Ashley's 30th Birthday Party

Ashley wanted a sugar cookie party to celebrate the big day. The kids took over and it became a dance party/contest, and we ate cookies at the end. Ashley tried to teach the kids the electric slide. Some more photos to let you in on a little bit of the action.

Nutella and Me

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Consider this tip your Christmas gift. I discovered Nutella last summer. I don't remember what prompted me to buy it, but I did and it changed my life. Nutella on strawberries, Nutella on crackers, Nutella on carrots, Nutella by itself...stop me. (Kidding about the carrots)What is Nutella? It is not peanut butter, it is a chocolately hazelnut spread. If you eat Ferrero Rocher candies, its is the filling that the whole hazelnut floats in. You can buy it at Costco in a twin-pack for about eight bucks. I recommend getting a container without the squirrel in it.

New Kid on the Block

Dave and Rebecca Moeai had their first child. Peter Moeai born around 12:20 PM, 7 lbs 9 oz, 21 inches. Baby and Mom doing well. Dave gave the baby his first bath. But Rebecca did all the hard work--40 hours of labor. We're glad to have another cousin to add to the list.

What can you get for 33 and 1/3 cents?

Three drums. Saturday morning yard sale find. Janet's beating them with Lincoln Logs. Alai does tribal dances in his diaper around Teisa who is building a mansion out of blocks. Afui says "How about we take those to the Cottonwood game?"

2nd Grade Flashbacks

I have noticed, that 1st and 2nd grade girls can be catty. It has something to do with the age and, sadly, probably gender. Teisa and I regularly discuss the playground drama when she gets home from school. For the past two years, she has had regular run-ins with one particular girl. Found this note on the livingroom floor that gave Alai and I a good laugh. Here's the transcript(Note: the name has been changed).

Annabelle I'm so sorey that I colde you a popeler (Translation: popular). I want to be your frend. I also whant to get along whith you and when we frist played you braged that you were older then me. And you hert my felling. P.S. From your new frend Teisa.

Signing off,
Glad to Be Out of Grade School

Don't miss our kid's choice "video clip of the week"

You have to SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM of this blog to see the video clip of the week. The kids, their cousins and Uncle Evan LOVE to find quirky commercials and video clips on YouTube. We laugh for days. This week's feature is a favorite called "Steering Wheel". Check it out.

Red, Rice and Blue: An election day tribute

The first piece is the collaborative work of Tui and his apprentice and brother Alai. It is entitled "Red, Rice and Blue" Materials: Rice on Carpet and symbolizes the celebration of the democratic process. The second piece is Alai's solo work. "So Sorry, John McCain: Butter Luck Next Time" Materials: Butter on Sock While its been fun to feature the budding artists, we will no longer be showcasing their art online. If you want to visit the art gallery you know how to find us.

A Sales Pitch: Flours for Mother

At 6:30 am Sunday morning Tui created this masterpiece entitled "Flours for Mother" Materials: Flour on Tile. Tui can turn anything into art--even, cough, cough, a five pound bucket of flour. We're selling photographically enhanced prints of this piece. Pick the version that matches your living room: shadow of a genius, cornflour or original. Price $32.00 per print payable via PayPal. Will also accept 20 lb bag of all-purpose flour delivered to our doorstep for payment. Interested in having a Tui original? Tui can be rented, excuse me, commissioned to do on-site masterpieces at the bargain rate of $100/hour, and a happy meal.

Why My House Is Never Clean Ch.1: Tui is a modern artist

This piece is entitled
"Genoa" Materials: Salami on Glass, Tuitui Kalaniuvalu, age 4. A prodigy. Purchase price $2.33 per lb.

Superbowl Saturday

The Redskins took the Super Bowl! Go team. Score 16-0. I can't tell you any details, because I spent most of the time shooing Tui and Alai away from the trophy table. Trophy and Afui finished the game in one piece, the real accomplishment of the day.