February Santa

I have a little confession to make. I am way behind on packing up Christmas. Today we put the last of the Christmas stuff in the attic. We just got so busy we fell behind. Now it just wasn't the decorations. Sigh....I fell behind on the pictures, too. December really seemed so long that I kept putting off taking Son2's picture in his Santa suit. He had two back to back ear infections in December, and took ten days of antibiotics each time. He was practically medicated the whole month, and I figured I would just wait for some great pictures when he felt better. So December turned into January, and January just picked up speed. The next thing you know it was February 1. Yes, I am completely embarrassed about this! I pulled out the little red Santa suit and said TODAY February 1 is the Santa photo shoot.
Now if I had taken these pictures in December, then I sure wouldn't have gotten these pictures:

Standing Santa

Honolulu City Lights

Last Friday I took Son1 on a tour of the Honolulu Christmas lights via Fire Truck Hawaii. It is a 1936 refurbished fire truck that once served at the Quaker Oats factory in Illinois. It was acquired by a few fire fighters in Hawaii when they got the idea to purchase an old fire truck to give tours. It is now affectionately called "Engine 50", named after this being the 50th state. Son1 jabbered all the way from our house to South King Street about riding Engine 50.

Engine 50 has bench seating on each side, and accommodates 6 passengers on each side. Son1 and I sat across from one another on the back ends. Each passenger was given a hand bell to ring each time the driver rang his old fashioned bell and blared his siren. People on the streets stopped and waved to us. The fire fighter gave us a detailed tour of the city and the lights. I couldn't really hear anything, even though the fire fighter was miked. Son1 couldn't help but ring his bell constantly.The fire fighter gave each child a souvenir fire hat at the end of the ride. That's the one Son1 has in his hand. The other is from his Halloween costume. I really wanted the little dalmatian to come with us, but he needed his rest. He had a cold and an ear infection.

This is a really bad photo of Son1 and the fire fighter. I have an important story about him a little later in this post.On the other side of City Hall and the lawn displays was this little electric choo choo train run by those carnival ride folks. We could see him on South King Street from Engine 50. Once we got off our tour, Son1 wanted to ride this next. So I took him. This engine driver looked like a hippie Santa. Now things here are a little laid back as far as safety goes. Yes, we had seat belts on. However, this Santa engineer played tea cups (spun the engine around over and over) with the three connecting cars in tow. All the folks inside screamed. We followed the paved path for awhile and then took off on the grass for some off roading. That was some bumpy grass! All this to the sounds of island beats being piped through the speaker system.

After we got off Son1 and I made our way to the restroom at City Hall. Along the way we looked at the lawn displays. This was his favorite. LOOK MOMMY IT'S THE BABY JESUS!!After leaving the restroom, and rearranging some things in my purse, I got this uneasy feeling. I didn't remember seeing my keys in my purse. I pulled open the clasp. No keys. I patted my pants. No pockets in my pants. I plucked out my cell phone. "Hubby, start praying. I can't find my keys. They aren't in my purse and I don't have any pockets, so I have left them somewhere." It was after 9pm at night, I was nearly 30 miles from home, and my locked car had Son2's car seat in it. He was home in his crib. So how could Hubby get to us? I grabbed Son1 by the hand, explained the situation to him in a frenzy, and we left City Hall, back to the electric train. Stuff had spilled out of my purse on the train. Maybe I dropped my keys there. I asked the ticket lady. No luck. I went to the line and was peering around in the grass. I explained my situation to one lady. No...she insisted I needed a flashlight. Everyone in line started to look. Someone brought me a flashlight. That's just the way local people are. They help immediately. We looked on the train. No keys.

I had one more shot: Engine 50. So now, Son1 and I made the long walk back up South King to the traffic light, crossed the street and doubled back almost the entire long city block. We had to hurry. Fire Engine 50 might make a run or two more. Soon the fire truck was back at the pick up point. The fire fighter and I both looked. No keys. The firefighter saw I was disheartened. He promised to look back at the station under the lights. I thanked him. Then he asked me to wait. He jumped back on the truck, shoved his hands deep in the red leather, and he pulled out my keys quicker than I could blink. The line cheered. I cheered. Son1 bellowed out a thank you. I called Hubby. We were both relieved. Afterward Son1 informed me he wasn't tired. Good. From Fire Engine 50 I had seen the mock queen sitting at Iolani Palace with her king. Iolani Palace is the only official state residence for royalty in the United States. This was a celebration for Queen Kapio'lani's birthday. So now we could walk down there, since I had my keys.

