Entrepreneurs, Artists, Easter, Scientists, Shark teeth, and Sherie

One evening, Owen became obsessed with "earning money."  I say this with quotes because he had many options for earning with extra chores, but he wanted the easy money.  He decided on a lemonade stand--just like in one of his favorite Danny's Choice books.  I absolutely despise the thought of my children soliciting people, plus all the factors--ingredients, cups, keeping it cold, etc.  We live in a cul-de-sac with very little traffic so the chances of success were minimal.  He threw a fit while I tried to reason with him. Regardless, Owen was set on his idea and decided the very next morning to sell to the golfers.  He did not have any ingredients to make lemonade, so he used fresh lemon juice and water, created a sign (1$), and left the "juice" on the back porch.  It sat there for days, accumulating bugs.  It was a much better experience than trying to reason with him.

Immediately after Brady's trip to Vegas for mediation on the 1 Hotel Project, he and his legal team were up at the project to take video and prepare more for the case.  It was an emotional experience for him to be at the site where he worked tirelessly and very nearly completed a stunning remodel, but with much psychological toll.  It is gorgeous, Brady!

I don't recall our reason for this selfie but sure love our wrinkled grins together.

Owen's favorite bedtime story for March/April: Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Dorine Cronin.  He memorized most of it and reads it in his best "farmer" accent.  Hilarious!

"Wednesday is bath day for the pigs.  Wash them with my favorite bubble bath and dry them off with my good towels.  Remember, they have very sensitive skin."

Zachary loves to wrap his pup in blankets and she seems to love it, too.

Sherie came to visit during her spring break.  I felt bad it was a hectic time for our family, and our availability was so limited.  We had inspiring conversations and I hope the experience was healing for her.  I know it was helpful for me.

Brady had surgery the day after her departure.  His MRI showed significant damage to his meniscus and it continued to worsen for months after injury in November while running too many trails at Zac's soccer tourney.  When Derek operated, he found a deeper, more significant tear not seen on the MRI.  They are both hopeful his knee will heal and Brady will be back to trails sometime soon.

Although no surgery is easy, this one was so much better than his hernia surgery.  He invited the kids to read with him, play games on the bed, etc. 

Everyday Kate: this girl goes from sunup to sundown.  Dance every day but Friday, driving to school with Dad's shades and my hand-me-down flannel, practicing piano, reading, and always always always planning time with friends.

Twinning at a track meet:

If only this was the most challenging part of teen years...

Some Owen highlights: going to the Kaua'i Museum with his class, his bucket list for 100 days of school (he wants 10 parents...!), hanging with his pup while we re-train her to never pee inside, exploration in Hanapepe during Zachary's soccer practices, scuba diving in the bathtub, donuts for coming on a Saturday morning errand, and sushi, which he proudly ordered for his dinner but ate most of my food on second thought.

More everyday Owen: piano practice, Zachary spending some quality time "Scott Sterling-style" at goal while Owen plasters him with shots and plenty of giggles, sleeping as he shuttles siblings around on a Saturday after a long day at the beach with his friend Ace, more soccer with Z, dissecting cat eyeballs, and more soccer practice.    

Between all the soccer practice, we probably need to help him with his name.

Kate was so excited to support her friends in their ballet, "Cinderella."  So many of the ballet and hip hop dancers were my students, so it was a perfect 2-for-1 Mom/Kate date.

Easter came in a hurry this year.  Brady's determination to do everything with a bum knee cracked me up.  He hobbled around with his big basket of landfill-destined eggs.

Owen was thrilled to find a pencil art kit that would work for church. His devotion to his giant art kit that banged around the pews every Sunday wasn't working for us.

Zachary went to immediate work, pounding his peeps and most of his candy before 8am.

Easter family selfie:

Todd and Brady shook things up a bit with their matching crutches.  Aunty Nani, our 80-year-old matriarch, asked, "What is happening to the young men of our ward???"

Somehow this automatic egg decorating kit hasn't become "Kauaified" over the past three years and still works perfectly.

Mahjinka and Robert hosted a beautiful Easter meal.

Champion:

Brady hesitated asking about the derby because we certainly didn't want to be the ones pushing it.  But like past years, it seemed like everyone anticipated it and enjoyed.

Zac, taking pictures for my phone background.  This is his Steph Curry.

We attended a CKMS art show at Kukui Grove.  Kate had three pieces on display.

My favorite moment was hearing Ella, her friend with Down Syndrome, take her mom over to Kate's self portrait and say, "This is Kate, my best friend!"

Some everyday moments: double rainbows, double chocolate cookies with Owen, double backbends (two kids performing), double row of teeth ("Mom, I have SHARK TEETH!"), and LOTS more than double the warts to freeze off at the doctor.

Zachary plays soccer pickup games in Hanapepe with an adult team combined with his team.  It is a good way to practice quick passes.

 Run club morning, finishing with pink cheeks:

My other favorite hobby lately: playing piano for Kate's ballet.  I go most Mondays and play their pointe exercise music for about 45 min to an hour.  It has challenged me (the music is all classical and I'm not classically trained), but it's been so good to get back on the keys regularly. Itʻs enjoyable for me to learn more about Kateʻs passion, as my ballet knowledge is limited to buns and the endless leotard and shoe purchases.

This belongs everywhere and nowhere, my love for this dog.  I love her always but the pee in the house was killing me off.  The play area I established for her while I'm at school has worked like a charm and we are accident free for nearly two months now.  I'm already to the point I want another dog, so maybe I need to revisit my dog frustration.  Ha!