Back to reality

We tried to make time for Pearl Harbor, but we didn't quite plan ahead well enough to take the tours, so it was a quick visit. But, since we had underestimated traffic and overestimated my navigation skills, we were happy to have the extra time. We are home and all trying to not whine about going back to reality tomorrow!

Surfing ready

Before surfing the other day the kids were a little nervous....I always can tell because they start sitting on each other's laps and cuddling. Once they hit the water they went their separate ways and didn't think about anything but surfing. Matter of fact, ever since then they haven't talked about much else either. Too bad we go home tomorrow!!

Hanging out before soccer

18 years later

How many people reach out to their sixth grade teacher on Facebook?

Not sure, but Cindy has a few former students who have.

This one, Angela, is a cop in Honolulu, who friended Cindy in 2009. They met when Angela was 5 and in kindergarten. She joined the track team that Cindy was coaching at the elementary school, and Cindy coached her for seven years until Angela graduated from elementary school. Then they both moved to the new junior high school, where Cindy coached her in basketball, softball and track. Somehow, in sixth grade, Cindy ended up with Angela's medal from a track meet that she won. She has carried it with her for 18 years and when she found out we were headed to Hawaii, she knew exactly where the medal was, packed it, and today we took it to Angela. As it turns out, there was also a jewelry box with gold rings in it that Angela had been without since the sixth grade. They chatted for an hour in the McDonald's parking lot. Angela reaffirmed Cindy's favorite saying, "stay in sports to keep out of trouble," so Cindy made sure that Borja and Mason heard that. (Kenzie wasn't with us at the time.) It was an hour well spent to reconnect.

Cartwheels, or something, on the beach

Since Kenzie was little we have been taking pictures of her doing cartwheels on the beach. Mason's handstands are not so graceful, but work against the nice backdrop.

Borja did his yesterday, with some help...

Big waves

We headed to the north shore today. There was a high tide warning and "vog" (volcano fog), so conditions were not conducive to swimming. We thought it was a perfect opportunity to get some great pictures and violated the rule of the beach: "never turn your back on the water." Just as we did that a big wave swept up and knocked us over like bowling pins...Cindy, Kenzie, Mason, Diane, Grammy and I all got soaking wet. Cindy realized that Grammy was beached like a seal on the sand as the water was returning to sea, so I caught her arm and all was fine. Grampy was leaning on a tree observing the whole thing, worried more about Cindy's camera than his wife, but amused by her flopping "like a frog" as he described it. Don't worry, we got our pictures.

In case you can't see the prominent signs with the orange flags...

Family picture on the north shore

too bad nobody told me to wear orange...

Chaminade soccer

Today was Keegan's last college soccer game so Diane outfitted us in matching Chaminade soccer tee shirts. We found some shade and had a remarkably comfortable 1:00 game, apart from the seemingly unbalanced play.

No beaches today, just sun and a dip in the pool, and a casual evening in the condo.

Waikiki sunrise

Diane, Grammy and I got up to go for a sunrise walk, we didn't sneak out quietly enough! Mason couldn't quite figure out why it took us so long to go to Starbucks when it was only a block away. Kenzie loved chasing the birds.

Surfing

I wasn't sure who, besides Borja, would be interested in a surf lesson, so I bought two on a Groupon and figured I had at least a 50% chance of going. As it turns out, we had to buy one more pass and I still sat in the sand. After a brief lesson all three kids were surfing. I was amazed at Mason in particular who overcame all his fears of the water (and sharks) in an instant. The waves were small but he still got tossed around and never complained.

After surfing we met up with our friend Trude who brought her stand-up paddleboard, and I finally got my chance to go on a board.

Beach combing

It's Keegan's last home soccer game so we all took it as a great excuse to rally a quick family trip to Oahu. Diane is a veteran here and took us to Hanauma Bay for some great snorkeling and then to Kailua Beach Park for white sand and fewer tourists.

Chirpie goes Hawaiian

Searching for sun

Cindy took the kids this morning to the airport. They are going to Hawaii! I will meet up with them after work...quick weekend getaway.

They're at the airport waiting to see if they made the standby list!