The palace was decorated with red and green Chinese lanterns for her birthday. It was very late, and by now the mock queen was gone. When we got there, Son1 asked me where all the people went. Then he wanted to know if the queen was sleeping in her castle. Shhh.....he said.
This is the side gate we snuck into the palace grounds.

We made our way back up King Street toward our car. Son1 begged to go back to City Hall, which was there on the corner. I tried to capture what I noticed for the first time...but the picture doesn't show it too clearly. Santa's toes are dangling in the water fountain below, and his boots are off there to his left. "Mele" (means "merry" in Hawaiian) has a gold Hawaiian bracelet around her wrist, that says her name in Old English lettering. Name bracelets are usually given to children at birth in Hawaii. The mother wears it until the child is older and it is passed on. In front of Mele is Lau Lau. This is a traditional Hawaiian dish that is wrapped in ti leaves with taro leaves and chicken or pork.

The other thing that fascinated Son1 was that the Lanakila Train blew steam every few seconds. That is what the blurry stuff is on the right above.

It was a late, but memorable night.

Christmas Tea

Our church had its second annual Ladies Christmas Tea. Since our church doesn't have additional building space yet, the worship center was transformed for the tea. 80 ladies attended. The tea is an outreach opportunity to those that might not have a church home, and might be willing to visit during the Christmas season. Many little ladies (girls) attended as well as our more senior ladies. There were all of us inbetween, too. This is my second year as the tea coordinator. It was a time of food, fellowship, carols, testimony, and of course, door prizes. The food was so scrumptious. Our food coordinator planned an amazing menu that far superceded last year's catered event. ABC led worship, which was sweet and special. She is in the last few days that she will live on the island. Another friend gave her testimony which was well thought out presented gospel truth. So many women of all ages helped in the last hours to make the tea a success and honoring to God.
I was given a Christmas lei by one of the ladies in our church (not pictured). It smelled so beautiful, and was made from tuberoses which are fragrant waxy white flowers. They have an exotic sweet smell.

A Little From Christmas Day

We started by opening gifts.

We called and also got calls.

Both boys enjoy the giraffe. Son1 pets him like he is real. He pretends it is not pretend.

We still had the bounce house left over from the Birthday Party for Jesus. We played in it for awhile and then the neighbors joined us.

Thomas is a bed topper. But Son1 had other plans for him. He wanted Thomas on the floor and insisted on sleeping there. We thought the better of it and put the mattress on the floor inside. It doesn't take much coaxing for him to get in bed for nap or night time.

Fishing on Christmas Eve

Hubby and a group of guys from church went fishing on Christmas Eve. They arrived at the docks at 5:15am to hit the deep seas. After sunrise they had a view of Diamond Head in the distance.Hubby is fishing with Captain Sonny of Aikane Fishing. This is a 40 foot boat. It is the only deep sea fishing company on the island that allows you to keep what you catch. The boat was rocking and rolling on 4 to 5 foot seas. It was pretty rough. Almost the entire group of guys got sick overboard on multiple occasions. When they weren't fishing Captain Sonny suggested that they lay horizontal to feel better. Hubby was super queasy but was one of the only to not throw up. He decided not to touch any of the food he brought, so he was starving when he got home.

One of their catches was a twenty pound Mahimahi.

Captain Sonny raised the yellowfin tuna and mahimahi flags to symbolize what was caught.

Six yellowfin tuna and a mahimahi.

At the dock Captain Sonny filleted the fish for the guys. He also cut up some yellowfin and gave the guys some sashimi. Sashimi is the name for yellowfin tuna (also known as ahi) when it is served raw. Captain Sonny also gave the guys some ono (delicious in Hawaiian) secret recipes.

