Q: What do you call a pig that does karate? A: Porkchop!

So Jack has been in Karate since this summer. He is a yellow belt and is getting ready to test for "high-yellow." One of the requirements is that they memorize a kata, or routine, that has about 50 moves in it. And they have to do it perfectly. Zero mistakes.



By the way, I wish I could've gotten a better picture, but for some reason I am the only Mom in there taking pictures so I feel like I have to hurry and I'm sure Jack is dying of embarrasement.

Anyway, yesterday the class had a chance to earn a stripe (which moves them closer to the test,) and Jack had worked really hard and really wanted to get this stripe. So they start the routine and I was watching him try with all his might, and just crossing all my fingers and toes that he would earn a stripe.

When they finished and sat down, the instructor had the kids stand that got their stripes. Jack was one of three who didn't earn a stripe. He did make a couple mistakes. But I could not have been prouder of him. He cheered loud for all his class mates and thanked his instructor for a fun class.

He didn't do it perfect, but he tried his hardest and was a good sport all the way. I was just bursting with pride!!

Growing up

So Jack has started first grade. (Due to a bad memory card, I've lost lots of pictures. Including his first day of school. Big bummer.) Anyway, it's been an adjustment for everybody, but probably most for me. I have been seriously missing my little sidekick and buddy.

We are lucky enough to have a neighborhood school that we can walk to (he still holds my hand, by the way, and I LOVE it). So every morning and afternoon we are outside enjoying the nice weather and chatting, and I hear it all on those walks. (In fact, that's when I learned about the little boy in his class who was calling girls "the B word" and telling them they are S-E-X-Y.)

Anyway, so after school the other day, we are talking and he says that a little girl at school is being mean to him. And I asked what she was doing and he said she keeps making this face at him:




And then he told me that her best friend came up to him and said, "she has a crush on you." I asked him what that meant and he said he wasn't sure, but did I ever have a crush on Daddy? I said yes, I had a crush on Daddy and that it just means she likes you. He thought about that for a minute and then said, "Eeew. Does that mean I have to marry her?"


It is so fun to see him learning so much and growing up. It is interesting to see him encountering different social situations and figuring out who he is and how he fits in. I love him and I love being his mom.

Tagged by Jas and Cath...

5 years ago I was:

Loving chasing baby Jack around.

Working in a salon that I HATED. The color line was awful and people stole tips.

I think 5 years ago is about when I took Jack camping for 10 days without Gar. That might also be the LAST time I took him camping.

My pet peeves:

Bad drivers

Bad breath

People who talk in movies. shhh

If I were a billionaire:

I'd have a place in Hawaii (don't worry, I'd invite you!!)

I would never shop at Old Navy or Target again.

I'd go around the world in a hot air balloon.

(Just kidding.)

My favorite foods:

Those big doughy pretzels from the mall

Nachos with tons of jalapenos

Green chile from the new Mexican joint by my house (they even deliver!!)

So, Trisha, Karen, Brittany and Aileen: Tag. You're it!!

While we're at it

Since we've been on the subject of why Jack is so weird, I would like to pose a question:



Why does he like to dress up like a fat kid?


He's had this fascination since he saw "Willy Wonka" A COUPLE YEARS AGO and became obsessed with the girl who turns into a blueberry.


For a LONG time now, he has been asking us to make him a blueberry. He has stuffed pillows, blankets, clothes and even lovey into his shirts and pants (although jammies are his favorite)to look like a blueberry. He doesn't even act out the part in the movie or anything like that. He just goes about his day. Only bigger.

See for yourself.







See. I wasn't kidding.









Sigh. Who knows...

This cracked me up...

These are old pictures (by about two years), but they make me laugh.


So, I'm on the phone trying to return all my work calls and Jack is tugging at my sleeve, asking me questions, tapping me, doing anything he can to get my attention. (By the way, what is it about me being on the phone that make me so popular with both Jack and Gar?)

Anyhow, I cover the mouthpiece of the phone and whisper "what, Jack?" and he asks if he can have some tape. I hand it to him and off he goes leaving me in peace for just a moment. Well, imagine my surprise when this walked back in the room:






What a weird kid...





He couldn't stop looking in the mirror and laughing at just how clever he is. What a goof ball. Where does he get it?

Our trip to Kansas

We were able to go out and see our Kansas family over Labor day weekend, and wouldn't you know -- I forgot my camera. Arrrggg!! Anyway, I got a couple with my phone but they're not great quality.

Here is Jack with a few of his cousins visiting Uncle Rick at work...






They got to see all of the trucks and had a blast trying on the helmets, looking up the pole, pushing all the buttons and ringing the bells!

It sure was great to see everybody. We had a blast!

Aloha and Mahalo

Aloha! Here are some of our favorite pictures from our trip this past spring. We went to Kauai, Laie and Waikiki.