May Flowers

More pictures from social distancing.  Kate takes her Zoom class calls outside on the lanai every morning at 9am.

Owen could not be happier with the way quarantine has worked out.  He revels in the attention.  He is also suddenly interested in blocks and building again, most excited to build a "mouse house" like he reads about in the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" series.  He was excited to give his mouse a lot of cars "so he can have so much fun driving around our house."

Virtual ballet is not Kate's favorite, but she is still doing her lessons.  Of the three kids, she is the one who misses the social interaction with classmates and teachers most.

My Physical Therapist recommended a new shoe that has helped my feet so much, I've started jogging twice a week....very slowly and for only 2 miles.  I've been at it for a month and my feet are not any better, but also not any worse.  Owen and Kate often come with me for the first half.  It is the best my feet have fared in two years of no-impact and I'm cautiously optimistic.

Another day, another jog.  I love Owen's bright shirt almost as much up close as I do from far away, running on the grass as fast as he can to keep up with Kate.

Brady might like the Peloton more than I do.  The leaderboard stresses me out a little, but he lives for it, getting off the bike with shaky legs and staying in his stinky clothes to work another 5 hours.  Listening to him on his conference calls has increased my respect for what he does daily.  He's a constant negotiator, organized, and calm in stressful situations.  Work has been long and intense throughout 2020 so far, and shows no signs of slowing down.  At least right now, we get our 30 minute youtube workouts together on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the commute is zero minutes!

Another Friday night hike on the south side.  The kids hold back their moaning only because I take them to the beach for an hour before the hike.  Once we're out, they never want to leave.

Owen was jumpy around this itty bitty gecko, but warmed up with coaxing.  He was so proud of himself for holding it.  He used to catch them around the house but now they spook him.

Kate usually splits us up when we hug but this time she snapped a shot.

Brady told us to hit a rock with driftwood and we spent a solid 30 minutes competing.  Best game ever.  Throwing things into the water is timeless.  I don't get the thrill of fishing but I completely understand hitting targets.

Watching a kid learn a new medium of communication is a treasure.  He can write his name

And draw flowers...

Another forgotten game turned into an afternoon.

Home Church: Brady sets up cities and explains timelines.

Kate made key lime pie, a dessert she's claimed as her favorite for at least a year.

"What do you Meme?"  This family edition game is the kids' favorite.  Every time it is Owen's turn to read the cards, he makes up memes and they always include "fart" somewhere.  He usually is laughing so hard, he can't make it through the phrase.

Magna Tiles became the most desired toy this month and every major battle between the kids has involved them.

In April, Nic challenged our family to all train and complete a 5 minute plank.  It seemed impossible mid-April but on April 29, we all did it.  (Zac shocked us all by doing 5 minutes on April 2.)  One morning, Kate decided to hold a 10 minute plank.  The next day, Zac did an 11 min plank.  Of course.

The dreaded 4:45pm nap.

Master Chef Junior dessert number three: another triple-layer cake, this time with chocolate as the core and a ganache topping.  He was trying to compete with the Cheesecake Factory chocolate tower cake.

He finished at 9pm that night and was so excited to take a huge slice to our next door neighbors the next day.

I think the bear's undies hanging out is the best part of this photo, combined with my camera phone's incredible ability to take pictures this well in total darkness.

Love this mid-air shot of Owen and Kate:

More nap snuggles with his overdressed friend.

Kate and I reading together on the back lanai:

Brady cleaning in the fish tank.  Owen "fished" for all of our tiny fish and got them!

The dreaded wart appointment.  Kate had her elbow warts taken care of six months ago but they came back with a vengeance.

The treatment was not so bad the first two times she had this done, but she said it was much more painful and uncomfortable this time around.  

Monday night hike!  We switched things up so Kate wouldn't have to watch everyone surf while she sat out (she did watch with giant tears the next night).  Somehow, we all had Lion King on the mind and kept singing our hearts out into the gusty wind.

Owen had to go #2 so badly but could not stand the idea of leaving early, so "I hewd it in."

It usually dumps on us all of April, but thankfully we had lovely weather with the exception of our Spring Break in March.  The flowers have come out in their vibrance, though, and I wish Mom Edwards could be here to see them on her favorite walk.

More homeschool.  The supplementary work has become the work.  I am so impressed with Kate's teacher and underwhelmed by most of Zachary's 9 teachers.

Hilary and I escaped for a bike ride from Lawai to the pier in Ele'ele.  First time I've been within 6' of another person in ages.  We've have had zero cases of COVID on our island in 4 weeks.  We did not lower the curve--we eliminated it entirely.  Tourists are slowly creeping back, even with a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in effect with a $4000 bail upon arrest.  I'm so curious to see how things unfold over the next two months as people return to work.  We are still under social distancing until May 31st, but retail stores have opened.

I'm a little sad to have no surf pics of the last couple months, especially with Owen surfing so much, too.  Since we can only be in the water, it makes no sense to take my phone out of the car.  I did snag a few shots leaving one evening.

Owen's Mommy Preschool:

Mother's Day!  Kate woke me up with 6 or 7 homemade gifts--bouquets, a frame with seashells, cards, a bracelet, and so many hugs and loves.

Sleepy-eyed mama photo.

Two days before, I was a little too competitive and kept saying, "BAM!" every time I got a card down first in Slapzee.

Owen came to me for big Mother's Day hugs, too.  I don't remember why he was so emotional, but he melts with affection.

Brady's parents sent me a cute gift, too.  My parents did, too, but with Amazon shipping times, I'll find out what it was in June!

Kate asked what I wanted on Mother's Day for her fancy dessert turn, and I requested a mousse.  It was one of the best desserts to come out of our kitchen of all time.

Brady made a video of mommy clips for me, and I watched and cried with the kids that night.  Motherhood fits more comfortably with every year and stage.  I am learning to appreciate moments more fully, and relax about the small stuff.

I'm eating up the hand-holds, selfie requests, hugs, kisses, and teasing.  Pleaseohplease let them keep coming forever, my loves.