Hubby had a good time. He plans to go again, perhaps later in 2008 when the water temperature is more ideal and the fish are more plentiful.

So here I am with my appetizer for Christmas dinner...sashimi. I wasn't too sure about it, initally. But I have learned a lot about eating fresh fish here. It doesn't taste fishy. I don't know how to explain it...but it is like a whole different flavor. Hubby made the yellowfin for me three different ways: breaded, grilled, and raw.

Christmas Eve Service

This is the first year Son1 held a candle during the Christmas Eve service. He was taken with the hand bell choir, the Christmas nativity, and the carols.

Birthday Party for Jesus

We really wanted Son1 to understand the granduer of the Christmas season, that Jesus Christ was born, and that is why we celebrate. We planned a birthday party for Jesus. Our plan included a reinactment of the Christmas story, a nativity craft, and some play time. With the characters arriving at different times (understandable with the business of the Christmas season) we passed on the reinactment of the Christmas story. We had some pizza and made our nativity craft, though. Everyone got a chance to bounce in the bounce house, though. We would like to make the party an annual tradition.

Christmas Field Trip

Hubby came home on an earlier than expected flight from his trip back East this month. He traveled about 13 hours home, and got home late on a Thurs night, with a 5 hour time difference. This was great timing. I was going to skip Son1's field trip, but since Daddy could watch the baby, and nap when the baby napped, I was able to go. Well, that made sense to me. But not to my three year old.

"Mommy is going to go with you on the big bus today."

"Noooooo, Mommy! YOU stay home with Son2. DADDY is going on the big bus with me."


I was disappointed. But I let it go. He had been clamoring for Daddy to come home for 2 weeks. So off they went, a jet lagged Hubby and a thrilled Son1.


The first stop was City Hall. For the last 23 years the mayor and the city council has hosted the Honolulu City Lights tour at City Hall. The decorations are amazing.

This is the Lanakila train, which means victory, named for the royal train that once rode O'ahu rails. It is in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani, who enjoyed riding the train. A menehune (warrior) hangs out giving the shaka sign (hang loose).


See the snowmen? He is wearing a Hawaiian shirt and the little one is holding a surf board.


The landmark Christmas tree decorated with huge candies and pointsettias at the foot of it, along with Hawaiian gourds.



Inside of City Hall different businesses set up a Christmas display.

Then the kids headed toward the Fun Factory at Ala Moana shopping Center. Daddy treated Son1 to Islands and took Son1 to do some shopping for me. It was an exhausting day.

We Got a Wii

Best to get Wiis from Costco. They are sold with a bundle package. I got the inside scoop from the Costco manager. Wiis were shipped from Los Angeles to Honolulu on December 12. They take 7 to 10 days to arrive. If I really wanted one, I could be at the store each morning when it opened. They would come in on the night shipment, and generally they are totally sold out in less than 10 minutes. 24 were set to arrive on the next shipment. I was willing to schedule the baby's morning nap around the opening of the store this week, but Hubby told me not to go out of my way. That was on the December 18. Here is what happened NEXT.

Friday 12/21, 9am: Friend's wife from work gets a Wii at Best Buy, where 30 are available in Pearl City. She gets back in line. Oh, I'll just get one for Mr. Farmer. 3 left. Sorry. 1 per customer. Hubby misses out.

Friday 12/21. 1:30pm: Hubby stops at Best Buy. People looking for Wiis walk out empty handed. So does Hubby.

Friday 12/21. 2:00pm: Hubby leaves Costco. No Wiis have come in all week. This means that the shipment on 12/12 has not come in, either.

Saturday 12/22 8:43am. Today marks 10 days after Wiis have left Los Angeles to Honolulu for Hawaii shelves. Farmer family is getting ready for the morning. I tell Hubby that Costco opens in 17 minutes. He jumps in the shower. I tell him if he wants a Wii he better MOVE FASTER.

Saturday 12/22 8:46am. Hubby is showered and ready to go.

Saturday 12/22 8:48am. Son1 is showered. Locked and loaded to go in his car seat, ready for gymnastics. Hubby is sans wallet. Mission to find wallet is ON.

