My children are a couple of lucky kids.  My eldest son started kindergarten with his cousin.  Made his first day jitters and tears pretty much go away by the time I walked to the gate.  My youngest son has a cousin 6 days older than him.  So, those two will grow up together and loving and annoying eachother.  But that’s what pals do   And it lets us mommies hang out while the children hang out and entertain.  Here’s a few hours of togetherness..just because we can  

No one needs to be told how devastating the earthquake and tsunami has hit Japan. We all saw it and continue to see it daily on the news and in the newspapers. My heart aches watching a nation try to rebuild. Hearing how during the worst time of their lives the people of Japan still have great respect for one another. Hearing reports of riots being non-existent. Family members walking hours to stores and gas stations to stand in line patiently waiting their turn. Our family instantly donated money to the American Red Cross but I wanted to make sure my children understood what was going on.  And I want to teach them how important charity is.  I want them to grow up learning to be compassionate and kind to others especially those in need.  Someday we might be the ones who need the help.

A typical trip to the store always involves this question “mom, can I get this?”  And the answer is always “no!”  So, taking the opportunity to always teach my children life lessons I proposed we save cans toward a certain goal.  After a little discussion and a little coercion off the original goal to buy a Transformer toy to the current goal to save for Harry Potter World we started our search for cans.  We save and recycle everything and ask neighbors, family & friends if we can have any.  They’re really into it and don’t mind the grossness of actually redeeming them. The best is, they get to keep a dollar for whatever and then the rest gets put into their ‘Harry Potter World’ account.

So, when we heard about Japan I had the whole family sit and watch what was going on.  The boys were confused a little because on TV the water seemed to be slowly approaching.  But they realized it was bad.  We decided to donate all the money we get from now until the end of April to Japan relief efforts.  After that we’ll donate 20% of each trip to Japan.  So, if you live on Oahu and want to donate a few cans to my boys let me know.  I’ll gladly send my boys your way.

Thank you to Kathe James and Darrah Marie Ishizaki for being our first people to donate their cans to my boys.  Just from their cans alone we got $18.70..YAY!  Kathe and Darrah let me know if you have a preference to where we should donate the money.

Our prayers are with the people of Japan.

Ladies and gents, if you are a photographer.  It doesn’t matter if you just take photos of your kids, strangers in the street, get paid or not get paid for taking photographs, if you snap pictures for whatever reason and do it digitally or on film, then you need to start watching The [FRAMED] show.  Each week a different photographer is featured.  They talk about their individual style, what inspires them and you get to see what goes on behind the scenes when they shoot.  I’m addicted and I bet you’ll be too. AND they give away awesome stuff.  This week they’re giving away a 1 year membership to the Red Leaf Online Workshop. I’m not going to lie.  I have not heard of them before but after browsing their website they offer a lot of goodies.  Their yearly membership is $595 so it’s worth a shot to enter.  So here I go…

This weeks entry consists of uploading a photo that tells a story.

Here’s my story.  Photography is the best thing that happened to me.  You can always learn something new so it keeps it exciting.  Lately, I’ve been really getting into fashion photography and headshots.  The more I shoot the more I get hungry to do more.  That hunger gets me through long days of shooting and long nights of editing.  I’ve come to realize in the fashion world the photographer is just a team player.  To make sure your end result is beautiful, you have to trust your team.  Your makeup and hair team, your stylist, your lighting crew, your camera assistants.  Everyone involved helps you with your vision.  So, I thank my team for always being hungry for the next shoot.  I cannot do anything without you.

I was emailing back and forth with Lori about her family session and it didn’t take long before we found out we both have children named Logan and Mason. It was pretty neat. So, on the day of their session I asked if my little guys could come along. I just needed to get pictures of Logan & Logan and Mason & Mason. Lori told me all I need now is a “JUSTYN”. Um, I don’t think so but maybe   Ok, maybe not.  I’m already breaking into cold sweats thinking about raising another boy.  It’s tough because I can’t handle blood and it’s a given with boys and their rough ways.  Ok, I better stop.  I’m already getting woozy..haha.

Mahalo Raymond ‘Ohana for spending a beautiful morning with us.  You guys were so fun to photograph.

