Mama's BIG Helper

Any time I am in the kitchen beginning to cook or half way through cooking, this kid comes in and want to help (especially if it is something that is MESSY). Maika likes to make a mess and get his hands dirty...something that I don't like because I have to clean it up. BUT, I let him anyway. This was one night I decided to try a new recipe for fried chicken that is supposed to be like Popeye's Chicken (If you like KFC, Popeye's is 50x's better) So, of course he comes in and wants to help. When Cliff and I turn our heads and he doesn't think we are paying any attention he decides to dip his hands into the crumbs and just play. It was so cute that we had to get pictures. He was also talking to himself while he played. I wish I could remember what he was saying, but it was one of those awe moments even if he was making a mess.

Drink, Girl, Drink!

I bought this cup at Walmart for my trip to Colorado. Something that could hold water, had a straw that really doesn't spill any water, and both Lavea'i and Leilani could use. Since then I have made it hers and she loves it! Not only does she love it, but I love it as well for the no spill reason and it also teaches her how to drink from a straw. Plus, she is just dang cute!

Sedentary or Exerciseary

Tula'i has been involved in a BMI study through our pediatrician's office over the last couple of years. It involved kids that had a BMI of 85% to 97%. I didn't want to do it because Tula'i is a tank. He is NOT fat, He is just a heavy boy. I pick him up and it kills me. But, I have learned more throughout the study and have gone along with SLOWLY making some changes in the home to cut out idle time. Not only have I cut out idle time, but have changed the snacks that my kids eat. I have bought maybe 3 boxes of fruit snacks in 2 years. I have changed there snacking to fruit, yogurt, string cheese and other things. Anyway, out TV is no longer in the living room which equals more effort to turn the TV on for them so they don't watch as much. They don't get to play the ipods much anymore either. But, there are the days that are very few and far in between where we slack and let them watch/play for a bit.

So, what do the kids do with their time now? This.....



They have also become more helpful with chores on Saturday mornings and have learned to play with each other more. I love it! They use their imaginations as well. It has also helped Cliff and I not to watch as much TV. Not that we watched much anyway, but now maybe we watch 1-2 hours during the whole entire week.

Needless to say, Tula'i's BMI hasn't gone down, but I am thankful for the changes that we have made as a family to eat better and enjoy more time together.

Bath Time...

It is that LOVE/HATE relationship with this little one. She absolutely screamed about the first 4-5 months of taking a bath. As soon as those clothes would come off, let the crying begin. Leilani would scream so hard that at some point in time no sound would come out. After her bath, I would have to calm her down for about 5-10 minutes. Then she would be good to go for the rest of the day.

How does she like it now? She ABSOLUTELY LOVES it! Now she screams when I take her out. I let her play in the sink for about 5-10 minutes now and as soon as she is sitting on the towel she pours on the waterworks until I pick her up. I swear, it is a no win situation with this one.

SLACKER, But Pushing Forward

I have slacked off this whole month and need to get back on the Fano wagon. I can't believe I have let almost the whole month go by without posting anything that has happened.

There have been many things go on. First off, I have been teaching piano lessons for about 3 years now and after much contemplating have decided to bring it to an end. Life is a BIT too CRAZY right now and I feel like I need to focus on my own kids that need me right after they get out of school. Thirteen 1/2 hour lessons=a lot of time not being able to spend with the kids. So, my last piano recital was held Jan. 18. Kalena started taking piano so this is her first time playing in front of anyone.

These are all of my students...some got cut out half way. (L to R) Back Row: Allison, Michael, Braden, Collin, Carson.
Front row: Kalena, Jane Claire, Jane, Kayla, Taya, Reia, Camden. There is 1 missing because he was sick, Grant.


Moving on....
We got the kids boxing gloves for Christmas and they all have had fun with them, but Maika is the one that really goes all out and lands some good punches on everyone. Tula'i has given Maika a few good clocks to the face as well. I keep telling Cliff that we need to buy some for us so that we can duke it out when needed.


Along with everything that has happened, Cliff's Aunties came into town.


I wasn't around for it because he flew myself, Leilani and Lavea'i to Denver to visit with my sisters and Mom. A much needed time spent with them. It was really relaxing....SO RELAXING that all we did was watch 6 movies, 5 at the house and 1 at the theatre. Shara works at the movie theatre so she was so generous (by generous, I mean she watched Leilani who cried most of the time and 2 little toddlers that cried off and on for us mommies) to watch all the kids while we went to "We Bought a Zoo." It was a good family movie! Along with the movies, we sat and talked about things in life and how sometimes it gets really frustrating. Things aren't going the way you would like them too, but it continues to go whether or not you like it. Sometimes we need to use our own noggins to change those things that frustrate us and other times we just have to rely on our Heavenly Father to help us out and hope for the best. That is my soapbox for now!