got there he was a little nervous, but jumped in anyway! We went in, put away my purse (which is why I forgot the camera!), got our recipe cards and were greeted by Melanie. I took M to the sink and both of us washed our hands and put on aprons. Someone had brought a step ladder out for M to stand on. (Next time we are taking just a step stool, as I wasn't too comfortable with the little ladder, he wanted to stand on the top step when he didn't really need too.) We started with our first meal, they are SO SIMPLE even with a child helping to prepare. He was really excited that all the spoons were just the right size. We put all the ingredients for each meal into baggies and those baggies into a large ziploc with a label. He then took our food over to the freezer and put it in our spot. He thought that was really neat that we have a special fridge for our food. He was pleased to get to try the Oreo Brownies as a sample. I even gave him mine since I knew were were bringing an order of them home with us. There were other moms there that had young children, they were asking if we would put certain things in our meals. M would always answer them with his grown-up, long-winded answers, which sometimes I had to interpret. We absolutely love Dream Dinners, we can choose the leave items out or use extra of things that we like (i.e. garlic). Even with the heaping measurements of garlic the kids love the meals. They also brought out the Stuffed Italian Shells for us to try. I knew M didn't really like it but I let him get a taste of it anyway! He tried it which was more than what he did at home. He thought he was the reason that they had 2 samples that day!

Everyone kept asking if he was going to be a chef - he kept saying "I don't know yet, because I can sing pretty good too." He also told one customer when she asked if he wanted to be a chef, "My mommie says I have a lot of talents that I can use when I grow up, so I am not sure if I will be a chef. If I am I will be a good one.

We have pretty picky eats are our house and we were afraid the first month that the kids would not eat the foods. However, they were willing to try things. Now we realize that we are not only using meal time as a family bonding time, but the sessions at Dream Dinners allow me to spend more quality, one on one time with M. Also, we have found that the more they can help me with the preparation and the cooking the more willing they are to eat it. If we can get them to try it with an open mind, they usually will like it. I let them help me in the kitchen as much as possible and James has even let them help him put things on the grill or slide the chops around on the grill with him. They like to be part of the process of choosing which meal we should have and cooking it. I was also really thankful and amazed that one of my previous blogs "Do I pray enough?" on July 14, 2008 had a comment made on it by Stephanie Allen. For those of you who don't know, she is the co-founder of Dream Dinners!! I was really amazed. I am still not sure how she found my blog but I thought it was really neat that she took the time to comment on God, praying, and Dream Dinners.

I wonder if we could get M on one of those taste testing panels? He would adore it!! Maybe I will start posting his comments on the meals. Last night we had the Maple Glazed Pork Chops. We all really liked it. M, who typically doesn't eat pork chops at all, even asked for seconds. I took one chop and split it for both of the kiddos - but had to get the one for James to take to work to give them even more! Let's just say James did not have Maple Glazed Pork Chops and local Hawaiian mac salad for lunch at work today!

The kids are about home from karate and dance so that means my quiet time is almost up and I have some Coconut Shrimp and McCormick Seasoned Steak to get to cooking! Yes, all of it from Dream Dinners. We gave Mom and Dad a trip to Dream Dinners for their birthday presents. They went today. I can't wait until they start trying the foods!!

(A side note: No, we don't always dress like in these pictures! We spent the afternoon over at McGrew Point Community Swimming Pool and the boys are still in there swimsuits, whereas, J only has on her bottoms.)

“Little Miss Ballerina”

2008-07-17T11:09:00.009-10:00

Here is Little Miss Ballerina being a cutie pie as she comes into dance class -- do you see that she has on a BLUE leotard, PINK tutu, and YELLOW sunglasses!! She was just too adorable! Oh yeah, she has on LAVENDAR shoes, with a pink ballerina purse and a Dolpin Water Bottle Buddie holder.

