I love being married :)

Built By You! summer shirt reconstruction

My friend over on Fletchers Farm posted a challenge this week (or at least I took it as a challenge) to make something using Simplicity 3835.  I just happen to have that exact pattern in my crazy collection, so you can only imagine the excitement. 
I also have Sew You, the sewing book from the same designer, and I love these clothes.  They are simple, modern, and always fit just right.  Not to mention the patterns aren't fussy at all, any dip with a sewing machine can finish them (case in point: this shirt).

I was also excited to use this dress for a recon!  My good friend (with great style) gave this to me and I loved the fabric, but the dress never fit me right.  It would always slide down at just the wrong time, etc.  I eventually stashed it away in a trunk and when I was hunting for fabric yesterday, it called out to me, "I am a summer top!"

Not only are both the color and the pattern adorable, the fabric is so worn and soft.  I even was able to incorporate the lining of the original dress!  Easy pattern + favorite fabric = the perfect recon 

2011 Kona Marathon 5K

 "Yo, wife, nevermind the camera!  Race is starting in 5min!!!"

This morning we woke up at 430am and, thanks to some careful preparation and planning ahead, were able to be on the road at 5:01am.  We headed down to Keauhou (Kona) for our 2nd family 5K race - the 2011 Kona Marathon!  What a blast!!!

 
Our official time was 31:03 but I clocked it on my watch at 30:42 (there was a hold up at the finish line and, frankly, navigating the double stroller through the gate was no small feat) either way, it's an improvement from our last race.  I finished 114 out of 401 overall and was 13th in my age division. 

I see a lot of young kids (5 year olds!) running with their parents.  I hope someday our kids will be running road races with us, too.  And not only because pushing them slows me down ;)  It's fun to be active and be able to all compete together. It's a great family activity that we all enjoy and now we can't wait for the next 5K...I wonder which one it will be???

The All American Pasttime

 

Today we played baseball out in the yard because Waimea weather finally decided to be agreeable (the summer solstice was yesterday - its about damn time).  My sister's husband, a baseball addict (I can say it on the blog, right?) and captain of the Beloit College baseball team, hand selected this glove for Ikaika because no nephew of his was going to have some loser "kid glove" - it needed to be the real deal.  Thanks Uncle Ethan, we are trying our best to encourage the habit over here.  

Please excuse how he looks like a character from Dragonball Z.  That hair just has a life of it's own.

Mr A was showing him the other day how to pitch.  Clearly, Ikaika is still working out the fine mechanics, but he was very insistent when it was my turn (I just stood there and tossed the ball at him) - "no mommy, lift your foot up!"

Kekoa...crying

Why is it that every time I settle in to finish something on the computer (I'm talking about a time-sensitive project or email), I look down and see this?  Not cooperative! 
I don't know how anyone honestly works from home unless their kids sleep all day, are at school, or they have a live-in nanny.  Hats off to all the WAHMs out there.

ABC Flashcards

Ikaika has been practicing his ABCs and can do some flashcards now.  He's usually down to go 20 for 26 average, which I would consider "not bad" for an almost 3 year old.

Happy Father's Day Date Night

Last night I saw my first comedy show: Tommy Davidson at the Waikoloa Hilton Grand Ballroom (the room of terrible sound).  It was fun - I laughed.  Mr Davidson did not do an encore, despite the fact that we practically begged, howling of "HANA HOU!" ("one more time!") and we even stood up and cheered during his show!  I was vastly disappointed and thought that was just bad manners. 

The best part was after the show.  After 3 years of living here, we finally went to Sansei's (the karaoke bar) and were there just long enough to have one drink, some food, and sing a roaring rendition of "Unbreak My Heart"...in that order.  Then we headed home to our children who had taken mercy on the babysitter and gone to sleep before 8pm.  Bliss.

All the dads, grandpas, uncles and sons at our table, enjoying the show :)  Happy Dad Day!