HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

This image from World War II reminds me of the sacrifice and resilience of Moms.  To all of the Moms out there today, Happy Mother's Day!  You make great things happen!

Valentine's Day at Moana Saves

I asked the wahine of Moana Saves to share some of their favorite memories/thoughts/traditions of Valentine's Day and here's what they said:

Jayne: Ever since our first Valentines Day as a couple my husband and I have written notes to each other. Our tradition of note writing is a little different because we don't read each other's notes until the following year.  The highlight of every Valentines Day for me is when I can sit down with my man in the peaceful hours of the night when the kids have gone to bed to read his lengthy note and he reads mine. (Yes, he can fill an entire page with mushy words of emotion and appreciation. Awww!)  Over the years our collection of notes has grown and it's fun to look back and read the notes that were written during our poor graduate school years or the year of the birth of each child. Years ago I remember looking through a binder of love notes between my husband's grandma and grandpa and thinking how some day my children and my children's children will be able to read my collection of notes and be reminded of the devotion through good times and bad that my husband and I have for each other.

Kristen: The most thoughtful one was last year when Valentines Day lasted 3 days! Day one was flowers. Day two was my favorite dark chocolate. Day 3 was a 16 x20 collage of family pictures that Mark Lee had taken for us. He really put a lot of thought into each thing, and it was awesome. He didn't grow up celebrating Valentines Day in Tonga, so it really meant a lot that he did so much!

Linds: Growing up we had a special Valentine's treat waiting for us in the morning for us girls- my favorite was the conversation hearts.  My parents would also write us a note of appreciation and let us know why we were special to them. 

In my dating years, it never seemed that relationships would be going during Valentine's day but my best friend and I had broken our ankles in separate accidents the week before V-day, or "single awareness day" in our case, but her mom drove in to take care of us and we got to go stay in a hotel with her.  We got room service, chocolates, flowers- just the pick-me-up we needed to heal faster.  We were back to our crazy antics soon after. 

Valentine's day in my married years hasn't been very significant- we celebrate other anniversaries (first time we said "I love you", engagement, how many months we've been married) but we do like to go try somewhere new around Valentine's day- not ON Valentine's day cause that is just madness.  He does know I like one thing on Valentine's day- the Dove chocolate roses. 

Lisa: We used to have suprise candelight dinners before the kids came along LOL. I think I used to heart attack something like the front door or something and write something cheesy on each heart. Of course, I would buy him his ferero rocher.  The most meaningful gift to me is always a card with a hand-written message that is sincere

For the kids, we usually just got goodies/treats ready for all their friends BUT this year, I will be starting a new Valentines breakfast tradition (that I'm copying from a friend).  Since usually we just do oatmeal or cold cereal for breakfast, we will do a treat with heart-shaped waffles (got a heart waffle maker for like $2 at a garage sale) with all the toppings, fruit, cool whip, other sweet stuff.  This is in response to Miya asking if we could have a Valentines party at home.  I will probably let kids heart attack our house this weekend.

Liz: Valentine's Day 2002-- I had a tall, dark, and handsome boyfriend and we were madly in love. I was on the phone with him (because he lived in Seattle at the time) all day. It was our first Valentine's Day (our second one was celebrated as husband and wife). But what made this particular Valentine's Day special is that my little niece was born! I still remember falling madly in love with her too without even seeing her yet. Knowing what it was like to have new additions to the family, my boyfriend (husband) was almost as thrilled as I was. I do get really wonderful cards and notes and gifts from the sweetie, (Babyface concert this 2/14!!), but I have to say that when my husband and I think of Feb. 14th, we think of what we're going to get for our niece's birthday (this year is the first that we're giving her cash. . . yeah, we've turned into one of those lazy shoppers! ha!). 

Mary: Growing up, my dad would always give us a valentine that really made us feel special because he would tell us how much he loved us and what he appreciated about us, individually.  I could really feel the love and try to do the same with my kids.  I am a freak for homemade valentine's (because I'm all about the LOVE you put into it ;) so my kids and I have lots of fun creating one-of-a-kind valentine's for teachers, grandparents, each other, etc. We also deck the house out with hearts galore in every room, on every wall -- some with funny conversation heart sayings.  The thing I look forward to most on V-day is the sentimental letter/card from my husband.  Not only because he tells me how perfect (yes, my own interpretation) I am, but also because it's nice to read a mushy, precious, tear-jerking love letter once a year!  

