September 29th

Happy Birthday to Kevin Service, right? Busy Saturday for the Smart family in Hawaii. Dad did a dawn patrol surf. I had to coach two intermediate games: 9am and noon, so I spent the whole morning at the Punahou pool. We lost a close one to Iolani (and they've killed everyone else all season, including us in our first match up.) Then, we went into sudden death overtime with Kamehameha and lost. We made some huge improvements so the losing is not that big of a deal. Meanwhile, Sierra and dad had a soccer game. Sierra says they "tied" which could mean they tied but it could really mean anything. Jay rode his bike to the club and then he, Sierra, and I went to watch Punahou girls volleyball vs. St. Francis. We won. Sierra loves volleyball. She asks if UH is playing cuz she likes to watch them on T.V. Dad went to Portlock for another dip in the ocean (boogie board) and then he went to play music at a party for his friend who has ALS. Sierra and I went to listen to them play, hang out and eat from the chocolate fountain while Jay and Chris had the whole house to themselves so they could play (probably) violent playstation games. It was funny because Troy "played" virtually from his computer at home. If you look for the laptop on the coffee table in the photos, that's "Troy." YOUR BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW!! On the day before your birth, I swam a long swim at Kaimana.... today I had a long swim at Punahou. MUCHO luuurrrre you! And I really miss you while you're in taco-a-gogoland. (BTW, I finished my Trouser book--- hilarious-- and I knew the Dave the Laugh thing was going to happen!)

September 28th

Tutu and Papa spent the night last night and you got to talk to Papa while Tutu and I went to Yoga this morning. I can't believe I still have not yet got a chance to talk with you. I'm really hoping that we'll get to talk on your birthday!! Sierra's K class had a picnic lunch at the Lily Pond today. Dad and I both got to go and watch the little kids try to catch fish. It sort of reminded me of when you boys were little and we used to fish in the lakes and streams of Mammoth.

September 27th

Busy day today. I subbed at Koko Head and then straight to Punahou to coach Intermediate and then the V2 and V1 had games. In the meantime, dad has 6th grade Open House and then a "debriefing" party with his colleagues afterwards. Long day. Is SCRUBS on tonight? We didn't get last weeks on TiVo because comedy central showed a marathon or something so it wiped out the season opener... I think. Don't worry, we'll somehow figure out a way to catch up when you get home.

September 26th

Took Misty on a walk/jog and then to the weight room at the Club. Guy came to check out the ice maker in the freezer and it's going to be a big job. The motor burned out or something like that. There's always something.

September 25th

Typical Tuesday at the Smart's. Dad, Sierra and Jay went to school and since I didn't sub, I went to yoga and did a bunch of stuff around the house. I have water polo practice in the afternoon. Our intermediate boys are not that good but the practices are kinda good because we have a lot we can teach them. S & Dad had soccer practice and then went for a swim. Jay and I came home and got dinner ready. Sierra is reading "emergent" reader books. Jay studied for his math test. We miss you and I have to avoid your room otherwise I get very blue. Sometimes, I like to sleep in your room. I'm planning your birthday cake.... probably yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Or maybe chocolate on chocolate. What do you think? I think today is Raquel's birthday. Dede and Madison went to Boston to surprise her! Don't expect us to surprise you, although I'd LOVE to do that!!

September 24th

Kinda an average Monday except that you tried to call and we missed you again! I had Misty in the vet's office getting her annual exam and her dredlocks shaved off. She has dreds behind her ears because the yeast in her ears itch so she scratches her ears, resulting in dredlocks. We have to give her some ear drops and clean out the yucky wax. Sierra had piano after school and she's working on book 2 now. In your honor, we had chicken enchiladas for dinner. Miss you much and need to talk to you about your CR trip (it's not booked yet.)

September 23rd

No family surf Sunday... it's not the same with you gone. Dad worked in backyard and I worked in front yard. Took Misty on a "Kaiser loop" walk and listened to the entire Wicked soundtrack, including Defying Gravity a couple of times. It's the exact length of that walk. A giant truck parked right in front of our house (at the bus stop) and sucked something out of the drainage ditch just at about the time that everyone wanted to nap. It was VERY noisy and so naps were thwarted.

