Zachary Turns 14

Itʻs your birthday today......ZACHARY!  Zac immediately started up the creepy, personalized song the morning of his birthday after listening to us sing.  I made him birthday waffles and sent him out the door early for school.  When I picked him up with a helium balloon and an "Itʻs My Birthday" button, he was grateful and mentioned he would have worn them and carried them around all day.  That made me so happy--I would do anything to fade into the background when I was in middle school but Zac is happy to own it.

After school, we played games and then went to dinner at his favorite noodle shop--the one we tried first when Brett and Shireen were in town.  

A wasabi bugger.  He is definitely 14.

Kate was so excited to give him her gift, which she selected and paid for: a Saint Christopher chain!

Zac is still king of expressions: here he is opening surf stickers and wax from Owen.  

A homemade card from Grandma Nufer:

He spent the rest of the evening reading in his new socks, long-sleeved (always black) shirt, necklace, and VANS.  He has finally hit the age where clothes are meaningful, desired gifts.

He read the first five books of the series in a week, and is almost finished with book 8 two weeks later.  (Hereʻs to hoping heʻs been doing his homework.)

He requested a cake "just like Owenʻs":

His birthday party was a trip to Oahu with Brady/friends for the game.

Zachary is still so delighted with little kids.  He silly and spontaneous, and loves to make them laugh.  He has a special relationship with Roxy, playing with her every night, and she sleeps with him for an hour before going to her kennel.  I think this says a lot about the kind of kid he is, if a tiny dog and small children adore him.  

Zachary is crazy athletic.  I canʻt score anything on him when we play trampoline basketball--he is so fast and coordinated.  He works hard at it--when the run the mile in PE, a lot of the kids say they are "not going to go all out."  Zac said one day he thought about easing up, too, but, "I just couldnʻt.  I had to try my best." 

Zachary has learned how to study and he is exceptionally responsible about his school work.  Iʻve been so excited to watch him develop as a student and take ownership for learning.  That is a long process and there is still plenty to learn, but I see how much he has progressed over the last two years and it is impressive.  Just this past week, he went way over and above an assignment requirement to make a historical video about surfing.  He probably spent 20 hours on it.

Zac plays every piano he sees.  He hates to be told what to play or how to practice.  He loves to play.  He has a sharp memory and plays with volume and enthusiasm.  He has also developed a better dynamic range and musical sensitivity.  

Zachary is learning the ins and outs of friendship, loyalty, and phones.  He suddenly spends a lot of time texting and video chatting with friends.  He has a super sweet relationship with his "cousins"--Elise and Sariah. He canʻt believe he has to take a GABB phone to school and is "the only one in the ENTIRE SCHOOL" without a smartphone.  Shrug.  

Quoting Dr. Suess is a no-no but I canʻt help it...

 "Kid, youʻll move mountains."

Christmas Eve (and Eve Eve)

"Itʻs here!  Itʻs finally here!  Iʻm so excited and so sad....sad because it means it is almost over."  -Kate

Roxy let the kids enthusiastically dress her as a reindeer and Santa over and over again on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve Eve (I refuse to call it Christmas Adam because why are we giving men more "holidays"?), Kate had spelling bee practice at the school for 3 hours.  Zac and Brady were in Oahu.  I asked Owen what adventure heʻd like to do of everything he could think of and he begged for tide pooling.  Off we went to find tiny snails, itty bitty fish, plenty of huge rocks and sea cucumbers, and even a few big crabs.

That afternoon, we charged to the west side to meet the Smiths for surf at Pakalas.  Kate has never surfed there and was anxious and excited to give it a try.  Sheʻs heard (valid) shark stories about Pakalas and its murky waters, so her heart was pounding along this gorgeous path to the water.

It was a chilly, sunny afternoon. I took a couple indulgent selfies because the lighting and clouds were stunning.

Pakalas turned out to be ultra-shallow that day.  Almost everyone ended up bloody from the reef.  It is an easy, left ride that goes for ages, but not quite as enjoyable when you face-plant on jagged rock.  The girls took dozens of waves, I had a fun 20-minute turn, and even Owen rode 6 waves to shore for a pack of bubble gum!  Iʻm not sure how easy it will be to convince them to try again.

