Fun is Hard Work, You Know...

Cheesing for the camera
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Okay, well, the camera hasn't quite been located yet, but I got these pictures from a friend and thought they were worth an entry. Kathleen loves to smile for the camera -- she's actually quite a little ham.

Our unit recently had a small hail and farewell (small since the unit's actually deployed, so it was just wives and the rear-detachment) at a friend's home. Amy's house is one of Kathleen's favorite places to play, because Amy has a nice, big, green backyard and some great toys (like this miniature John Deere). Even better, Amy has two children, Luke and Grace, and along with Kathleen's "best friend" Addie, they ran all over and had a great time. I think everyone had a very good nap that afternoon!

We're still here!

I know it's been a long time since we've posted, so I just thought I'd assure you all that we are, in fact, still here! Our blogging has been delayed by a missing camera (it must be around here somewhere, but really I don't know where) and by a nasty stomach virus. Kathleen and I were both out of commission for almost a week. Yuck! But we're all better now and the hunt is on for the camera. We promise to be posting photos and tales of adventures any day now!

Tea for Two

Lately Kathleen has developed a fondness for tea parties. She had a tea set at her Nan and Grandpa's in California, and she loved to play with it. So, when we returned to the island we started hunting for another tea set for our house. Our search was slightly more difficult than I anticipated, largely because I could only find Barbie tea sets at first and I simply can't feel good about giving my toddler a Barbie anything at this point. (I'll have to wrestle with my Barbie aversion when "all" her friends have them in grade school, I guess.)

Eventually we found a very cute Fisher Price set at the Navy Exchange for only ten dollars, complete with four cups, saucers, spoons, a teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, and even a tray. We could serve High Tea, if required. Of course, the High Tea would likely be interrupted by the playing of "I'm a Little Tea Pot." That's the only downside to this tea set -- it plays that song when you push a button on the tea pot's lid. But eventually the batteries will die and the tea set will be perfect. And for now, we just sing "I'm a Little Tea Pot" more than we used to. (Kathleen does like that song. I'd guess it comes in third on Kathleen's all-time favorites, after "The Wheels on the Bus" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." She loves songs with hand motions!)

So Kathleen and I serve one another imaginary tea at least twice a day. Sometimes in the afternoon, we head out onto the lanai and Kathleen plays with water in the tea set. (These are exciting times at the Golbys'!) Her pouring skills are improving, but leave a lot to be desired. Basically, she just dumps water on my feet. At least it's warm here!

Kathleen's little friend Addie also has a tea set, and not too long ago the girls got together for a tea party in Addie's front yard. The girls were very serious about their tea, pouring and sipping water again and again. (More "tea" wound up on Kathleen than anywhere else, I'm convinced. I'm not entirely convinced that she understands that it's not actually supposed to be poured on her!) I'm not sure who enjoyed it more -- the girls who actually played tea or the moms who got to watch. We laughed and laughed! It made for a lovely afternoon for all of us.

Festive for the Fourth

Festive for the Fourth
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Kathleen and I had a lovely fourth of July. We spent most of the day hanging out at home, saving up our energy for the big outing to see the fireworks on post. We headed out for post at about 6pm, meeting up with friends Kerry and Addie to camp out on Sills Field at Schofield for the festivities. The day had been threatening rain, but fortunately the weather mostly held (there were a few sprinkles -- typical Hawaiian weather). When we got to Sills Field we ran into other friends, too, so Kathleen also got to play with the very sweet and very cute Hendersons, Luke and Grace. The four of them played with some bubbles and tossed around a ball and generally enjoyed running around.

Our spot on Sills Field wasn't great for listening to the program -- the speakers must not have been pointed in our direction or something, because it was difficult to hear the band and the music. It was not, however, difficult to hear the canons! And Kathleen loved the canons! She was a little scared by them at first, but we talked about how they went "BOOM!" and every time after that, she'd yell "BOOM!" and laugh when they fired. Kathleen was also impressed by the fireworks -- not at all like last year when it was hard to tell if she was watching them. She watched them intently.

We only wish Daddy had been with us to see Kathleen's face light up at the fireworks. But even though we were far away from him, his girls were thinking about him all day. We're so proud of him and his soldiers and their service. We can't wait for this deployment to be over. Come home soon, Daddy!

We're thinking about you, Daddy! (All three of us!)

Little Surfer Girl

Checking out the boards
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Kathleen and I are back on the island, and we're delighted to be home. Visiting family was great, but it's also nice to be in our own house and back on our own routine. Plus, we got to see Daddy yesterday on a video-teleconference. Hooray! He was impressed by how much Kathleen has grown and changed lately, and we were just impressed to see him. He's doing great!

The day after Kathleen and I got home we were joined by four very fun visitors -- my Aunt Ellen, Wells, Henry, and Alex. They'd been visiting the Big Island, and stopped here on their way home to Connecticut. It took Kathleen about two minutes to warm up to the them, and about two minutes longer to learn the names "Henwey" and "Alets." Kathleen just loves those boys! She also loved bossing them around -- telling them to sit or read a book or whatever. She's certainly got plenty of personality, our girl!

Storytime with the whole gang...

We spent an afternoon and early evening on Waikiki with our guests the day before they left. The boys surfed, and it was apparent that Kathleen wanted to, too. I swear, if we were staying here any longer, Kathleen would be a little surfer girl!

We had a great visit and we hope that Aunt Ellen, Wells, Henry and Alex will come again soon. Thanks for coming, guys!