Life of Larisa or LOL

This is Zach. He lives in Mililani. He was a good little toddler and always very curious. One day Zach went camping... And that's where the fairy tale ends. His hands were on EVERYTHING. He was covered in dirt, from head to toe, from the moment we unleashed him til the minute he was strapped back in his carseat and headed home.  We have been camping before. You might recall a post from several years ago. So, yes, we know what camping with kids involves. Camping with Zach was a different story.  The rundown: Tent set up: foiled in part by Zach's feet walking all over it while Isom tried putting the poles in. Big brother snickering off to the side. Camp fire starting: thousands of mini heart attacks every time Zach thought sticking shovels, rocks, toys in the fire was a good idea. Dinner preparation: Zach promptly sat down at the picnic table and announced he would like waffles. Late afternoon swim: Zach uses his words to inform us "all pau beach". Smores: Zach ate ever...

Here's a glimpse of what's been going on in the M-town hood. First birthday party, purple hairdo, pool time, adjustments to our eating, and bike rides...lots of them.  Fruit and veggies...as seen above are about the only thing Isom and I now have in common when it comes to eating...and that is a stretch. The results of Isom's allergy blood test arrived...might as well been delivered by the grim reaper himself. It has been pretty gloomy since we learned he needs to eliminate the following from his diet:  1. Dairy 2. Oats 3. Tree nuts 4. Beans 5. Wheat 6. Yeast ...just to list a few. There were 15 items total, but the above are the heavy hitters. As you have surmised, some favorites can no longer be indulged, consumed, looked at for fear of spontaneous jumping into the mouth. Since I already don't eat meat of the land (the sea is okay), grocery shopping has become tricky since we DON'T GROW anything at home and my black thumb has no intentions of starting. Isom has ta...

Good times had by all yesterday. Why? Well, it was Independence Day, triple dessert day, and the return of Gabe day!  I was so happy to have my annoying little chatter box back home in Hawaii. It was quiet the past eleven days! He made up for the silence quickly.  It was fun hearing all about his adventures with cousin Ryan at Grandma's house. He experienced record heat (125 degrees in the car mom). He drank soda (a huge deal since the strongest thing offered here is chocolate milk). He hung out with cool older kids. He played Xbox (I mean, it's so cool mom). He went to the movies, had no chores, and no little brother following him around. Can I go to grandmas?! We are so glad he made wonderful memories...while I made multiple trips to the doctor with a sick Zach. I still remember all the summers I flew solo to visit my grandparents. Soda, Disney, road trips, rest stops, record heat (remember the 117 degree heat that planes couldn't take off in?) and summer friends were par...

Almost everything can be considered an adventure when toddlers are involved. Even more so with wild child Zach...and recently his buddy Jennings. Big brother is currently away on the adventure of his young life (a week of swimming at Grandma's) so I'm having to step up my toddler game.  Off to Dole Plantation we went. Koi fish feeding for fifty cents. Twenty minute two mile train ride for eight bucks. World famous delicious fresh Dole Whip for four dollars.  The weather was perfect and gorgeous. (I'd expect nothing less of a June day in Hawaii). The kids were on good behavior---loosely translated as Zach did NOT push his younger cute female friend down. (He might have tried stealing her shoe however.)  It was simply a successful outing. Until we arrived at the Petting Zoo. The Petting Zoo that was advertised with not one, but two signs. Each with several animals displayed on the signs. Upon investigation, it was clear that the Petting Zoo was merely a small fenced off squ...