Rachel: When I was a youngun in Jr. high or even high school, boy crazy & a hopeless romantic..it was often that Valentines Day was a day of anticipation & dismay. But this year as I came home from school a little disappointed in the outcome of this "single awareness" day, I found 2 vases. One vase filled with 4 carnations & the other vase with roses. I knew instantly that the other vase was for MOM & that the carnations were for me & my 3 sisters. I grabbed my carnation & of course a small box of Red Hots (my favorite Valentine Treat) & gave my dad a hug. As always he said; "Love you Pooh Bear!" He was my Valentine for that year.

Anna: I saved mine for last because I've really enjoyed reading about my friends' Valentine's day traditions and memories!  We used to have the traditional "I love you" celebrations for Valentine's Day.  In particular, I remember being surprised by the hub early in our marriage when he whisked me off to a Sting concert.  It was great fun--both the surprise and the concert!

But (both sadly and gladly) our Valentine's Day traditions were forever transformed on February 14th in 2002 when I went for an OB appointment and my doctor cheerfully exclaimed that "today is a good day to have a baby!"  I was already at the crying-every-day stage even though my due date was two weeks away so I was all in.  She arrived that evening around 8pm and her name, in part, is because she was born on Feb. 14th (no, her name is NOT Valentina!).  Ever since then, Valentine's Day is a birthday in our family.  Yes, we don't emphasize romantic love on this day as much as we used to--we instead choose to celebrate family love and throw hearts-themed birthday parties for Second Born (yeah and this year it was a verah, verah long hearts-themed slumber party with the 8 yr old set).  It will probably be this way until she's old enough to live on her own but that's okay.  We're happy this way. 

TO ALL OF THE MOANA SAVES READERS, MAHALO FOR VISITING US AND WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

We would love it if you leave a comment telling us about your favorite Valentine's Day tradition or memory . . . . 

Personalize Your Child's Valentine's Day Cards for .10 each!

 

I totally borrowed this idea from Frugal Chic Living and its adorkable! (like adorable but with more personality).  I signed up for a new account at SeeHere.com and they sent me a code for 24 free 4 x 7 photo cards which I used to make personalized Valentine's Day cards for Second Born to pass out in school and to her other friends.  The only cost was the $2.49 for shipping. When they arrive, I'll make little slits above and below her fist and then stick a sucker (lollipop) in there as a treat.  I love it!

Now I just have to cross my fingers that the cards will get here in time for Valentine's Day at school.  Ah, island life . . . 

Review of Valentine’s Day Smiley Cookies

I love eating sugar cookies.  But I hate to bake them because any recipe that requires the use of a rolling pin gets me nervous.   Add to that the added pressure of Valentine’s Day.  Yes, its a celebration of love but its also the day I gave birth to Second Born—nearly nine years ago.  So Second Born was absolutely delighted about Smiley’s gourmet cookies.  Not only are the cookie gifts attractive—they tasted good as well!

Here is Second Born with her friends—ready eat!  Despite having to travel from the U.S. mainland to Hawai’i, not a cookie in the dozen was broken.  They came in a sealed plastic container which was packed in a Smiley re-usable box.  The hard icing provided a great texture contrast to the softer cookie.
Smiley’s cookies started out as the logo and signature dessert of a restaurant, Eat n Park, the place for smiles.  Now, not only can every Eat n Park customer try the famous smiling cookie, they can be ordered online and enjoyed by many.  Smiley’s  heart shaped cookies can be purchased HERE and will make a great addition to your Valentine’s Day this year!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Christmas Day Wishes

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases this year!

Wordless Wendesday: Mele Kalikimaka

My Pier 1 Christmas Wishlist

This post brought to you by Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.
Dear Santa,
Now that my style has evolved away from "yard sale shabby" and moved closer to funky contemporary, we just need to get the husband on board.  I'll work on getting him to throw stuff out so that we don't end up on an episode of  Hoarders while you help me with this wish list of holiday gifts.  Santa, I've been very good this year!  So good that I think I deserve to read by the light of this set of Iron Rings Lamps, don't you?  Only at Pier 1, Santa, only at Pier 1!  Or if we don't get much decluttering done, why we can store stuff behind this lovely Semar Floor Screen available at Pier 1. So many choices, so few Christmases!

Don't forget, Santa, that you and all of the other holiday shoppers, during the months of November and December, can support Toys for Tots by dropping off an unwrapped toy and/or making a cash donation at the register while shopping at Pier 1.  Another way to spread holiday cheer is by liking Pier 1 Imports on Facebook. For every new fan they get, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots.  Some win-win peace on Earth, goodwill to men, Santa! (and cool Pier 1 stuff for my house!) I know, I know: Cheer 1 Imports, Snow Time like the Present!

