Kailua Beach Park

We spent a large part of the day at a baby luau at Kailua Beach Park. A baby luau is customary for Hawaii families, regardless of race or ethnicity, to celebrate a child's first birthday. In local culture, a baby's first birthday is considered a major celebratory milestone. The parties are huge in number, and the entire family is invited. We have been to the fancy shmancy kind that are on par with a wedding reception, and also the beach kinds, where parents still shell out some big four digit bucks for the party, too. The best thing about today's baby luau was the balloon guy. He is by far the most talented balloon artist we have seen.

Son1 is in absolute boy bliss.

His second balloon sculpture was an octopus with some cool eyes.

Food at baby luaus is generally buffet style. Starches of rice and noodles are usually served alongside whatever else is served. Son2 just refused to be left out. Just like his brother, he will be raised on local food. Rice and noodles will quickly become favorites.

The luau was just at the top of this hill, a few feet away, in the grass. But Son1 always seems to find the water if it is nearby. It is amazing he stayed in the bounce house and out of the water.

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.