Back to School Is My Jam

Call me crazy, but I have always loved back to school time! I am a creature of habit that loves a good routine, there is nothing like a brand new box of crayons and the hope of cooler weather, and starting new adventures is ever so exciting! So back to school is my jam! But I wasn’t the only one at our house who enjoyed this last week of going back to school! 

Both Keagan and Riley were up bright and early filled with excitement on Monday for the first day of 4th grade at Mahaffey Elementary. Keagan was even happy to wake up and curl her hair as it is one of her goals this year to wear her hair down and out of a pony tail more. She’s so stinkin cute! They were both SO cute in their little dresses with their fun new back packs. We got to school early and Riley literally squealed in the car she was so excited and Keagan hid her pounding heart beat well as she later admitted. Both girls have a bestie in their class which makes everything that much better. Keagan is joyful with Avery near for the third year in a row and Riley is beyond thrilled to have her instant bestie Jackie in her class which is another small 4th grade girl who has a twin sister and is always happy and loves hugs. Keagan warmed up to Mrs Goolsbee right away who I think is going to be a huge blessing this year as will Mrs DiCarlo with math but she will go on maternity leave in the next 2 weeks. Riley had as best a transition as possible to a new teacher since Mrs Acosta has been an aide at Mahaffey for 2 years and we already love her! Oh and meanwhile, my first work week of school was busy, busy, busy of course! I work for and with so many amazing people! I love my team, my work besties who I’ve loved for 2 years and it’s nice to add Meghan to the mix as us special needs mommas are totally rocking the workroom this year! I am so super thankful to not only have a job again but also to be able to keep my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule that works so great for our family! 

Monday night we had our traditional back to school family home evening. We talked about our goals for the year and filled out our first day survey for our yearly binders. I love looking back on these over the years! We also had a great discussion about being daughters of God, daughters of a King. I really wanted to convey to both girls how valuable, precious and loved they are and how that should effect the way they live their lives, how they treat themselves and others, and the choices they make. This will definitely be an ongoing conversation this year and hopefully a little bit will sink in! 

On Tuesday I surprised Keagan with lunch and we had a sweet little chat over her favorite Chick fil A. It was also a day for each of us to celebrate a good friends birthday. For me it meant bringing cup cakes and balloons to Chantel at work and for Keagan it meant going home with Avery on the bus and playing then going to a movie for her big day. Not a bad way to spend the 2nd day of school! 

Mrs Riley Roo had her own fun at her first dance class.  She is absolutely thrilled to be back in dance class and I’m pretty sure I found the perfect class for her as it is a princess ballet and tap class where every six weeks the class dresses up as a different Disney Princess! She is with younger girls of course but I’m pretty sure she was the happiest one in the Belle costume! It was precious! 

The rest of the week went smoothly as we adjusted to our new normal again. We were all a little exhausted but happy all week and we got some great down time this weekend including me getting a nap on Saturday when Sami dropped by to hang out which was amazing. The girls also had Lauren over to play Friday night, Keagan and I had so much fun getting ice cream with some of the laurels Wednesday night, we went out to dinner with the Fosters Saturday night and then hung out at the Ginn’s way too late. Today we had a fabulous Sunday! In primary Riley gave a talk on the power of prayer which she was so proud of even though I helped her with it. And she ended up being the spotlight of the day too. I got reports that Keagan was so sweet and went up front with Riley to help her answer questions about herself by giving her choices like we do by holding up our hands. And then after church and family dinner, I really hope I always remember the sweetness that was our Sunday night. My two babies couldn’t have been cuter and better sisters tonight. Sweet and helpful Keagan not only insisted on giving Riley a bath but she made it so fun that they were in there roaring with laughter for quite some time! And once out of the bath the giggles, smiles and cuddles continued showing me a glimpse of pure heaven! On frustrating, sassy and fighting days I’ve got to remember this greatness right here! 

