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Teva paid me the best compliment yet today. He thanked me for getting him into reading. Hah! It’s not my whole life, but I feel like I’ve accomplished something important.

It was Matara’s Birthday yesterday, the big nine! I’m amazed when I think about that.

Anyway, the party was today. We haven’t had a good rain in four weeks or so, but since Matara Rain translates into Rain Rain, it did. It poured! I got a few good pictures of her birthday dress before duck-duck-goose started, and then the storm let loose, and the clouds fell from the sky.

We ended up having the rest of the party in a park shelter sharing with a construction crew and random, edgy transient guy. But the party was a success. Hooray for Uncle Né, who is always having fun, and who the kids like so much, I got a picture of them tearing him to pieces!

Fourth of July, and here’s to Mu’s patriotic trifle! Strawberries, haupia, and blueberries all on top of a bed of mangos, cookies and a splash of Bristol Cream.

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

Full moon last night, Sara and I surfed Tongs on longboards. I felt fifteen, it’s been a while since then. I caught about a dozen waves in an hour or so. Small waves, but so fun. I couldn’t really judge the waves until they were right on top of me, which made it kind of sketchy when I started to go outside and the waves gained some size. We followed up with a morning on the beach eating mangos and a swim.

Sometimes, when something is so good, it feels unreal. I find my memory just doesn’t do it justice. I try and remember a wave I just caught while I’m paddling out,  and it’s not even close. Strange that.

Tonight John and I cooked up an ahi dinner for the family, and enjoyed drinks and political conversation with everyone. A tasty treat.

The kids have been riding the surfboard in the pool. I’m making them practice paddling, turning around, and pushing under waves. Teva is still too traumatized to go in the ocean, but I think Matara is game. I’m hoping to take her out in the next day or two.