Saturday 12/22 8:51am. Hubby and Son1 pull out of the driveway on the way to Costco.

Saturday 12/22 9:01am. Hubby and Son1 are standing in line at Costco for a Wii. Parking lot is totally full. No signs of any Wiis. Hubby asks if any Wiis are available. Everyone says they don't know. Yet many in line ahead of him are Costco employees he recognizes (we are there that often) and not on the clock. Hmmm. Why were so many in line? Hubby takes his place in line, #12. Yes, #12 one minute after store opens.

Saturday 12/22 9:12am. Palette dropped, containing 24 Wiis. Products are prescanned and ready to charge to patrons' Costco American Express cards.

Saturday 12/22 9:16am. No more Wiis.

Saturday 12/22 10am. Son1 is at gymnastics. Wii is in trusted car, hiding under a blanket.

It Pays to Go to Work

Hubby's work had a family day yesterday. My kids were dressed in cute red Hawaiian shirts. I grinned when we pulled up and Hubby came out wearing a red Hawaiian shirt, too. I hadn't seen him leave for work, but I was glad he thought to wear red. What a picture! Plus I had some clothes on that just made me look so cute...ok, I am just being honest. Anyway, we pick Hubby up, and we park waaaayyyy far away because the lot for employees is full. So, we are getting Son2 into his stroller, and I tell Hubby I want to take my camera to take our picture. And he tells me there is no way I am going to get into the building with it, and that I needed to leave my cell, too. He wasn't very convincing. I told him I knew someone was going to get away with taking pictures. Couldn't I just put it in the bottom of my stroller? And he tells me that there is going to be a complete bag search and NO I am not going to get away with it.

So, we make the long 1/4 mile walk (long when you have kids with you) to the front door of the building. Sure enough, I am asked for a bag search and point blank, "Ma'am do you have any cell phones or cameras with you?"

"Oh, noooooo, " I assured him. "I was told that I would get in very big trouble and there was no way I was going to sneak anything past you." I told him this in my most convincing voice. He smiled at me, and pulled out the extra lithium ion battery to my camera that I forgot in my diaper bag, and stands with it poised between his thumb and forefinger. Look what he found!

"Ma'am, do you happen to have any memory sticks to your camera, CDs or SD cards?" Now what would make him think that, after I just had been so honest?

"No, no. I just forgot the camera battery. Really, I don't have anything like that with me." After a few minutes I was waved in to proceed.

I followed Hubby into the building. He showed us his office and a little around the building. He went to another office, and used the TV/video phone to call us back in his office, and Son1 got a big kick out of waving to Daddy on TV. They have this big wall for video that was showing a cartoon movie. WOW just like a movie theater. I can only imagine what he will tell his preschool teacher after Christmas.

Then, after we got some lunch and brought it back to Hubby's office, we heard something over the loud speaker. I strained to make out what they were saying. Raffle tickets, those are raffle ticket numbers!!!! And you know how I am about contests, in general. "Hubby, YOU DID BUY RAFFLE TICKETS DIDN'T YOU???" Well, you know he gave me a knowing look. We are two peas in a pod when it comes to competition and games. He pulls out the pink tickets, as they are reading the number for the second time, and what do you know the Farmers are winners!!! Imagine that...

Hubby claims his prize and hands me a long Christmas card. Long Christmas cards mean one thing. Money. I folded back the blue Christmas scene, and yup, right there is a $50 bill. They should have these family days more often.

Seeing Santa

We don't live too far from the infamous North Shore, where many surfers surf to live. Our Costco and Wal Mart are the closest ones to the North Shore.

Surfing isn't just for the sterotypical guys in their 20s. Some of the better surfers have been surfing for decades and are older. So, at Costco we see will see guys with bleached mullets, white matted hair, and blond locks. They most probably are surfers. And since these guys are so into growing the hair on their head, it is no surprise they have beards, and other facial hair.