The Raymond ‘Ohana is very competitive and love being active.

Logan&Logan and Mason&Mason

I’ve known Gary since I was in high school. His family owns Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory and they gave me my first job.  Thanks to them I was able to pay for my proms and everything else during high school.  I loved working there.  It was a bunch of friends working together and the perk was eating whatever we wanted.  What else could a high schooler ask for?  Ever ate a manapua and thought “hey, wouldn’t it be awesome if they had a sweet potato manapua?” Well, they got ‘em. What about a pizza one? Yup, they got that. What about a plate lunch that has enough to feed a small village…check! Oh, more into home cooked meals? Well they have noodles you can buy by the pound so you can make your own fried noodles.  They’re pretty awesome but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you because you probably already know.  I mean how could you not?? They’ve been around since 1941.  They have locations in Kalihi, Waimalu and Kapolei. Even though I’m no longer with Chun Wah Kam I’m glad to be friends with Gary and try to keep in touch as much as I can.  It’s hard though..Chun Wah Kam is open every day of the year…so order that pan of noodles for your next holiday:)  Thanks Gary and Sharon for a quick session with your family on the beach.  Now, let’s get going on that idea of yours.

I blogged Lunching With The Ladies a few days ago and mentioned how spoiled I was with Angie.  Angie produced a short film called “Lychee Thieves“  She asked both my husband and myself to be a part of it and it played at this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF).  This past weekend Lychee Thieves went to Hilo to be shown at the Palace Theatre.  Angie went to Hilo and brought back Mika Mints from Big Island Candies and Strawberry Mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen.  We loooove those treats!  Angie and I had a great opportunity to work on a few movies in Hilo.  First, we did Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull and then we did The Tempest.  We love Hilo and yes, we claim it’s our hood:)  Thanks Ang for running around Hilo to bring our FAVES back so our family could devour it in mere seconds..lol

These bad boys are so ono.

I got so excited about Mika Mints I could only think of throwing them in the air.  Throwing things in the air = happy, happy, joy, joy!

He’s all about the Strawberry Mochi and I don’t blame him one bit.

When you have mochi on your mind you don’t care if your diaper is hanging low or your shorts are just about to come off.

The reason why the camera is always good to have around.  I think I’ll keep this one for his future girlfriend..tee-hee!

Every year I get nervous around Halloween time. The pressure of dressing up and what you’re going to dress the children as each year gives me an anxiety attack. It really comes down to the moola. I dont’ want to spend it. All the costumes that the kids wanted were upwards of $20 each. I know that’s not a lot but if they could use it for the rest of the year it wouldn’t be so bad…but one night. I have a hard time with that especially because they’re still younger. I know everyone reading this thinks I’m a mean mommy. I think so too..lol So, we’re all good. Just kidding! Whatever you write CAN be used against you huh?  Anyway, I was prepping my boys for not getting a costume this year.  Luckily my sister keeps all her costumes and offered to have the boys borrow from her son’s closet.  I was all for it and happy that my boys would have something to wear.

Of course the story gets better and I’m just so happy for Old Navy.  I’m not sure if they do it every year but they slashed all their Halloween items to $2 each.  I had to ask the sales guy to make sure EVERYTHING Halloween was $2.  Right when he said “yes” a frenzy started inside me and I snatched what I could.  Logan and Mason would be happy to be a chicken and a dragon..right???  I know it’s covered from head to toe and we’re on a tropical island of average 80 degree weather but for $2 they better LOVE IT like how I LOVE IT ..lol

I got home and could not wait to show the kids their costumes.  Logan my oldest wasn’t too happy because his heart was set on the Spiderman costume Aunty Nicole promised him.  But smart mommy was ready for the protest.  We had just watched “Where the Wild Things Are” and I told him it was a costume from that movie.  Took him a little bit to take the bait but he did and LOOOVED his costume.  Phew!  Mason is only two so he would’ve loved anything I brought home.  The only danger is we hung out at my sister’s house in Kalihi and Mase was was being eyed up by all the pinoys..ha!

Hope you enjoyed your Halloween as much as our family did.  Soon it’ll be Thanksgiving..the Christmas…Yikes!