lost tooth!

Solace lost his first tooth, you read that right. Solace. Lost his tooth. Remember that long time ago when Sully fell and hit his front left tooth, making it point inward for a day or so? The dentists explained that it may have damaged the roots, and at some point, likely before his teeth would naturally fall out, that one would. So after four years, we had mostly forgotten about it. Until one day, he was eating pita chips and said "Ouch!". His tooth started bleeding at the gums. It was barely hanging in there, so we knew it would come out. 

Sully pulled it out himself after being told he was allowed to. He was super brave about it and really shocked that it wasn't going to go back in. There was NO root on it, which means that it was damaged really badly in that initial fall, and it was quite surprising that it had stayed in for as long as it did.

Not really the look I was going for with my four year old, but it actually fits this full of fire, busy boy of mine.  Cute thing.

bike ride

We took a bike ride down to the beach, where one of the rivers lets out. We spent a good part of the morning there and the kids had so much fun trying to make a boat of the logs and driftwood pieces there.

Picking flowers for his momma, always the gentleman.

Then we rode back, cooled off from the hot October weather.

hidden park

The park we found hiding in the woods is really cool from the top. Check it out! It's easy to get lost in this and it's the hardest playground to leave if you have to get out at a certain time. There is always at least one missing child that I have to go back in after. :)

soccer

We loved watching the kids play soccer this season. It was their first official sport, and they all really caught on to it. Matix and Hawken both have a real natural talent for it. 

The boys got their pictures taken (grandparents, you will be getting one for soon!), and they were so cute.

All smiles, all the time from my happy girl. She loves the friends that she has made from her soccer team.

beach day

We went with the Hunts to a beach up on the north shore. It's really nice living on the east side of the island because everything is really close. I don't know the name of this beach, but it was BEAUTIFUL. We stayed until the rain caught up with us, and we all made a run for the cars. 

Lots of volcanic rock on the beach made shallow tide pools filled with treasures for the kids.

Our two families were, again, the only ones there, besides this sleepy monk seal. After an hour or so of sleeping, he made his clumsy climb back into the ocean. It is always awesome to see them.

There was a cliff jumping spot that landed you in a deep trench, with strong waves pushing you back to the beach. You had to be careful though not to end up bumping into those sharp volcanic rocks.

Paul went out and snorkeled with Andy for a long while and when he came back, Lullaby was ready to go out. So Paul went out again. He is never out of energy or enthusiasm.

The clouds, from a nearing rain storm were just spectacular! I took a million pictures this day.

The five boys stuck there sticks in the sand and danced around it. It was super funny to see. Amy and I were laughing.

Hannah found two lost ducklings, no mama, and a big storm headed our way meant that the Hunt family got to adopt some ducklings for a couple weeks until they were big enough to be released at Healing Horses' pond.

Here comes that storm!

One more jumping spot on the other side of this beach.  It was such a fun day. Even being rained out, we didn't mind it.