Son1 has taken to shouting at the top of his voice...LOOK MOMMY I SEE SANTA at these men recently. This has been embarrassing. The other day I was in a hurry out of Costco, trying to avoid someone I hadn't seen in awhile. He was with his kids, and I knew that we would have to "talk story" as they say in Hawaii about their recent trip to the mainland. So I am pushing my cart as fast as it can go (they don't call them carts here, they are called wagons) and then Son1 belts out LOOK MOMMY THERE HE IS...THERE IS SANTA to precisely to the man I was trying to avoid. Luckily he didn't hear.

Christmas Cards

I just got back from Wal Mart. I stood there, overanalyzing the Christmas cards. I really wanted the nativity kind for $3.00 for 30 cards. They were a great deal. The particular set I wanted was pretty evangelical in the different inscriptions. They say much more than Jesus is the Reason for the Season. They talk about the dwelling of Christ, the fulfillment of Jesus Christ, fullness of His joy, Father of Lights, and setting our hearts at rest in His presence. And a thought crossed my mind that maybe I should go with the cute Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Merry Christmas) ones for the folks that are getting cards that may not be Christians. A fleeting thought...nah...if they don't like it, so what? They are getting Starbucks cards inside anyway. Besides, Jesus didn't just come for the people who know Him....

Christmas Fumes

Last night Hubby said, "You must be running on Christmas fumes! How do you have so much energy when you are getting so much less sleep than me?" And I had no answer...just some giggles.

More Christmas Stuff Around Here

Recently I participated in a blog ornament exchange, where I got the Hawaiian angel. My exchange partner read much of my blog and learned of my Competitive Spirit, and also how I love tea. Surprise, she sent some tea ornaments, specifically for my Competitive Spirit. Believe it or not, Hubby is totally taken with these ornaments! I am too! I adore them!

Hubby has had a few different Christmas functions already. He had a lunch function with most everyone that works with him was last Friday. They had the gift exchange where you can steal a gift up to three times. Well, this is what he won.Hubby picked this jumbo box on the table...it was the largest one, much too large for the frog jester. Well, this frog just isn't the best gift in the world, so no one stole him from Hubby. Afterward the gift giver came and confessed himself to Hubby. He had gone to Ross and picked the ugliest thing he could find. Then he found the largest box he could find and put the frog jester inside. He figured that no one would want to steal something unattractive. He was right. But what he did not tell anyone was that he hid a $20 gift card to Starbucks under the back of the frog's shirt.

Now this is the first time I have put up this tree. I hung all the Christmas cards on it and threw Son1's reindeer antlers on top. I haven't even sent ours out yet! Hopefully TODAY. Put us on your refrigerator or on your lighted palm tree when we get to your house! If you don't think I have your snail mail address email me!

Walk Through Bethlehem

We took Son1 and Son2 on a Walk Through Bethlehem, hosted by a local church. When we first arrived we were greeted by Roman guards. We had to go and register our family name at the census, in Bethlehem. These guards were gentle. They offered Son1 their shield to hold.Once we registered our family name, we were seranaded by some town musicians, while we waited for our guide.

Since Bethlehem was under Ceasar's rule, we were stopped by guards and questioned to make sure we had registered our family name. We had to pass through this area of blind beggars, and homeless people, before we could get to the marketplace. I was glad Son1 wasn't frightened because it was very realistic. Hubby's favorite part was the guy that was stowed under the sewer grate and was throwing his hands up through the grate. Yuck. After we went through the beggar alley, we finally arrived at the marketplace. Zacheus made sure we had paid our taxes. The marketplace was well set up for the tour of Bethlehem. It looked like a real farmer's market (no relation to us, ha ha). Here Son1 is checking out the pommegranates and grapes. He sampled a lot of stuff at the marketplae. One vendor offered me some dates. "Ohhhh, I have never had dates." So the vendor looked at me curiously and said, "Oh, I am sure you have. Isn't that your husband?" Ha ha. That is some Bethlehem humor for you.

These women at the well are gossipping about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Son1 was really interested in this angel's wings by this point. And just for extra measure to make we were watching, she continually flapped them, just because she could. Yeah...that totally enthralled Son1.

We continued through and watched some rabbinical teaching in a boys' school and found the inn keeper counting money.

