the morning after & ballet class

tired girls the morning after maya's birthday

1st day of ballet class - kalia was so excited, she was running around with a huge smile

watching the earlier class

kalia kept moving to the front of the line - "doing what the teacher does"

across the floor

dancing with her fish scarf

maya got a baby stroller from tutu & grandpa - the girls taking their babies out

We were all so tired the morning after Maya's birthday. But it was also the first day of Kalia's 1st ballet class. MAPA, Maui Academy of Performing Arts opened a west maui location in the Kahana Gateway just a block from our place and they have a pre-ballet class saturdays. Kalia was beyond excited. I signed her up for just the first day as a trial - since she's so young and I wasn't sure how she'd do, but she loved it! She never even looked back to see us except towards the end to give me a huge smile with big eyes that said, "i'm having so much fun!" So it looks like we're going to the other side this week to go to the dance supply store - we need a leotard, tights and ballet shoes. Of course to top everything off, the teacher chose a "princess" for this week and the girls all danced for her and then she got to pick the next week princess and kalia was picked! She was just a little happy- they get to wear a crown and sit on a "thrown". They had a huge turn out 14 girls - but will split it into two classes next week. Anyway, we are thrilled to find an activity that fits kalia perfectly and that she loves! Of course, since I always took dance classes growing up, I'm a little bit excited too. We only get to observe every first saturday - so it'll be a while for more photos.

Maya got a stroller from tutu & grandpa (well, i had to ask for one for her since they always fight over kalia's) and they took their babies for a little walk after kalia's dance class.

maya turns 1!!

kalia wants to hold the birthday girl!

helping tutu decorate the mini bug cakes

maya in her lei that uncle kirk made her (hawaiian mistletoe)

kalia bouncing with sophie & loving her sister's party!

maya in the bouncey

maya with her new friend abbey
maya's new favorite thing - taking straws off of juice boxes

candid

getting ready to sing!

family shot- i'm the only one who sees the camera!

close up dragonflies & lady bug

maya eats cake!

daddy said put your whole hand in and she did!

...back to bouncing!

Our little Maya turned 1! We had a great day, erik went to reserve the airport beach spot early and we took turns coming down to set up - thanks to uncle greg & kirk for their help! Maya came down just before the party and had fun in the bouncy castle, walking around, playing with the ice in the coolers, greeting all her guests and had absolutely no idea what was going on. Kalia was literally having the time of her life - we barely saw her all day, she was just going! She knew everyone there, she bounced all day and ate all sorts of goodies. Someone said they thought she looked like it was her party since she was wearing her pink tutu skirt - but then I explained that the skirt is just the uniform right now. Maya also has pretty much been totally walking since her birthday too. I attribute it to the dress that I put her in that made it almost impossible to crawl. Mom said she was very frustrated and tried many times to rip it off - but then just stood up and walked. Ever since then she's been walking!

We had so much fun at the party and really couldn't have pulled it all off with out tutu's help. She made some great salads and the most adorable mini bug (ladybug, bumble bee, dragonfly and butterfly) cakes. Uncle Greg and our neighbor Martin also helped so much. We were there until they were closing the gates and Martin, Greg, Kirk, Shelly, Karen, Alison & Deron all helped so much at the end- getting the bouncy put away and cleaning up & holding maya! We didn't want the party to end - it was so dark and they were going to lock us in. What a great day! I think all the moms were happy - there kids all should have slept well - they bounced for a long time! I know our girls crashed out. See the next post - the morning after, I'm still recovering!

Maya's Birthday Song - poor thing was a little startled - deer in headlights look!

surf check

checking honolua bay, the girls get to play "driving the car"

maya is a little bit excited

maya gets to drive and kalia sits shotgun - scary!

So ever since Kalia was little, whenever she goes to check the bay (honolua bay) or go to watch somebody surf there, she gets to pretend to drive the car. This is the only time she gets to do this and for the first time the other day, maya got to play too! It's so funny, because maya still sits facing backwards - how does she even know what to do? Kalia was perfectly happy letting maya drive this time. It was really cute! It was perfect, the surf was really good, erik and I got to watch it and the girls played "drive the car".

kalia & maya video

Maya has been loving pushing things around - including kalia's tricycle. This video is seriously outdated, since it was a few days ago and now Maya is walking a lot more.




Here's another one, with a little bit of Maya walking.

You're Invited!

I can't believe that "our baby" (what kalia calls her) Maya is turning 1! OK, the kids at Kalia's school were freaking out on this photo. Even Kalia asked me "when did maya ride this wave? when did maya surf all by herself." You mean, when did maya catch a wave at pipeline riding her cousin Tanner's board. Thanks Tanner, for letting us borrow your wave!

honokahau wave

Here's one of erik's waves on his birthday. I had to look away for a second - so it moves since i could feel maya moving around on the rocks we were sitting on.

erik's birthday!

girls in their twirly skirts

pink girl on a scooter
what did you find maya?

working on daddy's surf board birthday sign

birthday eve - mushrooms beach, in a big hole

standing by the wall

birthday morning - opening gifts with girls

reading his 40th birthday book

maya at honokahau

kalia - honokahau
watching daddy surf

fishing honokahau river with birthday daddy

kalia finishing the cake decorations, while daddy surfs windmills

windmills after daddy's second birthday surf session

maya daddy walking

kalia's rock

"i want to go up too!"

maya & mommy

time to sing!

frosting!

We had a great birthday weekend! It started on friday, our neighbor watched the girls and erik & I got to go to the Duke's Beach House grand opening and it was really fun. I had gotten a new dress and kalia kept saying, "oh mommy, i love that dress, i love that necklace, that is the perfect dress, that is the perfect necklace." Such a girlie girl!

Saturday, birthday eve, we spent the morning relaxing and then headed to the beach and met some friends. Erik surfed and Wyatt's dad, Eric put a sail on his paddle board and went out and everyone had a good time. Kirk and Sydney met us and everyone had fun in the waves.

Sunday was Erik's 40th birthday and we had a great morning. The girls were excited to watch daddy open presents. Erik really loved the birthday book - thank you, thank you for everyone that contributed letters/pictures/stories/birthday wishes - you really made his birthday special! Erik surfed Honokahau in the morning and we all went up to catch the end of his session and to play in the river - super fun! Then home for naps and then Erik had his afternoon windmills session and we met him again for shell collecting and exploring. It was super low tide and perfect conditions for the girls. Then Uncle Greg came over to watch the girls and Erik & I had dinner at Roy's - what a great day!

By the way - Maya starting to walk! She's been taking about 8 steps and walked from the coffee table to our little couch the other day. She walks a little bit and then claps for herself!