Pumpkin carving

Sunday evening we went over to my friend Danielle’s house for pumpkin carving. It was my first carving ever as was Journees. We had three little pumpkins. One was from the Treat Street that Journee picked out and two others that we bought. Journee drew her face and I carved out the top and let her scoop out the inside and while I carved out another small one.

Then, I decided to carve a big pumpkin since the small was had been easy and was very theraputic. The larger one was harder though and took more time but I was so proud of it.

This was such a fun event. Who knew I would love carving pumpkins. Maybe I was born to be a sculptor. Heeheehee…

Another costume contest...

Journee had so much fun Saturday at the Treat Street she wanted to be in another costume contest Sunday. I found one happening at the Swap Meet (open at the UH football stadium every Wed, Sat and Sun). She entered this one and played on their bouncy house until the contest. A little girl won this one and again Journee was a little sad but got past it quickly.

It didn’t detour her any because she is entering the school contest on Halloween.

The say that people who get a tattoo gets addicted and that’s why they get more and more – well Journee is addicted to costume contests I think. Heeheehee.

Treat Street

Today Journee had her first ballet lesson and totally loved it. After her class we got ready for the Kailua Treat Street in Kailua, HI. Journee went as the next ‘American Idol,’ and she looked so cute. The block party was so much fun with pumpkin picking, a costume contest and lots of games for the kids.

We took my niece, Alyssa, and she was dressed as a fairy. Though she’ll be 20 in December she still loves to dress up.

Halloween is such a huge holiday here in Hawaii. The contest had over 400 contestants. Journee wanted to win a trophy so badly but the costumes picked were mostly homemade ones from cardboard boxes that people (parents) decorated.

We had a great time and enjoyed looking at all the costumes. Journee loved seeing the dogs dressed up.

Journee and Alyssa even got a picture with Wally Amos (better known as ‘Famous Amos’ the cookie guy).

Speakeasy

This was a busy weekend for us. Friday evening Journee and I went to a ‘Speakeasy Party.’ These types of parties came about in the 20s during prohibition. The party was lots of fun but keeping up the acting was difficult.

I have always wanted to dress up as a flapper and this was my chance though Journee looked much cuter than I.

Everyone looked great and we had such a blast.

Here’s the plot to the murder mystery party:

Tess (played by Christine the lady in red) works for a guy named Rey (not pictured) who throws this party at his new club, The Crimson Pear. Rey ends up being murdered and we (the partygoers) have to find out who did it. We were given fake money to bribe people with for clues.

Everyone had a great time and in the end, after all the bribing, we found out it was Jack Archer, Rey’s right-hand man (played by Ronald Stauffer the man in black).

Journee had a great time playing her role as Molly and orphan child who worked at The Crimson Pear as a shoeshiner and singer/dancer. My role was that of Sharon Singleton, a woman of great money, though no one know where it came from. I drove the getaway car in a bank robbery and got money from that.

We all had a good time and look forward to our next murder mystery party.

A little magic

Aloha all,

Well, we had a visit from the Toothfairy last night. This visit was the most special so far because she left pink fairy dust in Journee's tooth container.

I was getting ready this morning when I heard Journee scream "Mommy, look" and I could hardly believe my eyes when she showed me her fairy dust. It was so beautiful and Journee was so excited (which made my heart burst with joy).

And, here's the best part......Journee shared it with me. So, today we both have a little fairy dust on our cheeks.

Aloha,
Priya

Day at the Beach

Aloha all,

Recently Journee and I went to a beach birthday party. Journee decided to finally use her snorkel mask and look under the water. She was amazed at the world in the water and doesn't seem to be afraid of touching the stuff she sees. We had to talk about touching things when we don't know what they are. I don't want to scare her but I don't want her to get hurt either.

It's wonderful to see your child discover the things God created, isn't it?

Aloha and malama pono
(love and take care),
Priya

The meme game...

Aloha friends,

This game came from Christa (who tagged me). Please read the following and participate along with me.

