Sam spotted this fig tree on Bellows and identified it correctly. So we took a picture of it and measured how many Sams tall it was. Over 6 Sams! That's more than...24 feet! We had fun FIGurin' that one out! ha ha!

So I have been cracking myself up lately with puns! I was on the phone with Dwayne at the Big Factory talking about how to replace my stroller wheel since I completely rusted out the bearings, nuts and skewer with beach jogs. It finally just wouldn’t work anymore. So we talked through options, including that I really need a quick-release so we can change tires on the fly if we get a blowout off-roading. When we were done arranging things, I said “Thanks for BEARing with me! Ha ha!” I liked this FIGuring one, too for the FIG tree. And using a Reese’s peanut butter cup was great for teaching fractions – I took a “tax” hit on Sam’s and told him that’s about how much the government takes from Daddy’s income. Then I took a small tax from Sam’s shortbread cookie (also round) and he guessed it was about 15%. Cookies are very good math aids I think.

We went to church this morning and saw some neat friends, then to the North Beach tide pools and hooked up with Giji and her gang despite some text-messaging mishaps. (By the way, while I was praying for peace and being a good mommy, Ben leaped sideways off the little kneeling cushion thing and landed in the middle of the aisle on his nose or something. His legs were flailing behind him like a donkey bucking. My prayer was answered because I got a case of the giggles along with the boys instead of getting really irritated at continued flagrant disregard for my church behavior admonishments. Ben is VERY quiet in church, but he is usually halfway or all the way in the aisle doing all manner of things he shouldn’t, oogling at people, etc. But he is QUIET, so he is not actually breaking too many rules. He brings a red cat along that we found in a geocache box – we call him Mr. Purrrfect because he is supposed to be Perfect in Church. Ben is responsible for educating Purrrfect. Crazy guy. I find it easier to take the two kids to church alone because I think it is a very unnerving time for my otherwise completely unflappable husband. Dave’s stomach gets in a knot wondering when Ben will erupt. That’s what I imagine he is feeling like anyway. I have not had a chance to ask him in a while.)

Anyway, after Taco Bell we headed home to gear up for the week ahead fixing tires and such. A family came through to look at the house as a comp for another one in the association (so I was quickly stashing my Scotch and bandaids and laundry!). As a matter of fact, one of the many reasons I will miss Hawaii is this. When a damsel is in distress, she can walk out her driveway and in a matter of seconds find a knight to help her. I found a strong man to get the rest of the new, tight tire on the stroller wheel when I couldn’t muscle it. It’s like camping here. People are all around. Usually that is a fine thing! Here’s hoping you all had a great weekend and have a good week ahead. Aloha!