A Poem for Mum, by Madison

Her hands are like rough scales on a alligator.

Her hair is like a snake slithering on the ground.

Her face is like a marshmallow floating like a leaf.

Her voice is like robins, chirping in the summer.

Her smile is like licorish bending really softly.

Brothers in Arms

Maddy got a haircut like Micah's to show solidarity with his li'l cuzzie in Australia.

Maddy wants Micah to know that this style looks GOOD! Makes you look older :)

Maddy's first soccer game

Maddy has his first soccer game today. It was a gloriously sunny day, just perfect for being outdoors. Maddy scored a goal but I didn't get it on tape since he was on the far field at the time but I witnessed it! We had a celebratory ice cream on the way home.

Soccer Practice

Maddy was all geared up with his new soccer boots, socks, shin and ankle guards, ready for his first practice last Wednesday. There were only six boys that turned up as the rest were away on Spring Break. Considering this was his first time he's ever played, he did OK. He did manage to score a goal but I did not have the camera rolling at the time, as I was too excited, jumping up and down and cheering for him.

Training Wheels No More (Pt. 2)

Training Wheels No More

I can remember my Dad teaching me how to ride a bike and yesterday I returned the favor.

Maddy and I headed to our underground garage since it is nice and smooth plus there is normally noone down there during the day. Maddy tends to get flustered when he is learning something new and hates to 'look bad' while doing it so the garage was perfect.

We pulled his bike out of storage, gave it a quick clean, adjusted the seat and pumped up both tires. I showed him where the brakes were and how to use them and off we went. After 2 or 3 trial runs (with me holding on to his bike while running beside him) he was off on his own. The look of joy and amazement that he was doing it all on his own was priceless. I wish I had the foresight to have brought the camera with me!

Maddy is a natural. He must get it from his mother because when Dad taught me how to ride my bike I ended up in the hospital with a broken arm. I also broke my face when I fell of a bike in Australia so it definitely doesn't come from my side of the family.

After 30 minutes of riding up and down the garage YAAYing and WOOHOOing he wanted to show Mommy so we went and got her. Mommy was surprised that he learned how to ride so quickly.

I told her it was because he had a good teacher!

Maddy at the Stenwood Funfair

Thanks to Aunty Sachi for showing us how to make a mini-movie :)

Playing Around

Welcome Home Daddy

It's nice to have Matt back after a month of being away overseas in Tonga and Samoa. Even though we missed him very much, Maddy and I didn't do too bad coping on our own. Welcome back Daddy!!

More B&W Shots

Practicing His Part

Take 1

Take 2

Basketball season has come to an end

Basketball season ended last weekend with a party at Fuddruckers. Maddy went along with his friend Michael and his Mum to the function. I was very ill and couldn't attend. Maddy was fine about it though and was only interested in receiving his award and playing games at the arcade LOL.

The boys did well this season, learning the basics and the rules of the game. They each received a certificate and trophy for their achievements.

Next on his activity list is Soccer and Tae Kwon Do.

Lalovaea Visit

I went to visit the old house at Lalovaea today. I was hoping that Neta and her husband had an umu ready for toonai but no such luck. So I had to make my own luck and bought an umu from the Fugalei market, some wahoo, mamoe and some koko samoa. My kind of lunch! When we left Samoa Neta didn't have any kids but not three years later, she has 2 kids with another on the way. The house at Lalovaea is looking very old & tired and should be repaired or demolished soon.

Amataga, me and Neta's son Kevin in the faletaavale

Alofa and her brother Amataga

Kaga Makangka on the stairs in Mama's house

Neta with her pepe fou

Neta's eldest son, Kevin

Happy Valentines Daddy

Maddy made this for you at school today :)

Power Goes Out

Due to the storms that hit Oklahoma a few days ago, we experienced very strong winds all day yesterday and last night. Our power went out around 8.30ish for a little while. Maddy and I were reading his book at the time and decided to take this video :) We are fine by the way!

Happy Birthday Aunty Mona

Wishing you a happy and joyful birthday :)

Miss you heaps, love Rach, Matt & Maddy xxx

Happy Birthday Uncle Lloyd

Lloyd is the big one standing next to Mum LOL

Happy 40th birthday bro, Love Us xox

Happy Birthday Cousin Micah!

Have fun on your birthday, eat lots of yummy goodies and hope you get lots of pressies too.

Love always, Uncle Matt, Aunty Rach and Cuzzie Maddy xox

My b'day muffin cake

So much for Maddy helping me out with my blueberry muffin cake LOL I had to do it all myself, but that's ok, I purchased a ready-to-make mixture that only needed water added LOL Yup, my kind of baking. We had no icing nor b'day candles but that's ok, we will make do with the sprinkles.

I spent the morning volunteering at Maddy's school library for an hour then cleaned up the house before Maddy got home from school around 12.45pm. We watched a movie together (Space Chimps) then I made the muffin cake. On Wednesday I get to spoil myself by getting my hair done (long overdue) and a spa treatment (manicure and pedicure). Thanks Daddy & Maddy :)

Thanks for the birthday wishes family and friends :o)

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Dear Mommy,

On your birthday, Maddy and I would like to:

Wish you a very happy birthday and. . .

Hope you have a great day and. . .

Thank you for putting up with us when we don't what we should and. . .

Promise you we'll try harder to help out more and. . .

Think you are the best mommy in the world and

Love you for always looking after and being there for us!

~Daddy and Maddy