Splinters

As I mentioned in an earlier post, once I get an idea, I've got to get it out. A lot of times I learn a new craft and I go nuts with it until it gets out of my system.

Here are some results of that process:

I made this for K. Hapa means "portion, fragment, part, fraction, installment; to be partial, less." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hapa)
A onesie. I love octopi. Don't know why.
This one was for Leilea. I thought a Lucha Libre was appropriate because... well.. she's kinda crazy. If you know her, you get it.
The positive of the first octopus shirt. I usually make two because I don't want to waste a stencil. This one's for K, too.
I pity the fool... This one was to not waste a stencil. I don't have a photo of the shirt I made for K but rest assured, it's pretty cool.
Any ideas of something that would make a cool shirt? Leave a comment.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy

I found out today after making a t-shirt with a picture of Mr.T on it that today is Mr.T's birthday. It also happens to be my big man's birthday, too. Since I don't have baby photos of Mr.T, I'll just have to keep this post about Kawika.
Three years ago today, I was in labor with Kawika watching Coyote Ugly and pushing during the commercials. Isn't that the sweetest birth story ever?
We finally turned it off, and when baby Kawika was born, John cried. I don't think he'll mind me sharing this because it was one of the single sweetest moments of my life. Daddy loves his girls, but this boy is special. To know him is to love him. I definitely do.
Happy birthday, Kawika.

Hotttt pink

I have had a lot of requests for pictures of the dresses I made last weekend for the girls for Kaylani's wedding. Of course, my ancient battery draining camera was dead so I wasn't able to take pictures myself. Fortunately, she had an awesome photographer and she just posted some pics on her blog (Shannon Payne Photography) so here you go:



Of course, Kaylani looked beautiful. This is the wedding party:
My first pair of heels. Hot pink and shiny. Ignore the fact that my legs are the same color as K's dress. There's no such thing as a healthy tan... unless you're born with one like everyone else in the picture. I was the tolken white girl.

Herding cats

Every year for Mother's Day, we try to think of a meaningful gift for our moms. Usually, that involves the kids.

This year we decided to take photos of the kids with signs.

Someone needed a nap. I'll let you guess who....




The pictures turned out fine with plenty of... uh... character, but all three grandmas loved them.

This picture was my favorite. I like to pretend it was for me:

Sadie, Sadie married lady

John's little sister got married yesterday. Wow, time flies and that flight is making me feel old.

Last weekend I had a shower for her at the house. I made cupcakes with toppers (everything is an excuse to get crafty).
We witnessed the moment in every girl's life when you start getting excited about bake ware and household appliances. Congratulations Kaylani and Matt.

School days

I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: I love my job.

When I was in high school, junior or senior year, I decided I wanted to be an Art Teacher. I never changed my major in college. I have always been sure. I never thought I'd love being an elementary art teacher, but this is where I was offered a job, so I took it. Someone else knew better than me what was best for me because I can't imagine teaching anyone else.

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I love, love, love the cards kids give me- especially the ones they make. Last year I got one from a third grader that said, "Thank you so much for getting me past that awkward stick figure drawing stage."

Girl, you haven't been to middle school. You ain't seen awkward yet.

One card, from a very, very intelligent 1st grader had what looked like a yellow "1", a plus sign, then a blue "1" equals a green "1". When I read it, I immediately thought, "Wow. I'm glad I don't teach him math." ...it took me a few moments to realize that those weren't numbers but just the colors: yellow plus blue equals green.

I like to teach art history to the kids because so few of them know the stories behind the pictures we look at. When we discuss an artist's life, they are always most interested in when they died, how old were they when it happened, and how did it happen (which I have to gloss over for this age group for quite a few artists- rough crowd).

So, one day I wrote the problem out on the board to figure out how old an artist was when he died and how old he'd be if he were still alive today. When I started writing on the board I noticed an awed silence and heard whispers around the crowd, "oh my gosh. mrs.f can do math..."

What's best are the stories I come home with. John loves to hear what happened at school that day. Some stories are happy, too many will break your heart, but my favorites are the funny ones.

I was walking by a first grade class in the hallway on my way to my room and I noticed a cute shirt... then I looked again. It worn by a sweet, quiet little girl who gives hugs and says thank you. The background was a giant rainbow (think gay pride rainbow), in the foreground were two female silhouettes (like the kind on the door of public restrooms) and they were holding hands. The words on the shirt said, "Lez B Friendz".

This girl had no idea and I'd bet money whoever bought her that shirt and let her wear it to school had no idea either. It WAS cute.

During Field Day I had a Kindergarten class right after their time at Field Day. They were hot, sweaty and exhausted. We had a laid-back lesson that day. When we lined up, a little boy who can be quite a handful, raised his hand. When I called on him, he said, "Mrs. F... I smell like... I smell like... I smell like HOT CHICKEN!" He was bewildered and I was doing my best at suppressing laughter.

I know I can't change the world, and honestly, I don't think I'd want to- but if I can change their worlds for the better, I've lived a good life. Because they sure have brightened mine.

Good point.

Things said by Iwalani in the last few months:

One morning she wanted cake for breakfast. I let her know there was no way I was letting her have cake for breakfast, let alone any meal of the day. The next morning on one of my more productive morning walks (haha) Nani and I got doughnuts for the family for breakfast. When I put that round, pepto-bismol pink iced, sprinkled monstrosity in front of her she says, "So, I can't have cake for breakfast but I can have this?" Mama got schooled.

The other day I was showing her how to do something more effectively. She was doing it one way but it wasn't what I considered the best or easiest way so I showed her my way and told her to try it like that. She said, "Well, I would do it your way, but I don't want to be wrong." The worst part is, she was sincere.

SOOO looking forward to the teenage years.