Life of Larisa or LOL

This weeks "new thing" got my creative juices flowing.  My inspiration for this "new thing" was based on an ancient art practice known in Japan as Suminagashi.  This ancient art form inspired "new" art created by me, Zach, Gabe, and Isom.  The longer this "new thing" adventure goes on, the more everyone in my house becomes involved! In our house, art and science are fun activities for my almost ten year old.  They are interests that we try to support even if we don't love all things art and science.  Science tends to foster curiosity and a way of thinking that can help with problem solving.  Art tends to foster creativity and a way of thinking that is often outside of the box.  Recently, Zach and I went on a Friday Fieldtrip to the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) .  Before leaving, of course we had to check out the gift shop.  Inside the gift shop (where I could have wandered around for hours) we came across another DIY art kit.  Zach wa...

Fifty Days of Gray...that's how I describe life without hiking.  It's been awhile...fifty days to be exact...since I last officially hiked.  I finally got back to it this past Monday.  Since my last hiking excursion (in August), I have been busy traveling (yay Denver!), visiting with out of town guests (Mother-in-law, Uncle, and Grandma), and the true reason for the lack of hikes...recovery.  After an intense Yoga session, an uphill hike on Hanauma Bay Ridge, and a full day of work back at the end of August, this old, tired body decided to go kaput.  Shooting pains, tingly foot, and extreme muscle soreness lasting for weeks led me to taking some time off from hiking (and any activities really) and seeking pain relief/explanation for my ailing left leg and foot. Almost two months have passed since I first rendered myself out of hiking commission, and I am finally feeling almost back to my normal self...with the exception of now that I am walking without p...

I was hesitant to go hiking this morning. One, I barely walk around our house, let alone out in the real world. Two, remember that fall two months back? Yeah, that pretty much did me in for getting athletic-y with a baby attached to me. And three, this kid is heavy. But, I pushed my trepidation to the back of my mind and met up with a good friend and her baby at Makapuu. My time could have been better (usually this is a half hour to forty five minute hike)...we ended up taking close to an hour and a half. But, I wasn't doing it for time. I accomplished my goal of being active at least once a week and conquered my fear of hiking with a baby without Isom, without the stroller. Just me, Z, G, and a backpack of snacks. The view along the way was gorgeous (Zach's charming smile), and the view at the top was cloudless, blue, and perfect. Kudos to Gabe and our hiking companions...for enduring my sweaty complaining self (my non sweaty, non complaining self is a barrel of laughs). After...

Our little guy turned nine months old on Monday. So, I have three months to get my act together for his first birthday party. Not. Enough. Time. Speaking of which, the past nine months flew by. Zach is standing, crawling out of his crib, throwing toys, biting mom, having laugh attacks, busy, the Lance Armstrong of crawling, and exploring everything. He keeps all of us active and entertained. Here's nine photos of our Z-man. Happy 9 months little rascal.