He encouraged us to go out to the stable and find Mary, Joseph and Jesus. But along the way we encountered shephers quaking at the sight.....and see this chorus of angels...singing Alleluia.

Soon after we found Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, and the magi, in the last scene. It was raining, and it was way past Son2's bed time, so we wandered a little past the food table and rather quickly went home. The cast did a great job, though. It was a thorough 11 scenes

Reindeers and Gingerbreads

The preschool teachers invited the families in for a continental breakfast and to make gingerbread houses and gingerbread people. The parents were to help the kids make them. Each family got a kit for the house and one for the gingerbread man. I also had the baby with me...he is not pictured. I was too busy policing Son1 from eating all of the fruit loops, M&Ms, licorice, sugared gummies, and peppermint candies that were supposed to go on the house, that I didn't quite get a picture of the gingerbread house, either. I did manage a picture of him with a reindeer buddy.

The gingerbread man was almost ready for the cookie sheet. Something was missing. His face was complete, so were the buttons, and his mittens and shoes (made with candies). He needed knees, Son1 informed me. So he wadded up some licorice and gave the gingerbread man one knee. It was precious.

Christmas Scrooge

I keep getting this same email in my inbox OVER and OVER. So here are my answers for everyone to read.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.
(Skipping all of the email directions.)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper if the gift is for a specific person, in a bag if I have to do a gift exchange.
2. Real tree or Artificial? I have the most amazing artificial tree with 1200 white lights that rotates. It is a Manhattan Pine and is beautiful. Hubby does not go for vacuuming pine needles.
3. When do you put up the tree? November 1. That way it is worth my effort. It takes me a few days.
4. What did you guys do with this question? I didn't get a Number 4!
5. Do you like egg nog? Yes, non-alcoholic, like I had when I was a kid, from Meadow Gold.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Motorhome.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? TWO very nice complete sets for us, and then the Little People Deluxe Edition with the add on shepherd collection for the kids.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My husband. He likes to buy his own gifts.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My kids.
10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail. I like letters and personal messages, too. This year I am putting up a lighted palm tree and hole punching my Christmas cards and hanging them up.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? When I was a teacher in the hood my first three years teaching, I would get some very bad dollar store gifts.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Carol. I also like the HGTV specials on the Christmas lights...the outrageous houses, and the ones on the best Christmas cookies ever.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I hit the panic button that my gift isn't going to get there in time.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? BETTER. I SOLD all of the bad dollar store gifts at yard sales.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas cookies at those competitive Christmas cookie exchanges. People really go to the well for the best cookies!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear because I think they look more elegant.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Hark the Herald Angels Sing
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home! I don't mind traveling after Christmas.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Let's see...Dasher, Prancer, Vixon, Rudolph, Comet. Obviously not.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? NEITHER. We have a 24 loop bow that matches the rest of the 12 loop bows on my tree.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Day.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People that are too poky and cause long lines.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Hawaiian ornaments and White House Christmas ornaments.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Beth, I know you read this...my favorite was that ham you made in soda, or gingerale or whatever....I still remember it from 3 Christmases ago.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Some dry weather at night so we can go walking and look at Christmas lights. They call this the RAINforest for a reason. It has been raining a lot at night.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? (See someone wrote this about me in an email: Rachelle...because she's the Christmas queen!!)
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? The stalkers that read this blog and don't comment!

Riding on a Horsepowered Open Flatbed, rather than a one horse open sleigh, HEY! Jingle Bells....

Friends of our family have a flatbed trailer that hitches to the back of a flatbed truck. At Christmas time they throw a ton of hay on it and we go for a hay ride and go caroling. This year, Son1 and I went by ourselves while Hubby stayed with the sound sleeping Son2. Oh well...Son2 went last year, in my tummy.

Giving the rules.

It is really past Son1's bed time, here. From last year, I learned that it is best for us to ride on the back of the actual truck rather than on the back of the open flatbed trailer. When it is time to make a sharp turn everyone has to jump off the flatbed, and sometimes they even have a few guys pick up the trailer to make the sharp turns over the bridges.