We have been having a bit of a struggle with J and dance class. She misses her SC teacher, Mrs. Heidi, and she constantly tells the teacher here Ms. Anna “that isn’t the way we do it in SC.” Or “Mrs. Heidi doesn’t do it that way.” She usually stands in the corner and cries. She says she is thinking. So our little thinker has realized that she can’t advance class to be in the same group with her friend from pre-school….so she is trying to prove that she can do everything from Pink 1 so she can go to Pink 2. Ms. Anna was happy with her performance last night. She was dancing and I was even allowed inside to video some ballet and some tap sections. Since M has two videos, I figured J needs two videos of class also. She was great. She almost started to cry and didn’t want to go in the class, but I gave her my watch which seems to be her security item lately. (All I can say is at least it isn’t something like a paci!! Also, I am very glad that it isn’t a nasty blankie that she has had for years.) She has broken my watch, twice now, so I think it is gone – but I am going to keep letting her use it for as long as she would like. She is getting so big and I hope that Mrs. Heidi would be proud of her in dance class!!

This blogging stuff is still new to me so I don't know how much of this is profound and how much of this is just letting extended family and friends watch my children grow up! Hope you enjoy the videos.

At Karate

2008-07-16T14:20:00.005-10:00

M choose to take karate this summer. The rec center said that Sensei wouldn't take him because he was too young. However, we went out with him and let him take a class before we paid and bought his gi (uniform). He wasn't sure if he liked it or not. However, he agreed that he would like to take it all summer. We are going to see what school is like for him before we decide to let him take it all year long. You pay per month, so you can stop at anytime. He goes twice a week and loves it. M has a video that he can practice with here at home, which he does on his own. I will hear him in his room practicing. I don't force him, he just does it. He wants to be a like a Power Ranger....so he practices! LOL! I think he is adorable. Here are a couple of videos of him from class last week. (Yes, his face is red - he refused to go without a t-shirt on under his gi and he gets SO hot!).

Do I pray enough?

2008-07-14T15:35:00.003-10:00

My day…
You know lately I have been thinking that my days are not very prayerfully filled. However, last night I realized that they are! I just didn’t realize that I do the mom’s method of prayer. A couple minutes every time you get a chance. I awake with a small blessing of happy children, which I took a few moments to thank Him for! It is wonderful when you day doesn’t start in chaos, isn’t it? Having a 7 month old, you don’t always get to start your day first so you have to take it as it is. Since James was home he got up with L and M and let me rest longer with J in my bed.

“Thank you, Lord, that my children are in a good mood today and thank you that my husband is a wonderful man who will get up and let me sleep in.”

Later, as we were getting ready for church I was able to say “Thank you Lord, that everyone in the house is happy about going to chapel this morning and that Sunday mornings are not a struggle for us. Also, mahalo (Hawaiian thank you) that You have blessed us with living in Hawaii and learning about clock time and “Hawaii time”. We are so wonderfully blessed to be living here!”

On the way to Chapel, “Lord, mahalo for allowing us to safely travel the roads. Mahalo for giving me a man who is a safe driver and I don’t have to worry about on the roads.”

At the Chapel, “Lord, mahalo, for having a nursery that I feel comfortable leaving my baby in so that I can enjoy the service to grow in Your Love.”

Afterwards on the way home, I realize that I thank God daily for allowing me to live in such a great place where the weather is almost always nice and that is so beautiful. Every time I leave Ford Island, I say a thank you to God for letting me live in a neighborhood that is safe and so wonderful to see all the amazing things every time I leave home or even look out the windows of my house!

