Life of Larisa or LOL

"Spring is the time of plans and projects." Leo Tolstoy Ain't that the truth. Plans and projects always arrive in Spring. Plans for summer need to be made. Projects that have been put off, need to come to life. This Spring, as we plot, plan, and project, I took a few moments to photograph as well.  Spring is one of my favorite times of year. It's like Thursday. Almost the exciting end of the week (Summer), but over the beginning of the week blues (Fall), and past the midweek slump (Winter).  Spring brings outdoor activity, Easter, new life, egg decorating, bunnies...and hope. Can't go wrong with those things.  And every Spring I seem to muster a renewed  appetite for exercise and re-introducing healthy habits. This year, I'm making time for YOGA (the actual stretching and strength building exercise...not just the pants) and I have given up eating dairy. It may or may not last, but it's worth a try (See how hopeful Spring makes me?!) I guess my plans and pr...

Ever notice how your favorite places and things get overlooked? Your favorite park, favorite store, favorite food---you take them for granted sometimes. We do anyway. For instance, Moanalua Gardens. We love it here. Every. Single. Time. And yet... ...it has been months since we visited. Earlier this week we made up for it. For the low price of $3 (1 Kama'aina adult admission and 1 cup of duck/fish food) we were able to enjoy an afternoon adventure. Wildlife in its natural habitat.  Portrait of a ham. The weather was perfect. We had the park to ourselves. The ducks were feeling social (including the usually angry, red faced one). We had a picnic blanket and lunch. And the "tree jungle gym" was ours for the conquering. The combination was what we needed to get out some energy and spend time together. Me and Z. Before I know it, the days of duck feeding and hamming it up will be fond memories. So I'm soaking every bit of it up.  Hoping we don't let days turn into wee...

We were lucky enough to receive the February Box of Crafts and boy did the kids (to include my husband) love it. This was our first kid subscription box and I had no idea what to expect. The box is small, but jam packed with high quality supplies. There were three crafts in this months box. Each of the crafts relate to one another. We spent a Sunday afternoon putting together four paper rockets, one rocket launcher, and two rocket targets. The box provided detailed instructions with pictures and all of the necessary pieces for each mini craft project. The additional items we needed were:  1) big plastic straws  2) glue gun  3) scissors  4) tape  5) ruler Most folks likely have scissors, a ruler, and tape, and for the super crafty, they probably have a glue gun. As for the big plastic straws...thanks McDonald's!  My boys are ages 12 and 4. The crafts included for the rocket extravaganza were challenging enough to keep both boys interested. Some of the aspect...

Nothing beats the beach. The beach in Hawaii...even harder to beat. We have been trying to take full advantage of this luxury.  2016 is already shaping up to be our year of the beach. Weekly outings to various beaches are already on the calendar, and I'm not complaining.  Where else can you take in beautiful palm trees, bright blue skies, dip your toes in the warm sand, and splash in refreshing ocean waves? Even if we only make it for the last few rays of sun with a packed picnic, we are loving the year of the beach...our car, not so much.    My hair may be getting a little more damaged, but my feet are getting a free exfoliation. And the kids? Energy used is translating into early bedtime and better nights sleep. Fun in the sun is about the only thing I've found to tire these two out.  Those VitaminSea hashtags are on to something. Those surfers who "would go"...also on to something. Salt water is healing and mood altering. If you haven't visited your favorite ...

It's feeling a lot like milestone mania around here. I've jabbered on about turning forty...but, how about the mini milestone? It's not high school graduation or running a marathon, but what about things like being able to drop off my pre-teen at the movies, the local shopping center, or recently the carnival, without me hovering close behind? Or my preschooler writing his first and last name by himself? (good grief that was painful...and looooooong to watch). It's the daily tasks and accomplishments that I'm referring to here.  Milestone mania has arrived and brought along its friend crazy curls.  My kiddos have been growing and I decided I better document it. For Moms, documents are known as photos. And for their kids, they are known as irritations. Please enjoy some of our recent irritations...documented on the Internet for my pleasure---one of the luxuries of my forty milestone---gonna do what I like!  Milestone: "Mom, I put all these buttons on my pjs a...

If you are looking for a post on tennis...this ain't it. But, it is all about the milestone of turning 40... However you choose to rationalize, label, or disguise it... Forty. Four decades. Twenty twice. Halfway to eighty...there's no denying that there are way more "adulting" days in my week than there were in my twenties and thirties. With two kids at home, my forties will most likely involve a great deal more driving to various sport practices, having hard talks with the teen about peer pressure, treating more colds and coughs, breaking up brotherly scuffles, and hopefully laughter and celebrations for other milestones (learning to drive---gah! heading to kindergarten---sniff, sniff!) sprinkled in.  Turning 40 seemed like a lifetime away when I was graduating high school. And a place in the distant future for "old people" when I was in college. But, now, I'm here. I've arrived at 40 with a more realistic outlook. I've acquired a few new gray h...