A few teens were on foot and on rollerblades. They knocked on the doors and shouted "Merry Christmas!!!" Then we would launch into several carols. But our ride on the truck's flatbed only lasted until we got to a converted home for seniors. The kids jumped off the truck and trailer to carol in the driveway so they could be seen and heard. Son1 was wise to this, and insisted we sit on the open flatbed. SIGH....so we sat on poky hay rather on the nice compact bale we had claimed. We sat with a group of boys that were about 6 and 7 and I regulated the throwing of hay.

We pulled out of the gated community and into several apartment complexes. Patrons took our picture and some even videoed us. I wonder if we are on the internet somewhere. One family pulled out a conch shell and hailed us some good will. Only in Hawaii.

We jumped off the trailer at one point again to turn around. I heard a teen age male voice say, "Mrs. Farmer?" somewhere in the dark. I looked up, surprised. Usually I talk to moms and the other little kids. I made out the figure in the dark.

"Is Mr. Farmer here tonight?" he asked, rather expectantly.

Ahhhh. I knew where this was going. "No, he is home with the baby. Were you hoping to play chess with him?"

"Yeah, kinda," he said sheepishly.

"Ohhh, I'll have to tell him you asked about him. I am sure we can figure a time that you can play him." Here is the truth. Hubby loves to play chess. He was even on the team at a couple of high scools, until he made the Varsity chess team and his picture was in the yearbook. That was the end of that. He was a Varsity football player and a played a few other Varsity sports. No way. Couldn't ruin his image. Off the chess team. But now, word has gotten out among teenage boys that he plays chess. And they love to play him. HA!

On the way back, the song leader let Son1 hold the lantern he used for the songbook. This was some big stuff to a three year old.

We got back to their house, and all kinds of yums were served. Everybody brought something to share. That goes without saying. The hosts did not ask, but when you are invited to someone's home in Hawaii you ALWAYS bring something. That was one of the first things my local friends taught me when I moved here. (I was trained like that in the Beltway, too.)

So, the kids didn't have shoes on because we went into their home. But when they decided to run outside for a hay fight, they all were in socks and bare feet. Son1 is local, I tell ya.

But these hosts are smart. After the hay fight all of the kids had to bag up the hay and sweep the truck.

Parade Groupies

We missed THE big electrical parade downtown. No matter. We hit the second largest electrical parade on the island! After sitting in traffic on a single off ramp for eons, we turned into the closest parking lot. With the hoards of people no one would think to park there, BUT THE FARMERS. We bounded out of our car, and snuck into the last group the police allowed to cross the street into the parade route. We popped open our folding chairs in the middle of an intersection, on a triangular concrete island, host to the traffic signal. Yup, Hubby, HERE is where we should sit.

Son1 is looking on at the University of Hawaii mascot, Vili the Warrior. He is an entertainer that has been the mascot for the last 7 years. He is a controversial mascot, because he fully gets into his Warrior act. The fans go nuts. The University of Hawaii football team is the WAC champion, and will play in the Sugar Bowl.

Infamous Engine 50 that we will ride later in the month.

Most of the vehicles honked and turned on sirens. Hubby loved on Son2 and cupped and covered his ears to keep him from being upset.

These folks belong to some sort of legion of people that walk around dressed up like this.

This was my favorite vehicle. It was blaring Transformers music from the movie. The transformer actually came out of the top and started to transform. Then the hood of the engine popped forward. It was very robotic and synchronized.

We asked Son1 if he wanted to go to a parade before we left the house. He responded by asking me for a bag for his candies. I cracked up. He remembered from last weekend and was prepared.

He figured out rather quickly he could get a limited amount of candy sitting on this curb.





So he went to stand with the big boys. And I supervised. A grandmother went and scolded some of the bigger kids for not giving candy to Son1. Sheepishly they came over and offered Son1 some candy. HA! He just stared at them, like, what's your problem? I don't want them from you. You are not part of the parade. I don't want any of your stinkin' candy. I thanked the bigger boys, anyway.

Stressed

Do you know what stress looks like for me? You will find me with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on multigrain wholewheat in one hand and Diet Coke with Lime on the rocks in the other hand. I have had this for the last several days for one meal. You have no idea how this combo calms my nerves. Amen.