September 22nd

Another soccer game for Sierra and water polo (practice for Jay, Intermediate game for me.) Dad went surfing and then worked in the yard. Afternoon was more beach time. Tonight we may go to see Punahou volleyball or ??

September 21st

Friday! Another pep rally so Sierra dressed up again. We didn't go to the football game but she did come for Jay's V2 water polo game vs. Pac-5. We won, 8-5 and everybody got to play which was a goal that Hama and I had set for the game.

September 20th

Yikes! We missed your many calls today. Perhaps we should get you dad's classroom number, and maybe even the girls PE office (where I was today.) I'm sure you made the right decision for you for right now. Whatever the decision, say "no" to regrets. Very busy day for the Smart's. I subbed PE again, and after school and after water polo practice, we had Academy Open House. I'm just getting home. (Rather late.) Jay has some of the same teachers that you had... Mrs. Bender, Mr. Wolfe and a couple that are new to Punahou. Things are a little different now that they've got the laptop program. Michelle Sptizer's mom said Michelle was jealous of your trip. Lot's of people are commenting on it. I must say, it's weird to go to an Open House and not be meeting YOUR teachers.

September 19th

Missed your calls today! You called while dad and I were at work. I hope you got your ATM card to do it's thing. That was the best way for us to get cash while in Europe. I hope you don't have to take from your U.S. dollar stash that you'll need if/when you get to Costa Rica. Anyway, this is the "Day in the Life" blog so on with it.... Jay got a good grade on his last math test. Sierra is starting to really read. Today was picture day for her and she dressed all up! Dad went surfing after school while Sierra and I "coached" at the Oahu Club. She swam lots of laps today. Spaghetti dinner and fairlly early bed time so we can start all over again tomorrow.

September 18th

Our ice machine in our freezer is not working. It might have something to do with the water filter. I went to Sears to get a new filter. We'll see if I can fix it. F day at school-- "sharing" for Sierra and math test for Jay. Vars2 played LeJardin at 6pm tonight and got beat 5-7. It's the first time LeJardin has ever beat Punahou, but they're pretty good and there's lots of time left in the season. 9th graders didn't get to play (except for the goalie) but they'll play on Friday vs. Pac-5. LOVE & MISS YOU!

September 17th

Normal Monday at the Smart's. Dad, Jay and Sierra went to school, I coached in the afternoon. Sierra had piano lessons and we ate a really good Thai curry that I made. We've been talking about your emails and recent posts and we love the photos!

September 16th

Sunday at the Smart's with a lot of doing nothing. Twice to the Oahu Club. Once after a long walk with Misty and then again in the evening after Jay went to work at the Dive shop. Sierra and I did some artwork and Dad went surfing. We bbq'd for dinner. We miss you and talked about you a lot because of your cool photos that you've posted on your blog and on Facebook!!

September 15th

Sierra had a soccer game this morning while Jay had polo practice and I had 2 intermediate games. That's how our morning was spent and then we hung at home for awhile and then dad took Jay to Portlock to surf and your sister and I painted cards. She's all into making paper airplanes because the Thunderbirds have come to Hawaii and they're doing a show in Honolulu. They practiced all day on Thursday and we all got to see them do flips and configurations. Speaking of shows, The Lion King opens tonight and they're getting lots of press. We don't go until the end of October. I won't be able to think of anything but you whenever we hear/talk about LK. I can still remember your enraptured face the first time we saw it (that and the puke on my dress.)

September 14th

Friday, and a long one at that. After school, dad and Sierra came to swim at Punahou pool while I coached intermediate. Then dad took dinner to the Teske's since Mrs. Teske is still in the hospital on the mainland after her accident, and her husband and daughter are handling at home alone. Jay, Sierra and I went to Kamehameha to watch water polo and then tried to get back to Punahou in time to see girls volleyball. We got to the gym just as the game ended. It was buff and blue day as it was the first real football game at the stadium. Lots of the little girls dressed up for school and so did Sierra. It would have been fun to go to the game but it was just too much for one day. Punahou beat Kamehameha. Pictures of your sister the "cheerleader" are included.

