Da Keiki Blog

Following the lead of her older friends, Leilani has gotten into “princesses” (which consists mostly of dressing up and looking at Disney’s version of the fairy tales). I let Leilani pick out her birthday party decoration yesterday. I expected her to go for the princess – she loves Fairy Tales, and can listen to them forever. I can totally diffuse most tantrums by offering to tell her stories like Cinderella (Aschenputtel) or the Frog King, or Snow White. Her favorite dress up – besides Pippi Longstocking of course – is a princess dress with an emperor crown.

Leilani surprised me by deciding within a second or so – on the Little Pony. I asked if she was sure and she really was. The princess was kind of a folksy-cutesy princess, maybe Leilani didn’t recognize her as such, and there was not that much to choose from, but her determination surprised me as much as her choice. She tried to buy every piece they had with a little pony on it and we tried pretty hard to only but the stuff we needed (we won, except for 3$).

Afterwards I let her pick out her birthday dress herself from the “princess” dresses in the toy aisle. Leilani looked at the dresses, the one she was interested in was too big (but super-cute) – the other ones did not interest her. We were right next to the Barbie toys – I didn’t worry, she is way too young to be intrigued by Barbie, but – Barbie has a horse. It caught her eye, and she pointed it’s way. “No dress, the horsie.” “But Leilani, what will you wear at your party (Nemoshorts??)?” “The dress is to beeg. I want horsie.” The price was about the same. I bought her the horse.

Andy did not agree with “turning her loose in the store” and letting her make a choice of something totally different than what I had had in mind, but its her birthday, and remembering how much I loved horses as a girl – how could I refuse. Addition written after her birthday: When we finally gave her the horse on her birthday (one of 5 horses btw.) I was amazed to see that she really enjoyed it and she did all the girly things the horse is designed for – started with brushing mane and tail, putting leis and jewelry on… nobody ever showed her, she doesn’t watch commercials on TV, and I thought she was too young to figure this out on her own.

We went to Borders, wher Andy attended a book signing and I encouraged Leilani to pick out a gift that she wanted daddy to get her for her birthday. She has a book about a Penguin named Mumble, and likes it a lot, and recently realized that there also is a “Mumble Movie” (Happy Feet), when she saw it playing in a store. He got it for her and a horse sticker book and a purple pony too (now that’s my kind of shopping: while I buy a hiking book, Leilani picks out presents for herself that I totally agree with).

Leilani loves fish. So this post has lots pretty fish photos for her, and some Leilani photos for everyone.

We went to Oahu from the 22nd of October to the 25th!

We camped at the Aiea heights campground – when we arrived I thought it was closed: 25 campsites empty, restrooms locked. No signs of human activity or camping use. Turns out people just don’t camp there, it’s too close to the city. Good for us. Andy got the resident ranger to unlock the restrooms, I got firewood, we had a nice Thanksgiving dinner of salmon salad sandwiches and a great campfire, and felt happy.
That photo was taken at our campsite.

Friday morning we had great breakfast at a small, very local pancake place and we went to the aquarium, but that’s a separate post. Leilani loved it. We stayed more than 3 hours, and she was hungry and exhausted afterwards, had a few snacks in the car and fell asleep. We found a nice Indian Restaurant to have lunch, we liked the food, but Leilani didn’t. It was a little spicy, and she is a spicewimp.

We walked around in Chinatown, got some tea and exotic food, Leilani liked it a lot, and ran to all the fruit stands and wanted to see everything. I think the pigeons were her favorite though.

We arrived at the art museum just 10 minutes before it closed (at 4:00!!! – and Sunday morning they were closed again) but were allowe dto look at the gardens and the buddha exibit for free.

When it was closed Leilani wanted to ride the “horsie” outside. We were kind of reluctant, but still put her on. I was just waiting for a furious museum curator to storm out and jell at us.

Andy and Leilani went to a park, and I went to the biggest Thrift Store I had ever seen. Got lots of dress up stuff for Leilani – her newest favorite. We had to be back at the campsite by 6:45, they close the gates, so we went shopping for dinner and “home”. The next morning we went to the swap meet, a local outdoor bazaar type market.

Later we met our friends Peter and Francine for brunch, walked around in Chinatown again and ot Leilani a new Chinese New Years dragon. She loves them: They make extremely annoying music, walk around, and have red-flashing LED lights. (Other than that they are pretty.) Later we went to the Zoo.

The next morning we tried the art museum again, failed again, and walked around a little in Honolulu, saw Peter and Francine and were invited to an excellent lunch at Francine’s, and almost missed our plane. Flight was at 2:05 and we left Waikiki around 1pm (after frantically searching for the car key, and getting lost and driving in circles for a few minutes). I think in my entire life only twice did I come that close to missing a plane (asides from the 2 times where I actually missed a plane, but these 2 were out of my and even Andy’s control :-). Andy returned the rental car while I checked in, and talked the TSA people into letting us cut the line.

…is one of Leilani’s favorite phrases.

I bet you were hoping the potty talk days were over :-) but no such luck:

Today on our way to the toilet she said “I can do it by myself…” and really did it. Pulled the stepping stool next to the toilet, put the small seat on, undressed, climbed up (that part was the scariest), and when she was finished did most of the wiping (with 2 yards of toilet paper). I helped her to dress though.

The best part might’ve been that she didn’t stay on the toilet and request us to read book after book. She got up immediately.

I wish every time she asserts her independence would be that pleasant…

Leilani got “Toddler Cards” They are like business cards, just for people without a business.

Her friends loved them so much, that I made some for Jaya as a birthday present as well…