Then it came to supper time last night. At this point, I had struggled with a migraine for most of the day and wanted to eat at home. However, our Dream Dinners meal needed to marinade for 2 hours which we did not realize before we were ready to cook. M has been talking about going to eat at Red Lobster since we have been in Hawaii. Well, we found one and all day he had been talking about eating the meal at Red Lobster from the Next Food Network Star show. We were sitting at the table and J just threw up. We were lucky that she got a little on her face, some on her kids menu and the rest was in the chair between her legs but not on her dress. Then right after the food got there – M keeps spilling his shrimp in the chair and smearing the ketchup all over the place. J spills her drink about 4 times and as you can tell this was shaping up to be a very unpleasant meal out. Well, TWO HOURS AND 45 MINUTES LATER (yes we could have eaten faster than this at home and not had to drive to get home when we finished!), we get in the car and discuss our meal. I told James that I had been praying throughout the meal. My prayer went something like this….
“Dear God, please grant me the sanity to make it until bedtime. Please grant me the patience to get thru this meal. Please help me see that they are only little once and this time spent with them will end much sooner than I can imagine now. Please help me make sure that they feel loved and appreciated. That M is able to continue to tell people that his mommie thinks he has many talents and can grow up to be anything. That J continues to be able to say how much she loves me on a regular basis and that we can keep a wonderful line of communication. Please also help me to instill these same things into L. Help me make sure that my husband knows how much he is valued, loved and appreciated. Help me grow as a woman, mother, wife and friend. Show me how to do all of this in your Name and likeness. Amen.”

I sure hope that I am able to keep this kind of attitude throughout life! And I think yes I pray...is it enough? Well, I don't think anyone could - but at least I know that I am praying and thanking God on a regular basis!!! What could be better than that?

Blessings to all

This week

2008-07-13T21:19:00.006-10:00

I have been writing in my head all evening...if it would magically appear on my computer monitor now that would be great! I am exhausted, one day off your "normal" routine I guess will throw you off. James & I went to farewell to the MSP Chief's outing yesterday. We went to Paradise Cove to the Luau and show. It was really nice to be at a table full of adults and not having to worry about anyone spilling food or drink or even crying. Everyone stayed in their seats (well unless a performer got them up) and behaved nicely! We had the deluxe tickets so they even served us our food and we didn't have to go to the buffet line. The sunset over the ocean was amazing! I can't get over how I have spent my life watching the sun RISE over the ocean but here I get to see the sunset over the ocean.

We had a wonderful experience with the kids this week. On Saturday afternoon, Forest City (they people who own our house) get an ice cream truck to go around different neighborhoods on certain days. We were actually home when it came by this time!! We have lived here for a year and never been home before!! I heard the truck coming and told the kids to run. They took off with dad down the stairs. M was so excited he threw his toy leaflet up in the air over his head as he was running down the stairs. When they got to the front door - the truck was already down the street too far to catch. So they watched to see which way he went so that they could go that way. Sure enough they went down to another intersection and got ice cream! L and I wouldn't chase the truck, but we got lucky that he passed the house again!! Well, L wasn't so lucky because he isn't old enough for ice cream yet!! If it takes another year for us to be home when they come thru again he will be able to eat it then. M was amazed that it was FREE. It is one of the few perks of living in military housing here in Hawaii.

I think that is all for today. Maybe I can actually get some of that writing in my head on the computer during the week this week....who knows as James is starting shift work so he will only be here until around 11:30 and be gone until well after midnight each day. Afternoons are the LONG part of the day for me, so I may or may not get anything accomplished for the next few weeks!

My New Business Listed on a Hawaii Blog!!

2008-07-08T12:23:00.004-10:00

Look at what this Hawaii WAHM Blog says about my new business....
http://hawaiiwahms.blogspot.com/2008/07/design-your-own-eco-friendly-madison.html

