We decided to all go out for a New Year’s Day breakfast with everyone. Sure, I already had breakfast, but I can go for another breakfast.
I waited kind of patiently as everyone ordered, but then I got restless.
Mommy and Daddy took turns taking me for walks to keep me busy. I had fun time walking around the hotel the restaurant was in!
After a couple of walks I was happy to find that breakfast had arrived. Second breakfast, here I come.
Happy new year everyone! I’m starting the new year off with a hearty breakfast! I have a feeling it is going to be a great year! Yay 2023!
Apparently there was a final big fireworks show at midnight to ring in the new year. I didn’t even notice. I slept through everything. I slept like a baby…because I am one.
We went to a friend’s house for a New Year’s Eve party! I’ve never been to a New Year’s Eve party before. I was very excited! There were a lot of people that I didn’t know, but that was okay. First of all, there was food, and I’m always down for good food.
Another thing that I was excited was the fireworks. I’ve been hearing about how people ring in the new year with all kinds of fireworks. They are usually very bright and pretty, and sometimes loud as well. Since I practiced with the poppers today I think I’m ready for the real thing!
The poppers were fun but then I witnessed the real fireworks and I was amazed! Wow!
There were big ones that flew in the air far away but I could still hear and see them. So pretty! Like bright flowers in the sky!
There were also smaller ones that were called fountains that were smaller but still very impressive! Everyone wondered how I would react to the bright lights and loud sounds of the fireworks, thinking that I might possibly be scared of them. I was not. I was mesmerized.
It was such an amazing show that I just took a seat and watched everything!
What a fun party! I really enjoyed everything from the people and food to the fireworks and fun! I’m already LOOKING forward to next year!
It sounded like these parties usually go until midnight when there is one last big fireworks display, but I was getting tired and did not think I would make it that late. We decided to head home. I changed into my pajamas, said my goodbyes, and headed home. Thank you everyone for such a great party!
Grandpa was showing me how to play the piano and I was watching and listening intently. I hung on every word and tried to mimic his hands perfectly. I thought I was doing pretty good. Then I find out that Grandpa doesn’t play piano at all! Oh well. I guess I’ll fake it until I make it.
Daddy was stalking me like a predator stalks prey and I was trying to escape, but my way was blocked. There was no where for me to go. It was funny and fun, until I realized that I really was trapped. Then I didn’t like it very much. So the game ended and we played something else. After getting me some clothes first of course.
While outside everyone was doing all these exercises and athletic challenges. They were doing handstands, bridges, cartwheels, wall ups, deltoid presses, and some other stuff too! I wanted to join in on the fun and did my best to keep up. I think I did pretty good. Was able to stand on my hands for a while (with Daddy’s help of course).
We all had a lot of fun outside! I was laughing and smiling a lot!
I was outside having a good time, and the pool was full of water. So it was only natural that I would end up in it. Oops. Oh well. I sure had a lot of fun there!
Apparently New Year’s Eve is one of two times a year when fireworks are used in Hawaii. So it sounds like it is going to be very loud and lively tonight. In preparation everyone thought that it would be a good idea for me to practice and be ready for all the excitement. So we got some poppers. These are tiny little things that pop on impact, not really fireworks. Lauren was showing me how to use them. Since I couldn’t throw them very well, we practiced stepping on them. It took me a bit, but I finally got the hang of it.
Done with practice. Now to play some soccer.
I had a hard time going down for my nap today. I just couldn’t fall asleep. Instead of being in the bedroom for my nap, I wanted to be with everyone else. I think I started feeling lonely and then I started to chant a mantra. I just kept saying, “Mama, Dada, Nana, Papa” over and over again, sometimes in different orders. I wanted to interact and play with everyone. But somehow my mantra reminded me that I was loved, calmed me down, and lulled me into a nice deep sleep for my nap.
I want to do my part and help around the house, so I helped Grandpa fold the laundry today. Needless to say, not much got folded.
I sat down and watched the game with Grandpa today. What game, I don’t know. It kind of just looked like a lot of people running around and falling down. But if Grandpa is into it, so am I. “Go [insert team name here]!”
Lauren has been taking care of me a lot this whole trip. She is always around to help into chairs, out of chairs, onto things, off things, into things and out of things. She leads me, she follows me, she picks me up when I fall down and always checks on me to see what is wrong when I cry. She entertains me, humors me, and teaches me. Yes, she is my breakfast helper, but also so much more. Thank you Lauren!
We got all dressed up for Aunty Chris’s birthday dinner and we thought it was a good chance to get some family photos. They turned out great!
We had a bunch of beautiful photos as a family!
And amongst those photos Daddy and I took this photo. Classic!
We all went out to Duke’s Restaurant to celebrate Aunty Chris’s birthday. Apparently this is a tradition and it was my first part taking part in it. It was so much fun! Naturally, I ate really well. I had a lot of bread rolls. Not only was there a lot of good food, but it was nice to be there as a family.
There was a lot of fun and happiness at our table. At one point, everyone quizzed me. They asked me to point out members of our family and I got everyone correctly! I can even say a lot of names! Grandma and Grandpa are “Nana” and “Papa”. Maile and Lauren are “Maimai” and “Tata”. I can’t say Aunty Chris or Uncle Matt yet, but I can point them out.
Speaking of Uncle Matt, he taught me the special family greeting. I suspect that he may be pulling my leg, but I really want it to be our special family greeting so I go along with it. It looks something like this:
But I like to take things to the next level so I think we should all do it more like this:
Boy, did we have a great evening!
Grandma and Grandpa knew of a great little playground that they wanted to take me to, so we packed a lunch and headed over.
It was a very big, clean, and fancy playground. There were so many things to play on! I’m glad that we came today. We had considered visiting last summer, but I doubt I would have enjoyed it as much since I wasn’t really walking back then. Today I was all over the place!
Yes, that’s me sitting in a salad spinner. Why? Well, because I found it and I thought I could fit in it. And it is fun!