Random March

As I keep doing these random picture posts years down the road, I'd like to make a comment to my posterity. Post the random. Random pictures are the best and five years down the road you probably won't remember why you took them. I love our random pictures. 

Copperton Park

In case you can't read it, Sarah decided her parents are worth more than gold. :)

Little Steven Stark

(It's November 2018 and I wrote this whole post but didn't post it for some reason)

Steven is a very creative kid. He loves to build and create. From a young age one of his favorite things to create has been various weapons. I'm from a family of all girls, so this was foreign territory for me. We don't have any toy weapons in the house and don't let them watch any violent shows, yet my young boy was making guns out of random household items. We have a large set of Trio Blocks that he and the neighbor kids use to make arsenals or weapons and then chase each other around the yard. Here.....(I can't find whatever picture I must have been referring to, but I'm sure it was really cool.)

Steven likes to draw pictures and then go into a lot of detail describing the picture. A few months ago he drew a picture of a large missile that broke up into smaller missiles to pinpoint various targets at once. It was basically the Jericho missile from Iron Man even though Steven has never seen the movie. Even though it was a weapon of mass destruction, I thought it was very creative. I set it aside, but it ended up in the recycling bin. He drew basically the same missile once or twice more but since they get lumped into a pile they got recycled. (bad mom, I know)

Last Sunday I wanted him to draw it so I could document his creativity. I reminded him of what he did in the past, but since it wasn't his original idea drawn without Mom's suggestion, it turned out quite different. (Again, no picture. I'm going to post it because I remember all of this and it was really good, but will chalk it up to a parenting failure. It's now three years later and they still love to create weapons with Trio Bloks and design "cool" stuff on paper.)

Conniving Kiddos

Not long ago my kids were introduced to the idea of toilet papering. I'm sure everyone that reads this knows about it, but in case you don't, you take toilet paper and "decorate" your neighbors trees and yard. When done in the spirit of fun and friendship this can be a fun part of adolescents. When done to get back at someone it can also be fun. ;) After hearing about this our kids quickly started scheming and plotting for their eventual late night capers. They listed our neighbors and had a yes and no side for which neighbors should be hit. It was humorous hearing them discuss who made the list and why.

I also got a kick out of their strategizing. Sarah and Steven devised a plan that would allow them maximum fun with minimal culpability. They would toilet paper our house along with others to deflect the blame. If our house was TP'd, then they wouldn't be suspects. (or so they thought) When Mike mentioned what happens to TP after it rains Steven decided they should do it before a storm a we had to gently remind them that the purpose is fun, and not revenge. We also had to make it perfectly clear that Mike and I couldn't participate, because although it's "fun" for kids, it's vandalizing for adults. :) Our kids aren't old enough for this yet, but they will certainly look forward to their tween years when they are. Hopefully our neighbors still like us afterwards. ;)

Hawaii day 9- Dole Plantation

We had planned on hiking Diamond Head our last day on the Island. I was very excited not only for the grandeur of the view at the top, but also for the physical exertion. I'd heard it was something not to miss. Mike had heard from a couple guys on his crew that the Dole Plantation was SO COOL we just had to go. He mentioned a train and maze and I was quickly out voted.

There are a few facts about the Dole Plantation. First of all, it's a working plantation. Not every day you get to see one of those. Second, it has the worlds largest maze. A foreign country built a bigger one a few years back so Dole expanded theirs to once again be #1. The novelty wore off quickly, but it was kind of fun. (Again, my point of view is probably jaded by not being able to hike Diamond Head)

Third, you can ride the "Pineapple Express" and listen to music by the same name. If kids like trains, they'll enjoy this train. If they don't, they'll look like Sarah in this picture. ;)

There were plenty of picture opps. 

Another cool Hawaiian tree is the painted Eucalyptus. They really do look like they're painted with lots of colors. They are very beautiful. 

I know the kids had fun, BUT if we ever get to take a trip like this again, we are hiking Diamond Head first. The Dole Plantation is technically a "one of a kind" experience, but for me it was a just a tourist trap. (sorry for the mildly negative tone, I wanted that hike) ;)

Our last day was spent in flight. We woke up early and headed to the airport. Steven was happy because although it was his turn to sit by himself there wasn't anyone seated next to him.

Hawaii Day 8- Surfing and shaved ice

On Monday we spent the morning at the beach so the kids could work on their mad surfing skills.

I loved all the flora on Hawaii. So neat. 

After the beach drove to the opposite side of the Island because we were told we HAD to visit Matsumoto's shaved ice because it's THE BEST on Oahu. Verdict- As far as shaved ice goes, it probably is the best. It's shaved ice, but it's good shaved ice. :) My family all chose normal, boring flavors but I chose a couple that were unique. One was like a pomegranite and the other is a sort of lemon/lime flavor. I don't remember what they were both called. You can get ice cream in the bottom. We all got smalls with ice cream, but they were so big only Mike made it to the bottom.

Steven made a new friend, like always.

Steven found a lizzard to play with. We had to break the bad news that he couldn't bring it home. :)

Hawaii Day 7- Church, temple and Halona beach

On Sunday we wanted to go to church and then visit the temple, so we chose a ward right next to the temple. We only went for Sacrament, but it was fast Sunday and all the testimonies were great. Every started with a big Aloha or Talofa and they were very kind and inviting. 

After church we walked over to the Hawaiian temple visitors center. They were showing "Meet the Mormons", so we stayed and watched it. It is such a beautiful temple and grounds. There was construction, so we couldn't walk all the way around, but it was still great to be there. 

Since we were up north again we decided to see some of the sites. We visited the Halona Blowhole and beach. The kids took a picture over the blowhole lookout and Sarah decided her tooth might finally be ready to come out. I barely touched it and it came out. I doubt there are many people that can say they lost a tooth there. :)

There wasn't much to see from the lookout so we walked down the beach. We made sure to pack the kids swimsuits just in case, and I'm glad we did. Steven learned to cliff jump and the kids explored a cave. 

We ventured over to see the blowhole in case it decided to start performing. Nada! The ocean was putting on a great show though. Although Steven was pretty far from the edge he still made me nervous. He loved seeing the waves splashing up.