Sunday, December 23, 2012

Preschool Graduation

May 24, 2012

I can't believe the school year is already over, and my little guy is graduating from Pre-school!


My little Graduate




Singing at the graduation program






My cutie pie



trading hats with his Papa



Chris and his teacher, Miss Jessika


I was so glad that I was able to go and help out a little bit in his Pre-school class.  It was so much fun to get to sit and work/play with these cute little kids.  It was especially fun to see how excited Chris was when he got to "bring a special visitor to class".

Maui Ocean Center

May 14, 2012


For our first day in Maui we decided that we would go to the Maui Ocean Center.  We didn't want to do too much on our first day so we decided on more of a relaxing day.  I had shown Chris stuff from the Ocean Center online and he really wanted to go....so we went.  It still doesn't have much on the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but it was still pretty good.











Cheese



humuhumunukunukuapua'a
and a few other fish



posing for the camera



"Gill"





my young photographer





green sea turtle




the very cool tunnel




sharks....from inside the tunnel



my boys checking out the aquatic animals from the tunnel





a ray swimming over us



  

checking out all the fish




Kaanapali

After the Aquarium we headed over to Kaanapali to check it out.  I made everyone go to this beach....




Hanging with Grandma





Kaanapali 2012
with Mom





Kaanapali 2008
same mom, same beach, same little guy....4yrs apart.

This is why I made them go back here...I wanted to get another picture of me and Chris at the same place, just 4yrs apart.





Molokini Crater

May 15, 2012


Molokini is Hawaii's only Island Marine Sanctuary. Molokini is a small volcanic cone (Caldera), located just a few miles off Maui's shore. Scientists believe Molokini Crater formed about 150 thousand years ago. Molokini rises from 300 feet below the ocean's surface and is almost half a mile wide. Molokini peaks at about 160 feet above sea level and half the crater appears to be missing.

The isolation of Molokini Crater creates a unique Maui snorkeling experience. There are significant reasons why Molokini snorkeling is so special. The quality of the water surrounding Molokini is superior, providing unsurpassed clarity. Visibility is consistently excellent, often in excess of 150 feet. Molokini is rock, with no soil to wash down into the water. Absent of sediment, the water is amazingly clear allowing excellent sunlight penetration. This enhanced sunlight feeds the algae living inside the coral. Offshore currents bring food, while flushing away what little sediment exists. The result is a uniquely healthy coral reef providing unsurpassed Maui snorkeling. Located in the middle of Molokini this reef is protected from waves and surge.

Inside the sheltered arms of the crater, Molokini is an amazing underwater Marine Sanctuary. Underwater at Molokini is a flourishing coral reef, where thousands of fish and marine animals cohabitate. Molokini's shallow reef is teeming with a wide variety of colorful and fascinating fish and marine animals. You will experience a rare opportunity to closely observe the marine life at Molokini Crater.




boat ride out to Molokini



Molokini Crater



fun underwater pic....Mommy and her little snorkel buddy




some of the fish that were hanging around




snorkeling with Grandma 


Grandma's snorkel buddy 



back with mom


little yellow guy in the reef
more of the coral



Grandma hanging loose 


Hang Loose
Leaving Molokini Crater and heading to Turtle cove 




ready for more snorkeling 
(He got this snorkel set from the Easter Bunny)


 heading into the water




snorkeling with Grandma again




Mommy's little swimmer 



 more snorkeling with Grandma



Hanging Loose with Mom



more underwater fun




We had so much fun on our snorkeling trip.  I was so proud of how much snorkeling Chris did with me and Grandma.  He had a lot of fun in the water, and enjoyed seeing the fish. I can't wait until he's old enough to get scuba certified, then we can go scuba diving and see so much more of the aquatic life.  I've promised him that I will take him diving with the Manta Rays in Hawaii when he gets his scuba certification.  I can't wait to do that....snorkeling with them was very cool....but I bet scuba diving with them will be amazing.

I experienced my first, and hopefully last, jelly sting as I was swimming back to the boat at Turtle Cove.  I was reaching up to push the buoy line out of the way to get to the ladder to the boat, when I felt a strong stinging sensation on my hand.  In reaction, I pulled my hand up out of the water and attempted to flip whatever it was off of my hand.  My mom heard me yell from the water, and came to check on me as I got back up into the boat.  Once I was out of the water I was able to look more closely at my hand, and there was a long line of blue spots across three of my fingers, and man did they sting.  Turns out myself and another kid on the boat got stung by some jellies.  His was much worse looking than mine so I tried to suck it up....but like I said, it sure burned.  Jared was so kind and offered to pee on my hand for me....I passed on that.  The burning lasted for about 2-3 hours, and I was very grateful when it stopped burning.  Chris was very sweet and gave me lost of hugs and kisses to help me feel better.  What a sweet heart!