Christmas Eve was on a Friday this year and as always, we caught Santa paddling into shore.  

It was so cold that day but I went to First Break for a couple hours and surfed my heart out.  Thanks, Brady!

We hosted Christmas Eve Dinner with the Stebbins.  Ham, tri tip, au gratin potatoes, Christmas salad with pomegranates and apple pears, rolls, cheese ball, and of course Martinellis for Zachary and Caleb.  We finished off with mint brownies and Mahjinkaʻs perfectly sliced apple pie.

Man likes his meat.

The kids watched the Santa tracker, jumped on the trampoline, played games and begged to start the Saran Wrap game.

We did a quick rendition of the Nativity, with Shay as angel, Kate as Mary, Ty as donkey, and an assortment of shepherd and wise men boys.

A lot of thought was put into Josephʻs quidditch robe and shepherd Owenʻs combo Yoda/Griffindor outfit. We even had a sheep dog.

It was finally time to open Nicʻs carefully crafted Saran Wrap gift.

Not the most environmentally friendly, but loaded with all sort of goodies.

Payday!  The kids laughed and all had a haul.

Time for a couple pics around the Christmas tree:

I finished the night feeling so grateful to be surrounded by all these people I love and with kids who all get along and love each other, too.

Kate and Shay used their own money to exchange gifts.  Loved their anticipation, smiles, and giggles.

The Christmas Eve prep was the easiest of all time and Brady and I were in bed by 11:30pm!  A Christmas miracle.  

Owen Turns 6--the Fun Factory Never Ends with Him

Owen!!!  How are you already six years old?!  You are kind, smart, and fun.  Although you love the idea of being older, you still love to give hugs and receive cuddles.  Your classmates say you're always in a good mood.  You love anything with wheels--bikes, skooters, skateboards, etc.  Your current life interests are playing with your sister Kate, archeology, art, crafts, and collections.  You're not afraid to try new things and tend to be successful in everything you try--t-ball, running, soccer to name a few.  You love your bedtime story every night.  We love your passion for life.  We love you, Owen!

Owen wanted to do a birthday party this year with friends at Fun Factory!  It did not disappoint.  We had about 15+ total guests between kids and parents.

Even though Kauai Fun Factory is not overly spacious, it had the essentials--like air hockey, carousel, and driving games.

Owen is liberal with his friendships.  He invited several of his peers, but he also wanted some older friends to join as well.  Tate and Jake figure out the keyboard.

Kate and Sam having fun on the arcades.

Owen, Evie, and Kelly on a little car game.  They had unlimited rides on this one and they played it what seemed like an unlimited amount of times.

Zac and Caleb got competitive doing multiple rounds of air hockey.  This was arguably the best game there.  There's Evie and Owen still on the car ride in the background:)

Tate is all smiles under that mask!

This year's cake was sponsored by Costco:)  The kids loved it.  Owen's request was chocolate over chocolate.

Owen's pal Tobin from his t-ball team.

Owen and Evie, a school classmate, were pals the whole time.  Evie has a rare brittle bone condition.  This was a big deal to her (and her mom) to receive an invite to Owen's party.  She had a blast.

Let the gift opening begin!

Owen with his Stebbin's pals Sam and Jake.

Also, with his older Stebbin's pals Isaac and Caleb.

Of course, the Clarks joined us.  These guys are like family to Owen--been in his life since the day he was born.

Another one of Uncle Nic's pranks!

The party continued at home.  The Clarks joined us for a dance party.  Even Zac joined in the dancing fun--which is shocking!

A mini pool table was one of the spoils from the Fun Factory prizes.

Owen enjoying one of his gifts from his friends.

Birthdays are so much fun.  I have fond memories of birthdays growing up and Owen's face says it all!

Lucky for us, Brett and Shireen Olsen visited us right during Owen's birthday.  Sariah and Sam below made Owen's day with this volcano science experiment kit.

Birthday cake with candle pictures are classics that represent moments for a lifetime.

This was one tuckered out kid.  Even Roxy let Owen use her as a foot rest.