Happy Father's Day

Allen had a nice first father's day in Hawaii last weekend.  We spent the morning at Onekahakaha beach and were gone by the time it got really hot and busy.  Of course Esme was just excited to play in the sand again and Chan can't decide what he likes so he's constantly up and down from our arms.  Then we spent the afternoon/evening barbecuing at Nana and Papa's with the rest of the family.  Uncle Judd, Aunty Ness, Hunter and Mahina were also in town from Waimea so it was a full house.

Yah for a beach day!

Esme could dig in the sand all day. 

Smiles for the beach!

Happy Father's Day!

The cousin table had to be extended on Father's Day :)

Here's Esme trying to figure out her shaka while riding with cousin Tosh.

The kids and I are trying to get out each day for an adventure while daddy's working.  Esme won't start school until August and we're still looking for a sitter for Chan so until then mommy's at home with the kids.  I try to switch it up every few days as we explore all the fun things that Hilo has to offer while also balancing nap times.  Chan still goes down twice a day and Esme just once.  We've tried to cut Chan back to just one nap but it's not fun.  Esme is great about her one afternoon nap and is usually asking for it by the time we get home from our little adventures.  

One of the kids favorite places right now is Jamba Juice to help cool them off.  Chan can finish his smoothie before Esme too!  All this time in the sun makes the kids thirsty.  We're trying to get Chan used to hats in order to protect his head from the sun.  If only he'd grow some hair!

A visit to Liliuokalani Park.

Esme insists on wearing all her fancy shoes from her cousins even if we're going to swim.

Chan loves to cheese it up at times. 

Chan sporting his baseball cap while we play at Keikiland.

A visit to the Mokupapa Discovery Center.

Jamba Juice with Aunty Amy. 

Chan's sucking it up quick!

Hat #2

Esme has recently made a new Mandarin speaking friend - Shanuyi.  Aunty Amy's mother-in-law hooked us up with Shanuyi and her family in order to help Esme keep up her language skills.  Her tutor Aunty Xue is out of town this month so it was perfect timing to start our playdates with Shanuyi.  The girls are just 5 months apart and so far are having a lot of fun playing together.  We usually just go over to Shanuyi's house and she talks Esme's ear off! 

Esme and Shanuyi enjoying a snack together

One of our adventures this past week was a trip to our new doctor's office - Dr Meurs.  Chan had his 1 year check and Esme had her 3 year check.  It was a little hectic with the 2 kids but they passed with flying colors again.  Chan was 31" = 73% for height and 22.5# = 59% for weight and Esme was 38" and 32# which were both 50% for height and weight.  Both kids got a TB skin test which is required in Hawaii and then Chan had his MMR, chicken pox and Hep A shots.  He wasn't happy about any of it and was crying most of the time, including during the exam.  Esme kept telling me, "mommy, just give him a kiss" like that would make it all better.  Cute!

And last but not least a picture of mommy's absolute favorite fruit - lilikoi!  There's a vine growing near our house and so we've been able to collect a few from the ground while we're on our morning walks.  They make for a great addition to our morning smoothies.  As you can see, Chan's trying to steal it away from me even though he puckers every time he tries to eat it with me ;)