First off what does 'meme' mean...according to Craig another blogger, "I think that meme (pronounced like meem) is actually a word that describes cultural ideas or practices that are passed down similar to genes. I think the idea is that this middle name thing will be passed down over and over and become a meme."

The rules: you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

Here’s mine: Priya SHAWN Jenkins

S – Sunny days here in Hawaii make me homesick for the first snowfall, the sweet smell of spring, morning dew on the grass, Red Bud trees, seeing firewood outside grocery stores in winter and flowers in spring. ‘These are some of my favorite things…’

H – Heaven. When I get sad thinking about my short time here on earth with Journee, I remember that one day we’ll be together again in Heaven.

A – Amazement is what I feel when I think of the awesome responsibility God gave me when he graced me with Journee. Every time I watch her I am amazed at how absolutely wonderful she is and how blessed I am to be her mom.

W – Water. Since living in Hawaii I drink more water on a regular basis. You know in Oklahoma the tap water isn’t always the best but in Hawaii it tastes like bottled water.

N – Nonsmoker. That’s what I am now and forever (going on 6 months now and don’t even want to smoke).

Should you decide to add this game to your own blog then at the end of your post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. But, I say just tag whomever you want.

I am tagging Michelle, Hope, Heather and John. If you want you can play along just by leaving an anonymous comment. I would love to see your middle name and a relevant fact about your life.

Love and miss you all.

Many alohas,
Priya

PS – Look for a blog from Journee over the weekend with her middle name.

'Homegrown Celebration'

Here are some more pictures from the Windward Ho‘olaule‘a. Journee enjoyed the bouncey houses, the swings and slides. I enjoyed watching her and listening to the beautiful music. I even called my mom so she could hear the music she is missing back in Oklahoma.

Artists at work

On Saturday, Sept. 22 Journee and I went to the annual Windward Ho‘olaule‘a (Homegrown Celebration). The festival featured local entertainment, ‘ono (good) food, unique island crafts, keiki games, a silent auction and high-tech Imaginarium. The bouncey houses were the same as the ones at the Benji fair but Journee didn’t mind.

There was a booth set up for painting fish. It’s actually a form of art some people do here with real fish. But, it is really difficult (even on the rubber fish we used). First, you pick your fish (Journee picked the seastar and I picked a regular fish). Then you pick your paint colors (by the time we used it you were lucky to get any color other than black). Next, you paint your fish and then place the paper over it and hold it and press on the outside areas. Then you let it dry.

Both picture are hanging on Journee’s door. We like them and will eventually frame them.

See Tamara, we’re aspiring artists too. :-)

Climbing the Rock Wall

Each year at the Benji Fair (this is our third one to attend) the ride people bring a rock climb. Journee has never climbed it nor have I encouraged her to – until this year. I told her she should try it and that I would be right there along with the guys who assist the kids.

Well, she had trouble at first and then got the hang of it. After she was about 25 feet in the air she finally looked at me and when she saw how high up she was her face lost all of its color and she decided to come back down.

She was such a trooper. She didn’t want to do it again but she was proud of herself for doing it – as was I.

A day at the fair

Journee’s school recently held their annual Benji Fair (Benji for Benjamin Parker Elementary). The different grades have booths selling various items (Journee’s sold spam musubi – local delight [rice and spam wrapped in seaweed]– and had a fish pond) in order to raise money for the school. The school provides bouncey houses, face painting and other games.

A favorite game of all the children is the paperclip toss where the keiki (children) toss a paperclip into cups. Of course all children are awarded a prize -- a goldfish. Journee ended up bringing home 6 goldfish.

I’ve selected various pictures from the Benji Fair.

One is of Journee and her classmates doing the Macarena dance for the audience. Another is of her getting her face painted by the school counselor. In the spinner ride are Journee and her friends Katelyn and Kierstan (and Katelyn’s little brother). The last picture is of Journee working at her class’s booth. She enjoyed working the fish pond booth.

When I was her age, my grandmother took me to the annual Flag Day parade in Wanette, Okla, and I loved selling items for the Eastern Star. It made my heart smile to see Journee enjoying to help the little kids catch a fish (gift).