Balloon Hats

This weekend Mike's work hosted an "evening out" activity. In the afternoon we went swiming at the Hale Koa (hotel) Alyssa's favorite pool, and then went out to dinner. After dinner a man came around and made us all fun ballon hats. We all wore them on our walk down Waikiki to our car getting some strange looks as we went. It was a lot of fun and we had to take a picture when we got home.

Cirque Hawaii

We were so excited about spending time together over Labor Day weekend. Mike had Thursday and Friday off so it was like a vacation. In Hawaii there is always a ton to do so we were ready to make the most of it..., until we all got sick. An ugly cold reared it's head about Wednesday, so our days at the beach got canceled. However we did still make it to Cirque Hawaii. It is basically a show with lots of amazing tricks. Like balancing acts, tight rope walking, magic, dancing and gymnastics. They do a lot with lights and music and high elevations. Alyssa really enjoyed it and because we got the tickets buy on get one free we had an extra child's so a friend (and his parents) came along. They sat next to each other and shared a bag of pop corn bouncing up an down in their seats. Now Alyssa says when she is a "big girl" she is going to be a ballerina in the show (Cirque Hawaii). I hope she changes her mind as I could hardly watch some of the stunts they performed! Way too dangerous! We finished off the evening with a visit to the Cheesecake factory for some cake to go and some Ramen (at a Japanese restaurant, not the kind from the .25$ package!). It was fun and hopefuly we will feel well enough to go to the beach on Labor Day.

Alyssa Ballerina

Last Christmas Alyssa and I saw a cute show that included a ballerina. She was enamored by the dancing the shoes and even the music. After that she began to dance all over the house on her tippy toes. She was given a ballerina costume and dubbed her church shoes "ballet" shoes. She would put them on, request some "asicisol" (classical) music so she could dance. Her interest seems genuine and long lived so I signed us up for a mommy and me ballet class. It has been a lot of fun and quite funny watching a bunch of 2-3 year old children and a bunch of mommies attempting to do ballet. Alyssa looks forward to the class each week and has even begun to make up ballet songs which she sings at the top of her lungs around the house and in the car.

Fun Family Reunion

We had such a great time with family a few weeks ago Alyssa keeps insisting we "go on the airplane again tonight" for another visit. All of my brothers and sisters and my parents met at Bear Lake and had a blast! We boated, water skied hiked Minatonka cave and Alyssa's personal favorite, had a birthday party for a cousin. After the reunion the fun continued with fireworks, a hot dog roast complete with fishing, four wheeler rides and to top it all off horse rides on grandpa's farm. Alyssa can't stop talking about her cousins and her Grandpa's cows and horses. We do love living in Hawaii, but it's just so far away from family. Hopefully we will be able to go back soon.

Alyssa is struggling to learn how people are related to her, and that they can have more that title depending on the relation. Such as a daughter and a cousin and a friend. Today while looking at a family picture she asked
"mom, where's my brother?"
"You don't have a brother?"
"Yes I do"
"Who is your brother?"
"Brock, (long pause) and Wyatt and Zack" (her cousins)

Later I told her Daddy was a man and she replied,
"no daddy's not a man"
"well then is he a woman?"
"No, he is not a woman"
"then what is he?"
"he's just a daddy"
There you have it! The perspectives of a three year old!

We attended the state fair last weekend and Alyssa had her first merry-go-round ride. She enjoyed it, but was very nonchalant about the whole thing. What ever happened to the "jumping up and down just can't wait to get on the ride" kind of excitement I remember having as a kid? Oh wait, I think I saw that kind of excitement when Mike bought her french fries! She is definitely more like her daddy.

Is blogging for me?

So after viewing all our friends fun fun blogs, I have decided to try it myself. However, I do so with the following disclaimer... there is no guarantee of regular posts, cute photos or funny stories. The quality of this blog will be determined by how entertaining or worthwhile I determine it to be once I get started. So with that said let the Julaton family blog begin...