Parade Madness!!

Where we goin' now mom???

 Dad had to work on July 5th, due to the RIMPAC exercise, so Darby and I walked down to the Kailua Freedom Parade.  It was her first parade, and boy did she have a BLAST!  Sugar, sugar everywhere!  Horsies, and dogs galore.  I will venture to say that she was in her element hamming it up for the goodies that were passed out... :)

Taking it all in...

A big Hawaiian...

 

It was a scorcher!

Darby did not want to sit still as we waited for the parade to begin.  I was definitely working up a sweat!

 

Her first Otter Pop...courtesy of Mufi Hanaman

How does this thing work??

Chowing down on the gold fish.

Hammin' it up!!!  Couldn't quite capture her dancing to the music.

Fascinated with the horsies.

What are all of these mom???  How cool!!  That was my cue to pack up and leave :)

Well, that concludes our 4th of July mini weekend.   Too bad Tony couldn't be at the parade...such a bummer as usual!

The USS Bonhomme Richard

Darby and I started out our 4th of July weekend touring the USS Bonhomme Richard, the "big boat" Tony will be living on for the next three weeks.  This little tour took place while the BR was docked at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu.  Here's a little info on this HUGE exercise Tony and his squadron have been involved in for weeks now...

Darb's just chillin' on the flight deck of the USS BR

You can see the USS Arizona in the background.

A little vessel/size perspective...

Our Navy tour guide

 

Darby and John so excited to see the boat!

More 4th of July madness to come....

4th of July Week!!!!

I know...it's been a while since my last post! I've found that the more adventures I have to blog about, the less I actually blog. Since May we've been to Yuma, Scottsdale, Durango, Boise, and Maui. Darby celebrated her 1 year birthday...whoa!!! How did that happen??? Auntie Ambie came to Kailua for a 10 day visit (which was FANTASTIC), we celebrated Father's Day, and Tony left Tuesday morning for a three week exercise on the USS Bonhomme Richard! Never a dull moment in the D'Amico household!

\So, I'm dusting off the posting cobwebs and sharing our 4th of July week of which took place here in good ol' Kailua, HI! It was a GREAT week!!!

Darby hanging out with Saiders on the deck. 

I caught ya Darbs!!! 

She's always getting into Sadie's water!  What a stinker!

OK...so my shred pile got a little out of control due to my previous shredder breaking. Darby thought she would have some fun with mom during this long weekend and spread the pile around! Thanks Darbs. Just wait until you're old enough to have chores!

Our little Papaya tree finally produced a mini papaya. Tony decided to finally pick it due to the color changing from green to bright orange.  It actually tasted pretty sweet!  GO US!!!  There doesn't look to be another one growing anytime soon.  Not sure about that???

We spent the 4th of July evening at Kailua Beach park with some friends.  Kabobs, corn on the cob, potato salad, cupcakes and beer!  Darby sure enjoyed herself...

The barge in the background carries all the fireworks.  We had prime seats!! 

Conor, Tone and the BOB (that carried all of our picnic supplies on the 25 minute walk from our house).  That baby was loaded up!!!

The beach is starting to fill with eager onlookers and the barge still sits...

Darbs in her red, white and blue. She's excited that it's past her bedtime.  Tone and Meg. 

Darby got a little nervous with the works at first with all the loud noise, wanted to snuggle (which never happens), and then watched the show from the corner of her eye.  She secretly really liked the display ;)

The week doesn't end there...

To be continued...

Tour of the USS Bonhomme Richard, and 5th of July, Kailua Parade!

Suns Sweep Spurs!

Gotta show a little love to Los Suns...finally getting past those pesty Spurs.

The only beef I have is that they actually wore jerseys with "Los Suns" on the front to protest, in their own little way, the immigration bruhaha.  DISLIKE! I'm not racist but I'm an advocate of LEGAL immigration since I am a tax paying citizen. Don't get me started...at least AZ is doing something about this.

Mother's Day Weekend

Happy Mother's Day to all of those mommies out there! I'd like to thank my mamacita for everything she has done and still is doing for me! Your sacrifices have not gone unwarranted! Love you and see you in a week!
Cheers to Mamma Lou as well! You are the best mother-in-law a girl could ask for. Thanks for giving me my Tone!!
Our Darbs is one lucky and spoiled grandbaby...that's for SURE!!!

Tony wasn't able to be here for the weekend but Darby and I had fun non-the-less. We've got A LOT of celebrating to do next week when our familly will finally be back together again. VACATION!!!

Brunch at the O'Club this morning with the Rae Fam.  Great friends!

Yes, I let Darby have her first Capri Sun...there's no turning back now! Hey..it's birthday party fun.  What's a mom to do? 

I think she may have a mouthful of sand in this pic.  Hale Koa Beach

 

Kids and Cupcakes.  Happy 4th Birthday Taylor Jones!

 

She loves her party favors!  Crazy little rockstar...

Future soccer star!

Well, Darby learned to dribble the soccer ball. Mom is so proud!

Click on the picture to see her in action...

Advice For The New Parent!

A friend of mine posted this poem from a book she is currently reading. I'm so glad these words of wisdom have been passed on to me now, as a new parent. It's very easy to lose track of what's really important as I'm starting to realize now that Darby is becoming her own little "person". I shall keep this advice close by at all times to remind me of my NUMBER 1!

If I Had My Child to Raise All Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch,
and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less,
and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and
fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious,
and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at
more stars.
I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often,
and affirm much more.
I'd build self-esteem first,
and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love."

Diana Loomans