This week also brought the anniversary of my dads passing. I can not believe it has been 11 years since he has been gone because sometimes it feels like it was just last month. But then I think about all that he has missed in our lives and I know it’s been far, far too long. He would love things like back to school, dance classes and bathtubs full of little girl giggles. Happy grandkids was his jam. And who am I kidding, I’m sure it still is! He just happens to be watching from a different perspective. Hopefully he helps us thru 4th grade this year and I know the Lord will too! So far we are all off to a pretty dang good start! 

Rollin Out

After we got home from Hawaii we pretty much quietly rolled out the end of the summer. We had a lot of quiet time together at first because we really did have jet lag but we also had just missed each other SO much! The first couple of days the girls were both velcroed to me and craving my time and normal routine. 10 days was a long time to be in Hawaii and be apart. And 3 weeks and 6 airplanes was a lot of travel time so it was great to finish the summer out together at home.

Unpacking after two big trips and totally getting our lives back together was kind of a deal and not my favorite, but so worth it! Our house’s birthday was a favorite (Keags naturally gave the house a happy birthday hug) and Evan went into the MTC to begin his mission while his mom, dad and sisters cried for days. While still on Hawaii time we all took naps several days in a row which was a dream come true and we had fun late nights at the French’s. Keagan also finally mastered blowing a bubble with her gum despite my extreme hatred for gum.

Unfortunately a couple days into being home Riley and I got a weird stomach bug and of course it hit Riley harder and took her longer to recover. But Im just SO thankful she was healthy during all of our travels! The great news is Sami has been home from college for 2 weeks. That was perfect timing so I could pay her to watch the girls while I went back to work last week and worked full time every day. We had so much to do at work so it was comforting to know the girls were in good hands and having fun, but that didn’t save me from having mommy guilt unfortunately. The  girls painted, played, watched movies, went to Avery’s house and swam while I got back in full work mode after an awesome summer off. We had Avery over to our house too but Sister Lake took Keagan on a dollar store shopping spree that was even more fun then taping streamers to the ceiling fan and making up performances at our house! We had some really fun family dinners at Cheescake Factory with the Fosters and French’s, BJs with the Fosters and BBQ the other night at out our house with the Fosters and Ginn’s to celebrate Kari’s birthday. Of course all of those were full of lots of laughs, even the almost 5 hour experience at Cheescake Factory! 

This past Thursday both girls were so excited to wear their new Mahaffey shirts to Meet the Teacher night. They were more thrilled to see so many faculty and friends they love! We all feel really good about Keagans teacher Mrs Goolsbee and Riley’s teacher Mrs Acosta and know this is going to be a great year. Friday night we went to Mahaffey spirit night at the roller skating rink and had a great time “rollin back to school.” Instead of keeping Riley on the sidelines this time I brought her old wheelchair so she could participate. She had a ball and it worked great minus the one time Keagan fell and launched the wheelchair across the rink! Oops!

Tonight we had Pakka breakfast with the Fosters and French’s for dinner and as tradition goes Todd gave all the kids back to school priesthood blessings that were wonderful! Now the backpacks are all packed and new clothes are sitting out as we watch summer slip away into the night. Tomorrow my babies awake as 4th graders and start the new adventure that awaits them! I can’t wait to see all the greatness this year has in store for all three of us! Now let’s get this rollin! 

Mahalo

Mahalo means thank you in Hawaiian and the girls and I have a lot of thank yous to give! We had a few bumps but that is to be expected. So we must say mahalo to this beautiful island of Oahu for an amazing 10 days! We must say mahalo to the girls dad, grandma Debbie and entire family for taking good care of the girls, showing them their love and having so much fun! We must say mahalo to Auntie Jenn who helped me with a place to stay for the majority of my trip and mahalo to Auntie Kim for a place to stay in town on my last night.  We must say mahalo to the best boy cousin ever, Tyson and mahalo to the rest of our friends and family we’ve seen this trip! Mahalo nui loa means thank you very much and we really do mean it! 

