Day 12.... 11 year of being grateful .... Happy Birthday Pomai!

Pomai.... how grateful I am that the Lord sent me to you! Especially as my first.  You have brought me sooo much JOY in soooo many ways! I am grateful for the young women you are turning out to be.  I watch you and am amazed that you are mine. I love your laugh, your sense of humor, your ability to write, your love of learning, your desire to do the right thing, your love of cooking and crafting, your ability to be a peacemaker, your willingness to help with the children, your faith in the gospel and in prayer, your thoughtful nature, your desire to make those around you happy, your golden hair, your beautiful smile, our going to bed moments... talking in your bed... singing you your song...I see my mother kneeling...love all the moments. You are an amazing 11 year old and I hope you know how proud I am of you and so is the rest of our family.

Speaking of which.... your birthday has been quite fun today.  It started with our tradition at 5:30 this morning.  Every birthday we put balloons up - meaning we blow them up and stick them to the ceiling. So at 5:30 when I got up to do it ... I could not find the balloons I had asked Namu to buy.  I went in and woke him up... he name several places (nothing) and then finally got up to help me look.  He got dressed and went to his car to look... I offered to go knowing how frustrated he was but he said he would go to Foodland if the balloons weren't in the truck.  I heard the truck leave.  About 15 min. later he returned. He said, "They didn't have any balloons" (Me: Awwww, really?) "So I got these, he held up 4 punch balloons and a package of water balloons" Smiling I said, " We, can make that work."
We got to work first trying to blow up the punch balloons... to thick, neither of us could blow them up.  Water balloons.... can I tell you I have never been able to blow these up... and today it was the same.  Namu was blowing them up.... meanwhile Nalia and Helaman show up and then Ammon .... who quickly learns that if he squeezes the water balloons they will *pop*. So then it looks like this ... Namu blowing up balloons and hearing *pop* *pop* with Nalia and I trying to distract Ammon from popping more balloons *pop*. A few minutes later Namu has finished blowing up 1/2 the bag and goes downstairs to blow up the punch balloons with the air compressor ... *pop* *pop* (still trying to distract Ammon).  Helaman runs into the bedroom to take Pomai the balloons. Me: Helaman come here.  No, wait don't go in the room yet... let's wait till we are all ready (He is in the room now)  Me still (whisper): Come on out... lets wait. Helaman scream: NO, I WANT TO DO IT NOW! (carrying him out.... is she really still sleeping?)  I hear the air compressor going and then **POP**. The punch balloon EXPLODED (it was soooo loud!) Meanwhile Pomai is still sleeping (or we think so :p). (Me: hmmm that balloon must have gotten REALLY BIG). A few minutes later Namu walks in with 3 of the HUGEST punch balloons I have EVER seen.  The nub to tie the rubber band on the punch balloon was almost gone. Me: "Namu we gotta make these smaller or they are gonna pop. Nalia, (as I am holding two in my hand now) hold this one carefully while we let the air out (handing it to her, she grabbing it with a little too much...) so they don't ...." **POP** (in her face and mine...lol... and I thought the first one was loud...Pomai still sleeping) (really not wanting to ruin the surprise...sweet girl)). (Me thinking .... K, we are down to two balloons) *pop* *pop*. Before Ammon can pop anymore... Me: "Nalia, just grab all these balloons and take them with your brothers and put them on her bed and wake her up with Happy Birthday.!" *pop* Namu and I finally get the punch balloons deflated and we go to hang them on the ceiling before she walks out..... lol.... to see something like this....


and that was just the first hour of the day.  We had a lovely breakfast birthday thrown together in 30 min. (because I just found out Namu is working till 8 tonight) with me making chocolate chip waffles (Pomai's request) and trying to make her birthday party invitations... (yes I was working with the laptop on the stove... while making waffles)... because she is frustrated about them not being done (suppossed to be done the night before along with her Science Fair Project that is due tomorrow.... both are postponed because I fell asleep with a migraine). Somehow we made it.... kids ready for school and a birthday breakfast on the table.

Off to school at 7:45... they will be late ... some things are just more important :) Happily when I got home I was able to also show her these lovely gifts from her aunties....

Nia: Top 11 reasons why she love Pomai
Kahi made this:

Aunty Pua made this:

and Aunty Hanu made this:

Kekauoha Cousins Playlist

Don't I have the coolest sisters.... :)

I put Pomai's video on Facebook and she got lots of responses and Uncle posting videos from their trip 3 years ago... 

Pomai I hope you know how loved you are and how special you are!!!! Love you lots... plus one x 2....lol

Hawaii Fi-Do

What fun we had yesterday! Pomai had a project on animal and human teams and since Grandma works with a company, Hawaii Fi-do, that trains service dogs - she called in a favor. Susan Luehrs, the owner, was so kind to let us come last minute. She had Marie, a caretaker and service dog owner show us around. Marie was awesome and so patient. She answered all of Pomai's questions and showed her around. Nalia and Anela both have a fear of dogs (Nalia has gotten chased on more than one occassion) but it was fun to watch them go from stark fear to playing with the dogs.

These dogs are amazing and it was cool to learn the ins and outs of selecting the dogs to training them. We heard some amazing stories of the independence these dogs are able to provide for their owners. Everything from retrieving to warning them of possible seizures or food burning on the stove. You name they can do it. It was a wonderful way for Pomai to learn and as much as I love the internet - you just can't beat the real stuff. Please check out their website http://www.hawaiifido.org/ and see all the great things this non-profit organization is doing. I hear they are always looking for puppy raisers and donations. Thank you Susan and Marie.

Back Bending

Pomai's new favorite thing is backbends. She practices every moment. She is not in gymnastics right now but has been determined to learn how to do it anyway. She almost has it down but wants to learn walk over too. Needless to say gymnastics will be on the docket in Jan.