Wordless Wednesday: Hawaii_Christmas

The Best Gift(s) I've Given

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Well, after several hours of Christmas carols ringing through the house, I think I've caught the Christmas spirit.  Too bad I don't have my Christmas shopping done.  Actually my shopping pretty light this year and this has everything to do with the best gifts I can give to my children.  Growing up, my family didn't have a lot for our Christmases, so on some level, as a mom I've thought that the quantity of gifts I give my children is perhaps as important as the quality.  And then like most moms, I'm picking up or stepping on those precious Christmas gifts the rest of the year (while grumbling--lets not forget the grumbling!).  One of my kids doesn't even open some of her presents until six months later--that's how committed she is to her Christmas stuff.  (more grumbling)

So the hub and I are of the same mind that we have to dial things down and emphasize experience over material objects.  Have you ever sat around with your family and discussed times spent together?  My girls LOVE to do that.  Often those are the bed time stories the hub tells them.  They love to start dinner conversations with "Remember when  . . " and those discussions dissolve into laughter when we relive the special irony of that memory.

We are committed to giving those kinds of gifts to our children now.  So, in two days, sort of against my will, we're traveling to the mainland for our Christmas holidays.  The homebody is me just wants to sit at home and relax.  The mom who has declared war on stuff just for the sake of having stuff is ready to go and have adventures with my family.  What memories will we make?  Well, some will have to do with family snowboarding lessons (and me falling down a lot).  A few will have us jumping in and out of outdoor mineral hot pools in the middle of snow country.  Lots are surrounded by extended family.

There won't be a ton of gifts.  The ones there will be those reflecting the relationship between the giver and the receiver.  For example, Second Born talked for years about wanting a robe even though we live in Hawai'i where robes are optional night-time wear.  So last year when I gave her a robe, that gift outshined all of the rest and she has taken that robe to bed every night since--sometimes holding it like a stuffed animal because it was too hot to wear it.  The fleece of that robe is worn in spots and its looking pretty ghetto these days but that gift was very much worth giving because it showed her I was listening to her.  She has started hinting that a new robe is in order this year and will be something I get for her because the last one was so precious.  Those are the kinds of gifts I aspire to give my children--the best gifts I can give them.  What gifts will you give this year?

Learn more about the coolest new app that revolutionizes the whole shopping, gifting, and gift card-organizing experience and Download the SWAGG app to your iPhone or Droid. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.

Python Printables Christmas MEGA Game Pack, A Review

Christmas time is always crazy. My kids are out of school, family comes to visit, and the temptation is increased by a gazillion to the nth power to put my kids in front of the television so I can get some things done! Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that spending time with them is what counts! I was grateful to receive the Python Printable MEGA Christmas Game Pack of 70+ games to review.

It included Christmas movie trivia, Bible trivia, Christmas jokes (a little cheesy, but hey, fun for the kids!), paper dolls, which my daughter loved (even my son wanted to try!), and other games including matching, “newlywed” games, spot the difference games, office gift grab games, board games, brain teasers, a Christmas version of "Spin the Bottle", and others including games themed for Thanksgiving, and New Year’s. Our favorites were definitely the "Left-Right" story gift games, where one person reads a story and every time you hear “left” or “right” you pass the gift in your hands to the respective person next to you.

Once you purchase the game pack, they email you the link, and you have instant access, and there is no shipping time to wait.  It is green, in that there is no packaging needed, no fuel to ship, and they suggest you print on recycled paper and then, in turn, recycle when you are done.

Another alternative would be to laminate and save the games to use again.

We enjoyed the pack, and it helps to bring in the spirit of the holiday season.

The only thing we didn’t like was the time that it takes to download. You have to sit there and manually click on each game and save it to your computer in order to have unlimited access to all the games. Do that 70 times, and whew, you’re tired! It would be nice if they had a “download all” button, so you could click it and walk away and do something else while they are all downloading and then you could save them to your computer.

They suggest that you do it all in one sitting as well, which makes sense since there are so many and you don’t want to forget where you left off (you only get 5 chances to download each one before they expire).  Despite the time it takes, it’s definitely worth it when you get 70+ games for $19.99. The price is unbeatable, and you can print as much as you need.

It’s nice to have know whether I am entertaining guests, spending time with my family, or just needing to keep my kids occupied without turning on the tube, I can go to the printer and have something hands-on for us to do.

Python Printables offers a variety of printable game packs for just about any occasion, theme, or holiday.

All game packs come with a 30 day guarantee or your money back.

For a selection of FREE printables to try, click HERE.

To purchase Christmas Printable Games from Python Printables, go HERE.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Aloha Friday #162

from Kailani's blog:

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My question/statement: What was your favorite part of Thanksgiving Dinner this year?

My answer: The two new recipes I tried this year for sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes.  Also, the Pumpkin Cream Pie which was another new addition.  Yum!

Happy Thanksgiving!