Last Day of First Grade

Last Thursday we wrapped up the school year.

First day of first grade: 

Last day: 

Outtakes 

 

Trip of a lifetime

For over the past half year, Terah has been working very hard in a new role at work. The long hours have taken its toll, but one of the surprise perks was a few weeks ago, he was unexpectedly invited to an all-expenses paid vacation to Hawaii with the top sales people on their reward trip. It was pretty incredible.











Jeep ride on a private reserve

We came back to our hotel room with my glasses meticulously placed on a Four Seasons lens cleaning cloth.  

This was the bathroom switch. I was overwhelmed every day by the decision.  

Best breakfast buffet 

When I raved about the tapioca pudding to a hotel server, she voluntarily left to handwrite the recipe and bring it back to me. 

Lavish dinners 

Pretty amazing spot for a morning swim 

 

Kayak and snorkeling. We managed to spot a sea turtle in the water!

Sneaked away the last day and took an uber to Honolulu for some local eats recommended by our friend. We had ramen from Lucky Belly, mochi from Nisshodo, masalas from Leonard's, and then poke from Da Hawaiian Poke Co. 

The company also hired photographers to follow the group around and take photos. 

Terah and I were saying to each other that even if we had this kind of budget to spend, we would never have splurged like this on our own. For all intents and purposes, it was like a second honeymoon. 

Of course, none of this would have been possible if my amazing parents had not watched the boys for a five full days. I left them with meals to cook, boys to feed, birthday parties to shuttle them to, and a packed end of the school year calendar. Thank you Mom and Dad!

Terah and I have not spent this much time alone in a long time. It was a trip we will never forget! 

Happy birthday to our Noah

Today we have a seven year old! Every year I think this, but Noah is truly in the throes of his childhood now. And he is living it with energy, determination, and on his own terms.

At 7, his current loves are tetherball, pokemon, and cars. We are amused at how much of his personality still remains true from birth. When that nurse sent him back from the nursery because he was waking up the other newborns with his screaming, we should have known. Who gets kicked out of a hospital nursery?

He is naturally responsible, serious, bossy and creative. If I refrain from stepping in, he can often solve his own minor problems now. We see rare moments of maturity and thoughtfulness shine through, although he is very much still in his own boyhood world of games, play, and imagination.

He is great at organizing his brothers to play whatever he is envisioning for that moment, and can usually be counted on to be helpful and fair with them.

He has challenged us to be the best parents we can be, and we are so grateful he is our firstborn. It has been a great seven years with him and our love runs deep. Happy birthday Noah!

Easter 2017

Conversations with a future businessman

Noah: Sammy, do you want some ice cream?
Sam: Yeah
Noah: Do you want lemon or vanilla?
Sam: Lemon
Noah: Do you want four scoops or one?
Sam: Four
Noah: That will be 84 dollars.

***

Me: Noah, you earned one star today for [good behavior]. I'm proud of you.
Noah: How many stars do I need to get a Tesla?