A Painter Inspired

The Track Meet

For  the past many weeks, Cici has been practicing her long jumping skills. She was able to pick a few events at school, practice and then the teachers would pick 4 kids for each event that would compete at the school district wide event this past week. Cici tried both Discus and Long Jump. She practiced hard and it paid off in Long Jump. She was chosen with 3 other grade 5 girls to go to the meet! She was so excited! The sun came out and gave a great day for the event. One of the girls on her team from the school won first place. It brought me back to the days that I did track at her age. She enjoyed herself and wants to do it again next year.

He is 5!

My boy is 5!

For his birthday he wanted to go caving, I'm not sure if it was an idea planted by his father but none the less, the two men headed to some amazing caves out of town.

He had so much fun in those caves. I would not have made it through, I was really impressed that he loved it!

They came home to have dinner and a small party. J Man invited one of his friends for dinner, cake and presents. 

Since he was going caving, he wanted a cave cake. I looked at him with surprise and said sure. How on earth was I going to make a cave cake!! Well, this is what I came up with, not too bad for making a cave cake on the fly!

There is a tradition that this little man started on his first birthday. We have a video of him just after his cake was put in front of him to eat. He looked at it, tasted it with his finger and then slowly bent down and started eating it face first. So, J Man's sisters have never let him forget and now on every birthday he does the same thing!

He got his very first water gun. We may regret this.....

He also got his favourite animal.... a warthog. 

Birthday's have become a family affair thanks to technology. In fact, both sets of grandparents were on FaceTime during the singing of Happy Birthday and blowing out of the candles.

Grandma and Grandpa got him his first fishing rod, he is really excited to go try it out!

And it wouldn't be a birthday without the parents playing with the new toys too.

Hard to believe that our littlest is 5 now. Happy Birthday J Man!!

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Swimming with Sea Turtles

One of the most exciting things we did in Hawaii was snorkelling with sea turtles. We were able to do that here, at the Hilton.

Here is Paddles, one of the many huge sea turtles that we met. It was quite intimidating being so close to them in the water. We all had the chance to get in the water and follow along with these amazing creatures. B though chose to stay in the paddle boat but still got a close up encounter as it surfaced right beside the boat. Seriously one of the most fun things I think I have done. I am addicted to snorkelling now and hope to do some here in our oceans this summer. 

There were also dolphins there. These ones below are two babies that were so cute. They were pretty excited to see their trainers and decide to do laps around the enclosure and show off a bit!

A Boy and His Dog

The Luau

So, it wouldn't be a visit to Hawaii without going to a Luau. So, we went.

The kids got a chance to practice with some of the props that the ladies use during the show.

J Man was pretty thrilled about his special drink.

Here we all our waiting to eat.

B and I in the glow of the setting sun.

So, here is what we ate. There is a pig in there.

After eating the amazing food the entertainment got started.

The "Fire Man" as J Man called him was has a crowd favourite. 

The "Fire Man" was also J Man's favourite and got a chance to have a picture taken with some of the men from the show. This picture makes me laugh, not at the performers, but at how white my little  man in front is!

Of course, having the Luau at a great hotel on the beach meant for another chance to see another amazing sunset.