Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover

Beware of the books you buy your children!! Publications International, Ltd. is the largest maker of traditional children's books that also combine electronic interactivity. According to their website, they are the fifth largest publisher of children's books. Our family owns several of these types of books. I made a recent discovery, and I will never, ever purchase one of these books again. Please refrain from purchasing these books, and return any and all books made by this publisher that you may receive as gifts.

We received this book, Elmo in Grouchland. After my son's bedtime recently, I snuck this book from his room. I dislike the songs, and was ready to get rid of the book.
My grip slipped on the electronic green pad. The adhesive glue loosened, and the electronic pad fell off. The last page of the Elmo book was mounted to the cardboard cover. Behind the Elmo electronic pad, appeared to be a children's Bible story book. Definitely, the book was recycled.

I called Publications International, Ltd. to register my complaint. I spoke with someone who handles customer inquiries, and asked if their company recycles books. The representative was surprised. He assured me they did not. I explained all that had happened. He put me on a hold, and offered to send me a new book when he came back on the line. I didn't want a new book. I asked to speak with someone who handles product discrepancies or consumer relations. Bottom line: Why was this book made from a recycled Bible story book? Finally, the representative forwarded my complaint to the corporate office, and supposedly they will contact me within 24 hours. I will keep you posted. In the meantime, check your children's books published by Publications International, Ltd. If you find problems with your books please contact their corporate office at 847-676-3470.

No Consolation

Son1 gaped over my shoulder at the image on my computer screen.

"Who is that, Mommy?" he asked, in a very bothered voice. "Why is she so sad?"

He didn't even look at me to answer. He stared at the screen. I turned from the computer and looked down at his clouded little face, stifled a laugh and said, "That's Hillary Clinton."

"Mommy, why is Hillary sad? Hillary is SO SAD, Mommy."

No answer from me. It could be a lot of things.

The article is titled The 5 Mistakes Clinton Made.

Celebrations in May

May 1, Lei Day

Lei Day is a celebration of spring with leis and flowers.

May 5 Boys Day
With a significant Japanese population in Hawaii, the islands also celebrate Tango-no-sekku, or Boys Day. Families display carp banners outside of their homes, called koi-nobori. The largest carp represents the father and is traditionally black. This is my neighbor's flag. Usually, the smallest fish represents the youngest son. My neighbors have twin boys, so theirs are the same size. Koi (carp) demonstrate fervor, endurance, and power to swim upstream against strong currents. They are also robust, and live about 50 years in the wild, and sometimes longer in captivity. So the qualities of the koi fish are all desirable qualities for young men. (Yes, we have Girls Day. I wrote about that here.)Well those koi fish are about $45 per fish. Hubby is not a fan of flags and windsocks. I would like to get the flags eventually, but for now, we will settle for the fish kites that Son1 brings us from preschool for Boys Day.

In celebration of Boys Day we took the boys out for ice cream. It is common to give treats for Boys Day, too. I ordered Prailines and Cream. This baby sure can shovel with a teeny trial size spoon. He nearly ate half my ice cream! He was pretty serious!Son1 just wanted green ice cream. We talked him out of green tea ice cream and into Mint Chocolate Chip. Now he is usually good about sharing food with his brother when the baby's arm start flailing everywhere and his legs are a-kicking, but not today. When I asked him to share his ice cream with his brother, he didn't look up from licking, and firmly said N-O. We just raised our eyebrows at one another because that is so unlike him. Hubby had Love Potion 31 which was really, really good with white chocolate and dark chocolate shaped hearts and raspberry something, something. Mmmm!!!!

May 5-9, Teacher Appreciation Week

The first full week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week. It is a national program throughout schools. So as room mom, it is my job to coordinate the whole week. It has been eventful. The first day, all classes at our school do the same thing. We all host a Flower Shower. Each child brings in a flower, home grown or store bought, to place in a vase. Tuesday our class hosted Pamper Day, Wednesday was Breakfast and Thank You Card day, tomorrow is Macy's gift card day, and Friday the PTO is taking care of the teachers!

