Well, today is our last day in Hawaii. I am very nervous about flying tomorrow and wondering if I’ll be able to handle the boys and luggage by myself. What did we do today? SHOPPING and more shopping. Getting last minute stuff, returning some things that don’t fit and getting others. We went to Nordstrom Rack to get fake crocs for the boys, then to Taj clubhouse for some shirts, then to Sam’s club to look at the luggage (but didn’t get anything), then down to Wal-Mart to get a duffle bag (easier to store than one with wheels), then to Ala Moana to go to Children’s Place, Sears and Barnes and Noble. I bought “thank you” gifts for my parents - a new drill for my dad (his is older than me I think and that’s OLD) and 24 Season 5 for my mom.

I have spent the last few days visiting with friends and relatives, cramming it all in. Last Thursday, I visited with the Otas and finally got to see Debbie. She is pregnant again and is so sick that she barely leaves the house. Last Friday, I went to see the Pagaragans (my cousin Lynn’s in-laws). On Saturday, I visited with the Chars, John, Lisa and Taylor. Lisa is a friend from pre-school(!) and we went to Elementary, Intermediate and High School together. She and John are so much fun to talk to and visit. Sunday afternoon we went to our cousin’s 1st birthday (Shane) and saw a lot of the Kaneshiro side. Then on Sunday evening we had a “goodbye” dinner for us at the Tamashiros house. It was really nice of my aunties to cook for us. This morning I visited with another friend from high school, Denise and her family. I was hoping to get to visit with a whole bunch of others, but alas, I have run out of time. We will miss everyone! It has been awesome to have so much family around and to get together to have so much ono food.

The boys are doing very well, I think they will be very upset to leave. They have gotten used to the slow paced life of Hawaii. They love saying hi and bye to the dog, Kalea. They are also getting good at vocalising what they want. Elijah has learned “handsome face” which he does the exact opposite. Rowan actually retrieved a diaper, gave it to my dad, and lied down in front of him for a change (WOW). The boys love rice and soup. I’m sure they will be campbells chicken noodle soup eaters soon. They love to say bye to everything, including toilet paper being flushed down the toilet. They are happy to hug and/or kiss anyone when leaving. They can put their own shoes on (slip on kind). Rowan is really sneaky when trying to get to my mom’s coke or frappacino. Cars are still their most favorite thing. They can easily find the loudest noise to make in 5 seconds. Elijah is a budding artist, he is getting the hang of using crayons, pens and he likes his new magna doodle board.

I finished my Pomatomus socks (picture posted soon). I have been pretty productive with my knitting here. Must be because I don’t have to do any cooking (thanks, Dad)!

We are looking forward to seeing Michael again, we are so incomplete without him. The boys haven’t been asking about him, but I know when they see him again, they’re going to stick to him like glue and not want him to leave again. Wish me luck for tomorrow!