September 13th

Just returned from the post office where I sent your box. They said it's going to take 8-10 business days. I think that might be optimistic, but we'll see. Sierra's Wilcox A dolphins hosted chapel at the Wilcox lanai today. They sang some cute songs, including one that has a couple of versus that go like this:
Hooray for the world,
I'm glad to be on it. (repeat)
Hooray for the world, it's a special place,
We got Mother Nature and the human race!
The world's got dolphins, the world's got trees,
The world's got jellyfish swimming in the seas,
We've got whales and sharks, bats and bugs,
Miniature poodles and slimy old slugs!
There's more but that's the idea. Very cute and they sang loudly and had some claps and snaps in there too! I do remember you being cute in kindergarten too!
P.S. Vars. 2 beat Iolani last night 10-6 at Iolani.

September 12th

Went to yoga this morning.... sweated like a pig. I'm getting your box together. It won't make it for your birthday but celebrate when it comes. You may have to pay a "duty" to pick it up. Oliver said to send it to Guadalajara, so that's what I'm doing. Jay has his first real game tonight against Iolani at Iolani. I'll let you know how it went. I think SCRUBS might be starting soon. I'm waiting for the premiere. We'll TiVo it for you. Love you tons and hope you're taking lots of pictures!

September 11th

I subbed PE today. Sierra and dad had soccer practice and then went to the pool after school. Jay has a big biology project due and his first "real" game tomorrow vs. Iolani. Some stupid-head guys came to party at our park at 3am so I didn't get much sleep last night. Tired and missing you but proud to know you.

September 10th

Monday school day. Sierra had a great piano lesson after school. She got a new book to work in. Jay made cookies in honor of Papa's birthday. Dad went to Hahaione for a curbside recycling meeting. They're finally going to initiate curbside recycling and Hawaii Kai is a guinea pig for the project. I'm really hoping it will work. We're so far behind all other major U.S. cities in this.

September 9th

Just a normal Sunday but without the surfing. It's not the same to have a family surf day without you, so we really haven't done it since you've been gone. Dad and I had a reception at the President's house for freshman parents. It was fun and it reminded me of when you and Ashley performed for the big-wigs and the other times that you performed at the President's pavillion. We had good haagen-daz and then came home and watched "Inconvenient Truth" with Jay. Sierra was so tired because she had been swimming with Isabelle. She went to bed early. We're all so glad you called today. I feel like we got a good chance to catch up and we got to report to some of the people we saw at Punahou (Kai's parents, Mr. Oulette, etc.) Sierra loved the cows on the beach story!!!

September 8th

Can't stop worrying about your "raging fever." Are you okay? Jay had practice this morning, I had two intermediate games and Sierra had a soccer game. Dad worked in the yard and then after Sierra's soccer they all went to the O.Club for a swim. I was at Punahou all morning. We played Iolani first and got beat pretty badly. Casey J. is just really good. Plus they have a lot of 9th graders on their team. Our second game was against LeJardin and we beat them easily. Curt is coaching Kamehameha and their intermediate looks pretty good too. I think we play them next week. Everyone just hung around at home all afternoon. Yui has some friends over right now and we may watch a movie. Oliver said to send your package to the Guadalajara office because he goes there twice a month. I'll get that together and send it asap. I love you and am really missing you. However, I can't believe how lucky I am that out of all the 17 year old boys in the WHOLE world....... (you know the rest.)

September 7th

I subbed at Koko Head today. All your old teachers say "hi" and are wowed by what you're doing. Sierra had sprinkler play at school (and music, and a "tree walk.") Jay had 2 games at Kamehameha after school. It was a pre-season tournament. We got to split the V2 team into an A & B, so everybody played plenty of minutes.

September 6th

Took Misty on a huge walk and then stopped at the O.Club for a weight room workout. She spotted a duck hiding under the bushes and was all over it- biting it's neck and holding it down. I was yelling and pulling her off. Somehow I pulled her hard enough that she let go and the duck hobbled away. Yikes. Dad and Sierra had a good swim after school and Jay and I had water polo practice. We start polo games this weekend.

