Akaka Falls

At the top of the path.

A little bit ago, we drove north up the coast to see what was up there. Along a scenic drive, we found a little walking path that went down so we took it. It was a nice, short little hike that we could all take.


It led down to the water where a river emptied into the ocean. Naturally, there was plenty of lava rock for the waves to crash into.

It was funny, when we got back to the top, there was a couple thinking about going down and Jason offered to take their picture over looking the area (where the picture of Anna and me is). We thought they could stand where we did so they could get the cool separate rock in the background but they didn't want the wall behind them and chose a different place. We thought it was an odd choice because there was nothing special about the rest of it, just cliffs and jungle. Then we realized, it's special if you don't live here. We're getting used to it and look for things that make one place different and set it apart.

Anna and I in front of some bamboo.

After that we got back in the car and kept going. We went to a place more inland a bit called Akaka Falls. From the parking lot is a path that goes in a loop through the jungle and passes two big waterfalls. The path was great and Anna was able to walk it all, even the many stairs up and down.
Even from a distance the waterfall was amazing. The moss really stood out against the black rock, which you can see a little bit at the bottom. Jason and I along the rail. Anna was too interested in playing with the little pavilion on the other side of the path to join us. While we were hiking along, there were a group of people off the path and it looked like they were meditating. As long as you can tune out the people walking by, it does seem like a great place to meditate.

Halloween fun part 2

Jason working on his pumpkin.

Friday we got to carve pumpkins. I was worried we wouldn't be able to this year because a friend of mine said she got the last 5 of the stores she went to. Fortunately, there were plenty at the store where we went.


I wasn't sure how Anna would like it since we didn't carve pumpkins last year. She loved it. No problems pulling out the goop, she knew exactly what she wanted on hers and was even willing to help me carve a little bit.



When we were done and waiting for Jason, Anna liked to put back the parts we cut out. Then she put a towel on its head and said it was cold.

This one is based on a little toy jack-o-lantern toy she has. The uneven grin (caused by the funky knife) cracked me up every time I saw it. So happy looking.


Jason's was Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas. So we had a happy one and a scary one. Anna loved looking at them and I had to tell her several times to not put things in them.

Halloween fun Part 1

This year we had a fun-filled Halloween Extravaganza. Yessir, one day alone was not enough for us to enjoy all the Halloween goodness, so we did stuff everyday starting with Wednesday.

Anna dressed up as a pink bumble bee. I had forgotten that she was a bee last year but she wanted it several times so I went with it. I sewed ribbons onto a black leotard, got wings and made the antenna out of pipe cleaners. Simple and cute. The only problem was that the ribbon didn't stretch so getting it on and off was a bit tricky.

This is the best picture of me (sorry). I was a garden to go with Anna's bee. As you can see, her wings and antenna didn't last long.

Our ward Halloween party was on Wednesday night. We all dressed up and they had games and candy. They opted against trunk-or-treating this year (I don't know why) but there was still plenty of candy.

Anna got these crazy glasses at one of the games. She loved them, even sleeping with them a few nights.

Anna enjoyed the games and had fun seeing the other costumes. Except for these ones. She did not recognize her friends' parents and thought they were pretty scary.

The next day, we got to put on our costumes again and wore them to keiki steps. It was a special one with all the kids from the other two locations in a big gym.

Alphabet Song

I don't really know where the "sharp needles for little girls" part comes from but I think she's doing pretty good.

We May Never Need to Come in Again

The other day, while we were at church, Jason's mom saw a man putting a bunch of toys out on the curb. She pulled over and found out he was giving them away. So she went home and got Jason's dad and their trailer and picked them up.

Anna watched from the window while Jason cleaned them. He said when he pulled each one into her view, he face just lit up. Once we could go outside and actually play with them, she just giggled for the first while. Sometimes she still giggles when she first sees them.

The little kitchen, refrigerator and high chair are going to go into Anna's bedroom once we get it ready (that's a post on its own).

Needless to say, we spend a lot more time outside. Jason or I sit in a chair off to the side and Anna just plays. At first she used rocks to decorate and use in the little kitchen. Then Grandma too pity on her and got her a few plastic dishes to live outside.

Close Encounters of the Turtle Kind

This morning we went to the beach and saw a turtle! While Anna and I were playing in the waves, I felt something hit my leg. I thought it was Anna but when I looked down it looked like a snake next to a rock. Now, snakes aren't on the island but I thought that's what was bumping into me and got a little bit freaked out. Apparently I screamed too because a woman near me said she heard me under the water. Fortunately, it wasn't a snake next to a rock, it was a sea turtle. We were in a little cove and the waves were decent so he kept swimming around where we were. At one point he swam close to Jason and Anna and poked his head up to look at them. It made for an exciting day at the beach.

Keiki Steps

This past week we started Anna at a preschool called Keiki Steps (pronounced kay-key). I heard about it from my friend Becky whose neighbor goes there. It's technically a program for native Hawaiians (which we are not by any stretch of the imagination) but it's more like they give priority to natives and since there was room, they let us in.

Before we could apply, we had to get TB tests. The state does the tests for free every Tuesday so we just went down and stood in line. Anna did really well about getting it done. She watched the nurse do it and didn't start to cry until they put the stuff in. It was cute because then, when we said it was my turn, she said she didn't want it to be my turn.

As part of the registration process, there was a developmental questionnaire. It was for a 33 month old (which she will be at the beginning of November) and she does everything in it. Then there was a vocabulary test where there were four pictures and they had her point to one. She did really well until she got tired and announced she was done. We tried to let her play for a while and get back to it but at that point you could tell her heart wasn't in it. For several in a row she just pointed to the top left picture. In spite of that, the lady giving the test said she was doing really well. I love it when I can quantify how smart she is.

Now onto the program. They meet four days a week at an elementary school from 8:30 to 11:30 and a parent stays with them (which is why I needed a TB test too). They start with a circle time where we talk about the date, days of the week, a color, a shape, sing songs and learn a little Hawaiian. Then there are stations followed by snack time and outside time. I think the outside time is Anna's favorite. They have a water table, sometimes a bubble table and a birdseed table (like sand but with birdseed instead of sand) along with balls and other outside toys.

Last week we only went for two days to ease us both into it. Anna had a lot of fun and it was kind of nice being there with her. The downside is that then I give up my whole morning too. I'm not sure how much we are going to end up going on a regular basis but it's great for Anna to play with the other kids. I knew she needed something on the Monday after General Conference. She needed to get out and play because she hadn't had nursery that week. It's also nice to meet the other moms in the area that have kids Anna's age. Maybe we'll both get new friends out of this.

Update: I wrote this a while ago. We have been almost every day this week and we love it. Anna is very sad every time we have to leave. My friend Becky is there with her kids. We also got the score from her vocabulary test and she scored with the vocabulary of a 3 year 5 month old. All that reading seems to be doing her good.