Zac loves selfies of him and Rox, but otherwise avoids them. I have about 20 shots just like this. These two are pals.
Weʻve played a lot of basketball. One night during a wild game of "Knockout," Zacharyʻs ball flew right through the backboard of our neighborʻs hoop. We of course replaced it and that was no small endeavor. In my head, it is one of those "honey-dos" that takes an hour.
Kateʻs favorite thing the last few months is ballet. No question. She begs me to sign her up for more classes and for the first time, wants to dance all summer.
Owen bought himself skates with his birthday money so he and Kate could be "skate besties." They rolled around for weeks in the garage, as well as venturing down the driveway and even creating choreography. Every Wednesday after soccer, they skated on the basketball courts for 40 minutes while Zacharyʻs practice finished.
We did a ton of trampoline basketball, too. We play a game where you attempt to block the shots without grabbing the hoop, and Zachary absolutely dominates us. It was a fairly even match when it was me, Kate, and Owen.
Island School had their annual fundraiser auction. It was fancy and LOUD. It was hard for us to stomach the wealth flaunting that happened (thousands of dollars for a bottle of wine, etc.). I understand it is for school scholarships, but I would much prefer to see that kind of money funneled into public education. After our huge success at Koloa Elementary where we pulled in $33,000 this year (our previous high was $6,000), I wanted to vomit when Island School easily made $200,000+ in one quick night. It was our first and last time attending this event, even if all my kids go to that school.
We sat next to Nic and Heidi, the Summerhays, and the Bowers, but couldnʻt say a word over the sound system.
Revenge for leaving this creepy photo on my screen.
Wednesday night skates.
Soccer for Kate. She plays like a tiger during practice but is a little more timid on the field against other teams. Thatʻs the case for most of her teammates, too, and her coach let them all know he was not happy during several games. His goal this season was to have all shutouts, but that did not happen. In fact, they ended up losing their last two games and not advancing during playoffs, which surprised everyone in the league. Iʻm not a coach, and I recognize the enormous sacrifice coaches make to their teams. This coach over the years has been challenging but generally supportive to the girls. This season was sometimes a struggle for Kate and I was proud of her for showing up and working hard. I hope she sticks with soccer, but it is not something we would force. She loves her team. We will see!
You can always count on Zac to get on the ground and build.
Oops, Mom ran over Owenʻs skates. That was a sad day. New ones came a week later.
Zachary was thrilled to take this picture of the two boys twinning. Keahi requires a training shirt to every practice and I think itʻs the cutest to see a mini Zac (ie Owen) running around with the U8s...
Easter build-up: we decorated plenty of eggs in time for the annual derby, did "practice" egg hunts after school, and painted Easter decor. I also ate an entire back of mini Cadberrys in two days--not my finest moment.
I bought myself matching skates to join Owen and Kate. I felt like a pretty fun mom although Iʻm sure I looked like an awkward one barely staying on my feet.
While Brady was in Utah, I handled all three soccer games myself, in the dumping rain. I ran between fields and cheered for both of us.
Owenʻs team was undefeated. The kids on his team were unreal and most of them two grades ahead. I learned later that there was a younger and older team and in requesting that Owen join the team with his friend, he was slotted on the older team. I wish I had left it alone and not made any requests--while he loved his teammates, he was intimidated. This was his first season of soccer. He made big strides in understanding the game over the season.
Skating with the kids was really fun until the day of these photos when it was dumping rain. I was skating with Roxy and taking video of the kids at the same time. Of course I fell hard and my tailbone hurt as badly as when I was bouncing on Barbie Ahlstromʻs lap in 6th grade and she dropped me as a joke straight down onto the tile. It hurt for years. I figured that was what I was in for based on the pain I initially felt, but it only took 3 weeks of icing/heating/ibuprofin/rest to feel mostly better. Iʻm still black and blue 5 weeks later but I will leave that image to your imagination.
Easter morning: started off with an egg hunt. Dad missed out on the fun since he was flying home from Utah but I took plenty of photos.
Zachary was a good sport: giving hints for the tricky eggs and encouraging Kate and Owen.
He was too old for the egg hunt but not for eating Peeps before breakfast. Ha!
Easter shot:
Twinning with Reef. Owen can't decided between "I love you" and the Shaka.
Easter dinner at the Stebbins. Look at this beautiful cake and table!
"Be cool and no one will realize youʻve eaten an entire roll while getting your food." -Zac
Easter Egg Derby! Brady quickly organized brackets and we all competed.
Ty was the 2022 champion!
Late night basketball scrimmage: the team improved so much since their last game against this team.
My cousins--Julie, Rob, Paul and Kathleen--came to visit Kauaʻi, staying in the Marriott. We visited them for a bit there, and then had them for dinner one evening. We were up until midnight chatting until we finally had to call it for our early morning the next day. Kate asked Kathleen to do her hair like she did last visit several years ago.
Ironically, Paul and Kathleen and their two boys will be moving to Fairborn, Ohio for his residency! They are excited to leave behind Hawaii after living in Waikiki for med school, and ready for some "midwestern charm."