September 5th

Regular day at the Smart house. Tutu emailed from Hungary and she is proudly building a house for Habitat for Humanity. Pretty cool that both my parents and my son are volunteering to make the world a better place!

September 4th

We all had work/school today. Sierra and dad had soccer practice and Jay and I had water polo practice. I'm getting to the dragon in Gringot's part in HP audio. Love that Jim Dale guy. Dad is reading RoverRandam to Sierra at bedtime.

September 3rd

Dad's party was fun. We had a bbq and made margarita's (kinda cuz anything Mexican is on our mind.) He blew out his "43" candles (just the numbers 4 and 3) and Sierra fell asleep on the floor. You would have like the cake(s). One was chocolate and peanutbutter. Today was the Waikiki Roughwater Swim. We did not swim but I rode my bike down to watch the start and finishes. I think Kale won his age group. Noa Sakamoto (from Punahou and taking time off from Stanford) won the whole thing. He's trying to make the Olympic team in open water swimming- so is John Flanagan and he got 6th today. Dad worked in the yard again and Jay is still not feeling great. Sierra giggled most of the day and practiced playing billards and "clap bouncing" the ball, oh and she practiced her jump rope.

September 2nd

Happy Birthday Dad! Sierra and I spent much of the morning baking. We went all out with a cherry cake/cupcake tower and a chocolate and peanut butter cake/cupcake tower. We made "twisty" candles by soaking these skinny candles we got at PriceBusters in hot water and then wrapping them around a pencil. We're having a party at our house to celebrate.

Day 4- September 1st

Bunny Bunny. That's what you're suposed to say on the first day of the month. I don't know why. Whale, Kim (Kelly) Hall told me that years ago and now I have to say it on the first of the month. I went to yoga and sweated my brains out while dad worked in the yard. We all went to the Oahu Club for a swim mid-day. Jay's feeling better but not great. Sierra and Misty played with bubbles in the yard. Tonight is the first UHfootball game but we won't be going. Your classmate Liz Ka'aihue played a great game last night against Kansas State and Chelsea Deptula scored her first collegiate soccer goal as UH beat a ranked Kansas. As you know, you have talented classmates.

Day 3- August 31st

Jay had to stay home from school. Quite sick. He stayed in bed all day and ate chicken soup. After school dad went to the ocean and then had to go straight to his gig at the Waikiki Yacht Club. Sierra and I, the Fitter's, Bob Tam and some others met us there for dinner, Friday night fireworks and to see dad's "new" band. (The Night Shades.) It's got Dave, TJ (drummer) and a new guy Pat who plays guitar and base. It's almost the Daytrippers but they play all kinds, not just Beatles. My favorites were Brown Eye Girl and Jet Airliner.

Day 2- August 30th

I'm in the middle of try-outs for water polo. We have tons of Intermediate boys. We're going to have to cut about 15. Yikes. Vars. 2 will need cuts too, and that will be someone who has already played for a few years. It's going to be hard. Dad went surfing after school and I took Sierra to the Punahou pool while I coached. Jay's catching a cold. He skipped practice and slept in the car. Sierra had sharing today (she's sharing a little dolphin, since her class name is the dolphins) and wanted you to see her outfit that she was going to wear to school. On the way home, you called on my cell phone and we talked. You've arrived at the camp and there was a rainbow and pigs walking into the lagoon. As you were telling me this, Sierra, Jay and I were driving right toward our own rainbow. It's a small world afterall.

Day 1- August 29th

We had a typical day, other than the fact that you were an ocean away. Sierra loves school. Jay is still in water polo try-outs and dad took Sierra to the pool after school. We got a message from you on our home answering machine saying you (and your luggage) had arrived in Guadalajara. I was on my way to Punahou for water polo practice when dad called me to let me hear your message. I was so happy to hear your voice that I, of course, broke down and cried. However, a small weight was lifted with that message now that we knew you've arrived without a hitch.