The last couple of days were still packed full of fun! The girls went to breakfast every morning and a fun dinner every night including a tepanyaki dinner. They went to my favorite spot, Pali Lookout and almost got blown away and they went glow in the dark put put golfing where cousin Maddie crushed them. They went to their dads office and meant a whole lot of co-workers and they drove around the island to see the other side and took scenic stops and waded in the water at Waimea Bay. 

The girls last day was spent having breakfast with just their dad, visiting Uncle Brandon and Grandma Debbie at work and then building a sand castle at Ala Moana Beach Park and swimming in the ocean! The beach is definitely the best spot to close out your Hawaiian vacation and they had an amazing time!

Meanwhile still on the north shore I hungout for a day and a half with the amazing Auntie Jessie and Uncle Grant who are also visiting from Texas. We shared a condo together and they introduced me to the life changing meal at Teds Bakery of garlic shrimp and pie and the amazing açaí bowl at Haleiwa Bowks! I’m talking SO ONO which is delicious in Hawaiian! After checking out of my place on the north shore I was thrilled that Tyson asked me to come stay with him in town! I actually would have come earlier but a bad migraine had me going to bed at 7pm Wednesday night instead. But we spent Thursday and Friday together and I sure love my sweet and entertaining nephew! Tyson and Auntie Kim treated me with two fun days! They showed me how much some things have changed around town, we went shopping at Ala Moana, ate at the fascinating new Shirokiya, and we had Uncle Clays shave ice. I had some time while they were at practice Thursday so I drove around my old stomping grounds, went to Punchbowl national cemetery and Iolani Palace. I even had the most hilarious experience getting a cheap pedicure. The technican was a little rough and she did reflexology on my feet and told me it would help me lose weight! It was fantastic! Uncle Dave joined us for the best dinner at Old Spagetti Warehouse at Aloha Tower and I almost kept Tyson up all night with my snoring! Whoops! 

On my last day I accidentally kind of slept in. It was a good thing Keagan called me for addresses for her postcards because Kim and Ty were waiting for me to wake up! We spent the day eating all of the last things on my list. Breakfast was okazuya and I have been craving the potato corn beef hash balls for years! Then we went to Diamond Head grill for the most amazing scones and butter mochi! I guess the birds there must love those scones and they have no fear because they surrounded Kim trying to eat the scone right out of her hand and even landed on her hand and head! I was so sad I didn’t get video of that one! Then we headed to the new International Marketplace in Waikiki which is SO different now and we did some back to school shopping for Ty and teased and joked the entire time! Then it was to the classic Zippys for lunch to eat my favorite wun tun min, Mac salad and fruit punch! Yum! And if all of that wasn’t enough we drove around for a little bit as Ty slept in the car and then we topped off the food fest with amazing maladadas from Pipeline Bakery! I don’t think I can eat again for weeks! 

Tonight we met for a celebratory dinner at Assagio’s, one of my favorite island Italian restaurants back in the day. We had a nice time with everyone and the three Kikuchi girls were all THRILLED to be back together!  I havent gotten that many kisses from Keagan in a long time! And in the bathroom she told me both her and Riley missed me so much that they have both cried! That about broke my heart but i know they had an amazing time too. We had the same goodbye crew that we had as a welcoming crew at the airport and we obviously gave big mahalos to all of them for the last 10 days! 

Most importantly we owe huge mahalos to our Heavenly Father who helped us get on this trip, stay safe and have such an incredible time! And although the three of us were split up and it’s been kind of hard, it really was an amazing trip for everyone! But we are all very ready and thankful to be back together and going home! It’s sure been a while and we are all tired, we miss Texas and our own beds and most importantly the people we love there! So mahalo Hawaii and all our friends and family who live here! Hopefully we come back sooner rather then later. A hui hou means until we meet again. So...a hui hou, mahalo! 

Now PLEASE Heavenly Father help us to ALL sleep on the overnight plane!!