One of the boys I had years ago in Primary and who I know well is a high jumper for Kauaʻi High. Heʻs 6ʻ4" and had jumped 5ʻ8" when he asked for some coaching. My kids are at three different practices in three different places on the nights he has access to the high jump pit, but I made it work to be there one night and take videos and offer tips. I then attended his meet that week. The following week when he jumped 5ʻ10", I missed it (we were all down with a brutal cold that was surely COVID but no). He ended the season qualifying for state and placing 4th by clearing 6ʻ0" on his first attempt! This was his season goal and it was thrilling to cheer him on. So proud of this kid Iʻve known since age 8.
Being back at the track was so much fun--for me and the kids. This was the moment I realized Kate has had no exposure to playing on bars:
A spring swell meant we made it to the beach a few times mid-week.
Taking videos of these boys in action:
A little boy still not feeling the greatest. "I just need to relax here for a bit, Mom."
Kate drew a photo of him at church and sent it to him, since he was staying home with Dad.
Owen immediately responded to his "Sweet Kate":
Sunday evening stroll:
Owen wore his hair like this to school for a week before a haircut.
One afternoon, I was lesson prepping and O showed up, fashioned by Kate:
The Jeep was deemed worth of disposal and suddenly became the kidsʻ favorite toy. This has been well-loved for many years.
Basketball games were finally indoors for the boysʻ second season together in county ball. After the first season with all losses, the team ended with thrilling wins against teams they had played six weeks before. This one was a buzzer beater and I donʻt remember the last time I was this excited at a sports venue. Whoo-hoo! This is Zachary lined up next to David.
These coaches were amazing--taking kids that were brand new to basketball (like Zachary) and turning them into a team that could beat opponents who had played together for years.
One thing Iʻve learned from my year teaching (half year subbing, half year at HTA), is that something had to give. I decided to relinquish my treasurer position next year for Koloa after this year. If it was only the finances, that would be manageable but being a board member the last three years means heavy involvement and planning in every activity. I think most volunteer organizations are this way. A few people do most of the work. My last large contribution was a week of Teacher Appreciation. I did all the Teacher Appreciation gifts, snack packs, student planning, and breakfast. It was a big job as always, but this is my favorite part of the year from a PTA standpoint. It was hilarious to go from the breakfast grab-and-go bags I made for Koloa teachers, then drive to my school and get served an appreciation luncheon as a teacher.
Chia pudding with fresh fruit (homemade), coffee/tea/orange juice, fresh blueberry muffins, fruit cups, protein bars, and a boiled egg. Sarina is an organization queen and made sure this was the menu, and Brady helped me for hours the night before. My fridge and three outdoor coolers were a little overwhelmed.
Zac had a witness court date and we stopped at Panda for lunch. This was my first time receiving a sub poena and I was proud of Zachary and his composure. I feel bad he has to go through this but heʻs helping other kids by showing up to testify. They rescheduled the proceedings after someone for the court did not show up, and now he gets to dread round 2 in August.
Dress-like-your-teacher-day: Kate as Ms. Perreira with her Pepsi, shades, leggings, bun and hair band.
Owen wanted to dress as Coach Smilie and Kate arranged the whole thing:
Snack packs for the teachers to go with their flowers:
Kate prepping for her Spring Show. She did extra rehearsals for months and the big day finally arrived! We dropped her off in Waimea early that morning and could not wait to see her on stage that afternoon.
But first! Owenʻs futsal tourney. It was his first ever and he played confidently! It was fast-paced and his team made it to the finals.
Impressed by the older kids:
In the meantime, Zachary was invited to join the U16 Keahi team to play in the championship. He played in most of the game as a forward--a position he is unaccustomed to--but he had several big plays, assists, and shots on goal. Their team WON! He was played as goalie for a bit and two goals got past him, so he felt discouraged after the game and didnʻt realize he missed the medals and photos. It was so fun to hear about his game play-by-play from Brady. Zacʻs U14 team played so much better as the season progressed but only won two games all season. To play for a championship against a team that definitely expected to beat them was thrilling.
SHOW TIME! Kate was in 4 dances and loved every minute of it, even in the swelteringly hot backstage tent!
She is graceful, animated, and precise. I love watching her do something she loves so much!
Motherʻs Day was the best. Zachary wrote me a poem, Owen crafted me a flower arrangement and vase, and Kate wrote several cards and created weaved vase for classroom supplies. Brady made it a "favorite things" theme with a new surf hat, wax, a fancy pencil for math teaching, and a card created on a picture replicating our favorite surf moment together: on a wave at Hanalei with the sunset through a rainbow. I felt so loved!
That evening, Nic, Brady, and Robert made the dinner for us at the Clarks. Also, yes, it is disgusting that Diet Coke is yet again a favorite thing of mine...but to as disgusting as the Flamin Hot Cheetos according to Brady. (Ironically, I had planned to start a no-Diet Coke goal the next day but I mean, I couldnʻt make Brady feel bad...right?!? ;)
Itʻs May, which means: GUILD TIME! Whew. Every day at the piano with Zachary and Kate helping them get their 10 performance pieces ready. They worked so hard!
We measured a couple weeks ago but somehow in that time, he grew!
So much growth! Height, roller skating, dance, piano, schooling, soccer, futsal, and service. It has been a busy, fulfilling spring!