Design-Your-Own Eco Friendly Madison HandBag

The elusive and exclusive Madison Bags are here! Elusive because the only other place that you will be able to get a custom made Madison HandBag is from it's flagship store that is in planning on Madison Avenue in New York City. Exclusive because this handbag has not been accompanied by others and it has been designed solely and especially for you and by you.
Madison HandBags come in 12 styles - hipsters, small totes, large totes, messenger bags and more. Mix and match from over an array of designer fabrics and high quality lining colors. Depending on the style, you have the option to use anywhere from one to 3 different fabrics to create the bag that is unique to your style. The handbags are $48 to $118. Madison HandBags are sewn by home sewers as well as in it's facility that is fully powered by wind energy.
Because there is nothing like touching and mixing & matching the fabrics and hardware in person, Madison HandBags cannot be ordered through a catalog or online. The fabrics change with the seasons and while some are retired others are staple elements in steady demand.
So you ask, "How can I order a bag?" Well the only way for you to get your custom made bag is to host a Madison HandBag Purse Party through a consultant. Imagine throwing a bridal shower where everyone can design their own handbag to remember the special occassion. Or a baby shower where the new mom can create a tote to carry her newborn's many essentials. The party possibilities and themes are endless and fun.
For more information, please contact:
Kimberly Wilson, Consultant
Home: 808-744-1892
Honolulu, HI 96818
jwilson001@hawaii.rr.com
Get the party started!!!
------------------------------
Kimberly Wilson is a proud member of the Hawaii WAHMs team.

First Time in the Pool

2008-07-06T17:24:00.002-10:00

We went to the Arizona pool today. L was able to go in the water for the first time. It was a little cold for him but he seemed to do ok. After we got out of the pool, we sat on the side for awhile with him in the water carrier. I loved it!! It dried quickly and was comfortable for both of us. I wrapped his legs and feet up in my t-shirt so that he didn't get too chilly.

M and J seem to be doing better with swimming. At least it looks like it from the sideline. James can't believe that M passed his Level 1 swim class and J didn't. It seems to be she is better with James than M is. I think a lot of her problem at swim class is that she kept telling Daniel, their instructor, that she couldn't do it. Niether of them care to get their face wet.

We aren't too happy with AZ Pool. The lifeguard doesn't seem to be the friendliest person!! She wasn't nice to us the other day when we got there at 5 minutes till closing -- but we were not aware of the hours. The kids screamed and cried the whole way home. Today, she wouldn't let us use the kickboards. Well, I understand that it is a rule, but she could have been a little nicer about it. She must have realized that I was upset because she came down and offered them a life jacket and a pair of swim wings. HOWEVER, I realized on our way out that the swim wings are NOT allowed either, per the rules posted on the side of the shower. James pointed out today that it would have been nice for her to have pointed that out to us the other day since she didn't even let us in the pool area so we could read the rules. Oh well, I guess we will continue to deal with this unless we want to pack the kids up and drive to a pool somewhere. I am not sure that taking the kids in the life jackets are going to help teach them to swim at all.

Service at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Chapel was nice today. Chaplain Felton did the sermon on Enough is Enough. It was a great service. We are sticking it out until Bible Study and Children's Church starts back. J was better today than she has been. Last Sunday was the first service that James got to hear because he would always take her out. Then I figured out that she thought it was treat to get to sit in the lanai watching the birds, the flowers and whatever else she was watching and playing with! I have been taking her in the Cry Room at the back of the Chapel last week and this week. Last week, she screamed her way out of the Chapel -- at least other parents could relax that their child wasn't the worse - LOL! Today, she looked at me and said I am bored. She kept talking and I asked did she want to go out. She said yes. J did well in the cry room today, I think. She moved a rocking chair so she could see Chaplain Felton and rocked most of the time. She walked around a little bit but she was good and quiet. I wish she would stay occupied with paper and crayons so that I didn't have to take her out but she starts disturbing the people sitting around us and I feel bad so I take her out.

M has another loose tooth. He keeps playing with so I am sure that it will come out soon. I am not sure if we will be able to find this one or not. We will ask him if it is still there and he will have to go look to see! LOL!

That is all for today. I wish you all blessings and happiness!

Starring

2008-06-24T12:56:00.002-10:00

Here is L starring in his own video. He just wanted to watch the camera.