Here is some Boys Day kite flying action for your enjoyment!!

Bananas in May

This past weekend we chopped down another apple banana tree. Son1 swiftly helped Hubby pick up the leaves. He has been hankering for the tree chopping! Remember from my last post on banana trees that you chop down the tree when just one banana turns yellow on the bunch. We yielded about sixty bananas. We shared some with our neighbors on either side. Sharing fruit with your neighbors is generally expected. Of course, we don't mind sharing bananas and papayas because I make out with fresh fish from one neighbor, and lemons and other fruits from the other.

Peek A Boo

We laugh so hard at Son2 when he tries to play peek a boo with us. He never actually covers his eyes. Sometimes he covers his eyebrows, and sometimes he covers his cheeks, but he never actually covers his eyes. Maybe he's afraid we'll get scared he actually disappeared! HA!

Yee Haw!

Son1 never rode a pony until a friend's pony party. He refused a pony riding opportunity in California last summer, and big surprise, insisted on a train ride, instead. On our island we pass horse ranches on the drive to the North Shore and Windward side of the island. This time, seeing a pony up close and personal through his three year old eyes was a real kick in the pants! Son1 was raring to go and ready to ride! This little video clip shows what happens when ponies ride up into a suburban Oahu neighborhood!



Son1 was so eager to ride the pony that he was oblivious to the pushing kids and anxious parents. He patiently waited his turn and was content to walk alongside the pony while other kids rode. Oh to be a child and look past it all! I definitely could have taken a lesson. I was quiet but took note of the disorganization. Shame on me! I did feel a little vindicated when the female handler told the other parents and children the NEXT child to ride was Son1 and that they all had to wait their turn. She even made another dad take his daughter off the pony and let Son1 on. I know I shouldn't have been smiling on the inside, but I am sinful and need Jesus. I was BEAMING. He rode the ponies a few times and shouted , "Giddy Up! Yee haw!" This time he rode Fire, a male pony. Other times he rode Pua, the female pony. Pua means flower in Hawaiian.After some time, the handlers declared pony brushing time. I am sure this was to give the ponies a little break. These ponies are from the Philippines. They have a colored marking that travels down their back all the way to the tip of their tail hair.
Now here is a little problem with preschoolers being so close to the ground, and having a relaxed male pony. This pony had talent. The kids cracked up watching him show his parts and then retract them over and over. No matter how much the handlers and parents pleaded for them to stand up, they were too busy enjoying the show. I happened to take a picture of my child watching, but they all watched.All of the "paniolos" (Hawaiian word for cowboys).
Son2 was also an invited guest. In Hawaii people often offer to hold your baby. I had to get over my germaphobiness since living here, and my tendency to quarantine my small infants. When anyone sees a mother struggling with a baby it is common to offer help. I don't worry so much now with Son2 getting older. But here is where I caught Son2.

On top of the bounce house

Mounted on a pony

Here is my Hawaiian paniolo being guided by the handler and another mother.

Bento Box

I had a general idea of what a bento box was, though I had never had one. I had NO IDEA that bentos in Hawaii are so big!! Hubby called me and asked if I wanted lunch from Mickey Ds or a bento from the new Kiawe Grill. I figured a bento was like a plate lunch in a box. (One day I will have to write a post on plate lunch for everyone that doesn't live on the island.) But if I thought plate lunch was big, holy moly, this was really big! A bento box is a Japanese boxed lunch that is meant for one person. But in Hawaii, the bento is not limited to just Japanese food. This bento came with chicken, beef, pork katsu, fish, mandoo (dumplings), spam, and mac salad. This was served over a mountain of rice. I passed on the mac salad. If you can imagine mac salad being flavorful, this was it. I took a couple of bites, and gave it to Hubby because there was so much else to eat! The kiawe grill (also the name of the restaurant) makes a difference in the food. The meat is seared over live flames below the Korean grill. Kiawe wood deepens the flavor of the meat, and actually makes it much healthier than cooking the meat in a pan or in an oven. Mmm...ono! Kiawe Grill just opened their third restaurant on my side of the island! It is one of those local places that people love!